# Tour Validated: Hunter Mahan tests Ping irons

> Hunter Mahan finds game-changing Ping irons that boost ball speed and forgiveness.
- Title: Tour Validated: Hunter Mahan tests Ping irons · Golf
- Summary: Hunter Mahan finds game-changing Ping irons that boost ball speed and forgiveness. Hunter Mahan discovered Ping's i540 and G740 irons increase ball speed by…
- Keywords: ping, hunter mahan, tour validated, iron testing, golf clubs, ball speed, forgiveness, golf equipment, sports, Tour, Validated, Hunter
- Source: Golf — https://golf.com/gear/why-everyone-benefit-trying-everything
- Published: 2026-10-21T13:11:10+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ping, hunter mahan, tour validated, iron testing, golf clubs, ball speed, forgiveness, golf equipment, sports
## Tour Validated episode
Johnny Wunder and Kenton Oates tested Hunter Mahan's Ping irons at Trinity Forest.
## Hunter's initial setup
Hunter uses Blueprint S irons, the most popular tour iron currently.
## Blueprint T iron
Blueprint T irons interact better with turf than older blades for shallow players.
## Spin difference
Blueprint S gives 600 to 700 more rpm spin than Blueprint T for Hunter.
## i240 iron
i240 launches higher and saves speed on misses with better turf interaction.
## i540 iron
i540 hits 9-irons at 124 mph, 9 mph faster than Hunter's standard setup.
## G440 and G740
G440 and G740 irons launch balls over 120 feet with less turf interaction.
## Loft progression
Ping irons reduce loft by 4 degrees from 6-iron to 9-iron across the lineup.
## Loft comparison
Blueprint T 6-iron: 29.5°, 9-iron: 41.0°; i540 6-iron: 25.5°, 9-iron: 37.0°.
## Key insight
Ping irons maintain ball speed and launch for players with slower swing speeds.
## Why it matters
Technology helps players create shots more often without changing their swing.
## What next
Amateurs should test clubs to find what works for their swing.
## Key takeaway

Hunter Mahan discovered Ping's i540 and G740 irons increase ball speed by 9 mph and launch higher with less turf interaction.