PING's New Karsten Hybrid/Iron Set Signals Return to Game Improvement Category

Three years ago, Ping launched a combo set of hybrids and irons, the K15. Since that time, the company have focused more on their i, G and Anser series, aimed at better golfers. Now, with the introduction of the Karsten series - named after founder Karsten Solheim - Ping has returned to the game-improvement category.

The new Ping Karsten iron is built on the premise of improving the distance gaps between clubs for the average player. These cavity-backed, 17-4 cast stainless steel irons not only feature wider soles to improve launch angle and enhance forgiveness, but also utilize slightly longer and lighter shafts to improve speed potential. In addition, the longer shafts are based on improving the transition between the hybrids and middle irons. The reinforced, thin face design helps increase ball speeds, for additional distance, while maintaining a solid, crisp feel. The new Karsten irons are perfect for the high-handicapper or golfers who don't produce as much swing speed.

No more 3 or 4 iron; the 5-iron in the set can either be a traditional iron or a hybrid - your choice. In its place are the new Karsten hybrids which feature internal heel and toe weighting, which increases performance on off-center hits and delivers confidence at address. The center of gravity is set farther back in the hybrids and middle irons in order to gain stability, while the COG in the short irons is placed closer to the face to manage spin. The lofts have been changed as well and are slightly stronger in the long and middle irons (as compared to Ping's standard lofts) but more in line with their standard lofts in the short irons.

In the irons a larger clubface and careful weight distribution increase the MOI for added forgiveness and less off-center hits. As in the i25 irons, the custom tuning port in the cavity behind the face connects to the sole, reinforcing the thinner face to help improve the ball speed and consistency across the face. This soft elastomer piece also delivers a softer feel and sound.

The Karsten is designed to be a true distance iron, making it a first for PING. Their hope is that these new irons will appeal to the same "distance seeking" audience that TaylorMade's SpeedBlade, Callaway's X2 Hot, and Cobra's BiOCell do. After all, it's the biggest slice of the iron market pie right now. According to PING, what sets them apart from those other distance irons on the market, is that their new irons are engineered to provide predictable distance control, and an extremely high MOI; giving them unmatched forgiveness and feel, something not usually associated with the distance category.

I headed to the range about five minutes after receiving my new set of Karsten irons from PING; I don't know why I waited so long. The first club I picked up - only because it was closest to me - was the nine iron. My first try with these irons was a monster hook; a lot longer than any 9-iron I have ever hit, but a hook nonetheless. "Ah yes, the famous PING offset," I thought to myself, "forgot to compensate for that!" After compensating for the offset and getting over my desire to hit the new clubs out of sight, I began to see a pattern of both distance and consistency, something I don't encounter with irons as much as I would like. As unbelievable as it was to me, as I slowed my swing down, the straighter and farther the ball seemed to go. Shaping the ball in either direction was easy and effortless and wedges into the green seemed to stop on a dime. I was quickly a believer in PING's new game improvement irons.

The Karsten irons are available 5 - PW, UW and SW with either the PING CFS Distance Steel shaft or the PING KS401 Graphite shaft. Hybrids are only available with graphite shafts. Prices on the combo set (4h, 5h, 6 - PW, UW) are around $799 with steel shafts and $899 in graphite. The new PING Karsten irons are available through all authorized PING distributors as well as most major golf outlets and websites. For more information, visit the website at www.PING.com.