PHOENIX (Jan. 2, 2014) – PING today introduced a comprehensive new product line that delivers big distance gains while offering forgiveness and consistency for golfers of all abilities. Products include the i25™ driver, irons, fairway woods and hybrids; the long, high-flying Karsten® hybrid/iron set, and the Karsten® TR putters with fully machined variable-depth grooves. Also unveiled was the innovative PWR metal-wood shaft family that uses variable weight and balance points to ensure a proper fit.
The new products can be pre-ordered beginning today at PING-authorized golf shops.
“Our constant push for innovation continues to inspire technologies that help every type of golfer play better,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “The new metal woods and irons carry a common theme of increased distance but are engineered with the improved consistency, forgiveness and feel that we design into all PING clubs. Together with a proper fitting to determine the best combination of models, golfers can expect improved performance throughout their set. To help golfers make more putts, our patented variable-depth-groove technology is milled directly into the face of the new Karsten TR series, yielding unmatched distance control.”
A distinguishing characteristic of the i25 driver and fairway woods are subtle racing stripes on the crown, which improve the consistency of clubface orientation at impact. The same width as a golf ball, the stripes offer a visual cue (consciously or sub-consciously) that can lead to multiple benefits. They can help the player aim the clubface accurately, align one’s body to the target, and assist in taking the club back on the proper path. All of which helps facilitate delivering the clubface squarely at impact, Solheim said.
To optimize performance with the i25 driver, fairway woods and hybrids, PING engineered an industry-first shaft series that offers different weights and flex profiles without altering the club’s swingweight. Called PWR (Performance, Weighting, and Responsiveness), the shafts are matched to golfers by the weight and flex that fits the motion of their golf swing and their desired shot shape. “With adjustable clubs, fitting for shaft weight has been limited because of its effect on swingweight. The PWR Series overcomes that by varying the CG location of the different weights so we can offer options that optimize ball flight while providing a better-feeling, more-responsive shaft,” Solheim said.
New product descriptions and technical specifications:
i25™ Adjustable Driver
For all ability levels, the multi-material i25 driver helps reduce spin while increasing launch angle for ideal launch conditions that optimize distance and accuracy. A high strength-to-weight ratio Ti 8-1-1 body is joined to a variable-thickness Ti 6-4 face, ensuring maximum energy transfer for generating faster ball speeds for greater distance. High-density tungsten sole weights lower the CG to reduce spin for a flatter ball flight and a landing angle that maximizes roll out. Strategic placement of the weights significantly increases MOI, which means golfers will spend more time in the fairway. Patented racing stripes create more consistent clubface alignment at impact, a crucial ingredient to improved driving. Using Trajectory Tuning technology, standard lofts are adjustable +-1/2º. The lightweight, adjustable hosel maintains the same outer diameter and mass of PING’s traditional fixed hosels and provides the benefits of adjustability without sacrificing the performance that’s often lost in clubs with bulkier designs. PING’s industry-first PWR shaft family offers unique weights and stiffness profiles without altering swingweight.
– Lofts 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° (Adjustable +- ½ degree)
– Stock graphite shafts: PWR 55 (R, S); PWR 65 (R, S, Tour S, Tour XS); PWR 75 (S, Tour S, Tour XS)
– Std. Length 45.25 inches, 207g, 460cc
– U.S. MSRP: $440
i25™ Irons
The 17-4 stainless steel irons deliver forgiveness and distance with control to inspire confident shot making. In the progressive set design, the long irons are designed with head sizes and sole widths that deliver high trajectory and extreme forgiveness. The more compact mid and short irons have narrow soles and less offset for improved accuracy and scoring. Narrow face-stabilizing bars in the long irons increase ball velocity for added distance and height while wider bars in the short irons produce a controlled, lower ball flight with softer feel. The careful design details in the club’s shape and set progression are captured with an inspiring foggy chrome finish. Tungsten weighting in the low toe increases forgiveness. A machined face and grooves deliver control and consistency.
