2nd Swing Golf
Master fitters, Trackman-heavy testing
“It's our longest, most forgiving iron. So, why wouldn't you play it?”
Tested on Trackman at Ping's proving grounds, the G740 super game improvement iron delivered more ball speed and carry than the i540 while keeping spin over 6,000 and a steep landing angle, so the extra distance is actually controllable.
+ the facts · 6 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Faster ball speed and more carry than i540 in back-to-back testing
- +High launch with spin retained (6,000-7,000 rpm), so shots stop instead of relying on rollout
- +Very consistent ball speed on off-center and low strikes
- −Built slightly more upright than standard, so color-code fitting matters
- −Distance is overkill for faster players who don't need a 210-yard six iron
For: Higher handicaps and distance-deprived golfers, though the fitters argue many game improvement players should move into it too
“That was a bad swing. But that was explosive.”
A proper super game improvement iron done right, 22% bigger than the G730 and explosively fast, yet it launches high with real spin instead of just cranking lofts.
+ the facts · 6 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Explosive distance and ball speed, 152 mph ball speed with the 5 iron
- +High flight WITH spin, so the distance is honest and shots still stop
- +22% larger head with wider sole, extremely forgiving even on topped and toed strikes
- −Visually busier and a step back from the cleaner G730 look
- −Noticeable offset creeping into the 5 iron
- −Very strong lofts, forgivable in this category but worth knowing
For: Higher handicappers and anyone who just wants the game made far, high, straight and easy
Mark Crossfield
Coach, famously hard to impress
“They're just like hybrids with a hole in the back basically”
Shockingly impressive super game improvement irons that turn worst shots into okay shots; if you can drop your ego it's hard to find something that performs better.
+ the facts · 6 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +22% wider sole and longer blade push weight back for real stability on off-center hits
- +Low face protection keeps ball speed on the thin, low strikes most amateurs actually hit
- +Powerful strong numbers: 206-yard 7 iron carry, high 17-degree launch, 135 mph ball speed
- −Lots of offset; not for you if offset makes you overturn the ball
- −Big, loud, unapologetically game improvement looks won't suit players wanting a prettier club
- −Low spin flight; premium Ping pricing like every top manufacturer
For: Really anyone who can drop the ego, but aimed at improving golfers who don't strike it pure
James Robinson Golf
Mid-handicap everyman reviews
“The G740s for me were probably the ones that I'd go at”
The big forgiving game-improvement option surprised him — better spin rates than the i540 and tech he found more convincing, though the feel is still firm.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Better, more consistent spin rates than the i540 in his testing
- +Tech story (wide dual sole, dual camber, PurFlex cavity) impressed him more than the i540's
- +Looks improve as you go down the set
- −Firm feel and a low, sometimes under-spun launch on mishits
- −Strong lofts, thick top line and heavy offset shots all favoured the left side
- −Distance and spin change noticeably with strike quality
For: Mid-to-high handicappers who want Ping's most forgiving cavity-back distance iron