[jwplayer akJ0bUK6-9JtFt04J]
Gear: Ping G425 irons
Price: $137.50 each with Ping AWT 2.0 steel shafts or $150 each with Alta CB Slate graphite shafts
Specs: Cast 17-4 stainless steel head with undercut cavity, multimaterial badge and hydrophobic finish
When Ping designates an iron is an “i” club, it is likely something made to appeal to better players, such as the iBlades that PGA Tour player Tony Finau uses or the i210 irons that Viktor Hovland has in his bag. Clubs that get a “G” designation, such as last season’s G410 irons, are made to produce distance and be playable for a broader segment of players.
Such is the case this year with the new G425 irons, with which Ping is trying to deliver an iron that hits shots farther and higher with a steeper descent angle for more stopping power on greens for recreational golfers.
To create more distance, Ping gave the G425 irons a variable-thickness face made from heat-treated 17-4 stainless steel. It is strong and thin, and combined with the sizeable undercut-cavity design, it allows for more flex at impact. That should help golfers boost ball speed.
Simultaneously, the G425 irons were designed to be more forgiving than last season’s G410 irons, even though they have a slightly smaller blade length. Typically, larger clubs are more forgiving, but Ping added extra weight in the heel area and a weight screw low in the toe to create extreme perimeter weighting. The extra mass does not inhibit the unsupported face from flexing but does boost the moment of inertia to make the clubs more resistant to twisting on off-center hits. Ping said the smaller G425 irons have a 3 percent higher inertia than the G410.
To enhance sound and feel, Ping made the back badge on the G425 using aluminum, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and dampening tape. The multiple layers of material soak up excessive vibrations and give the clubs a premium look.
At address, golfers will see that the topline of the G425 is moderately thick, and there is some offset designed into the heads to help golfers square the face at impact more efficiently. The soles are wide and curved enough to help golfers who tend to hit fat shots, the leading edges have some pre-wear and the back edge has been beveled. Ping also designed the G425 with a Hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish that repels water, so the clubs perform better in wet grass and damp conditions.
Each G425 iron comes standard with a Golf Pride Lite 360 Tour Velvet grip fitted with an Arccos sensor. Golfers who purchase one or more the G425 driver, fairway wood, hybrid, iron (up to five) or Crossover are eligible for 14 free Arccos screw-in sensors and a 90-day app free trial for a $19.99 shipping and handling fee.