Cool Clubs | First Take

The forged, maraging steel face of the PING i525 irons have the sleek appearance of new clubs on the market and set a precedent on overall distance control and ball flight. PING deserves credit where credit is due for renovating a solid irons series and its innovations. The performance enhancements of this series help with forgiveness and a new feel on cavity backs that’ll help average golfers from tee-to-green. PING made the i525 irons longer than the i500’s without sacrificing lofts and other areas of your ball-striking game. With the i525 iron, the goal is to replicate the look of a better player blade with the design model based off the i210 series. The key features that separate these irons from the i500 and other PING models is it has more speed, Micromax grooves, enhanced feel, better launch conditions, increased MOI, and blade-like shot shaping abilities.

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Increased clubhead speed

The improved clubhead speed comes from changes to the construction of the iron. With the i525, the club face is robotically plasma-welded to a 17-4 stainless steel body. The fundamentals of the construction aren’t uncommon in the player’s distance category, but PING made small adjustments to make the iron series more accessible for a wider range of golfers. The hybrid-like approach allows for more face deflection and room for error by giving the face more flexibility, unlike the blades designed by PING in previous models. PING was able to push more of the impact stress into the body which leads to greater deflection and more speed in a more controlled manner that helps create greater consistency. The increase in face deflection involves a variable thickness face that thins as you move towards the perimeter of the club. This gives the face a bit more flex and lead at impact for more pure strikes and added distance to both short and long irons.

Micromax grooves

PING has reduced spacing between the grooves so that they can add more grooves to the clubface. The benefit of Micromax is reduced fliers in the short irons and consistent spin rates with the longer irons to stick them on the green with your approach shots. Micromax helps balance the high ball speed potential of the i525 while featuring high trajectory and proper landing angle.

A milled groove pattern allows for tighter spacing and a geometry that provides four extra grooves to lower ball flight in the short irons and preserve spin rates in the long irons for improved consistency.

Enhanced feel and crisp sound

The feel of the PING i525 iron is the result of PING’s EVA polymer hot melt material. The feel is more consistent across the set ranging from gap wedge to 4-iron. Engineers at PING have described the feel as more of a pure impact sensation.

A polymer is inserted precisely on the inside of the face to improve sound while not giving up face deflection, the main factor in ball speed.

Better launch conditions

The i525 irons provide more consistent launch conditions and includes its Hydropearl 2.0 finish. The finish sheds moisture in damp conditions and closes the gap on launch and spin differences between wet and dry conditions. PING added more texture between the grooves, known as friction face, which further narrows your distance control with your scoring clubs.

The strength of the maraging steel allows for a thinner face structure with an internal sole undercut in the 17-4 stainless steel body to launch shots faster and higher with predictability due to the flex of the clubface. Combine that with a players-style model perimeter weighted to elevate forgiveness and deliver long, towering shots that hit and hold the green.

Blade-like shot shaping abilities

The players-style blade length creates a compact profile favored by golfers. The i525 iron is less bulky than the i500 series and the blade length is shortened. The irons are described as more balanced and with an increased MOI of 3.5% from heel-to-toe. This leads to tight shot dispersion, explosive launch and accurate descent angles to score low with your irons.

PING recommends the i525’s for golfers making the transition from game-improvement to player-distance irons. The well-engineered club allows for shot shaping and predictable shot dispersion. PING’S technology engineered to maximize face flexibility for increased ball speed and forgiveness for mishits low on the clubface.

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Cool Clubs, the world’s custom golf club fitting technology leader, has announced the creation of a new golf equipment testing metric called SpinLaunch℠. The new metric is a ratio between launch angle and spin rate and will be used to create unbiased reviews of new and existing golf clubs and provide neutral comparisons between otherwise incomparable products.

All Cool Clubs SpinLaunch℠ tests will use our own swing robot to create a set of constants in multiple measurement areas such as: swing speed, attack angle, club path, loft of driver, club setting, strike point, and will feature a standard shaft and ball. The result is a single number – usually between 200 and 300 – which represents the increase in spin rate per degree of launch. All ball data will be collected with GCQuad launch monitors.

