Equipment

Ping G irons: What you need to know

Published

8 years ago

Jan 11, 2016

Ping’s G irons (MSRP $110 per club with steel, $125 per club with graphite) will be in stores February 11. They’re available in 4-9, PW, UW (50), SW (54), LW (58). Default color code is yellow. Stock swing weight is DO-D4.

Ping’s Stock Shafts: AWT 2.0 (R, S, X), CFS Graphite (65SR, 70R, 80S)
No Upcharge Custom Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold (S300, X100), True Temper Project X (5.0, 6.0), True Temper XP 95 (R, S), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 105 (S, X)

What you need to know

The G irons use Ping’s COR-Eye technology, which debuted on the company’s super-game-improvement G Max irons that were released in July 2015. The fast-face technology gives the irons higher ball speeds, as well as a higher launch angle because of the bending mechanics of the club face.

Previous G-Series irons were known for their impressive forgiveness – Ping’s G30 irons were the top-rated irons for forgiveness in our 2015 Gear Trials Club Test – but they tended to fly shorter than their competitors. COR-Eye not only improves distance, but improves the overall forgiveness of the irons as well.

The G irons have a moment of inertia (MOI), a measure of forgiveness, that is 1.5 percent higher from heel to toe, and 5 percent higher from top to bottom compared to the G30 irons, according to Ping.

When comparing 7 irons, the G irons are approximately 5 yards longer than the G30 irons, according to Ping. The company’s testing of the new irons showed a ball speed increase of 1.25 mph, a 0.5-degree higher launch angle and 250 rpm less spin rate.

Comparatively, most golfers will see even more distance from the G long irons. The distances the short irons fly will be more similar.

The G irons are cast from 17-4 stainless steel. Their two-stage construction process takes six hours to complete, Ping says. The special heat treatment process used to make the G’s Hyper 17-4 club faces increases strength by 40 percent, compared to the G30 irons.

To make room for the G’s increased face bending at impact, Ping pulled its CTP (custom tuning port) away from the clubface, creating a wide, deep undercut. A thicker badge in the cavity of the irons manages the added vibrations from the irons’ thinner, more flexible faces.

The sound of the G irons is a cross between the company’s G Max and G30 irons. “The acoustics tell you there is more speed,” said Marty Jertson, Senior Design Engineer for Ping.

Ping’s G (6 iron) and G30 (right) at address.

At address, the G irons appear to have thinner toplines than the G30 irons. While the width of the toplines is essentially the same, they were given a bevel that makes them appear about one-third thinner. The irons also have a slightly different toe shape, with a low toe that has been extended, and a higher peak.

The soles of Ping’s G (left) and G30 irons.

Ping made the soles of the G irons slightly wider, but they play effectively thinner because of sole relief added to the back of the sole.

Ping’s G irons debut the company’s new AWT 2.0 shafts, made by Nippon, which have an ascending-weight design. In the R flex, shaft weights range from approximately 95 grams (4 iron) to 105 grams (wedges). In the S flex, weights range from 100-110 grams. In the X flex, the weights range from 115-123 grams.

G Iron Specs

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18 Comments

Jamz50

Jun 20, 2018 at 7:08 pm

I still use the I2 irons on my third set. A seven iron is a seven iron regardless of the number on the sole of the club.

Reply Report comment
Luke

Jun 14, 2016 at 2:46 pm

I agree they look ugly, but if they make the game easier who cares. There ain’t no pictures on the scorecard.

Reply Report comment
Ruth

Apr 1, 2016 at 5:51 am

I just got my fitted G irons today and tried it at the driving range. It added 10 meters to my distance and its so forgiving. Can’t really feel the ball on contact and added more height to the shots with added distance. Nice.

Reply Report comment
M-Herd4

Feb 19, 2016 at 3:43 pm

The back of the cavity looks eerily similar to the Cobra FLY-Z irons with the harmonic insert which were released at the end of 2014.

Reply Report comment
Adrian Thomson

Feb 10, 2016 at 2:50 pm

Playing Ping since 92 & had many sets, last Dec changed to the GMax, big mistake don’t like them, just waiting for the new order of the new G, Irons, not convinced any more that Ping are so great, if these don’t work then a switch to Callaway Irons, like a previous comment already made they are not fair G30 is still a new Iron really.

