Distance question

[assassin307]

I recently purchased a set of Ping Zing 2's in great condition. I can hit the ball straighter with them, compared to my 08 Big Berthas, but the ball doesn't go nearly as far. Question is...

1. Is it the difference in loft on the clubs?

2. Difference in shafts? The Zings have the Steel JZ stiff shafts while the BB's have the steel regular flex shafts. If this is the case, can you or would you re-shaft the Zings?

3. Simply new vs. older technology?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[billysandy]

It will be more than likely old vs. new technology. A golf publication here in the UK compared some Mizuno blades TP19 (90s blades) verses some MP67s (08/09) and the short iron distance were just about the same, but when it came to the long irons, the modern 3 iron was a full 40 yards longer on average. The club design in modern clubs changes as you go thru the set as you know, but i would assume this was not the case many years ago. Callaway irons have a tonne of perimeter weighting to launch the ball high, also something they did not go to the extreme with back then.

[goblue107501]

I recently purchased a set of Ping Zing 2's in great condition. I can hit the ball straighter with them, compared to my 08 Big Berthas, but the ball doesn't go nearly as far. Question is...

Probably some of all of the above. The first thing I would do would be to contact Ping and Callaway and find out the original specs (loft/length) for each model. If you find out the Callaways are a couple degrees stronger, that might be your answer. Extra length per club could be a factor as well.

Depending on your swing, the shaft flex could have something to do with it also. Depending on your SS, you might get more out of a less stiff shaft. Usually when we use a shaft that is too stiff, we tend to lose distance and a lower trajectory. Is the ball flight the same with the Pings or is it lower? In my experience that is something that can be worked on and you can get that distance back when you get used to playing with the stiffer shaft. The technology could have some to do with it, but IMHO I would put it far down the list. Ping has always made solid clubs. The newer technology focuses more on the forgiveness and ballflight than helping distance. A friend pulls out his Eye 2's every once in a while and doens't lose anything compared to his newer Mizunos.

[assassin307]

Gotcha. I kinda thought that was the case, but I thought the shafts may have been a factor as well.

Thanks for the info!

[design]

The lofts between these two sets are fairly similar. You should expect to lose a little distance with the Pings, but not a ton.

Ping Zing 2's:
PW 47
9 42.5
8 38.5
7 34.5
6 30.5
5 27
4 24
3 20.5

Big Bertha:
PW 45
9 41
837
7 33
6 29
5 26
4 23
3 20

If you are hitting more accurately with the Pings, why reshaft?

[assassin307]

Probably some of all of the above. The first thing I would do would be to contact Ping and Callaway and find out the original specs (loft/length) for each model. If you find out the Callaways are a couple degrees stronger, that might be your answer. Extra length per club could be a factor as well.

My swing speed is slow; probably around 80...think regular flex shafts would help? If so, I assume its ok to reshaft an older club like the Zings?

[assassin307]

The lofts between these two sets are fairly similar. You should expect to lose a little distance with the Pings, but not a ton.

They definitely are more accurate; I was just trying to get a little distance back if it was possible. I wasnt sure if tweeking the clubs (new shafts) would help a bit.

[rebby]

I recently purchased a set of Ping Zing 2's in great condition.

They are irons, sounds like they're doing exactly what they should be doing. The entire point of irons is to hit the ball a known and consistent distance with an end goal of putting it as close to a static target as humanly possible. If you're worried about how far that you're hitting your irons, you have the wrong end goal in mind.

[assassin307]

They are irons, sounds like they're doing exactly what they should be doing. The entire point of irons is to hit the ball a known and consistent distance with an end goal of putting it as close to a static target as humanly possible. If you're worried about how far that you're hitting your irons, you have the wrong end goal in mind.

I understand, I really do like the accuracy the Zings bring; just curious as to why they are shorter in distance.

[Chief Broom]

I'd say the difference in distances the OP is seeing is due primarily to the stronger lofts in the BB's. To me this shouldn't be a problem either. Enjoy the added accuracy and club up as you figure out the new yardages.

[rebby]

I'd say the difference in distances the OP is seeing is due primarily to the stronger lofts in the BB's. To me this shouldn't be a problem either. Enjoy the added accuracy and club up as you figure out the new yardages.

Don't forget the other variables in play either. Stronger lofts will make the ball go further, that's for sure. A softer shaft with a softer tip will give you more distance as well (with the trade off of not going as straight). My guess is that the OP is benefiting from the stiffer shafts as they relate to accuracy but they may be, perhaps, a touch stiff for maximum distance. When it comes to irons though, that's a trade off that should be made every time.

[assassin307]

Don't forget the other variables in play either. Stronger lofts will make the ball go further, that's for sure. A softer shaft with a softer tip will give you more distance as well (with the trade off of not going as straight). My guess is that the OP is benefiting from the stiffer shafts as they relate to accuracy but they may be, perhaps, a touch stiff for maximum distance. When it comes to irons though, that's a trade off that should be made every time.

You guys bring up a great point the more I think about it. Accuracy is probably more important than distance. Thanks for the help!

[Slammin' Sam]

My swing speed is slow; probably around 80...think regular flex shafts would help? If so, I assume its ok to reshaft an older club like the Zings?

Yes and yes. Ping will charge you about $17 per club but you might be able to get it done locally for less.

[max power]

Two points - I had a set of Zing 2s for about a year, I don't think I ever hit any irons as far, regardless of loft. The Zing 2 PW was the longest I've hit, as was the 6 iron. Probably had more to do with the shaft than the clubhead, they were stiff, but played softer than other stiff-shafted irons I've owned or used.

But...the distance didn't make me any better. It really means nothing when it comes to irons-two things you want are accuracy and distance control. If you know how far each iron goes who cares what it says on the sole? The last thing I would do is replace the shafts if you are repeatedly hitting them straight.

[assassin307]

I actually played my first round with the Zing 2's today and the distance was actually pretty good. I guess the range didn't give me a really true perspective. I really love these clubs!

[snofrog]

I play with ping eye`s and I need to remind myself constantly that my mancard is not in jepardy by simply hitting one more club than my partners ; )