The Ping G740 is a refined evolution in the super game improvement category. While performance gains are iterative, the improved feel and exceptional forgiveness make it a powerhouse for high-handicappers.
Pros
- Extreme forgiveness on off-center strikes
- Much improved aesthetics and branding
- Excellent turf interaction for steeper swingers
Cons
- Visible "bulge" in long irons at address
The new T350 is an outstanding option in the game improvement sector for those looking to maximize performance and forgiveness, but who also want it wrapped up in the classiest visual bow possible.
Pros
- Ultra-clean and premium looks
- Exceptional forgiveness and enhanced consistency
- Consistently high launch
Cons
- Firmer than some off the face
Buying a new set of irons is one of the biggest and most important decisions you can make as a golfer. First off, sets of irons are expensive, so you want to get it right when committing so much of your hard-earned cash.
Secondly, because they cover such a wide section of the shots you typically play during a round of golf and there are a lot of models aimed at very different profiles of player, having irons that compliment and improve your performance will make a huge difference to your scoring and enjoyment of the game.
Finally, because of the cost involved and the fact significant technological advancements tend to be more difficult to achieve in those smaller heads, irons are often the clubs we use for the longest.
If you’re looking for a set of the best golf irons that provide plenty of help in terms of distance and forgiveness like the best game improvement irons, then look no further than these two models. Ping has set the standard in this market for a long time – for many people the brand is as synonymous with game improvement irons as it is the legendary Anser putter – and it is continuing that tradition with the G740 irons.
But that’s not to say there aren’t some other fantastic options in this space. Among them are the Titleist T350 irons. Titleist is a brand that is often associated with better players, but it also produces a lot of fantastic equipment that offers a helping hand to mid and high-handicappers, while still maintaining much of the craftsmanship and traditional aesthetics that make it so popular.
Both these sets of clubs do a fantastic job of achieving what they are designed to do, but with some subtle yet distinct differences behind them and what they are intended to deliver, how do they stack up against one-another and which model is the best for you?
Technology
Ping is an engineering company at its heart and the design of the best Ping irons is centered on delivering solutions that make the game as easy and enjoyable as possible. One of the main ways the G740 irons do that is with perimeter weighting that lowers the center of gravity to increase forgiveness.
The Dual Camber sole is 22% wider than in the G440s, the face is shallower, and the blade length has increased by 3%. That also allows for a larger and faster hyper 17-4 stainless steel face that flexes more at impact. A PurFlex cavity badge has three flex zones, intended to enhance the feel and sound.
The Titleist T350 also leans into perimeter weighting with high-density tungsten weighting that’s designed to produce an ultra-high launch and consistency through the set.
The consistency in terms of carry distance and dispersion is boosted by Max Impact Technology and there are more aggressive grooves in the mid and short irons. The new forged L-Face Design with a multi-zone taper is intended to help maintain fast ball speeds across the clubface, especially on low hits.
Looks
You know what you’re getting from the profile of Ping irons – close your eyes and I bet you can imagine it – and while the G740 of course remains true to that, it’s had a bit of a facelift compared to the previous G730 model. There’s no more shiny chrome finish, the general look has been modernized and little touches like an updated numbering font make a real difference. Overall, the package looks more premium.
When you put the Ping down behind the ball you have all the familiarity of the confidence-boosting heavy off-set, long blade length and thick topline. One minor negative is that you can see the back portion of the cavity bulging out beyond the top edge in the longer irons.
This overall look might not be to everyone’s taste, but you know stood over the ball that this club is engineered to make it easier for you to launch it high and long – and that added bit of confidence at address can make all the difference.
The impressive thing about the Titleist T350 is that they’ve been able to cram a lot of helpful technology into a clubhead that still looks pretty sleek. It’s a far more beautiful looking club than you might imagine was possible in the game improvement arena. The vast majority of the best Titleist ions deliver cracking shelf appeal and any playing partners having a sneaky look at what’s in your bag would probably think these are clubs for a better player.
The fact they are designed to offer more help than that does become more evident when you put them behind the ball thanks to a larger footprint, a decent amount of offset and a slightly thicker topline, but they are anything but chunky. It’s worth noting that there’s aesthetic consistency with the other T-Series irons so you could easily combine multiple models in your set while maintaining a cohesive look.
Feel
The T350 is somewhat clickier and firmer at impact than some other irons in this category, but it’s not an unpleasant sensation. You get decent feedback on strike location, which isn’t always common in these style of clubs, and that’s handy because your miss-hits aren’t often very obvious when compared to your good strikes in terms of the shot results.
Ping has really refined the feel of the G740s compared to its predecessor. One criticism that can be leveled at these sort of clubs is that they feel clunky, but that isn’t the case here. That PurFlex cavity badge does a wonderful job of dampening vibrations to create a powerful and solid feeling at impact. The excellent turf interaction also stood out, particularly if you have a steeper swing and can struggle with fat shots.
Performance
Both of these sets of irons are built for speed, and they deliver in impressive style. You’d probably have to give the slight advantage to the Titleist in terms of raw power, but they are both very long. Carry distances of over 200 yards with a 6-iron were achieved with both clubs from a swing speed of just under 100mph. While you probably aren’t using these clubs if you’re swinging that fast, it demonstrates what they are capable of – and that’s all the distance you could want from your irons.
The G740s generate a bit more backspin, therefore stopping slightly quicker on the greens, but there really isn’t a huge amount in it and you’d be more than happy with what the T350s offer in terms of launch, flight and stopping power.
All of this is great, but it probably isn’t going to help your scoring if you don’t also get forgiveness and consistency on the inevitable off-center hits that you’ll have if you’re using game improvement irons. Fortunately, they absolutely excel in this category.
It really is hard to fault the consistency of these irons when it comes to maintaining distance and reasonably tight dispersion on poor strikes. You won’t find irons that offer more length, forgiveness and consistency in the same package – and that combination will definitely help you player better golf.
Conclusion
In summary, the G740 and T350 irons both offer phenomenal performance, but there are a couple of differences that will swing it one way or the other. The Ping irons fly that little bit higher with a softer sensation at impact, while the Titleist T350 irons are more powerful and visually pleasing for most golfers who prefer a sleeker clubhead at address. Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong.
Which club should you choose?
Choose the Ping G740 if…
- You need market-leading forgiveness on off-center strikes.
- You want a softer feel from a game-improvement iron.
- You have a steeper swing and tend to fat your iron shots.
Choose the Titleist T350 if…
- You prefer an enclosed, blade-style look.
- You would benefit from as much distance as possible.
- You need more consistency on poor strikes.
For more iron buying advice, be sure to have a read of our guides on the best golf irons, the best compact mid handicap irons and most forgiving irons.
