PING Karsten Irons

The Golf Monthly test team reviews PING Karsten Irons.

Ping Irons
Golf Monthly Verdict

Possibly the most forgiving irons I’ve tried. I was really impressed with how easy they were to launch, and the long irons were simply effortless. The irons bridge the gap between hybrids and irons admirably. The design is classic Ping, and the quality is what we’ve come to expect from this manufacturer. This product would be hard to beat for distance and forgiveness, particularly when matched with the custom-fitting options that are available.

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The Golf Monthly test team reviews PING Karsten Irons.

PING Karsten Irons The 10 Point Test Report: 

Aesthetics

1. Address view The oversize head design in the irons (the Karsten set comes with two hybrids – £102 per club – to replace long irons) will fill struggling iron players with confidence. The face looks enormous behind the ball.

2. Shelf appeal You’ll know almost immediately whether or not this type of set will appeal. They clearly aren’t for those who are happy with their game, but those who need forgiveness through the bag will be amazed at the performance on offer

Components 

3. Stock shafts There are a wide range of stock shaft options available with the Ping CFS steel offering – it comes in Soft R, R, S and X flexes. The graphite KS 401 shaft is available in Soft R, R and S flexes.

Technology

4. Construction The stainless steel irons are designed to produce added distance, thanks to a combination of loft and shaft lengths, along with wide soles. Ping’s Custom Tuning Port in the back of the head helps to reinforce the thinner face for greater distance and higher ball flights.

5. Weighting The wide and forgiving sole helps to position the centre of gravity (CG) lower and further back to help get the ball up in the air quickly.

6. Hybrids Progressive weighting in the head means that the higher-lofted options feature a CG that is further forward to control spin, while the lower lofts are weighted to get the ball up quickly. Internal heel-and-toe weighting makes the hybrids more forgiving.

Performance

7. Feel There’s a surprising amount of feel and feedback on offer for an iron head of this size. Although they’re very forgiving, it’s clear where the ball has left the face.

8. Flight Throughout the set the flight is one of the highest on the market. Even those who really struggle to get the ball in the air will find plenty of help in this set. This is particularly the case in the longer clubs, but also when hitting approaches from closer in.

9. Distance control The majority of players trying these will find them longer than their current set. This will certainly help those struggling with their game. You’ll find very consistent distance gaps, even as the set progresses from irons into hybrids.

10. Forgiveness There are plenty of positives about this set, but forgiveness is the main reason you should try them. Your bad swings will be punished less than most other sets on the market. If ball striking is a weakness, you’ll find lots of help in this design.  

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x