New Ping irons debut at Birkdale
SOUTHPORT, England —
Several of Ping's top professional staff players at Royal Birkdale have just switched to the company's yet-to-be-released S57 irons, according to Chance Cozby, Ping's director of tour operations.
The S57 irons were introduced to players starting two weeks ago, and several players have started using them, including the Order of Merit leader, Miguel Angel Jimenez; the 2007 U.S. Open champion, Angel Cabrera; Hunter Mahan and Ryan Moore.
The S57 is a small-headed blade designed for low-handicap players who want to maximize feel and control. According to John Solheim,
Ping Golf's president, a tungsten weight has been added in the toe portion of the club, as well as a small amount of weight under the urethane insert in the back of the club.
These weights are designed to improve the S57's balance and feel while maintaining a clean look at address. "That's one of the biggest keys in a blade iron," Solheim said. "You want the leading edge to flow right into the hosel."
According to Solheim, the S57's moment of inertia is higher than the S58 irons, which Ping has been making for highly-skilled players. This should make the irons more forgiving on off-center hits than the S58's.
Mahan led the PGA Tour in greens in regulation going into the AT&T National at Congressional two week ago. He switched to the S58 irons at that event and proceeded to hit 79.17% of the greens that week.
Look for more on Ping's new irons in an upcoming issue of GOLF Magazine and in The Shop.
Posted by: DUANE | Jul 21, 2008 11:15:58 AM
The back reminds me of Hogan CFT Edge irons.
Posted by: anthony | Jul 19, 2008 3:23:03 AM
personally they kinda look like r7 tp's from address
Posted by: Norman | Jul 17, 2008 12:47:58 AM
They do look an awful lot like the Titleist AP1 clubs though, don't they?