Ping Karsten Irons Review

Technology: A larger head and more perimeter weighting makes the Karsten iron eight per cent more forgiving than the G25. Progressive shaft lengths and lofts allow for seamless gapping. Golfers have the option of replacing the long irons for hybrids. Longer distance in the Karsten irons comes from precision-engineered loft and club length progressions paired with wide soles and a deep center of gravity. The Custom Tuning Port reinforces the thinner face to increase ball velocity for greater distance and higher ball flights for stopping power.

Looks: There’s no mistaking who these irons are aimed at. Golfers who struggle to find any sort of consistency will love the oversize design of the Karstens. It’s one of the longest irons I’ve seen from heel to toe, there’s a stack of offset and the sole is so wide, you’d do well to catch a ball heavy from the fairway. Functional yes, but not beautiful!

Feel/sound: They don’t possess the hard feel of a distance iron, similar to the G25 – very user friendly.

Forgiveness: Through the roof, down to the size of the head but also the low and deep CG. Replacing long irons with hybrids only strengthens this feature, helping low swing speeds achieve easy launch from across the face on long shots.

Performance: These irons get the ball up in the air so easily. Fast swingers will send the wedge into orbit, but the slow swingers the iron is aimed at will be impressed with the trajectory and distance of both the irons and hybrids. Stronger lofts combined with a lower CG than the Ping’s other models mean good strikes are rewarded with distance and the progressive shaft lengths and lofts mean the gapping is consistent between the irons.

Price: £86 (s), £102 (g) Spec: Comes in 3H, 4H, 5H, 5-9 iron, PW, UW, SW.

Verdict: Bags of forgiveness, simple to hit well. Ideal for slow speeds and newcomers to the game. Watch our video review of the Ping Karsten Irons above. 

See how the irons got on in our 2015 Game Improvement Irons Test!