Ping has today unveiled its new i240 irons and iDi driving iron series, which we originally spotted at the Memorial Tournament earlier this year (Spotted: New Ping i240 irons, iDi utility iron).

Ping i240 irons

A more traditional cavity design signifies the perimeter-weighting benefits of the i240 irons while maintaining a clean, players-style look.

The cavity badge and activated elastomer technology allowed Ping engineers to save significant weight, which is reallocated within the clubhead to position the center of gravity (CG) lower in designed for more distance, increased control, and higher launch. The weight savings also increase the MOI for more forgiveness, most notably in the long and mid irons.

The multi-material badge, which is 8.5 grams lighter than the i230 badge, is comprised of a chrome-plated ABS with carbon fiber inlay. The activated elastomer insert supports the face, helping to provide more efficient energy transfer across the entire face in a bid for a softer feel and pleasing sound.

The face technology has been updated with a return to fewer and wider grooves, which per Ping, is a request from tour pros in search of more spin from the fairway. The engineers also maintained the player-preferred size and shape in design for distance and trajectory control.

The i240’s sole design is similar to previous designs, with a rounded lead edge and ample bounce in a bid to promote smooth turf interaction for clean and solid strikes.

“The new i240 irons are engineered to appeal to a wide range of skill levels. They provide precision and control with a great feel, so they technically fit into the ‘players iron’ category. But they also offer the MOI and higher launch of a game-improvement iron. We’ve designed it with more f performance into one model.” – John K. Solheim, Ping CEO & President

Specs & Pricing 

• Specs: Multi-material construction: 431 stainless steel body; activated elastomer insert; chrome-plated ABS cavity badge with carbon fiber inlay; high-density toe/shaft tip weights; hydropearl 2.0 finish. 3-9, PW, UW in 10 color codes (lie angle). Black color code is standard.
• Price: $217 per club with stock steel shaft; $232 per club with stock graphite shaft

Ping iDi driving iron

The iDi driving irons feature loft offerings that are optimized for launch and spin in 2 (17°), 3 (20°) & 4 (23°) irons.

The 2-iron is a traditional driving iron, delivering low launch and spin to help provide maximum performance off the tee when course conditions call for it. The 3-iron (mid launch, mid spin) is designed as a driving iron or long-iron replacement. The 4-iron launches higher with more spin, in design to make it easier to hold greens, and is also recommended as a long-iron replacement.

All three lofts are designed to produce higher ball speeds to help ensure the distance a high-swing-speed player requires. 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 chrome-plated face is robotically welded to the 17-4 stainless steel body in a bid to provide higher launch for better stopping power.

The 17-4 stainless steel head is both deeper front to back and the face is shallower. In addition, iDi is shorter heel-to-toe and the lie angle is 1° flatter in a bid to make it easier to turn over. For more control in shot-making, each club is shorter than the previous generation.

To help improve the feel and sound, the iDi irons are engineered with inR-Air technology, an advancement developed by Ping’s innovation team.

The patent-pending technology relies on an air pocket strategically placed inside the club behind the face to attenuate any undesirable frequencies that occur at impact. The integrated i-Beam structure inside the 17-4 stainless steel body also adds support and contributes to the improved sound and feel.

Weight savings from the covered cavity, in addition to other shaping changes, are designed to help optimize the CG position and increase the MOI, especially on high/low impacts.

“We continue to evolve our approach to engineering ‘top of the bag’ clubs for better players. We’ve seen excellent success with our Crossover products, and now we’re pushing further into the driving-iron space in a different way, with three lofts designed to provide ball-flight variation to help this level of player hit their precise trajectory windows. The iDi is a great option off the tee and for long approach shots into the green for golfers with higher swing speeds.” – John K. Solheim, Ping CEO & President

Specs & Pricing 

• Specs: Multi-material construction: 17-4 stainless steel body; forged maraging steel face; high-density toe/shaft tip weights. 2 (17° loft) 39.75” std. length, 3 (20°) 39.25”, 4 (23°), 38.75”.
• Price: $295 per club with graphite or steel shafts