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If you’re a fan of Ping irons – and, seriously, who’s not? – then today is a good day.
Say hello to the newest additions to the brand’s popular “i” series: the i230 irons and iCrossover.
Designed for avid players who want to make significant improvements, the i230 irons combine the precise control and consistency of a players’ iron with the forgiveness of a game improvement iron, much like the iconic Ping EYE 2 irons used to.
The Crossover category, meantime, has been integrated into the “i” family to target golfers who prefer a blade-style of iron.
Let’s take a closer look at the tech story behind each one…
Ping i230 irons
Advancements
to the activated elastomer technology in the i230 iron allowed Ping
engineers to save significant weight, which is re-allocated within the
clubhead to position the centre of gravity low for more distance
and control, while increasing the moment of inertia for added
forgiveness.
The low CG combines with greater face bending to deliver higher ball speeds. The elastomer reinforces the face, providing
more consistent bending and energy transfer across the entire face,
resulting in approximately three more yards of distance in player
testing. Its higher MOI is largely due to tungsten toe and tip weights,
which help make it the most forgiving “i” iron to date.
“The
i230 iron sits in the middle of our iron offerings, so it requires us
to balance a variety of performance attributes,” explained John K. Solheim, the Ping president and CEO. “It needs
the precision and solid feel of a players iron while offering the
forgiveness a lot of golfers expect from a PING iron.
“We also want to
provide more distance in a way that is predictable and repeatable to
ensure it meets the precise gapping needs of the best players in the
world. I’m excited to report our research and early tour feedback
confirms we’ve achieved all that and more. It has a little bit of
everything to deliver a lot of performance.”
Through extensive modal analysis, Ping researchers also isolated undesirable frequencies within the clubhead and precisely positioned a re-engineered cavity badge to damp their effect to ensure a pleasing feel and sound.
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The four-piece badge combines a thin 304 stainless steel cap with an injection-moulded thermoplastic that is secured to the cavity with high-strength adhesive. The activated elastomer supports the face and sits in a toaster-style pocket, which is concealed behind the multi-material badge, creating a clean and appealing cavity design
The long irons (3-5) are slightly more compact than the tour-proven i210, producing more consistent clubface delivery and accuracy, while the rest of the set is designed with similar blade lengths. The sole design is also similar, with a more rounded lead edge and ample bounce to promote smooth turf interaction for clean and solid strikes.
The precision-milled MicroMax grooves deliver consistent launch and spin results for more accuracy in the long irons and greater control in the short irons and wedges, especially in wet or grassy conditions where the grooves and hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish help ensure lower launch angles with high spin rates
Ping iCrossover
The iCrossover is engineered for high-swing-speed players looking for long-iron alternatives (2XR, 3XR, 4XR) that fit seamlessly into their set while delivering increased ball speeds for more distance with higher launch.
The sources of the high ball speed are the thin, maraging steel face and lower CG position, which is closer to the impact location to produce more energy transfer.
The face is robotically welded to the 17-4 stainless steel body with a lower-hinged bend point to provide higher launch for better stopping power. A smaller internal cavity with targeted EVA polymer on the back of the face ensures a pleasing feel and sound.
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With
similar sole shaping, including the rounded lead edge and ample bounce,
the iCrossover seamlessly fits into an i230 iron set in place of long
irons.
The blade lengths are slightly shorter with less offset than
previous crossover generations, making it more compact while providing a
tour-style appearance. The standard shaft length builds also are
approximately one-quarter inch shorter than the previous models to
transition into a set more easily, providing more control and tighter
dispersion patterns with similar distance.
The precision-milled MicroMax
grooves and matte-black hydropearl 2.0 finish deliver consistent launch
and spin results for more accuracy.
A
first in an iron-style design, the adjustable hosel also provides eight
settings for loft and lie to help dial in a golfer’s desired ball
flight. The lightweight hosel is clearly marked to allow for quick and
easy adjustments, with a range of ±1.5° loft and lie in various
combinations. The standard setting is the stated loft of the club at
1.5° upright.
“We looked closely at our fitting and Arccos data and discovered the vast majority of our crossover users were better players who use one of our blade irons,” Solheim said. “So, we shifted our focus to engineering a crossover that better fit the needs of that type of player.
“The iCrossover performance results have been exceptional. Its shape looks great, the ball speeds are higher, and it sounds very powerful. The addition of the adjustable hosel is a huge benefit to help players at that level dial in their ball flight.”
Full specifications for both the Ping i230 and iCrossover are available on the Ping website.
RRP: Ping i230 – £180 per club with stock steel shaft, £190 per club with stock graphite shaft; Ping iCrossover – £275 per club with graphite
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