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These premium, custom-fit junior clubs have been updated to use an online fitting tool that ensures children are using equipment they can play their best with
You cannot doubt Ping’s commitment to manufacturing equipment on a custom-built basis. The philosophy that powers their business has now been extended to the new line of Prodi G junior clubs.
Just as in the previous Prodi G range, Ping apply all the same principles as in their men’s and ladies’ clubs. The difference is, this range is for juniors.
There are plenty of options out there for much cheaper equipment to get young golfers into the game. But, if you are serious about giving a child the best possible chance of developing a serious interest in the game, you need look no further.
Ping Prodi G Junior Golf Clubs: The Technology
Technologies applied to the new Prodi G include: thinner, more flexible faces to increase ball speed in the metal woods; irons engineered with lower CGs for more distance and higher launch and a custom tuning port for precise swing weighting during the custom-building process; and two putter options offering a traditional blade or more contemporary mallet style.
Along with performance improvements throughout the set, Ping have introduced WebFit Junior (link to: https://junior.webfit.ping.com/) a web app that recommends club specifications and set makeup based on the answers to a few simple questions.
Parents will be only too familiar with the issue of buying expensive sporting clothing and equipment.
Ping have got us covered there thanks to their Get Golf Growing programme that offers custom-fit and custom-built junior clubs that include a one-time, no-cost adjustment to sets of five clubs or more.
“One of the biggest barriers parents of junior golfers face is investing in a set of clubs that their kids will outgrow in a short time,” said John K. Solheim, PING CEO & President. “This is designed to be an affordable way to get juniors into high-performance, custom-fit clubs while bringing more boys and girls to the sport. The Prodi G clubs grow with the golfer. It’s basically two sets for the cost of one. We believe if juniors are exposed to better equipment, they’ll enjoy golf more, which will continue to grow the game as they fall in love with golf and play it for a lifetime.”
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Amen to that.
It took just a few minutes to establish some key measurements for my 11-year-old daughter, Alice. This was via the online fitting tool.
WebFit Junior aims to factor in skill level, age, height, wrist-to-floor and average driver distance to make recommendations. To get an idea of the level of detail here, a gapping-analysis feature allows you to experiment with the set makeup by adding or removing clubs.
NCG Verdict
When the clubs arrived, she was delighted with the sharp headcovers and bag while I marvelled at the detail of each and every club, which just look like scaled-down versions of the ones I am proud to have in my own bag.
The wedges and putter, in particular, just look like premium product with genuine shelf appeal.
After we arrived at the driving range, it was clear that the clubs were suited to Alice. They are so light that there is no danger of encouraging the kind of bad habits – like overswinging and poor balance – that are so easy to encounter when children use equipment that is too long and heavy for them.
They are all designed to do a different job, which we found impressive. Alice started by asking me when to use each club. I simply asked her to experiment and use whichever ones she fancied. Without any further instruction, and within less than 15 minutes, she had established that her favourite clubs. They were the hybrid and the sand wedge. One was the most effective at flying high and far. The other was the most fun when aiming at the flags closest to her.
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“Focusing on the needs of junior golfers and utilising the technology of our adult product lines, we’ve advanced the performance of the new Prodi G family to deliver more distance while launching the ball higher to help ensure juniors experience consistently good shots and have fun on the course,” said Solheim.
“We’ve also expanded the build range of the entire set, allowing us to better fit a wider height range of players using the new junior fitting app. With junior golf growing at a very high rate, we’re excited to bring all this to parents who want to get their kids started with a premium, high-performance set of clubs, custom fit and custom built just for them.”
The Prodi G set comprises 10 clubs and two putter options: a 15⁰ titanium driver, 22⁰ fairway wood, 28⁰ hybrid, forgiving irons (6-9, PW), specialist wedges (54⁰ S & 58⁰ H) and tour-proven putter models (Anser and Tyne H). Any combination is available to order the clubs in. The Hoofer Prodi G carry bag comes in two size options.
I have no doubt that Alice will continue to enjoy using these clubs and we will enjoy playing golf together. And when she has a growth spurt, we’ll be able to send them back to Ping and they will come back as good as new. There is every chance this set will last her for a good four years. You can’t say for many things that you get for an 11-year-old.
Ping Prodi G Junior Golf Clubs: The Details
Prodi G Driver
Key technologies: 460cc, titanium head, thin face for more ball speed, Turbulators, Dragonfly Technology optimises CG position for maximum forgiveness, lighter total weight for increased clubhead speed
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Loft: 15˚
SRP: £275
Prodi G Fairway Wood
Key technologies: Machined, variable-thickness 17-4 SS face and body. Low CG for higher launch. Thin face for increased speed and distance
Loft: 22˚
SRP: £150
Prodi G Hybrid
Key technologies: Machined, variable-thickness 17-4 SS face and body, optimised loft and CG placement, easy to square
Loft: 28˚
SRP: £125
Prodi G Irons
Key technologies: 17-4 stainless steel with elastomer insert. Low CG for more distance, perimeter-weighted, forgiving head, optimised loft configurations for proper gapping
Available: 6-P
SRP: £90 per iron
Prodi G Wedges
Key technologies: 17-4 stainless steel, elastomer insert, s159 wedge styling and grinds, high-spin groove and face design
Lofts: 54 & 58K
SRP: £90
Prodi G Putters (Anser & Tyne H)
SRP: £95
Hoofer Prodi G Golf Bags
Key features: 4-way top, adjustable dual straps, aluminium bag stand
