PHOENIX (Oct. 30, 2013) – When PING’s S55™ iron becomes available in golf shops on Friday, Nov. 1, it arrives riding a wave of enthusiastic tour-player acceptance, and with a PGA Tour win.
John A. Solheim, PING® Chairman & CEO, said he’s excited to get the blade-style iron into golfers’ hands so they can take advantage of the same technology that has benefited the tour pros. “Enhanced workability, forgiveness and distance — those same attributes are going to help golfers looking for a blade-style iron get the most from his or her game,” he said. “With the phenomenal success of the S56® iron, people have been excited for the follow-up, and their anticipation will be rewarded with greater confidence, better ball striking and lower scores.”
Shortly after its introduction on tour in late August, Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Billy Horschel, Luke Guthrie, Ángel Cabrera and many more PING pros put the S55 iron in their bag. Within weeks, it became the most popular iron played by PING’s staff in the U.S. and Europe, and it was the #1 model at the BMW Championship on the PGA Tour. Watson made the biggest news with his switch to the S55; he last changed irons in 2004.
Rapid, widespread acceptance by tour pros, combined with a victory, gave the S55 iron instant credibility, according to Chance Cozby, PING’s Vice President of Sports Development. “Right off the bat players were excited about it, and we saw a number of strong performances in the U.S. and overseas,” Cozby said. “Our engineers were able to provide two attributes that players wanted: workability and forgiveness. That’s what they need to succeed at the highest level, and they’re seeing the results.”
A higher MOI comes from tungsten toe weighting in the 17-4 stainless steel head, which also features a vertical stabilizing bar to ensure distance with control. Workability is improved by having more control over pre-impact face alignment. The custom tuning port (CTP) is larger and sits lower in the back cavity, which positions the CG lower and deeper to promote higher launch with greater energy transfer. To ensure consistent performance, the face, grooves and back cavity are precision-machined. A compact shape, thin top lines, and brushed satin finish provide a clean look that will appeal to golfers with a discerning eye for quality and attention to detail.
Available 3-9, PW. U.S. MSRP: $138.75 per club w/steel shaft; $166.25 per club w/graphite shaft.
PING, S55 and S56 are trademarks of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
Contact:
Pete Samuels
(602) 687-5487