Dark irons were the finish of the summer. Titleist charged $285 a club for its Black Vapor T-Series in July. Ping's G740 Midnight, now in shops for a limited time, is $202.50 an iron in steel and $217.50 in graphite.
What it is
The G740 is Ping's biggest, most forgiving iron, a super-game-improvement model. Compared with the G440 it has a 22% wider sole and a 3% longer blade, for a lower center of gravity, higher launch and better ball speed on mis-hits. The long irons are three-quarters of an inch longer from the 5- to the 6-iron to help them launch higher.
The Midnight finish is darker and cuts glare, and Ping says it makes its largest iron look slimmer at address. It has silver and black paint fill.
The catches
- Lofts No retro or power-spec loft options in Midnight
- Lie Adjustable by only one degree either way
- Availability Limited time only
If your fitting puts you in standard lofts and close to standard lie, neither matters. If your fitter bends everything, check before you order.
The verdict
Buy, if you fit a G740.
This is the right answer to the black-iron trend: a finish on an iron most golfers can actually hit, without a big premium on top. Get fitted first. The finish doesn't make it a different club.
Sources: MyGolfSpy (August, price and limits); Golf Galaxy product listing (G740 specs); Titleist media center (7 July).