PING G425 VERDICT

◆ Availability 4-LW ◆ STOCK SHAFTS Ping AWT 2.0 (s), Ping Alta CB (g) with 7 after-market, no charge upgrades ◆ 7-IRON LOFT 30° ◆ FORGIVENESS RATING 3.5

The G425 wasn't our longest or fastest mid-handicap iron, which shouldn't be too surprising as the 7-iron loft is a couple of degrees weaker than the competition. But our data does show how Ping's new mid-handicap iron is brilliant at protecting carry distance when shots don't hit the centre of the face. Our pro saw a drop off of just eight yards (4.6%), a very close second to the PXG XPS (4.3%). It means slight mishits will find their way over a bunker or water hazard on to the green. And our data completely ties in with how Ping say the G425 squeezes long and left and short and right misses much closer together. We're very big fans of the progressive nature of the G425s; they're much more compact with less offset in the short irons, which is just the look a lot of golfers like. The longer irons have more offset and a slightly longer blade length to aid playability. Ping G irons have been stalwarts of the mid-handicap iron category since the original back in 2004. Thanks to the G425's clever tweaks, and because they now come with Arccos shot trackers in the grips (along with a free 90-day trial), we think there's a decent chance they can shave a couple of shots a round from your scores.