Ping has started 2018 with a bang by introducing a range of hardware to its line-up including a new member of the G400 driver family in the shape of the larger G400 Max.
Also coming in the Spring are the G700 irons, Glide 2.0 Stealth wedges and PING Vault 2.0 putters, bringing new levels of Ping performance throughout the bag.
Ping G400 Max Driver
Ping say that the G400 Max sets new standards in combined MOI and forgiveness as it has their highest ever MOI for a driver. This has been achieved by optimising the crown and face design in a larger-profile, multi-material head.
The 460cc design, 15cc larger than the standard G400 driver model, means the Dragonfly Technology extends beyond the skirt to create an infinity edge.
The discretionary weight created by the Dragonfly crown technology and the thin, forged T9S+ face to create a centre of gravity position lower and further back than any current driver on the market.
It does this thanks to the high-density tungsten back weight wrapped around the back of the sole which bring the combined MOI (heel/toe and high/low) over 9,900 g/cm². This compares to the MOI of 9,263 g/cm² of the original G400 driver, which itself is significantly higher than its competitors.
John K. Solheim, Ping President, explains:
Our engineers focused on increasing the forgiveness of the driver while maintaining the distance gains and powerful sound of the original G400 driver. It’s remarkable how long and straight the G400 Max flies.
The forgiveness is off the charts and leads to tighter dispersion, which reveals just how consistent your distance and accuracy results will be on the golf course. We encourage all golfers to get fit and look closely at their dispersion, not just their one best shot on a launch monitor.
The increased forgiveness has been spotted by a number of tour professionals, including Ping pro's Aaron Baddeley and Seamus Power, who put the G400 Max in play at last week’s Sony Open in Hawaii.
Adding to the appeal of the G400 Max driver is the innovative colour-shifting paint technology of the Alta CB shaft. This premium copper shaft paint transitions to nearly black to reduce distractions as golfers address the ball. The counter-balanced design of the Alta CB allows for more mass in the head to increase energy transfer.
Ping G700 Irons
The new G700 irons are Ping's longest and highest-flying iron to date thanks to a combination of power and forgiveness delivered by the hollow-body design and a thin, maraging steel face.
Solheim explains the concept behind the irons:
The desire for golfers to hit their irons farther continues to grow. We want to provide options that greatly increase distance without sacrificing other performance attributes, such as consistency, forgiveness and feel. With the G700 iron, we’ve been able to accomplish all of that in a very appealing design with a sound that screams distance from the moment golfers hit it.
The hollow-body construction of the 17-4 stainless steel head allows an internal geometry design that moves weight away from the face creating a frame that allows the face to flex at impact. This produces a high COR for greatly increased ball speed and launch.
The maraging steel is the same material Ping uses in the G400 fairway woods, hybrids and crossovers, and is one of the strongest alloys in the world, commonly used in the aerospace industry for its strength and flexibility.
Solheim says this has delivered improvements across the board for the G700 irons:
We’re seeing significant ball-speed increases in the G700 while maintaining the consistency and control golfers need to improve their iron play. It also has a great overall look, especially at address, and a premium finish. When golfers hit it, they’ll experience a sensation and sound that’s unlike any they’ve ever felt or heard.
Ping Glide 2.0 Stealth Wedges
For 2018 the Ping Glide 2.0 wedge has developed a Stealth look thanks to a new QPQ finish to the 8620 carbon steel head.
QPQ, which stands for Quench Polish Quench, is used to apply the finish that reduces glare as well as making the head appear smaller at address meaning it will fit the game and eye of players for whom performance and appearance are key.
Unsurprisingly Solheim says this has gone down well with better players:
The tour player response has been exceptional. The players’ first comment about the Stealth finish, which not only looks cool, but they also like how it makes the head appear smaller and it limits reflections on bright days. Once they feel it and see how much spin and control the grooves provide, the wedges go straight in the bag.
The Ping Glide 2.0 Stealth wedges also feature a patented precision wheel-cut half groove near the lead edge on the 56°, 58° and 60° models to improve engagement with the ball, especially for strikes low on the face, significantly increasing spin and control from all conditions.
The Glide 2.0 Stealth is offered in four sole grinds of SS, WS, ES and TS to ensure Glide 2.0 Stealth wedges can be fit to a golfer’s divot depth or attack angle and most common turf conditions.
Ping Vault 2.0 Putters
Completing the Spring 2018 line-up is the next generation of Ping's 100% milled Vault putters. The Ping Vault 2.0 provide feel and performance through proven innovations like precision-milled, patented True Roll Technology (TR), plus a new custom-weighting system.
The new system offers sole weight options in steel (standard weight head), tungsten (15g heavier than standard) and aluminum (15g lighter than standard) to match a golfer’s feel and balance preferences.
Solheim explains the thought behind the latest Ping putter line-up:
The Vault 2.0 putters are luxurious works of art that are engineered to perform. The craftsmanship and materials used in our milling and finishing processes ensure premium, eye-catching designs that appeal to the most discerning golfers. The ability to customise the weights provides golfers a putter uniquely built to fit their game.
As we advance the technologies we apply in designing and manufacturing our putters, we’re able to offer more putter-fitting options than ever. The precision with which we mill the Ping Vault 2.0 putters allows us to fine-tune the specifications that best match a golfer’s stroke and feel preference. With our new weighting system, we’re able to add or reduce the overall headweight to achieve the best balance for each player which will lead to more consistency on the greens.
You can now choose between three premium finishes (Stealth, Platium or Copper) to five models that are precision-milled from 303 stainless steel. This includes the new Dale Anser, which is inspired by one of the original Anser putter molds created by Allan Dale Solheim and detailed by his father, Karsten Solheim.
Each model is fit for specific stroke types and have been designed with varying alignment aids to fit golfer’s preferred look and alignment style. To ensure a precision fit for optimal balance the putters between 34" and 36" in length are built with steel sole weights; models 34" and shorter feature tungsten weighting; putters built 36" and longer use aluminium weights.
The Ping Vault 2.0 putters are offered with four proprietary Ping Pistol tapered grips provide golfers with variances in shape and feel.