Each month, we tap experts from the equipment industry to answer your most commonly asked questions. In this installment, Marty Jertson, director of product development at Ping, addresses the keys to keep in mind when trying to find a new set of irons.
How do I choose the right iron model for my swing? With so many options, from players distance to max game-improvement, it’s tough to know where to begin. — J. Johnston, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Ping doesn’t take a firm stance on handicap, because there are other considerations when choosing an iron. With most clubs, forgiveness increases as you go up in clubhead size, with marginal losses in workability.
That’s the basic tradeoff, although distance also enters into the discussion. What I suggest is to hit a selection of models on a launch monitor and note how your distance-gapping works with different categories of irons, then check how your accuracy and consistency numbers stack up.
In Ping terms, if you hit your 7-iron 135 yards but would score better — and have more fun — if you hit it 150 yards, then we’d get you in the G400 or G700 right away. We’d only recommend a blade, like the i200 or iBlade, if your distance numbers were already sufficient.
— Marty Jertson, director of product development, Ping