PING unveils Karsten hybrid/iron set
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The largest and most forgiving irons in Ping’s range for 2014 are made of 17-4 stainless steel.
The Karsten irons are a mammoth 8.5 per cent more forgiving than the G25, down to the larger head size and perimeter weighting, making them a serious option for beginners and those with low swing speeds.
The irons feature progressive length and lofts for seamless gapping. The lofts have been made stronger to counteract the low CG placement and subsequent high launch in the 17-4 stainless steel irons. The sand, utility and lob wedges in the set are identical in length but get longer by five eights of an inch from the nine-iron onwards.
The custom tuning port (CPT) is made of soft elastomer to produce a solid feel and connects to the sole, reinforcing the thinner face to increase ball speed and consistency across the face while promoting a solid feel.
Not only are the loft and club lengths progressive, the widths of the sole also get narrower as the irons get shorter to improve turf interaction on the different angles of attack.
The hybrids have a deeper head profile and a wide sole to blend seamlessly with the irons for proper distance gapping and trajectories.
The 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.
Details: Available 3H, 4H, 5H, 5-9, PW, UW, SW. PING CFS Distance shaft (steel), KS 401 shaft (graphite). RRP £86 per club w/steel shaft; £102 per club w/graphite shaft (Hybrids available only with graphite shaft and not sold separately).