PHOENIX, Arizona– Targeting better players looking for versatility and trajectory control from the top of their bag, PING has introduced the iDi driving iron series.
The new iDi driving irons are now available for custom fittings at authorized PING retailers around the world.
“We continue to evolve our approach to engineering ‘top of the bag’ clubs for better players,” said John K. Solheim, PING CEO & President. “We’ve seen excellent success with our Crossover products, and now we’re pushing further into the driving-iron space in a different way, with three lofts designed to provide ball-flight variation to help this level of player hit their precise trajectory windows.
“The iDi is a great option off the tee and for long approach shots into the green for golfers with higher swing speeds.
“We’re especially excited about the technology inside the iDi. Our innovation team developed a technology we’re calling inR-Air. It’s literally a small pocket of air that’s inserted into the club that activates on impact to help attenuate the frequencies, greatly improving the feel and sound for this type of iron construction.”
Loft offerings are optimized for launch and spin in 2 (17°), 3 (20°) & 4 (23°) irons. The 2 iron is a traditional driving iron, delivering low launch and spin to provide maximum performance off the tee when course conditions call for it. The 3 iron (mid launch, mid spin) is designed as a driving iron or long-iron replacement. The 4 iron launches higher with more spin, making it easier to hold greens and is also recommended as a long-iron replacement.
All three lofts produce higher ball speeds to help ensure the distance a high-swing-speed player requires. The sources of the high ball speed are the thin, maraging steel face and lower CG position, which is closer to the impact location to produce more energy transfer. The chrome-plated face is robotically welded to the 17-4 stainless steel body to provide higher launch for better stopping power.
The 17-4 stainless steel head is both deeper front to back and the face is shallower. In addition, iDi is shorter heel-to-toe and the lie angle is 1° flatter to make it easier to turn over. For more control in shot making, each club is shorter than the previous generation. The fixed hosel allows for all 10 PING color codes and custom loft adjustments.
“The versatility of the three lofts is being very well received at the tour level,” Solheim said. “We see the iDi as a great alternative for certain types of course conditions or if someone is looking for a long-iron or fairway-wood replacement that offers their desired ball flight along with exceptional distance. From a fitting standpoint, it has a fixed hosel for more precise loft and lie adjustments.
“We expect to see several in play at next week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush, where precision off the tee plays an especially important role on the seaside course.”
o help improve the feel and sound, the iDi irons are engineered with inR-Air technology, an advancement developed by PING’s innovation team. The patent-pending technology relies on an air pocket strategically placed inside the club behind the face to attenuate any undesirable frequencies that occur at impact.
The integrated i-Beam structure inside the 17-4 stainless steel body also adds support and contributes to the improved sound and feel. Weight savings from the covered cavity, in addition to other shaping changes, help optimize the CG position and increase the MOI, especially on high/low impacts.
“inR-Air technology is a very cool innovation and an amazing accomplishment by our innovation and manufacturing engineering teams,” said Solheim. “This type of iron construction always presents sound and feel challenges. The pocket of air is a great solution for softening the frequencies. We’re excited to bring this technology to golfers.”
iDi Specifications
Multi-material construction: 17-4 stainless steel body; forged maraging steel face; high-density toe/shaft tip weights
AVAILABLE: 2 (17° loft) 39.75” std. length, 3 (20°) 39.25”, 4 (23°), 38.75”
STOCK SHAFT: PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 85 (R, S, X)
OPTIONAL STOCK GRAPHITE SHAFTS: PING Alta CB Blue 70 (SR, R, S), PING Tour 2.0 Black 90 (S, X), Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 85 (S, X), Project X Denali Red 70HY (5.5), 80HY (6.0, 6.5)
STOCK GRIP: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16”, Red -1/32”, Aqua -1/64”, White-Std, Gold +1/32”, Orange +1/16”)
U.S. MSRP: $295 per club with graphite or steel shafts
