WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The G440 irons add speed while enhancing forgiveness in a slimmed-down shape. A new heat-treatment process strengthened the 17-4 steel used for the clubhead, allowing for a variable-thickness face that is 9 percent thinner than the G430 for added ball speed.
PRICE: $315 per iron with stock steel shaft, $345 per iron with stock graphite shaft.
3 Cool Things
1. An eye-catching workhorse. Almost from its inception, Ping has been known as a company that favoured function over form – a mindset valued by company founder Karsten Solheim. Although the company remains highly engineering-driven, it would be unfair to continue to solely look at its clubs as implements that simply work.
The new G440 irons are proof a club can be technologically sound and appeal to the eye at the same time. With a reduced blade height, the irons offer a pleasant visual at address as well as in the bag. Still, it’s the guts of the club where Ping excels. The G440 irons add speed while enhancing forgiveness in a shape that doesn’t go to extremes. A heat-treatment process strengthened the 17-4 steel used for the clubhead. This, combined with the shallower face height, allows for a variable-thickness face 9 percent thinner than the G430 while providing a more player-preferred look at address
The face height and thickness reduction saves four grams per iron. The saved weight is placed lower and further back in the head to drop the centre of gravity, assisting launch.
2. Help at both ends of the bag. A smart move was adding three-quarters of an inch in shaft length on the 4, 5 and 6-irons. That combines with a lower centre-of-gravity position to foster a higher launch.
“The extra length helps golfers generate more speed with those clubs and launch long irons higher,” said Ryan Stokke, director of product design for Ping. “Many golfers in this category need that kind of help.”
At the other end of the bag is help as well. The iconic Eye2 wedge shape is employed on the set’s sand wedge. Its bounce profile, sole design and hosel shaping are aimed to help those less skilled around the green.
3. More than just good looks. The four-piece moulded ABS badge makes the irons look more premium than utilitarian, but it serves a functional purpose as well. By being more flexible than previous G-series iron badges, the badge expands and contracts to support the thinner face with the added bonus of enhancing feel.
