Are Ping G425 Irons Good For Beginners – How Forgiving Are They For High Handicappers?
The G series of irons from Ping have become synonymous with distance and forgiveness. Right off the bat, that sounds like a good combination if you’re a high handicapper. But what do the Ping G425 series in particular bring to the table for high handicap players.
A short answer to the question would be feel, they combine distance, forgiveness, accuracy and feel for an awesome set of irons that should be perfect for high handicappers and Mid Handicappers alike.
If you are yourself a high handicap player looking to break into the mid handicap range, pay extra close attention to the following review. Today we will be taking an in-depth look at the Ping G425 irons to see what, if anything, they offer for high handicap players.
Ping G425 Irons Overview
The Ping G425 series was highly anticipated (partly because their release was delayed) when they finally debuted.
In many people’s opinion, they were worth the wait. When we finally got our hands on the Ping G425 irons, we were inclined to agree with the patient advocates of these irons.
After testing the Ping G425 irons, it was clear that the latest iteration of the G series lived up to the heritage of it’s predecessors. Without giving things away too early, we found the G425 irons to be long and forgiving.
What Type Of Irons Are They?
The Ping G425 irons are most certainly game-improvement iron – in name and in practice.
They have features that will offer immediate help for players struggling with accuracy and distance. The cascading sole also allows for surprising control and consistency around the green.
These irons are most certainly for high handicappers who are ready to break through to the mid handicapper range. The main thing is forgiveness. There are certain key features that make these irons forgiving such as…
How Forgiving Are The G425’s For High Handicappers
Perimeter weighting increases Moment of Inertia. Increased Moment of Inertia increases forgiveness by making the sweet spot on the face bigger.
The further apart you can place weights in an iron will determine how high the MOI is. The Ping G425 irons have extreme perimeter weighting in the form of a hosel weight and a tungsten screw in the toe.
This is as far apart as it gets for a golf club. Next is variable face thickness architecture. The 17-4 stainless steel face is thinner around the edges to preserve as much ball speed as possible on off-center strikes. In the center, the face is thicker to put more oomph behind dead-center strikes.
The club also has a hinge on the heel of the club that offers more flex, feel and forgivness.
The club head is smaller than the preceding G410 but they deliver the same performance.
The multi material badge on the back fills the cavity, dampens vibrations and increases the feel of the irons
These are probably not the most forgiving for beginners but perfect for a high handicpper that is improving at the game.
Shaft Options
While it is a bit perplexing that Ping decided to offer mostly steel custom shaft options, there are still some solid graphite shaft choices for beginners with slower swing speeds or you could also take them to you.
These include a PING Alta CB Slate graphite shaft and a PING Alta Distanza Black 40 graphite shaft in soft regular, regular and stiff shafts.
Workability Assessment
While lower handicap players would definitely be able make use of the variable face thickness to shape shots, the G425’s lack overall workability.
The CG is such that they launch balls high so you don’t get much wiggle room if you are trying to shape a low trajectory shot.
Distance Assessment
While not as long as previous G models, the G425 still provides enough length for most beginners and high handicappers.
The top rail undercut helps the face to hinge producing a high amount of flex.
Oddly enough, players with faster swing speeds would be able to get good distance from the G425’s thanks to the compact head size.
Accuracy & Consistency Assessment
This is where the high launch and cascading sole come into play. The Ping G425 irons are surprisingly accurate when you are attacking fast greens.
They bite well and keep their position firmly. Consistency is lacking a bit – probably because the variable face thickness is not progressive through the set.
Are They Priced for Beginners?
A brand new set of Ping G425 irons will run you anywhere between $750 and $1,000 – making them pricier than your typical set of beginner irons.
Ping G425 Irons Pros & Cons
Pros:
- The hydropearl finish helps them play with better feel and accuracy in dewy conditions
- Very high Moment of Inertia
- They play plenty long for beginners
- They also play well for players with faster swing speeds
- They come stock with Arccos Caddie smart grips
- Good stopping power on fast greens
Cons:
- Consistency isn’t the greatest
- Not the longest irons in the G series
- A bit pricey
- Not the most versatile when it comes to shot shaping
Overall Score: 96/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Other Iron Sets for Beginners
Callaway Big Bertha B21 Irons
The Callaway Big Bertha B21 irons were built for distance, high launch and straight shots.
The large sole provides smooth turf interaction and the pronounced offset will help high handicappers square up to the ball with ease.
Overall Score: 96/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Taylormade SIM Max Irons
Taylormade emphasized high ball speed and comfortable feel with the SIM Max irons.
The free-floating face flexes to an insane degree to increase ball speed while the Speed Bridge and ECHO dampening system keeps the feel of these irons smooth.
Overall Score: 95/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Titleist T400 Irons
If you are having trouble striking the ball low on the face then these irons are perfect for you.
They feature a special L shaped face. The lower part of the face wraps around the sole to preserve ball speed even on low-face shots. The tungsten weights also lower CG for high, long shots.
Overall Score: 95/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Final Assessment
While the Ping G425 irons aren’t without their flaws, they will still surely be beneficial in the hands of high handicappers. First the bad news. These irons are pretty pricey for a beginner set. They also don’t allow you to shape shots as freely as other irons do.
Still, you have to keep in mind that these aren’t necessarily deal-breakers for high handicappers. They still offer enough distance to get beginners excited. Plus, the extreme perimeter weighting offers a very high degree of what every high handicapper craves: forgiveness.
The Ping G425 irons certainly provides a high degree of distance and forgiveness so if that is what your game needs we suggests checking them out right away.
Hi, I am Matthew, a mid handicap golfer who likes to play as much as possible. I love trying out new gear and this blog is where you can find all the gear I have tested over the years!
