Ping's boosts horsepower on new irons, adds wedges and putters

[#image: /photos/55ad7e00b01eefe207f72623]|||PING_GMax.jpg|||Ping has enjoyed much success recently with mid-year product introductions, witnessed by its G30 driver (launched last July) reaching the No. 1 spot in driver sales at on- and off-course shops according to Golf Datatech. The Phoenix-based company is again taking an aggressive approach to a mid-year launch, this time with two new iron lines, and extensions to its Glide wedge series and Cadence TR putter line. The clubs are available for pre-order starting today. With its latest iron offerings Ping is bringing distance to the forefront in two completely distinct categories and for two different player types. First, in the new i irons (Ping is no longer adding a number to its naming convention), the distance emphasis comes in the form of selective shaft length and loft tweaks. Shafts are 1/4-inch longer in the 3- through 9-irons than the i25, and the heads feature 1 degree stronger lofts in the 3- through 8-irons. [#image: /photos/55ad7e00b01eefe207f72621]|||PING_i.jpg|||Distance, however, is not the sole point of emphasis as Ping's engineers also spent much time trying to optimize the peak height of each iron as well as boosting the moment of inertia by expanding the perimeter weighting and using tungsten in the toe area of the 3- through 7-irons. The custom tuning port—visible on previous Ping irons—has been hidden in the i irons ($1,080, set of eight, steel), and is now positioned deeper in the cavity and lower with respect to the center of the face to better align with the impact area for better sound and feel. There's an even more aggressive take with the new game-improvement GMax ($972, set of eight, steel), which replaces the Karsten irons from a couple of years ago. A special heat-treating process has produced a face that is 40-percent stronger than the Karsten iron in the 4- through 8-irons for added ball speed. Lighter swingweights in the 4- through 6-irons also make it easier to square the club at impact. The company's Core-Eye technology helps allow the face to be 31-percent thinner on the perimeter and helps activate the sole and top rail to produce 1 to 3 mph additional ball speed off the face. Cosmetically, there is an addition of a ferrule for the first time ever on a G-Series iron. Both irons come stock with Ping's CFS Distance steel shaft, however numerous aftermarket shafts are available at no upcharge. [#image: /photos/55ad7e00add713143b42d919]|||PING_GlideES.jpg|||The extension to the Glide wedges is the addition of the ES wedges. ES stands for Eye Sole, as the clubs utilize a high toe, sole design and tapered hosel inspired by the company's classic Eye2 wedge. "This hosel promotes less drag force through the sand," says Erik Henrikson, Ping's innovation and science fitting manager. "The hosel area is 11 percent less than in previous models and that results in 7 percent less hosel drag that makes it easier to get the club through the sand." The scooped sole design provides more versatility from a variety of conditons, especially out of the sand, while a moisture-repelling 431 stainless steel clubhead boosts friction. The wedges ($140 each, steel) are available in 56, 58 and 60 degrees. [#image: /photos/55ad7e00add713143b42d916]|||PING_Craz-e-er.jpg|||A pair of additions to Ping's Cadence TR putter line are the Ketsch Mid (a semi-mallet with a head approximately 30-percent smaller than the original Ketsch) and the Craz-E-R, an update of the company's popular mallet that boasts a sightline that extends from the top of the face to the rear of the putter for better alignment. Both utilize the company's variable depth groove insert for more consistent roll across the face. In keeping with the company's commitment to matching putters to player stroke types, each is available in models designed for straight, slight arc or strong arc stroke types. The company also has incorporated the ability to choose different weights to match tempo. For the Ketsch Mid ($245), there is a choice of a typical or heavy sole plate that can boost the putter weight by 25 grams. On the Craz-E-R ($215), a standard weight face insert or heavier insert (33 grams more) are available. Both putter are available in adjustable length models for an additional $35. -------------------------------------------------------- [__WATCH: GOLF DIGEST VIDEOS__](http://video.golfdigest.com/) [#iframe:http://player.cnevids.com/embed/52e8084dc2b4c01058fa2c2e/52f2ab7369702d2e48230000](560x390)|||

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Ping's boosts horsepower on new irons, adds wedges and putters

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