Reply Report comment
- KoKo
  
  Apr 22, 2016 at 10:27 am
  
  GMax are max-game improvement irons and not comparable to the G series IMO. There is a huge feel difference having tried them I couldn’t possibly consider them for my own game (currently using G25). I’ll stick with the G25 or maybe move to the G – I tried the “i” as well which I really like but they are lower trajectory.
  
  Reply Report comment
Birdiedog

Feb 6, 2016 at 8:00 pm

Just got fit for a set, took the seven on the range and striped 23 out of 25. That said, I’m older and have an artificial right hip, so my top club head speed was 85. I’m 61and have een playing since I was eight and this is by far the most forgiving golf club I’ve ever swung. For me to swing the club at only85 miles an hour And fly a 7-iron 155 yards with a slight draw is huge. Had no trouble working it left to right, either.
I’m all in. I ordered mine.

Reply Report comment
Mark Combs

Jan 29, 2016 at 9:00 am

After playing Ping irons for many years, I switched to Callaway and play their Apex irons. I always loved the look of Ping G series irons, I played the G10, G15, G20, and G25. I think these irons are just plain ugly. I don’t like the finish, which is something I always loved about their irons, the dark finish always wore well. Plus, the junk they’ve put on the head of the driver looks ugly as well. I also switched to the new Callaway Big Bertha driver, which has a smokey gun metal finish, which reminds me of something Ping used to make. I feel like Ping has really lost it’s way and is headed in the wrong direction. They should have come out with a G35 that was “better” and waited the appropriate amount of time. It should be noted they brought these out quicker (less than 2 years) to replace the G30, this is unusual for Ping, so obviously the G30s were not moving….Sad, this was a great company, I think Callaway is taking market share from everyone right now

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frank freeze

Jan 22, 2016 at 11:18 am

If i was a buyer of the G 30 irons i would be quite pissed about the statement that those irons being 5 yards less and less forgiving than the new ones shown above. It seems to me that they should get it right and not keep coming out with a new “set” of clubs each year or every two when they charge you a grand for a new set of clubs. Or they should have a buy back program that allows a golfer to get 80% of the value of the old clubs towards the new set if a new set is released within two years of the old set…….Hmmmm just a thought!!! I do play Ping I-20 and love them but it seems to me that Ping is becoming a taylormade or callaway and just producing new clubs without really creating a new benefit to the average golfer…..Just saying!

Reply Report comment
Rich

Jan 14, 2016 at 7:22 am

“The acoustics tell you there is more speed”. This statement worries me. Callaway and TM have made some awful irons that sound like you’re hitting something so harsh. Hope Ping haven’t gone down the same path.

Reply Report comment
- WILSON!!
  
  Jan 20, 2016 at 6:08 pm
  
  Are you crazy? Ping irons have always felt harsh. “heat treatment that makes them 40% harder” eh? I didn’t know that was possible.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Dave e
    
    Jan 21, 2016 at 8:41 am
    
    Got fitted for these at ping gainsborough. Really smooth irons with lots of forgiveness and good distance even on mishits. No harshness either. Needless to say mine are on order ready for the release date.
    
    Reply Report comment
TMP

Jan 11, 2016 at 8:25 pm

Is it Taylorping or Pingmade? Either way, that is one fugly iron

Reply Report comment
jgpl001

Jan 11, 2016 at 4:43 pm

I seem to remember TM being slated for jacking up iron lofts….27 deg 6 iron here, but its Ping, so nobody will complain!!!

I sure they perform well (as all Ping clubs do), but God they do know how to do ugly

Reply Report comment
- xring
  
  Jan 11, 2016 at 5:30 pm
  
  Looks like the 2008 TM burner as well. I am a Ping fan and currently play them but find the look recycled. Ditch the baby blue inlays as well.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - WillyE
    
    Jan 11, 2016 at 7:05 pm
    
    Play PINGS and have for years. They are losin me..
    
    Reply Report comment
Jim

Jan 11, 2016 at 12:17 pm

I don’t particularly like the Cor Eye badge but everything seems pretty nice including the new bezel and trimmed top line. Can’t wait to read some full playing reviews too.

Reply Report comment
Greg V

Jan 11, 2016 at 11:05 am

A Nippon AWT shaft – I’m quite interested.

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

6 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

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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