Ping G15 Hybrid Review 2023 – Is it Good for High Handicappers & Forgiving?

“The Ping G15 hybrid is a blast from the past. But sometimes you have to look to the past in order to achieve a brighter (golf) future.”

Any time you see a “G” in the name of a Ping golf club, you should know right off the bat that it’s designed to be forgiving.

The G series of golf clubs from Ping is famous among mid and high handicappers. It is a long-standing series that has undergone many facelifts and innovations.

So why would anyone choose an older G series hybrid over a modern one? Well for one thing, price. Older models are much more affordable. For another, Ping golf clubs are high-quality.

Their older models become vintage and some of them are even viable in 2023. Is the Ping G15 hybrid one such model? Let’s talk about it.

What Year Did the Ping G15 Hybrid Come Out?

The Ping G15 hybrid was launched back in 2009 with the entire G15 line of woods and irons.

The entire line has a uniform look. If you have ever seen or played the G15 driver, you will notice that the Ping G15 hybrid has the same color schemes, lines and branding.

The Ping G15 hybrid is nearly 15 years old so the first thing we have to discuss if we are trying to decide its merit are the features.

Key Features

17-4 Stainless Steel Body

17-4 grade stainless steel was used for the body of this hybrid.

Since 2009, Ping has used more resilient types of steel like maraging steel and 455 Carpenter steel. But 17-4 holds up very well.

It is very durable and resists warping very well. The only issue when compared to modern hybrids is that 17-4 stainless steel is heavier than titanium and the other types of steel we previously mentioned.

Perimeter Weighting

Internal weighting near the toe helps to resist twisting on mis-hits. This means your ball will go further when you miss out near the toe.

It also helps to preserve  ball speed and produce straighter flight.

Compact Shaping

This is more of a design element than a feature.

Still, it’s important to note. The Ping G15 looks more like an iron than it does a fairway wood. The footprint isn’t what you would expect from a hybrid – especially if you’re used to seeing modern hybrids.

It would be very easy to look down at this hybrid and assume you were playing a driving iron.

Is it Good for High Handicappers?

“Despite the compact shaping, it feels near-impossible to miss the sweet spot on this hybrid.”

There are various points on the face with which you can achieve a straight shot. This is definitely a plus for any high handicapper who has trouble with consistency.

While the Ping G15 won’t make up for a major hitch in your swing, as long as you are moderately accurate, it’s hard to miss the sweet spot on this club.

The Ping G15 hybrid also has a good amount of offset. In fact, it is very visible at point of address. For scratch players, this will absolutely be an eye-sore and a nuisance.

But for high handicappers, it’s great. Our high handicap testers reported that they were able to get straight shots in part because the offset made it easier to turn the club over.

For high handicappers with slow to moderate swings speeds and tempos, high-launching clubs are great – and the Ping G15 is certainly a high-launching hybrid.

The flat sole also works really well in the rough. We never felt that the turf was causing us to open up or close the club face.

Available Shafts

• Ping TFC 149H
• Aldila Serrano 85 Hybrid
• Aerotech SteelFiber i80

Is the Ping G15 Worth it?

“Considering that you can get this club for pretty cheap, yes it’s worth it.”

The price to value ratio of this club is hard to argue with. It’s great for high handicappers and performs well no matter what lie you’re dealt.