i’S RIGHT PING i25 FAMILY PROGRESSES TO A NEW LEVEL Ping fans will know that the ‘i’ series is conceived as an excellent solution midway between the smallerheaded S series blades and the maximum forgiveness cavities of the G series (already in their own G25 generation). With the i25 for 2014, Ping has certainly reinforced the ‘best of both worlds’ positioning. Here’s a progressive design that steadily moderates blade length, sole width and offset up through the irons. Appealing to all those that require help with launch and accuracy at the long end, but greater workability and shot-making precision on shorter approaches. Mindful of the strong industry trend toward hot faces, Ping have also worked hard to build in some extra distance features. “By changing the design of the custom tuning port we’ve saved a lot of weight directly behind the face which engineers extra face defection to encourage greater ball speed,” explains Ping’s Director of Product Development, Marty Jertson. Then again, the effortless, high flight and steep
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landing angle (encouraged by rear stabilizing bars and 10g of toe-positioned tungsten) will be welcomed many standards of player. Aesthetically, Ping have cleverly blended the set to allow a seamless transition between adjacent irons (even if comparing the 3-iron to the wedge shows up the design extremes). Meanwhile, the matching metals stand out from the crowd with their racing stripes on the rich black crown. The same width as a golf ball, these double as a subtle alignment aid. The i25 driver is multi-material mix of two titanium grades (for efficient energy transfer) and highdensity tungsten sole weights. The latter lower the CG in the 460cc head to reduce spin and encourage a flatter ball flight that maximises ‘roll out’. The adjustable hosel is neat in that has the same outer diameter and weight as Ping’s traditional fixed designs. Hence you get the benefits of a 1/2° loft variation (either side of standard) but without compromising the club’s cosmetics or internal weighting strategy. Completing the set are similarly styled, steel fair-
ways and hybrids – again with progressive CG placement to optimise spin and launch. The latter have a nice straight leading edge and a squared-off toe, while combining an offset engineered for high launch with a reduced bulge and roll to enhance shot making. Special mention, too, for the all-new metalwood PWR shafts (standing for Performance, Weighting, and Responsiveness). As well as efficiently complementing the heads, these address the challenge of fitting adjustable clubs with the optimum weight and flex for a player without effecting swingweight. Further confirmation that the i25 represents a fine upgrade on the previous generation. Guide: Ping i25 driver: £345 (8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°) Fairways: £220 (14°, 15°, 18°) Hybrids: £185 (17°, 19°, 22°, 26°) Irons: £90 per club (steel shaft)/£110 (graphite) www.ping.com