– Available 3-9, PW, UW, SW, LW
– Stock steel shaft: PING CFS® (Soft R, R, S, X)
– Stock graphite shaft: TFC 189i (Soft R, R, S)
– U.S. MSRP: $ 110 per club w/steel shaft; $137.50 per club w/graphite shaft.
i25™ Adjustable Fairway Woods
Compact and hot off the tee, the 17-4 stainless steel heads offer a sleeker frame to enhance shot making. A taller face with an extremely thin perimeter design helps increase ball velocity for distance and versatility, while improved internal weighting bolsters MOI for accuracy. Racing stripes help golfers deliver the clubface consistently at impact, a crucial performance variable. Using Trajectory Tuning technology, lofts are adjustable +-1/2º. The lightweight, adjustable hosel maintains the same outer diameter and mass of PING’s traditional fixed hosels and provides the benefits of adjustability without sacrificing the performance that’s often lost in clubs with bulkier designs. PING’s industry-first PWR shaft family offers unique weights and stiffness profiles without altering swingweight.
– Available S3W (14º), 3W (15º), 5W (18º) (Adjustable +- ½ degree)
– Stock graphite shafts: PWR 55 (R, S); PWR 65 (R, S, Tour S, Tour XS); PWR 75 (S, Tour S, Tour XS)
– U.S. MSRP: $275
i25™ Hybrids
The compact, 17-4 stainless steel i25 hybrids have a more-forward hosel axis and less bulge and roll than a traditional hybrid. The offset is engineered for high launch, while the reduced bulge and roll enhances shot making and control. A straighter lead edge and more squared-off toe promote accurate aim and alignment. A compressed profile and shorter heel-toe length improve turf interaction and ensure solid contact from any type of lie. To maximize distance with functional distance gapping, a farther-back CG in the lower-lofted hybrids promotes higher launch; a lower, more-forward CG in the higher-lofted heads reduces spin. The PWR 80 and 90 shafts maintain the same swingweight across all weights and flexes.
– Available 17º, 19º, 22º, 26º
– Stock graphite shafts: PWR 80 (R, S, Tour S); PWR 90 (S, Tour S, Tour XS)
– U.S. MSRP: $242.50
Karsten® Hybrid/Iron Set
In the 17-4 stainless steel irons, longer distance comes from precision-engineered loft and club length progressions scientifically paired with wide sole designs that yield a deep Center of Gravity. The Custom Tuning Port integrates with the sole, which reinforces the thinner face to increase ball velocity for greater distance and maximum height. Made of soft elastomer, the CTP produces a solid feel, an attribute that is often sacrificed in distance-focused irons. The forgiving sole positions the CG low and back for higher maximum height while helping the club glide through the turf for increased forgiveness. The hybrids have a deeper head profile and a wide sole to blend seamlessly with the irons for proper distance gapping and trajectories.
The hybrids’ CG locations are progressive – farther back in the lower-lofted heads to promote higher launch; they are lower and more forward in the higher-lofted options to reduce spin. Extreme internal heel-and-toe weighting raises the MOI, so golfers don’t always have to hit it perfectly to get maximum performance.
– Available 3H, 4H, 5H, 5-9, PW, UW, SW
– Stock steel shaft: PING CFS® Distance (Soft R, R, S, X)
– Stock graphite shaft: KS 401 (Soft R, R, S)
– U.S. MSRP: $106.25 per club w/steel shaft; $125 per club w/graphite shaft
(Hybrids available only with graphite shaft and not sold separately)
Karsten® TR Putters
Some of PING’s most successful, timeless and tour-proven head designs are showcased in the five new putters featuring TR (True Roll) technology. Variable-depth grooves are milled directly into the face, providing unmatched distance control. Grooves are deepest in the center and shallower toward the perimeter for greatly improved ball-speed consistency and distance control, leading to more putts made and fewer three-putts. An elastomer back-cavity insert enhances sound and feel for valuable auditory feedback. Available in a fixed-length shaft (35 inches is standard) or an adjustable version that can be modified between 31 inches and 38 inches to optimize fitting accuracy prior to a round. The copper PVD finish offers a distinctive appeal. Models fit all stroke types: Straight, Slight Arc, and Strong Arc.
-U.S. MSRP: $162.50; Adjustable-length upcharge: $35
Anser 2 (345g)
– Slight Arc stroke
– Adjustable +/- 4 degrees from std. lie angle
B60 (345g)
– Slight Arc stroke
– Adjustable +/- 4 degrees from std. lie angle
PAL (360g)
– Slight Arc stroke
– Adjustability +/- 4 degrees from std. lie angle
Anser 5 (365g)
– Straight stroke
– Adjustability +/- 4 degrees from std. lie angle
Zing (350g)
– Strong Arc stroke
– Adjustability +/- 4 degrees from std. lie angle
Contact:
Pete Samuels
(602) 687-5487
