EQUIPMENT NEWS

As a high-teens handicapper who needs plenty of help in the off-centre distance department, I’ve been firmly in the target demographic for Ping’s G Series irons ever since it launched the G2 back in 2003.

Twenty years on, and having gone through sets of G5s, 10s, 15s, 20s, 25s and 30s, I’m still very much a ‘G Man’, even more so now that my swing speed with an iron in hand is gradually dipping into the low 80s, and my point of contact with the centre of the clubface not always being on point, shall we say.

So it was with something approaching excitement that this somewhat older and slightly more cynical – and certainly not wiser – golfer took Ping’s latest generation of the G Series out for a spin.

The G Series has always been about offering explosive distance on centre strikes, while also not overly punishing miss-hits, and with golf being essentially a game of misses, the better your misses are the better your score is going to be. That being the case I’m not sure I’ve ever tested an iron that’s better at dealing with misses than the G430s, so if you value forgiveness above all other factors in your iron set, then put this magazine down now and go and book a fitting with your local PING dealership.

Hopefully those of you that are still here will also like to know that centre strikes are equally rewarded, with those hit out of the screws travelling like absolute rockets, although thankfully not like the one’s built by Elon Musk.

Through impact the feel is firm with a little explosive pop, with good strikes rewarded with distance that I’ve not encountered with previous G irons.

This was certainly borne out with my Flightscope readings on the range, with my 9-iron averaging 150 yards (carry + roll), the 7-iron weighing in at 175 yards, and my 5-iron going into orbit with an average 206, with the longest being 215, which I had to triple check to believe. Feedback is precise and noticeable through the hands and the ears, and you’ll have no problems distinguishing misses on the toe from those on the heel or those hit low or high on the face.

Many irons do a great job retaining ball speed on miss-hits, and the G430 irons are certainly in that group. The new PurFlex Technology is critical to making a wider range of the face fast, but where the G430 irons separate themselves is in dispersion. Thanks to tungsten weights in the toe and shaft tip, these irons are incredibly stable, and my dispersion rates were among the tightest I’ve ever experienced with an iron. What I also noticed was a tightening of the yardage gaps between clubs. In the G425 irons there were 4.5° or 5° loft gaps between clubs, but in the G430 irons that’s down to 4 degrees. The upshot is that the G430 irons can match any of today’s longest irons on pure strikes, but the trajectories are such that your approach shots will still hold the green.

With all this power and forgiveness at your disposal you’d fully expect the 430s to

World No.1 Jon Rahm is riding on the crest of a comfortable wave thanks his partnership with apparel and footwear brand TravisMathew, whose gear he has been using since 2021, the year he won the US Open. The Spaniard has benefitted from Travis Mathew’s Cuater’s performance Tour golf shoe for all four of his PGA Tour wins in 2023, including The Masters in April, and he was also seen out in the company’s The Ringer shoes at this month’s PGA Championship at Oak Hill.

Speaking about his performance-enhancing footwear, Rahm said: “I think the game changer has been the shoes I am wearing. They are a lot more comfortable. I have done some great work with the Cuater and TravisMathew team and I think it has allowed me to be a little bit more stable and up my ball speed and swing speed without losing any control. I can keep that speed up from the first tee shot on Thursday to the last one on Sunday a little bit more consistently.” look like snow shovels, but Ping has done a great job in packing all this extra oomph into a pretty compact design, with medium heel-to-toe length and a moderate amount of offset that does not offend the eye. While by no means thin, the top line is shaped to further reduce its dimensions, while the cavity is only slightly visible in the long irons at address.

TravisMathew’s Cuater The Ringer shoe delivers ultimate comfort with lightweight support, breathability, and moisture management in an attractive, waterproof style. The shoes come with layers of moulded foam to provide a secure and responsive fit.

TravisMathew is currently running a promotion, with anyone purchasing a pair of Cuater shoes gifted a free pair of Cuater socks. For more idetails, visit eu.travismathew.com/cuater.

My one note of caution – although it might just be me – is that unless you’re a high launch or high spin player, the G430 4-iron is harder to launch skywards than previous G Series models. It’s consistent, but I found it harder to get the trajectory that I was looking for. This was evidenced in that it was some 20 yards shorter on average than the 5-iron, with much reduced carry. Thankfully, I’ve got a G430 4-hybrid in the bag for when I need to play that kind of shot. Also, with the PW set at a loft of 41 degrees, you also might consider some additional support in your wedge options to fill the gap to your lowest lofted specialist wedge, but Ping has that covered with its Glide range, which starts at 46°.

