Equipment

Ping i irons: What you need to know

Published

9 years ago

Jul 15, 2015

Ping’s i irons ($135 per club with steel, $150 per club with graphite) irons have a satin-brushed finish, and are available in 3-9, PW, UW. Default color code is blue. Stock swing weight is D1-D2.

Ping’s Stock Shafts: CFS Distance Steel (Soft R, R, S, X), CFS Graphite (65 Soft R, 70 Regular, 80 Stiff)
No Upcharge Custom Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold (S300, X100), True Temper Project X (5.0, 6.0), True Temper XP 95 (R, S), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 105 (S, X)

What you need to know

Ping’s i irons replace the company’s i25 irons, which were cast from 17-4 stainless steel. The i25 irons made our Gear Trials: Best Players Irons list in both 2014 and 2015, earning best-of-the-pack marks in forgiveness. They were widely considered to be the most-forgiving irons in their class.

The i irons are cast from a softer material, 431 stainless steel, and for that reason most golfers will identify the i irons as having “better feel.” A 431 stainless steel construction was also used in Ping’s Glide wedges (click here to read our full review).

The most common criticism of Ping’s i25 irons (click here to read our review) was that they didn’t fly as far as other irons in their class, which was a product of their solid-face construction and average lofts (33-degree 7 iron). The i irons have 1-degree stronger standard lofts (32-degree 7 iron) in the 3-8 irons, so they’ll fly slightly farther.

Like the i25 irons, the i irons have a “progressive design,” which means that as the iron number decreases (i.e. PW, 9 iron, 8 iron) the clubs have gradually longer blade lengths, wider soles and more offset to help golfers hit the clubs higher and farther. The short irons in the set have relatively short blade lengths, narrow soles and minimal offset, which is said to make the easier-to-hit clubs more precise.

The shape of the i irons is slightly different than the i25 irons, with slightly thinner top lines, less offset and wider soles. The added trailing edge relief on the soles of the i irons, however, make the two irons play with the same effective sole width as the i25 irons.

Ping i iron specs

According to Ping, the 431 stainless steel frame of the i irons has an inherently higher strength-to-weight ratio, which allowed the company to make them even more forgiving than previous i-series irons that were made of 17-4 stainless steel (i25, i20, i15, etc.).

Ping’s Custom Tuning Port (CTP), a crevice behind the face of the iron that is filled with an elastomer weight, has been moved deeper in the cavity and lower behind the face of the iron. Unlike previous Ping irons, the CTP is now fully concealed in the iron head. The CTP’s slight movement downward and deeper in the iron head aligns it more directly behind the impact area for better energy transfer and a better feel.

Like previous i-series irons, a tungsten weight is used in the toe area of the 3-7 irons, improving the MOI (moment of inertia), a measure of forgiveness.

The stock length of the i irons is 0.25 inches longer in the 3-9 irons than the i25 irons. Longer clubs are generally swung faster by golfers, and the change can lead to more distance. Ping’s i 7 iron has a stock length of 37 inches.

: Cavity View: Ping i (bottom) v. i25

: At address: Ping i (left) v. i25

: Soles: Ping i (left) v. i25

: Cavity View: 7 irons

: At address: Ping i (left) v. 25

: Soles: Ping i (left) v. i 25

: Cavity View: Ping i (bottom) v. i25

: At address: Ping i (left) v. i25

: Soles: Ping i (left) v. i25

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49 Comments

Chris

Aug 5, 2015 at 5:26 pm

Why all the hate over a club that most have never had a chance to hit? I have played blades for years, MP 14, MP 33, Tits 695, and Tits 712 MB and have liked all of those mentioned. With that said I had a chance to hit these a couple days ago, got fitted, and am now waiting to put them into the bag. With the extra forgiveness, lower dispersion, and maintained ability to work the ball I would welcome a friendly round with any of the blade snobs posting BS comments above. Just saying, look at the tour and ask yourself why more and more are moving away from blades? Maybe because nobody wants to be penalized a couple strokes for loosing concentration for a nano second or being a little fatigued on the last hole and blowing a round due to sloppy form?

Reply Report comment
Joe

Jul 31, 2015 at 9:52 pm

The Ping clubs aren’t anymore jacked-up than the other manufacturers. You don’t have to play jacked-up clubs, just keep the clubs you currently play. What stronger and stronger clubs eventually get to is that the 3 iron and 4 iron get to be too hard to hit. What happens then, you have to replace them with hybrids, and of course more wedges. So in the long run you have really gained nothing, just helping support the golf industry.
I don’t replace my irons very often, and certainly not every 1 or 2 new versions. New versions are more hype than reality.
Do I like the new Pings, I haven’t tried them but I do like Pings. I have no immediate plans to replace my current Ping Karsten’s. If I did it might be with my original Eye 2 BeCu, with 50 degree wedge.

