Equipment
My Fitting Experience at PING (i20 Content!)
In early December I had the opportunity, along with fellow moderators Asleep and beruo, to tour PING’s facilities in Phoenix and get an in-depth look at their new i20 line of clubs. You can read about that here (woods) and here (irons). Being the young gun of the moderating team (21) and this being my first business trip of sorts, I was incredible excited for the experience.
One of the many highlights of the day (to be honest, I feel like everything was a highlight!) was getting to see and try out PING’s latest fitting and information gathering tool – ENSO. ENSO, which has been a collaborative project with Vicon (http://www.vicon.com) and Fujikura, is a camera system that uses lots cameras, all capable of taking tens of thousands of frames per second (PING is the first OEM with this technology). Using little reflective balls (think video game 3D imaging) that are placed on the driver head and shaft these cameras are able to track every little bit of information that an engineer would be interested in. From swing speed, shaft deflection, hand speed, shaft droop at impact, etc. PING’s engineers, led by Dr. Paul Wood, are able to learn why different things act different ways. By gathering this information they are able to better design future shafts and clubs. After hearing about the system of course I wanted to try it! So I put on my golf shoes, stretched out a bit, took some practice swings, and hit a couple balls. I wasn’t looking forward to hitting driver first without any prior warmup, but I did my best. I always knew I had a pretty high swing speed, but after trying ENSO I got an official, legitimate number (the use of cameras eliminates the error that can occur using launch monitors). After a couple mighty thwacks, I caught a good one on my third swing – 118 mph swing speed. While Asleep, beruo, and the 3 engineers showing us the system were taken back by such a high number, my jaw dropped a little bit as well. That was the highest I’ve ever been measured. I’m normally closer to 112, I must’ve had a little adrenaline going!
Better to read the original posting with all the photos and discussion: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/561463-my-fitting-experience-at-ping-i20-content/
Following lunch, the second half of the day was spent demoing the entire i20 line. I was fortunate enough to go through a full on fitting with master fitter Bill, who does several hundred fittings a year for the likes of touring professionals, collegiate players, celebrities, and other VIPs. Having given them my current club set up prior to heading out to Arizona, there was a bag full of i20 clubs spec’d out to my current gamers to try out on the famous fitting range on the PING campus. After a quick warm up, I jumped to the i20 9 iron with CFS X-stiff shaft. Luckily for me my swing was ‘on’ after not playing much for the month previous. On maybe my fourth or fifth ball I mishit it a little bit and was asked by Mike Nicolette, the man who designed the S56 irons that I game (boy was that cool!) how far I thought the ball went. I said, “Well stock I hit a 9 iron about 150, so maybe that was 145ish?” I hit a few more, maybe 10 balls or so in total, with all the information being tracked by TrackMan and nFlight, then went over to take a look at my numbers. Initial thought – scary long. I averaged 165 yards of carry. I then went to 7 iron, which they had fitted with DG X100 (what I game). Again my numbers were scary, seriously freakishly long. I’d say on course, given normal conditions, my average carry distance is 170-175 or so – but with the i20’s per TrackMan, I was averaging 195 yards. I can’t make this stuff up. I don’t know what it was – the warmer weather, adrenaline, or something else (maybe these clubs are just stupid long?!) but the ball was going to say the least. I finished trying out the irons with a 4 iron which performed, felt, looked, and performed wonderfully. High ball flight, soft landing, consistent, and forgiving – the i20 irons truly have something going for them. Phenomenal performers that I know will be a huge hit on the iron market (not to mention there cavity isn’t gaudy looking, something I REALLY appreciate). While I game X100’s, and will continue to do so, let me say that the CFS shafts are awesome (note my dispersion was tighter with the CFS, but the X100’s give me a feel I’m used to and a flight I prefer). Period. Definitely worth trying.
