Ping G425 vs Callaway Big Bertha B21 Irons Review & Specs 2023

Ping G425 vs Callaway Big Bertha B21 Irons Review & Specs 2023

Right draw and slicing are a problem for many new golfers. The problem is especially prevalent in the irons.

That’s because most entry-level irons are built with an inherent bias for right draw. But if you are ready to ditch your entry level irons then today’s review is for you.

The Ping G425 is a tighter, more compact version of the G410 which came before it and it offers a ton of forgiveness, loft and distance to improvers while the Big Bertha B21’s are super game improvement irons with plenty of loft, wide soles and tons of forgiveness.

Today we will be looking at a couple iron sets that among other things, were made to help high to mid handicap players correct common problems on the fairway like hitting the ball too low, slicing and hooking.

But these irons have a lot more to offer so let’s get into the details straight away.

Some Background On The Iron Sets

 Ping G425

The Ping G425 irons build on the advancements of the previous G400 and G410 irons.

The G400 and G410’s were built for distance but Ping has chosen to make the G425 models more of a “jack of all trades” so to speak, by focusing on forgiveness and playability more than anything else with a high launch and ‘Towering Distance’.

Callaway Big Bertha B21

The Callaway Big Bertha B21 irons are the second results of Callaway’s now notable foray into AI technology.

Essentially, the Callaway Big Bertha B21 irons built on the success of the Mavrik irons but the Big Bertha B21’s are super game improvement irons for ultimate forgiveness more than distance.

Selling Points

• Crafted With Artificial Intelligence For Perfect Performance

• Thin Flash Face Cup Technology For Maximum Ball Speed On Impact

• Tungsten Weighting For Low CG & Higher Launch Angles

• Wide Soles, Large Sweet Spot & Higher Lofts

• Urethane Microspheres For Enhanced Feel And Less Vibration

Key Features

The first thing you will notice about the Callaway Big Bertha B21’s is that the sole is plenty wide. The wider sole coupled with the more pronounced offset add to the forgiveness and enhanced turf interaction of these irons.

One of the key selling points of the Callaway Big Bertha B21’s (and also the Ping G425’s) is that they were designed to fly straighter than conventional irons.

Ping G425 Key Features

Selling Points

• Cleaner, More Compact Design With Higher MOI

• Tungsten Perimiter Weighting For Low CG And High Launch

• Thin Steel Face With Various Thickness For Ball Speed

• Undercut With Cascading Sole For ‘Towering Height’

• Multi Material Badge For Vibration Dulling And Excellent Feel

Key Features

One of the most noticeable features of the G425’s is the notched toe that is designed to increase deflection and enhance ball speed.

The G425’s also utilize Ping’s Variable Face Technology which keeps the face of these irons progressively thin throughout the set.

Callaway Big Bertha B21 Improvements

The Callaway Big Bertha B21’s are essentially a more forgiving version of the comparable Mavrik series.

They feature more offset and a heftier top line.

This will surely be a welcome site to high-handicap players – and they are sure to love the feel too.

Ping G425 Improvements

As far as distance goes, you aren’t likely to see a huge improvement from the Ping G400/G410 to the G425’s. But what they did improve was the consistency.

The G425’s offer better repeatable carry distance than their predecessors. They are also more forgiving.

Quick Loft Comparison Chart

Club	Ping G425 – Loft	Big Bertha B21 – Loft
4 Iron	20.5°	19°
5 Iron	23.5°	22°
6 Iron	26.5°	25°
7 Iron	30°	28.5°
8 Iron	34.5°	32.5°
9 Iron	39.5°	38°
PW	44.5°	43.5°

Callaway Big Bertha B21 Set Options

The Callaway Big Bertha B21 irons come in left or right handed orientations, you can choose between graphite or steel shafts and you also have the flex options of light regular and stiff.

Ping G425 Set Options

The G425’s are also available in left and right hand orientations with graphite or steel shafts. They will also be available in special Power-Spec versions which increase the loft of each iron for more distance.

The graphite versions feature Ping’s Alta CB Slate shafts while the steel shaft version feature the AWT 2.0’s.

Quick Length & Lie Comparison Chart

Club	Ping G425 – Length/Lie	Big Bertha B21 – Length/Lie
4 Iron	60.5/38 7/8“	60.5/38.75”
5 Iron	61/38 ¼”	61.25/38.125”
6 Iron	61.5/37 5/8“	62/37.50”
7 Iron	62/37”	62.5/37”
8 Iron	62.8/36 ½”	63/36.50”
9 Iron	63.5/36”	63.5/36”
PW	64.1/35 ½”	64/35.75”

Who Is Each Set For?

First and foremost both of these sets would be great for intermediate players who are looking to correct right draw on the fairway.

That being said, if you are also looking for improved distance, we would say the Callaway Big Bertha B21’s would be better for you.

We got better overall distance with these than with the Ping G425’s. But what the Ping’s lack in distance they make up for in forgiveness.

The VFT helps customize each iron face to the shot’s of players who are still struggling with lower face and toe-centric strikes.

Composition Comparison

Big Bertha B21

The Big Bertha’s come with Callaway RCH shafts in the 60g class for the graphite versions.

The steel versions are equipped with KBS Max CT80 shafts in the 80g class.

They also come stock with Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 Soft grips.

Ping G425

The G425’s come with either AWT 2.0 in various weights and launch angles or Ping Alta CB Slate graphite shafts.

You can also choose from Arccos Caddie Smart Grips, Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvets or Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet cord  grips.

Performance Comparison

Repeatable distance was not a problem with the Big Bertha’s and the enhanced offset also made them almost as forgiving as the VFT Ping G425’s.

As far as feel goes, we have to give it to the Ping’s. The progressive face thickness really helps widen the sweet spot while keeping the face stable.

Price Comparison

You can get a complete set of Callaway Big Bertha B21 irons for about $1,000 while the Ping G425’s run the gamut from about $800 to $950.

Callaway Big Bertha B21 Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Better distance
• Good repeatable distance
• Good game improvement irons
• They fly straight
• AI technology
• Plenty of offset

Cons:

• Clunky top profile
• More expensive
• Not as forgiving
• Weaker loft

Overall Score 96/100

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Ping G425 Pros & Cons

Pros:

• More affordable
• More forgiving
• Thin face
• More shaft options
• Higher Lofts
• Etched toe for more deflection
• Also fly straight

Cons:

• Less distance
• Less offset
• More for beginners
• Doesn’t sound great

Overall Score 96/100

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Final Words

At the end of the day, both of these sets did a great job of reducing draw. So if that is your main goal, you would do well with both – though the G425’s are less expensive so keep that in mind.

If however you want help with Launch and are focused more on forgiveness, the Callaway Big Bertha B21’s would be the irons we recommend so check it out today!

Overall Score 96/100

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