Gear Launch: Ping S55 irons

The Ping S55 iron is announced, which offers more workability, control and forgiveness than its extremely popular predecessor, the Ping S56

Ping S55

Gear Launch: Ping S55 irons

Ping has unveiled its new S55 iron, which offers more workability, control and forgiveness than its extremely popular predecessor, the Ping S56.

The new S55s - which are designed for the top-end golfer - were immediately put in use by some of Ping's most popular and high-profile staff players.

These new Ping irons have been designed to offer more distance and forgiveness, while retaining the workability and feel of classic-looking, shallow-cavity irons.

The thinner face on the S55 irons helps increase ball speed for added distance, and allows the centre of gravity to be moved lower throughout the set.

Improved feel comes courtesy of a custom tuning port made from thermoplastic elastomer, which softens impact sound and feel.

The 17-4 stainless steel head comes with tungsten toe weighting for increased MOI, while a vertical stabilising bar - narrower in the long irons and wider in the short irons - aids distance control.

"The S56 has contributed to more than 30 tour wins wolrldwide, including an Open Championship, and its record has generated a lot of anticipation for the follow-up model," said John A. Solheim, Ping's Chairman and CEO.

"We're motivated by pushing innovation, and we were able to elevate performance with the S55 in key areas.

"Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Angel Cabrera are some of the players who switched right away, and validation from the game's best players tells us that we got it right."

Watson's switch to the Ping S55 range was the first time he'd changed iron models since 2004.

Mahan, a two-time WGC winner, added: "After the first swing, I knew the S55 was going in my bag, no question.

"I love the control, the trajectory and the forgiveness. It's everything I want in a golf club."

Ping's new S55's will be available in shops from early November, with a RRP of £115 per club (steel) and £137 per club (graphite).

Nick Bonfield
Content Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x