By Ed Travis
According to Joe Jung, one of the founders of New Ground Golf, the company was formed in order to build irons for those who don’t like or can’t hit hybrids. Their initial offering consists of three long irons: a 16°1-iron, a 19° 2-iron and a 22° 3-iron. 
A cambered sole, stainless cast head has seven deep grooves to allow the club to glide over the turf and helps get the ball airborne from any lie. Early reviews compare the New Ground irons to a mid-iron, plus they are easier to shape a draw or fade.
New Ground positioned the center of gravity low and at the back, plus they lengthened the hosel, which moved even more weight towards the rear for improved playability. All of this, plus a thin, reactive face results in increased ball speed.
Putting this club immediately to the fire for an on-course testing produced mixed emotions. The first two shots, a flare right, followed by a severe hook, missed the green by 20 yards. However, with those out of my system the third resulted in a 195-yard carry to an uphill par-5 and finished just short of the putting surface. Successive shots matched that attempt and was confirmed by my range finder. Bottom Line it was very consistent and performed well.
Even more impressive was New Ground’s high trajectory not usually seen in a long iron, plus the ease of extracting the ball from long Bermuda grass in Florida.
Another positive was the versatility of the club. When I choked down on the grip, the ball flight remained higher than a hybrid, which gives the New Ground irons versatility to tackle many different shot shapes and lies. The New Ground long iron is also a good option off the tee for tight par 4’s.
Summary New Ground Long Irons:
The New Ground Long Irons are designed for players, who are not satisfied with the distance control and shot-shaping ability of hybrids. They provide a higher launch than conventional long irons, plus the grooved sole allows for improved carries from any lie.
The clubs have cast heads with thin face and the weight is placed low and back for high trajectory, plus deep grooves on sole help slide through turf
Retail Price & Availability
90-gram regular flex, or 95-gram stiff flex steel shaft are priced at $119.99
70-gram regular flex or 80-gram stiff flex shaft retail for, $149.99
Find them online at NewGroundGolf.com
