The Ping Test
The following data is from two golfers testing the difference between a Ping Raptor 2 iron versus a Ping Eye 2 Beryllium Copper head. Both golfers are skilled players, one playing off a 5 handicap and the other is a PGA Golf Professional. The Beryllium copper ping eye 2 irons were introduced in 1982 and the copper head was branded one of golf’s all-time best selling irons.
Benefits from 1982 Ping Eye 2:
Extreme perimeter weighting & a unique sole design contributes to perimeter weighting promoting cleaner strikes. Preferred by a range of players to high-handicappers to PGA Golf Professionals all over. It is suggested that the metal Copper is ideal for players club-head hitting feedback.
Benefits from 2013 Ping Raptor 2 iron.
The shaft is 39.75-inch length with an 18-degree head. half an inch longer than a standard 2-iron shaft, resulting in more club-head speed and for longer distances. Also, Tungsten heel and toe weights adds to club-head speed.
Test Results:
Corrispondately, the goal from this exercise was to simply compare Trackman data from hitting 5 shot off the mat and 5 shots off the tee with each club.
Table of content 1.1
| Player 1, 0 Handicap | Club Head Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance | Spin Rates | Ave Flight Time |
| Beryllium Copper 2 Iron – | 90.91 | 134.54 | 197.54 | 3244.72 | 5.93 |
| Rapture 2 Iron + | 93.14 | 136.53 | 202.35 | 3383.41 | 6.24 |
| Differences | 2.23 | 1.99 | 4.81 | 138.69 | 0.31 |
| % Diff | 2.46% | 1.48% | 2.44% | 4.27% | 5.39% |
| Player 2, 5 handicap | |||||
| Beryllium Copper 2 Iron – | 89.6 | 128.18 | 181.36 | 4210.33 | 5.75 |
| Rapture 2 Iron + | 92.51 | 131.46 | 187.14 | 3851.44 | 6 |
| Differences | 2.91 | 3.28 | 5.78 | -358.89 | 0.25 |
| % Diff | 3.25% | 2.56% | 3.19% | -8.52% | 4.35% |
Conclusion:
Approx. 31 years is the difference between both the golf clubs release dates. Truly, the fact that the Ping Eye 2 can still perform compared to the Raptor 2 Iron is a testament to the quality golf clubs manufactured by Ping Golf. However, the raptor 2 iron is clearly a better option for both players. Notably, better ball speed, longer flight times and faster clubhead speeds. Clearly, a good club to use playing golf courses with lay-up shots and par 3s around 200 – 220 yards. Overall, I find the Ping Raptor 2 iron to be a really good performing club.
Author:
John Dooley PGA | Contact us for golf coaching and golf clubs repairs. Click here to visit Ping Golf and read more about the right time to buy a set of clubs.