PING advances popular i Series with new i230 irons and iCrossover
PHOENIX, AZ – With a focus on golfers in search of new technology engineered to deliver precise control and consistency, PING introduced the i230 irons and iCrossover today. The newest entries into PING’s popular “i” series are now available for custom fittings at authorized PING retailers around the world.
i230: A Players Iron Everyone Can Play
Advancements to the activated elastomer technology in the i230 iron allowed PING engineers to save significant weight, which is re-allocated within the clubhead to position the center of gravity (CG) low for more distance and control while increasing the moment of inertia (MOI) for added forgiveness. The low CG combines with greater face bending to deliver higher ball speeds. The elastomer reinforces the face, providing more consistent bending and energy transfer across the entire face, resulting in approximately three more yards of distance in player testing. Its higher MOI is largely due to tungsten toe and tip weights, which help make it the most forgiving “i” iron to date.
Pleasing Impact Experience
Through extensive modal analysis, PING researchers isolated undesirable frequencies within the clubhead and precisely positioned a re-engineered cavity badge to damp their effect to ensure a pleasing feel and sound. The four-piece badge combines a thin 304 stainless steel cap with an injection-molded thermoplastic that is secured to the cavity with high-strength adhesive. The activated elastomer supports the face and sits in a toaster-style pocket, which is concealed behind the multi-material badge, creating a clean and appealing cavity design.
Tour Proven
The long irons (3-5) are slightly more compact than the tour-proven i210, producing more consistent clubface delivery and accuracy, while the rest of the set is designed with similar blade lengths. The sole design is also similar, with a rounded lead edge and ample bounce to promote smooth turf interaction for clean and solid strikes. The precision-milled MicroMax grooves deliver consistent launch and spin results for more accuracy in the long irons and greater control in the short irons and wedges, especially in wet or grassy conditions where the grooves and hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish help ensure lower launch angles with high spin rates.
i230 Specifications
Multi-material construction: 431 stainless steel body; activated elastomer insert; 304 stainless steel/injection molded TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) cavity badge; tungsten toe/shaft tip weights; hydropearl 2.0 finish
A Players Crossover
The iCrossover is engineered for high-swing-speed players looking for long-iron alternatives (2XR, 3XR, 4XR) that fit seamlessly into their set while delivering increased ball speeds for more distance with higher launch. The sources of the high ball speed are the thin, maraging steel face and lower CG position, which is closer to the impact location to produce more energy transfer. The face is robotically welded to the 17-4 stainless steel body with a lower-hinged bend point to provide higher launch for better stopping power. A smaller internal cavity with targeted EVA polymer on the back of the face ensures a pleasing feel and sound.
Tour-Inspired
With similar sole shaping, including the rounded lead edge and ample bounce, the iCrossover seamlessly fits into an i230 iron set in place of long irons. The blade lengths are slightly shorter with less offset than previous crossover generations, making it more compact while providing a tour-style appearance. The standard shaft length builds also are approximately one-quarter inch shorter than the previous models to transition into a set more easily, providing more control and tighter dispersion patterns with similar distance. The precision-milled MicroMax grooves and matte-black hydropearl 2.0 finish deliver consistent launch and spin results for more accuracy.
New Trajectory Tuning 2.0
A first in an iron-style design, the adjustable hosel provides eight settings for loft and lie to help dial in a golfer’s desired ball flight. The lightweight hosel is clearly marked to allow for quick and easy adjustments, with a range of ±1.5° loft and lie in various combinations. The standard setting is the stated loft of the club at 1.5° upright.
Visit PING Golf HERE
New World Number One Chooses Ventus for Victory
CARLSBAD, CA – Fujikura, the leader in performance golf shafts, was honored to be the number one driver and wood shaft on the PGA Tour last week, as the new world number one used VENTUS in his driver and five wood to claim his first victory of the new PGA Tour season.
In one of the best fields of the season so far, with 21 out of the top-30 players in the world in the event, Fujikura was once again the #1 driver and wood shaft on the PGA Tour at the CJ Cup. In total, 41% of the field at Congaree Golf Club used a Fujikura driver shaft in the bag, with another 34.8% using Fujikura in the wood shaft count.
The eventual winner and new world number one has been a popular user of VENTUS during the previous season, something which has successfully continued into the new 2022/23 season. Using the VENTUS Black 6X in his driver and VENTUS Black 9X in his 5-wood, the winner in South Carolina is currently number one on the PGA Tour for strokes gained tee-to-green, highlighting his dominance off the tee with VENTUS in the bag.
Over on the DP World Tour at the Mallorca Golf Open, the eventual winner of the tournament claimed his maiden DP World Tour title using the VENTUS Blue 6X in his driver shaft and VENTUS Blue 8TX in his 3-wood shaft. Another wood shaft win for VENTUS at Son Muntander Golf Club made it back-to-back victories in Spain on the DP World Tour for Fujikura shafts.
At the Dominion Energy Charity Classic, Fujikura and VENTUS grabbed yet another win on the Champions Tour. Using the VENTUS Blue 6X in his driver shaft, the eventual winner in Virginia trusted in Fujikura once again to clinch his fourth victory on the Champions Tour in 2022.
Visit Fujikura Golf HERE
New Great Big Bertha Equipment Announced
CARLSBAD, CA – Today Callaway Golf officially announced their new Great Big Bertha Family of drivers, irons, fairway woods and hybrids, which will be available at retail on 11/11. Below you will find media briefing pages, including a detailed R&D vidcast, images, summary sheets, pricing and more.
The Great Big Bertha Family is designed to create a material difference in performance in the ultra-premium category. Our R&D team has provided the best in innovation and design, combining high-caliber materials and construction.
The Short Descriptions
Irons: Callaway’s first ultra-premium multi-piece, titanium design. We are combining driver-like power with the precision of an iron. By combining our titanium face and body with up to 145g of tungsten, we’ve reached a new level of speed, forgiveness, and overall performance.
Driver: Lightweight, ultra-premium driver that creates fast ball speeds. The club is 30g lighter than our Rogue ST MAX Driver and is properly matched with best-in-class design features to promote increased distance with a draw bias, especially for moderate swing speed players
Fairway Woods: A uniquely designed titanium face and body. Titanium provides significant weight and strength advantages over a traditional steel fairway wood, leading to increased distance. The A.I. designed titanium face cup and Jailbreak with Batwing Technology work together to enhance speed across the face. In addition, the Triaxial Carbon Crown and Forged Carbon Sole reposition weight to areas where it is most effectively used for increased forgiveness and launch.
Hybrids: Built from driver DNA, creating exceptional ball speed and forgiveness on a wide variety of shots. A titanium face and body save weight and increase MOI, while the A.I.-designed titanium face cup and Jailbreak with Batwing Technology enhance speed across the face.
Visit Callaway Golf HERE
Michael Feland
Latest posts by Michael Feland (see all)
- Golf News – June 7, 2023 - June 7, 2023
- Golf News – June 2, 2023 - June 2, 2023
- Golf News – May 30, 2023 - May 30, 2023
