Has Ping just released their fastest players’ irons yet?
Distance irons seem to be in most golfer's bags one way or another, but that hasn't quenched the thirst for the true players' offerings just yet.
Whilst there is no doubt that more forgiving irons suit a number of golfers out there, they aren't the perfect solution for every golfer. Some value control over raw distance gains.
This is where Ping new i540 irons come in. Designed for golfers who want more ball speed without giving up control, they blend metal-wood inspired face technology with a compact, players-style profile.
If you want extra yards without sacrificing feel, it sounds like the i540 might just change what you expect from a players-distance iron.
Manufacturer claims, not tested by NCG: Here's a closer look at how Ping has set about trying to deliver this and everything you need to know about them...
Ping i540 Irons: The technology
At the core of the i540’s distance performance is a forged, variable-thickness maraging-steel face that is 9% thinner than that of previous designs.
Because the face is thinner, it flexes more at impact and an increased flex creates more ball speed and a higher peak height.
There is a real emphasis on creating more speed from these irons, with Ping also engineering the sole and topline transition areas to bend almost wood-like. This is ultimately designed to increase speed.
Ping believe the result is a face that behaves more like that of a driver than your typical set of irons.
One of the most notable innovations in the i540 is inR-Air Technology. Bear with me here as I give you the technical definition of what that is. Its a patent-pending internal airbag system positioned behind the face inside the cavity.
If you aren't familiar with any of that, then all you really need to know is that it helps to deliver a more desirable sound and feel while still allowing the face to flex freely.
Ping's i-Beam Technology also helps to unlock this improved sound and feel. It does this by reinforcing the head and supporting the body.
It is a metal-wood-inspired construction that adds a little bit of stability in a model of irons you wouldn't usually expect it from.
Elsewhere, Ping has also added in some tungsten weighting in the mid to long range irons.
By placing tungsten along the sole, the center of gravity is lowered. A lower CG increases ball speed and promotes a higher launch angle, which leads to improved stopping power on approach shots. Valuable in irons that are typically harder to get airborne than others.
Ping i540 Irons: The details
RRP:
Steel: £200 / $235
Graphite: £210 / $250
More Information: Ping website
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