What is the best golf bag set up?
The test: fairway wood v hybrid v driving iron v long iron
These four clubs all go the same distance in the air – but they do it in different ways. Dan Murphy explored the performance characteristics of four Ping clubs to help you put your set together
Club set-up
I asked Ping to custom-fit me into four clubs – a 7-wood, a 3-hybrid, a 3-Crossover and a 4-iron – that all carried the same distance when hit from a mat at their fitting centre in Gainsborough. The aim was to build clubs that would carry 210 yards.
I then tested the clubs on a range, hitting from turf, to see how they performed once built. I then took them out on to the course and used them from a range of lies/scenarios:
• From the tee
• From the fairway
• From the rough
• Into a headwind
• Downwind
Here are the specs:
Fairway wood
Ping G425 Max 7-wood
Loft: 20.5˚
Shaft length: 42”
Shaft: Ping Tour 75 X
Average ball speed: 1401mph
Average launch angle: 15.1˚
Average push/pull: 4.15˚ right
Average sidespin: 101rpm right
Average backspin: 5,000rpm
Average carry: 209 yards
Hybrid
Ping G425 3-hybrid
Loft: 19˚
Shaft length: 40.25”
Shaft: Ping Tour 85 X
Average ball speed: 141 mph
Average launch angle: 12.9˚
Average push/pull: 4.26˚ right
Average sidespin: 100rpm left
Average backspin: 4,200rpm
Average carry: 217 yards
Crossover
Ping G425 3-crossover
Loft: 20˚
Shaft length: 39.75”
Shaft: Ping Tour 85 X
Average ball speed: 137.6 mph
Average launch angle: 13.5˚
Average push/pull: 4.8˚ push
Average sidespin: 70rpm left
Average backspin: 4,800 rpm
Average carry: 205 yards
Iron
Ping G425 4-iron
Loft: 19˚ (Power Spec)
Shaft length: 39.38” (+ ½”)
Shaft: Nippon NS Pro Modus 3 105 X (112g)
Average ball speed: 131 mph
Average launch angle: 15.9˚
Average push/pull: 2.37˚ push
Average sidespin: 145rpm right
Average backspin: 3,800rpm
Average carry: 202 yards
Comparisons
Average ball speed (mph)
Fairway/Hybrid 141
Crossover 138
Iron 131
Average launch angle (˚)
Iron 15.9
Fairway 15.1
Crossover 13.5
Hybrid 12.9
Average push/pull (˚)
Crossover 4.8
Hybrid 4.26
Fairway 4.15
Iron 2.37
Average sidespin (rpm)
Iron 145
Fairway 101
Hybrid 100
Crossover 70
Average backspin (rpm)
Fairway 5,000
Crossover, 4,800
Hybrid 4,200
Iron 3,800
Average carry (yards)
Hybrid 217
Fairway 209
Crossover 205
Iron 202
Conclusions
Well, it depends what you are looking for. And that’s really the point of this test.
In neutral conditions, the hybrid went furthest, the 7-wood landed softest, the 4-iron was the most penetrating, the ball speeds were highest on the hybrid and fairway wood, the iron launched highest and the Crossover went straightest.
In terms of consistency across the board and versatility, the hybrid outperformed the rest. I hit more solid shots that hit the number.
Ping G425 hybrid
This wasn’t what I expected. My preconception was that the hybrid would go especially high, and with a stronger left tendency. Neither of these fears were borne out. I haven’t carried a hybrid for years for those reasons. I have changed my mind now. For me, it’s the most reliable way of shifting the ball 225 yards or so – and better still it can do so from a range of situations. The real bonus is being able to get the ball out of unappealing lies. Only the 7-wood could rival it from such positions.
Crucially, I felt like I got great results when driving, from the fairway and the rough – which set the hybrid apart.
Ping G425 5-wood
It goes high – really high. It was second-highest launching with the highest backspin. For me, that is a ballooning tendency. Especially from the tee. But for you, it might allow you to attack greens beyond water or sand that you normally struggle to hold. Ball speeds and distance were excellent. It loves lifting the ball – even from heavy lies.
So for high, soft-landing shots, this is the club for you. And remember, in old money 20.5˚ used to be called a 5-wood, so don’t be put off by the ‘7’.
Ping G425 3 Crossover
I love a driving iron so had high hopes for the Crossover. For me, though, it only really excelled in one particular category – a lack of curve on my shots. I’m not sure I can pinpoint a reason for that. The spin is definitely hurting me, so I would describe this as a club that would suit a good ball striker who hits long irons a little low. If you’re looking for power or versatility, to go on my results, you’d do better with a wood or a hybrid.
I certainly couldn’t get the same carry out of the Crossover and it wasn’t as effective from the semi-rough.
Ping G425 4-iron
I currently carry either or both of a 3-iron and a 4-iron. So I thought this would be a strong option for me. It quickly became clear that, for me, it’s harder to get consistent distance out of a long iron to match the others, especially the hybrid. What was noticeable was the high launch and low spin combo. I really wasn’t expecting either of those things, in comparison to the others. That could work really well for you but wasn’t very effective for me. It should be said that I had no trouble getting the 4-iron out of imperfect lies, but I was still giving up yards compared to the other options. So it isn’t quite as versatile.
All clothing and shoes used in my videos are supplied by FootJoy. This video was filmed at Rudding Park Golf Club.
- Related: TaylorMade SIM2 hybrids review: We test both models then put them up against last year’s SIM
- Related: Watch more Ping review here
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Hannah Holden
Hannah Holden is the Equipment and Instruction Editor here at National Club Golfer. If you’re looking to improve your game, by changing your golf swing or upgrading your golf equipment she’ll have the answers.
As well as writing lots of features and reviews you can find her on our YouTube channel giving you insights on the latest rules, clubs and tips to improve your golf game.
Hannah is a member at Alwoodley golf club. You will either find her here or driving up and down the country playing in a variety of elite amateur events.