Reply Report comment
ScottC

Jul 28, 2015 at 9:55 am

I was able to hit these irons last week at a local course. I liked them enough to get fitted the next day…outdoor fitting, launch monitor, with a PGA teaching pro. I play to a 6, using Mizuno JPX irons. Yes, they are shovels…too much offset, too big a sole, but good distance when struck well. I am not a long hitter, 240 yard drives, hit 7 iron about 150 carry.

What I found in the fitting was very interesting….I have been playing with irons that are too short for my swing…about 1/2 ito 3/4 nch too short. With the proper length club I was hitting ball in the middle of the club face….hit the PING 7 iron about 170 carry (on launch monitor) vs. 160 with the JPX. Dispersion was much tighter as well. Same loft on the Mizuno 7 iron vs. the PING 7 iron – 32 degrees.

In the end, my spec’s were Blue lie angle, 1/2 longer. I hit about 100 balls with this setup after the fitting and was very happy with distance, direction, turf interaction, shaft, etc. I found it to be a very comfortable club for me.

Give them a try and see if you like them. YMMV.

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David

Jul 25, 2015 at 11:47 pm

Perhaps a step backward for Ping. The i25 was never meant to be a distance club and its accuracy beats any iron out there. Here is what went wrong for Ping. They wanted the iE1 to go farther so how did they do this? Simple. They made the stock shaft 1/2 inch longer. Yep. It works..but it sacrifices accuracy in the process. 7 extra offline yards. Go for it. I’ll stick with my i25’s.

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Bobby Marshall

Jul 18, 2015 at 12:08 am

The lofts are perfect. This is the way all manufacturers should do it. So then you go 45, 50, 55, 60.

The problem is the softer steel. They better not put that 431 crap in the next S-line.

Reply Report comment
KK

Jul 17, 2015 at 8:20 am

People complain about jacked lofts but every single iron comparison will mention distance and which is longest, which is middle of the pack and which is shortest. Your iron company does not want to end up last in that comparison.

Reply Report comment
rymail00

Jul 17, 2015 at 1:37 am

I’m not a club engineer but aren’t must “jacked up lofts” because of perimeter weighting and putting the CG lower? So if you have an older model 47* pw that hits a max height of say for the sake of arguement 100ft and carries 100 yards or a 45* pw that reaches the same peak height of 100 feet but goes 115 yards what’s the problem? Clubs now have more weight lower in the back than clubs from a decade ao. So having newer models hit the baller a lot higher you’ve got to lower the loft but still get close to the same peak height.

Or maybe I’m just confused on what you guys are talking about. 🙂

In 95% of the rounds or tourneys I play in the first question asked is what did you shoot? Not what iron I hit into the par3 8th hole. The number on the club plays very little role in the out come of score.

Who knows maybe I just look at it differently.

Reply Report comment
- Jeff*
  
  Jul 18, 2015 at 5:33 pm
  
  Yep.
  
  Reply Report comment
Batman

Jul 16, 2015 at 3:00 pm

Looks like another solid set from Ping. This are attractive option to an aging/retired mini-tour hack like me.

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Evan

Jul 16, 2015 at 1:22 pm

I like the look and adjustments made compared to the i25. Not quite as pure looking as the s55… Can’t have everything. Incredible no extra charge with the Modus 105 option! With the Modus 105 become a free option on the S55?

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MartyMoose09

Jul 16, 2015 at 8:54 am

Since i25 and Karsten irons are now in the classic section, looks as though these are a combo of the i25 and G30 while the Gmax are a combo of the G30 & Karsten irons.

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Car Ram Rod

Jul 16, 2015 at 2:04 am

I guess I’m in the minority here, but I think they are brilliant. I had a chance to see these in person and they have a great look to them, slightly improved to the already popular i25. Less offset, improved head shape, softer feel…..what am I missing here?!?!? Haha.

As far as the freaking out over the stronger lofts, I don’t quite get it. Ping has the best engineers in the business, don’t you think they product tested and number crunched quite a few fitting sessions before bringing these to the market?

Ping doesn’t have short product cycles, they’re stepping up to the plate with a couple new iron models they feel good about and they think will help you ‘play your best.’ I wouldn’t let the spec sheet put a bad taste in your mouth before you have them in your hands. Just my opinion.

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Joke

Jul 16, 2015 at 1:44 am

Pfffffft! Stock lie is BLUE dot? huh? Wha? Sorry, but what happened to the true fitting system that Ping so believes is the best? What – because the lofts are stronger which made the face a little more open so you had to go a little upright to fool people into thinking they’re not going to slice it. What a joke.

