Ping has long been the standard-bearer for the super-game-improvement category. From the early Karsten irons to the recent G730, the mission has remained the same: make the game as easy as possible.
The new Ping G740 iron arrives with that same DNA, but with a significant facelift and some clever engineering tweaks aimed at refining the "big iron" experience.
Under the hood, Ping has pushed the boundaries of perimeter weighting. The sole is 22% wider than that of one of its siblings in the lineup, the G440, and the blade length has grown by 3%. These changes, combined with a shallower face height, have been introduced to help lower the CG (Center of Gravity) significantly.
To help golfers who struggle with long irons, Ping has utilized a 3/4" length progression in the 5 and 6 irons. This is designed to help launch shots higher and farther, bridging the gap between irons and hybrids.
The first thing I noticed about the G740 was the improved "shelf appeal."
I much prefer the updated look in the bag compared to the outgoing G730. The branding just feels more premium and of its time, and the numbering font is significantly nicer.
Ping has also done away with the high-shine chrome finish that I didn't previously love on G730, opting for a cleaner, more contemporary aesthetic that looks far more sophisticated for a super game improvement club.
However, once you put the club down behind the ball, there is no mistaking its purpose. It is "more of the same" for the Ping faithful, designed with maximum confidence in mind. You are greeted by heavy offset, a vast heel-to-toe blade length, and a chunky topline.
Interestingly, the hosel is noticeably shorter on the G740 than the G730. This was engineered to save discretionary weight, but it has a secondary visual effect: it makes the blade appear a touch longer (more so than the 3% measurable increase) due to the shifting proportions.
One minor gripe at address is that in the longer irons, you can definitely see more of the back portion of the cavity bulging out beyond the top edge. It’s a byproduct of the low-CG and wider sole design, but it might be distracting for those used to a cleaner profile.
In terms of raw performance, the G740 feels like a refined evolution rather than a revolution. If you’ve played the G730, you’ll find the performance very familiar - which is no bad thing. Despite Ping's claims of a higher launch, I personally didn't notice any increase in launch or peak height over the previous model during testing.
However, ball speeds were exceptionally strong. Given the very strong loft profile (7-iron is 28˚), this was expected, but the consistency of those speeds was the real standout.
The G740 is unashamedly fast, but what impressed me most, however, was the feel. The new three-piece PurFlex cavity badge does a fantastic job of subduing vibrations. Super game improvement irons can often sound and feel "clunky" or "clicky," but the G740 offers a dampened, powerful impact experience that feels a little more refined than its predecessor.
As you would expect from a club with such high MOI, mishits were nicely flattered.
Whether I struck it out of the toe or low on the face, the ball-speed retention and directional stability were top-tier. The exceptionally wide, dual-camber sole also provides a great bit of insurance; even on slightly "fat" strikes, the club glides through the turf rather than digging, keeping the shot somewhat servicable.
From my testing experience, if you are currently playing the G730, you aren't going to see wild leaps in distance or height by upgrading to the G740. However, what Ping has delivered is one of the most user-friendly game-improvement clubs on the market, wrapped in a much-improved visual package.
The G740 succeeds in providing "insurance" for the amateur golfer, looks better in the bag, feels better off the face, and remains arguably the most forgiving iron in the game. It’s a job well done by the engineering team in Phoenix.
As with the full iron line-up from Ping, the i540s are available in standard, retro (weaker), and power (stronger) loft specs.
The G740 will retail at £185/$202.50 per club in steel, while graphite shafts will set you back £195/$217.50.