As always, Ping has a wealth of fitting options, including three loft configurations – Standard, Power Spec (stronger), and Retro Spec (weaker) – for players who want higher or lower ball flight throughout the set. New for G430 is the High Launch, which includes a lighter shaft, lighter grip, and lighter weights in the head, all for the purpose of helping golfers create more swing speed and distance. That could be my next option when my swing speed dips below 80mph, but for now the standard G430s look like doing a fine job.

RRP: £150/£160 per iron (st/gr).

One of the most iconic brand names in golf equipment has been given a reboot with the launch of the all-new Big Bertha range of drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons from Callaway Golf.

Updated from the super game improvement Big Bertha range launched in 2021, the 2023 models are designed to provide game-changing performance and make the game more fun for players of all abilities who want to launch the ball higher and play with more confidence every time they tee it up.

The Big Bertha Driver (£499) boasts an ultralow and forward centre of gravity for players who want to reduce their slice for straight distance and an easy launch. From the generous profile to the high-strength XL face, these drivers are built for more confidence and for players to find more fairways. Offered in 9°, 10.5° (RH/LH) and 12° (RH only) models, it also feature an all-new lightweight Jailbreak system has been enhanced to deliver stability and incredibly fast ball speeds across the face.

The Big Bertha Fairway Woods (£329), which are available in seven lofts from 3- to 9-wood, boast an extremely forgiving shape and enhanced offset for players who want to limit their slices and are looking for easy launch, fast ball speeds, and more accuracy. Jailbreak with Batwing Technology stabilizes the body, while allowing the face to flex for incredibly fast ball speeds, longer carry and more distance. An OptiFit Hosel enables loft to be adjusted across the entire range +/- 2 degrees.

There are also seven models to choose from in Big Bertha Hybrid range (£279), from 19° all the way up to 36°, with each model adjustable +/- 2 degrees. Featuring enhanced offset, so shots fly straight, they are easy to hit and launch extremely high from precisely positioned internal tungsten weighting. Jailbreak with Batwing Technology stabilizes the body, while allowing the face to flex for incredibly fast ball speeds, longer carry and more distance.

Finally, the Big Bertha irons (£1,149/£1,299 st/gr, 5-PW), promote incredible forgiveness in a generous, confidenceinspiring shape. Using cutting edge A.I. technology and premium performance materials such as tungsten, these irons are engineered to deliver easy distance and powerful iron shots, even on off-centre hits. ach head throughout the set features a unique A.I. pattern to optimize speed and spin across the face are designed with thicker toplines, wider soles, enhanced offset, and longer blade lengths to create forgiveness and a straight ball flight. Boasting a durable black smoke finish, Big Bertha irons utilize lightweight components to provide an easy-toswing package, while Callaway’s Urethane Microspheres produce outstanding feel while maintaining exceptional ball speeds.

We’ve all been a little lazy putting our golf shoes on at some point, trying to push our feet into a pair without unlacing them, and squashed the heel. Well those uncomfrtoable days are over following the launch the new SKECHERS GO GOLF ELITE 5 SLIP-INS. Available for men and women, they are designed to be put on like that with no adverse e ects to the shoe, making them both a time saver, and a life saver for the less supple golfer who struggles to get down to untie their laces.

Once you’ve slipped the shoe on, Heel Pillow Technology locks the foot into place while feeling supremely comfortable. The shoes feature a Twist Fit dial to secure the t of the shoe. But once this is adjusted, you just slip in and out of the show with no further tightening. The combination gets you feeling locked in, and able to make a strong move at the ball.

Skechers dial up the comfort underfoot as well. Arch Fit is used in the footbed, and is the result of research in conjunction with podiatrists. The removable arch support can help with foot, knee and lower back pain. Ultra Flight cushioning keeps the foot feeling fresh throughout the round, plush and springy polyurethane, the foam is ultra-comfortable while being supportive. Keeping you in contact wih the ground is a GRIPFLEX spikeless TPU outsole that provides traction and stability throughout the swing, as well as while walking the course.

£145