Equipment
Ping’s new G700 irons are its “longest, highest flying” irons ever
On the same day Ping launched “the most forgiving driver in golf” with its G400 Max driver, it also launched the company’s “longest, highest flying irons to date,” according to Ping. To achieve that level of distance and forgiveness on the G700 irons, Ping gave them hollow-body constructions with 17-4 Stainless Steel bodies and maraging steel faces.
The hollow body and geometry of the G700 designs, according to Ping, positions weight away from their faces. Like the design of a metalwood, this allows the face to flex, thus raising ball speeds on shots hit all over the face. Also like Ping’s metalwoods, the G700 irons use C300 maraging steel — “one of the strongest alloys in the world,” according to Ping — on its faces. Since the material is so strong and the faces can be made thinner, the faces flex more than previous Ping irons, without sacrificing durability; this leads to greater ball speeds and more forgiveness on off-center hits.
“The desire for golfers to hit their irons farther continues to grow,” said John Solheim, president of Ping. “We want to provide options that greatly increase distance without sacrificing other performance attributes, such as consistency, forgiveness and feel. With the G700 iron, we’ve been able to accomplish all of that in a very appealing design with a sound that screams distance from the moment golfers hit it.
The high-performance construction also comes in an iron design that is aesthetically reminiscent of the iBlade, although the G700 irons have a larger profile, more offset, and thicker soles for more forgiveness through the turf. The lower and more rearward CG (center of gravity) will also help the ball fly not only straighter and farther, but higher, as well.
Like Ping irons of recent years, the G700 irons also have a HyrdoPearl chrome finish that enhances something called hydrophobicity, or the ability of an object to repel water. That means the irons are designed to reduce the effect of water between the golf and the golf club.
The G700 irons (4-9, PW, UW and SW) comes in 10 different color codes, or lie angles, and they come stock with either Ping AWT 2.0 steel shafts (R, S and X), or three different graphite options: Ping’s Alta CB (counterbalanced), UST’s Recoil 760 ES SmacWrap or UST’s Recoil 780 ES SmacWrap. The irons, which are available for pre-order now, will sell for $160 per iron in steel or $175 per iron in graphite. Additional after-market shafts are available for no upcharge, including True Temper’s Dynamic Gold series, Project X LZ shafts, Nippon’s N.S. Pro Modus 105, KBS Tour shafts and more.
Discussion: See what GolfWRX members are saying about the Ping G700 irons in our forums
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Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
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Whats in the Bag
Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
- Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 80 TX
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue (22 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 6.5 100
Irons: Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID, 58-10 MID, 60-06 LOW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
Check out more in-hand photos of Alejandro Tosti’s WITB in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
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Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
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joro
Sep 27, 2019 at 1:28 pm
So save some money and restamp your Irons 6 degrees stronger and WHAMO,, you have a modern set. What a bunch of krap they are feeding us and it is because Golf is going from accuracy to nothing but distance and who is longer with what. So those of you with the ego, have fun. I remember giving a guy a lesson that hit his PW 140, He had just bought a set of Cobra King Cobra Irons. He was so happy that he was the longest in his group, that is until I checked the lofts and found his PW loft was the sane as an 8 Iron. So marketing is the key, either you fall for it or not.
joe
Feb 27, 2018 at 10:05 am
I believe former Ping designer(s) left Ping for PXG a few years ago. That may explain similarities between the two irons. I’m not much of a fan of these new advancements, you still have to hit the ball with the correct direction and distance. I’m honestly amazed that anyone buys any new stuff anymore. Same with all these new drivers, it’s craziness at this point.
Nachos
Jan 30, 2018 at 10:52 pm
Time for PXG to sue.
Jerry
Jan 22, 2018 at 8:43 am
Surprised no one has said that these look exactly like Taylormade’s P790 irons.
Bruce Ferguson
Jan 17, 2018 at 12:23 am
On a par 3 executive course, your long irons would never leave the bag . . .
momo
Jan 15, 2018 at 11:47 pm
I’m still playing Ping Zing2’s …. sigh …. 😮
Big L
Jan 15, 2018 at 9:59 pm
Ping is getting like taylormade. Everyone is on this witch hunt to get stuff out with very little change and large price increases !!! All mighty dollar. A shame.
Redman
Jan 31, 2018 at 9:07 am
its called capitalism. no one is forced to buy anything.
Tony Lynam
Feb 12, 2018 at 7:26 pm
Best comment on here!
Philip
Jan 15, 2018 at 8:06 pm
From other reviews these irons are 1/2 degree stronger versus the G400 – from the SW on down. Standard (4i to SW) are: 20,23,26,29.5,34,39,44,49, 54 and PowerSpecs (4i to SW) are: 18.5,21.5,24.5,28,32,37,42,47,52 … a 52 degree sand-wedge … I guess the golfers using these irons never end up in the sand or consider it a regular wedge.
M Smizzule
Jan 15, 2018 at 7:08 pm
Are the lofts the same as g max?
Jim Cardosi
Jan 15, 2018 at 3:38 pm
Sure would be nice if they came out with a “tour” version and stamped out that offset. That would be a very good looking head without the offset, IMHO.
M-Herd4
Jan 16, 2018 at 4:06 pm
Agreed. Way too much offset.
HP
Jan 29, 2018 at 9:07 pm
If you want less offset, my thinking it is the P790.
Thomas A
Feb 2, 2018 at 3:08 pm
They do. It’s called the I200.
Jim Danielewicz
Jan 15, 2018 at 2:08 pm
Is it available in the 54,56,and 60 degree wedges?
Jim Danielewicz
Jan 15, 2018 at 2:16 pm
Would you please reply to my questions?
Jim Danielewicz
Jan 15, 2018 at 1:59 pm
Are they heavier than the G30’s. I like heavy. I wish my G30’s were heavier
Joro
Jan 15, 2018 at 2:38 pm
If you want heavier go with a heavier shaft like a Dynamic Golf at 125 gr. or a Tour at 130 grams. Swing weight is only balance at 2 grams per point. So are you talking about heavier o/all or head feel.
Jack L.
Jan 16, 2018 at 4:59 pm
You can always order them with heavier swingweights and they will use heavier heads in construction. You can do this with any PING iron and have always been able to.
DD
Jan 15, 2018 at 1:10 pm
way too offset
James Strachan
Jan 15, 2018 at 1:08 pm
PING’s business model is looking more and more like TaylorMade.
dlygrisse
Jan 15, 2018 at 12:45 pm
Are these the same head size as the other G irons?
Wally
Jan 15, 2018 at 12:20 pm
I really like the looks of the irons. The offset doesn’t bother me too much since it’s as much as the G400 but the w i d e sole is something I don’t care for.
Scott
Jan 15, 2018 at 11:45 am
Looks really nice. When I start reading about hollow irons, thin faces, longer yards, all coming into pxg wheelhouse. Curious to see how this direction pans out.