Ping G425 & Callaway Rogue irons

[HeadonaStick]

Hi everyone,

No sure if this should go here or in another forum... but here goes.

I have a set of Callaway Rogue irons - regular not the X version.  I just picked up a set of Ping G425 irons. Both with stock regular flex steel (AWT in the Pings and rue Temper XP 95 in the Callaways).

During the fitting I hit the Pings great.  Consistent and similar distance to my Rogues.  A little harder feel, but not harsh.

Took the Pings out to the course and had bad luck - felt harsh and the distance was off by as much as a club and a half. Went back to the fitter with both sets of clubs and hit them both about the same with similar results.  Thought perhaps a bad round. Nope.  Same outcome two more times.  Put Callaways back in he bag, everything is fine.

Any idea what gives? Should I reshaft the Pings with different shafts?  Really curious what the difference might be just because I want to know if there is something in particular I need to look for in an iron next time I go to buy? 

Yes, I know I should probably just keep hitting the Callaways, but they are beat and I like shiny new things and I am really curious 🙂

[mjf34g]

Obvious question, were you fit indoors or out?  I never been a fan of indoor fittings.  Seeing actual ballflight is a huge part of any fitting IMHO.  Hitting inside to out is a minimum bit more hitting off grass is even better as turf interaction plays a huge part of any iron fitting.  Example; i've always struggled with Callaway irons as the sole designs just don't work for me. 

I do know the Ping 425's have a bit less offset than the Rouges. 

[14max]

I'm curious, why you didn't go with the True Temper Elevate 95 shaft?  It has a similar profile to the XP 95.

Edited April 11, 2021 by 14max

[HeadonaStick]

I was fit indoors.  I don't like indoors either but it is what is readily available here.  I swing "funny" indoors.  I did notice the offset difference - it seems small, but the littlest thing can throw off the whole works!

I went with the AWT's because they seemed fine when I was being fit - even side by side with my current irons.  As I've used them, they feel "dead" compared to the XPs.  Not sure how active the tip is on the AWTs.

I'm not opposed to re-shafting a set of irons, but I don't want to spend the time and money if the issue is the head.

[mjf34g]

Well if it was me I wouldn't put the $ into a reshaft. You'll take a hit selling but with the long delay for new product from Ping people are desperate and not very patient waiting for new clubs.  I'd sell em and move on. 

[BogeyParBogey]

Maybe you're hitting the Pings slightly fat reducing ball speed and distance?  Spring faced irons can have a strange feel, maybe a softer ball would produce a better feel?  Unfortunately, it sounds like the Callaways are just better for you.

 

Dave

[HeadonaStick]

I was hoping for a miracle cure. Not realistic.

Looks like the Pings are going to the BST...

Thanks everyone, much appreciate the input.

[ChipNRun]

As far as the G425 and Rogue iron heads go, the 5i lofts are a half-degree apart, and the 8i lofts are the same 34.5*. The 5i and 8i stock shaft lengths are both the same.

 

It's the shaft dynamics that are different.

• XP95 R300 weighs 95 grams, has high launch, and is designed for someone with a deliberate tempo.
• AWT 2.0 R-flex weighs 98 grams, has medium launch, and is designed for someone with moderate tempo. Also, the AWT stands for "ascending weight technology." This means the long-club shafts are a lighter than the short/scoring-club shafts. The balance points are progressive, however, so the within-set swing weights are the same. (The True Temper AMT shaft family has the same concept.)

Also, the Rogues have a 0.370 parallel tip hosel. Unless you got a custom Rogue build with shimmed up taper constant-weight shafts, the clubs will be closer to the same weight. With the Rogues, the clubheads get heavier as the lofts get higher, but the parallel tip shafts get lighter as they all start out at 95 grams. This is the opposite of what you get with AWT shafts.

 

You may be a golfer who simply doesn't like the AWT shaft feel.