“When we first started testing equipment, drivers for example, we found out it was difficult to compare which driver would create more spin or less spin because spin rate is dependent on launch angle. We didn’t have an apples-to-apples comparison,” said Mark Timms, Founder and CEO of Cool Clubs. “Using SpinLaunch℠, we are able to use a metric relative to the to the launch angle to produce a spin rate per degree of launch – a much more accurate representation and comparison of two different clubheads.”

SpinLaunch℠ Enhances Cool Clubs’ S3 Technology Database

The SpinLaunch℠ metric for each clubhead, which will be added to Cool Clubs’ S3 Technology, the industry-leading golf club shaft database, will enable Cool Clubs Master Fitters to narrow the scope of the clubfitting process even further, saving players time and energy during the fitting process.

“Each Cool Clubs location has more than 50,000 clubhead and shaft combinations, so our Master Fitters rely on our proprietary industry-leading technology to refine the process from the start because the last thing our customers should do is hit 10 different drivers,” said Timms. “We create this technology and do all this research ahead of time so we have a really good idea at the beginning of the process. With the addition of SpinLaunch℠, our fitters will be able to eliminate two-thirds of potential drivers and really focus on what will work for this particular player.”

Want to find out how SpinLaunch℠ will help you improve your game? Just click the button below to book your next fitting at any Cool Clubs location.

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Cool Clubs | First Take

TaylorMade’s Stealth Irons for 2022 seem to put a premium on overall beauty – and they are very pleasing to the eye at address – but that doesn’t mean it won’t perform extremely well, especially in the forgiveness category. In early testing, Stealth irons create a more penetrating ball flight compared to last year’s SIM2 Max, and for good ball strikers, it’s definitely worth checking them out if you need to squeeze out a few more yards.

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Year-Over-Year Changes

There are a few key changes from last year’s SIM2 irons to this year’s Stealth. First, TaylorMade continued their push to drive down the center of gravity for the game-improvement golfer. TaylorMade carved 10 grams of steel out of the high toe area and extended the polymer cap into the void to replace the mass which results in a center of gravity a full millimeter lower – enough to make a difference.
Second, the Stealth iron line features a more squared-off backside compared to the SIM2 and eliminated backside color which Nike fans might remember from the Vapor Speed – minus the yellow swoosh of course. Iron appearance is subjective, to be sure, but most golfers would agree this iron is decidedly more attractive.

The final main change is there is only one Stealth iron model this year. No standard, MAX or MAX OS versions like in years past. This could mean a few things, but it’s best not to speculate at this time.

Here’s what TaylorMade has to say about their new Stealth Iron Line:

Cap Back Design with Toe Wrap Construction

Cap Back Design with toe wrap construction is an advanced engineering feat that shifts mass from the extreme high toe of the head and repositions it in the sole to create an extremely low CG. It expands the distance, forgiveness and feel benefits, delivering an iron that is easy to launch with a hot trajectory throughout the set.

Fast Forgiving Face with Progressive Inverted Cone Technology

The 450 stainless steel face has an intelligently positioned sweet spot that spans the most common impact points, delivering explosive ball speeds and consistency in all the right places.

Echo Damping System

Located behind the face, the ECHO Damping System uses a soft polymer blend and multiple contact points across the face to channel away harsh vibrations and create a forged-like feel at impact.

Thru-Slot Speed Pocket

Patented TaylorMade technology engineered to maximize face flexibility for increased ball speed and forgiveness for mis-hits low on the face.

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Cool Clubs | First Take

Between the 223 and their new 225 model, Mizuno deserves a pat on the back for revamping what was already a solid irons series. Mizuno tends to get overshadowed thanks to the marketing and advertising budgets of some of the traditional powerhouses, but this year’s models once again prove Mizuno makes good looking and great feeling irons. This year has some icing on the cake with both lines performing very well in addition to their great look and feel. The new cleaner logo work and head shapes hit the mark for anyone who enjoys simple and understated looks. The 225 is your hollow body “blade style” – great for a combo set or just a full set of good-looking, high-flying forgiveness. The 223 is the Jack-of-all-trades – solid performer, simple to look at, strong flighted and very forgiving.