Better to read the original posting with all the photos and discussion: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/561463-my-fitting-experience-at-ping-i20-content/
After my insane session with the irons I was really looking forward to trying the hybrid and fairway wood. The i20 hybrid was a dream come true. With a slick matte black crown, black face, and black sole it looks great. Oh yeah, it performs pretty nicely too ;). Designed to take off a little spin compared to the i15 hybrid, I was hitting rockets. Long, high, straight darts from 250+. Looking back writing this, it feels surreal trying to gather my thoughts and memories from my fitting – almost like a dream, a dream come true. While I had gone through 2011 hybrid-less, opting for an extra wedge over my hybrid, I think 2012 might be the year I cave and drop my 3 iron to add a hybrid. The i20 fairway wood was also a great performer. Absolutely awesome club that does its job, and does it well. The only thing I can hold against the hybrid and fairway is that while the black/matte black looks good, I’m afraid it won’t hold up under normal usage. After just a short session trying them out the soles and faces has noticeable marks. Not big chips or anything, but something to be considered.
Better to read the original posting with all the photos and discussion: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/561463-my-fitting-experience-at-ping-i20-content/
For the last bit of my fitting, I got to try out drivers. Due to my high swing speed, I was brought back into the garage (indoor/outdoor) fitting room that is, I dunno, 60 yards or so further back from where I had been hitting irons/hybrids/fairways. This is where all the pros get fit, which is really cool. Seeing staff bags embroidered with the names of people I have looked up to, knowing this is where they get fit for the best tools for their profession, is a unique feeling I was lucky enough to get to experience. I tried the i20 in 8.5º loft and 70x ‘ahina shaft a half inch under standard (so playing 45″ I believe). This is similar to my setup I use in my current bag, so I wasn’t surprised to see any dramatic difference. Simply a solid performer. An anti-left club if I had to put a word on it. More workable than most as well. I was hitting some bombs. The ball flight wasn’t quite what I wanted to see, so I asked if I could try out the G20 with the same shaft. I have always been that way in the past, 983K instead of 983E, 909D2 instead of 909D3, etc. so I thought it might be a better fit. It was indeed. Similar numbers to the i20, but for whatever reason I felt more comfortable with it. Bill (my fitter) agreed and said that it’s a 75/25 or so split between the G line and i line of drivers. Also in the picture that shows my TrackMan results, I was definitely aimed right. I do NOT hit a left to right ball, trust me. haha
So yeah, I think that about covers everything. If you have any questions just ask, I’ll be checking this thread out quite frequently.
Better to read the original posting with all the photos and discussion: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/561463-my-fitting-experience-at-ping-i20-content/
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Whats in the Bag
Kris Kim WITB 2024 (May)
- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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Equipment
Welcome to the family: TaylorMade launches PUDI and PDHY utility irons
TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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hvilletn
Jan 5, 2012 at 11:15 am
Is this the same process that they would go through with everyone who showed up at the PING facility for a fitting? I, too, am considering making the trek to PING for a full bag fitting and if this is the same level of attention I could expect I imagine that I will be working to book this trip in the next few weeks. I am also interested in all of the shaft options that were available to you?
Dewitt
Jan 3, 2012 at 8:10 pm
I’m a 5 handicap and LOVE the i15 and can’t wait till the i20 comes out. When you had this fitting did they offer every kind of shaft on the market or just ping shafts? I’m in medical sales and would like to know the cost of this process and who to call. Can you please share this with me? I will fly out to do this in a heartbeat.
GolfWRX
Jan 2, 2012 at 11:08 pm
g-train,
thanks for the comment. Ping runs a class act. The i-20 line is another example of their passion and pursuit for excellence.
g-train
Jan 2, 2012 at 10:28 pm
ya cant get better service than that obviously still leading the way in all ereas by the look of this and their new lines,repeating myself but so much for being ugly or plain,others could do well to start copying their i20 and g20,because some of the other stuff this yr doesnt look as good as these two,and look to be using the dull colour that ping has been accused of over the yrs,the i20 looks cleaner and smarter than other stuff im seeing,and im by no means a ping man,im a whore.but great article ans i wish we had this in australia..when it looks like a yr where keeping it simple is what people are wanting ping is killing it so far,thanks for the sharing of your visit