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
- LIKE432
- LEGIT41
- WOW32
- LOL7
- IDHT5
- FLOP18
- OB8
- SHANK52
Equipment
Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.
However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.
“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”
Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.
Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.
Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.
One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play one degree upright to help dial in his desired launch.
We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!
- Check out the rest of our pictures from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- LIKE10
- LEGIT1
- WOW2
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)
- Zac Blair what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X
Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X
Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X
Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
- LIKE3
- LEGIT0
- WOW1
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)
- Martin Trainer what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX
3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
- LIKE10
- LEGIT1
- WOW1
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
-
19th Hole3 days ago
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
-
19th Hole7 days ago
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Scottie Scheffler had an interesting response when asked how he ‘quiets the noise’ following Players victory
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Jon Rahm dealt fresh blow to hopes of qualifying for 2025 Ryder Cup
-
Equipment2 weeks ago
Best driver 2024: The best driver for you, as recommend by expert club fitters
-
19th Hole3 days ago
Charlie Woods finds it tough going on American Junior Golf Association debut
-
19th Hole6 days ago
Why Kevin Streelman sought USGA approval to use this equipment tool as he leads Valspar after round one
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.