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Mizuno Pro 223 Irons

Touted as the iron offering what PGA TOUR players need but would never ask for, the Mizuno Pro 223 irons present a compact footprint combined with distance boosting tech and a ton of forgiveness. Forged chromoloy allowed Mizuno to thin the face and introduce moderate speed gains while jacking the lofts two degrees to produce playable trajectories while increasing distance.

Here’s what Mizuno says about its new Pro 223 irons:

Everything tour players need to compete on extended, more demanding layouts – but never thought to ask for. The Mizuno Pro 223 conceals a ball speed-enhancing construction within the frame of a compact players cavity. A completely new technology platform from 4-7 iron combining Mizuno’s tested Chromoly Forging and Flow Micro-Slot Grain Flow Forged in Hiroshima, Japan with a soft copper underlay and uniquely satisfying Mizuno sensation at impact.

Mizuno Pro 225 Irons

While some players undoubtedly loved the original Hot Metal Blade (HMB), the second generation Mizuno Pro 225 addresses the larger footprint of the original by creating a more compact, TOUR-like profile. The line still offers hollow-body construction, but on a diet – slimmed down enough to pass for a blade before a doubletake. Mizuno threw additional mass in the form of tungsten which drives the center of gravity lower and deeper with a thinner face to increase speed and successfully creates a more forward thinking iron without sacrificing the tradition of the brand.

Mizuno adds these thoughts about the Pro 225 Irons:

The 2ND GEN of Mizuno’s staggering Hot Metal Blade – and the most playable of the Mizuno Pro series. More compact than the original with a revised CORTECH multi-thickness face for even quicker ball speeds. Equally effective as a long / mid-iron alternative for elite players or a complete set for low to mid handicaps. Grain Flow Forged in Hiroshima, Japan, with a soft copper underlay for a uniquely satisfying Mizuno sensation at impact.

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Cool Clubs | First Take

Personally, I am a big fan of all of the available fitting options from the Rogue ST with forgiveness, draw bias and even low spin showing up with gusto. The head design this year seems cleaner than previous iterations and the matte paint is very pleasing to the eye, especially at address.

The stand-out characteristic of this year’s models is forgiveness. It seems as though you can hit their drivers all over the face of the club and still find good distance, but most importantly scary straight results.

Another important thing to point out this year is the smaller head shape “Rogue ST Triple Diamond.” It’s a great looking head definitely designed for a better player by keeping spin low (which many players crave) but there seems to be no trade-off for its forgiveness characteristic which is often compromised with smaller, lower spinning head shapes.

– Jack Gilbert, Cool Clubs Special Projects Manager

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Here’s what Callaway has to say about their new Rouge ST Drivers.

Introducing ROGUE ST Drivers: Think Speed, Go ROGUE

The new Rogue ST Drivers represent a breakthrough in driver performance. Callaway’s industry-leading innovations, including our Tungsten Speed Cartridge, Jailbreak Speed Frame, and an A.I. designed Flash Face are engineered for maximum speed with exceptional levels of forgiveness.

Features, Advantages, Benefits

INCREASED SPEED, STABILITY & HIGH MOI FROM ALL-NEW TUNGSTEN SPEED CARTRIDGE

The groundbreaking new Tungsten Speed Cartridge structure places up to 26 grams low and deep in the driver head. This increases speed on off-center hits and provides more forgiveness through high MOI.

STABILITY AND SPEED FROM JAILBREAK SPEED FRAME

Our patented A.I. designed Jailbreak Speed Frame provides stability in the horizontal and torsional direction. We’ve speed tuned the construction, shaping, and positioning to deliver even more speed across the face.

NEW A.I. DESIGNED FACE FOR LOWER SPIN AND INCREASED FORGIVENESS

As the industry leader in Artificial Intelligence, we’ve added launch and spin to ball speed in our optimization formula. This new formula lowers spin on the face, allowing us to add forgiveness to the driver.

STABILITY AND FORGIVENESS FROM UNIBODY CONSTRUCTION

The titanium unibody construction provides stability and lowers the center of gravity, while our proprietary Triaxial Carbon crown and sole allow us to save weight. This weight is precisely redistributed to increase forgiveness with high launch and a slight draw bias.

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