Reply Report comment
- Frid
  
  Jul 19, 2015 at 7:28 pm
  
  Effective lie angle is a product of length. Standard color code is blue because the length is longer than i25. This has nothing to do with loft of the face or any perceived “open” face at setup (which was made up by you)…..Where’s the joke?
  Ping choose to make people aware of a small (3/4 of a degree) change that could slightly effect their game. Sounds like honesty from a company, when the alternative would be to ignore the difference and hurt people’s games over image. Kudos to ping.
  
  Reply Report comment
other paul

Jul 15, 2015 at 11:21 pm

Can’t stand the look of them. Yuck. Looks like a curvy G30. I prefer the i25s. I hit my 47PW 200 yards anyways ????. So a little less distance wouldn’t hurt. Lol.

Reply Report comment
- glenn
  
  Jul 21, 2015 at 6:07 pm
  
  This might be the most golfwrx comment ever lol
  
  Reply Report comment
Jim

Jul 15, 2015 at 9:54 pm

Any word on drivers and metalwoods for the i line

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Dirk

Jul 15, 2015 at 9:15 pm

Not bad, but I’ll stick to my Titleist blades. I need the feel and precision to know that I can hit my signature 255 yard 3 iron baby draw, and these shovels just don’t do it for me.

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Stephen

Jul 15, 2015 at 7:24 pm

Why would they offer only px 5 and 6? Isn’t the shaft that fits more golfers the stiff 5.5? I have I-20’s and they could deffinantly feel less pinglike. These look great just wish they would have stuck with the old lofts, but understand that distance makes more money. #TM

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Oldplayer

Jul 15, 2015 at 6:56 pm

3 degrees between the 6 and 7 iron. I don’t get it. This is what happens when you want to make a 3 iron that is still playable at 20 degrees but want a pw at 45. I know they are all doing it but it is still crazy. Would be better off to have one less club and just have 4 degrees virtually all the way.
Pings philosophy is obviously “if you can’t beat em, join em”.
Come on Ping. You have always gone your own way and had a point of difference. Why change now?
You’re saying players wanted to hit their i25’s longer. Tell em to grab an SGI set with pw at 43!
Stay true to Karsten’s original vision. Durable irons that aren’t afraid to be different and you will prosper like you always have. Join the pack and you will get lost in the crowd.

Reply Report comment
- Max
  
  Jul 15, 2015 at 7:22 pm
  
  Here, here! To me, these are converging with products like RocketBladz From TMaG, and XR irons from Callaway…which is not a good thing.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Gubment Cheez
    
    Jul 16, 2015 at 4:14 pm
    
    + everybody (weather they know it now or not)
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Gubment Cheez
    
    Jul 16, 2015 at 4:15 pm
    
    Whether*
    
    Reply Report comment
- dr bloor
  
  Jul 15, 2015 at 9:30 pm
  
  If you pay enough attention to the game and the equipment to know about stronger lofts, you also know that Ping will be more than happy to accommodate your gap preferences throughout the set. If you want a 46 degree PW and a four degree progression from there, they can do it. Just don’t pay any attention to the numbers stamped on the bottoms of the clubs.
  
  Reply Report comment
Plinko

Jul 15, 2015 at 4:57 pm

“The most common criticism of Ping’s i25 irons (click here to read our review) was that they didn’t fly as far as other irons in their class, which was a product of their solid-face construction and average lofts.”

Hilarious. What a bunch of wussy players Pling players are

Reply Report comment
- Warren Schroer
  
  Apr 18, 2016 at 10:17 pm
  
  That’s funny- I bought a really nice set of used i25’s to resell and after I fixed them up, took them out to the range and was impressed with the feel. I was playing AP2’714’s and I was hitting these irons 6-8 yds further easy. I have a hard time understanding the need for more yardage- it’s about distance control and accuracy with irons- if you want more distance- hit one more club! I have looked at the new i’s and if I ever purchased them, i’d cut 1/4″ off he length and use the modus 105 shafts- better height and consistent distances from a “standard” length shaft. Making the shaft longer does you no good if you are way off line or don’t know what the club is going to do yardage wise- it feels good to launch an 8 iron over the green, but the chip back is tough. I’ll stick with the i25’s for now.
  
  Reply Report comment
Shallowface

Jul 15, 2015 at 4:45 pm

Are these chrome plated like the Glide wedges?

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TJS

Jul 15, 2015 at 4:39 pm

To all you posers complaining about loft increases, and loving blades so much more than cast clubs. We get it already you are all +4 handicaps and the three time defending champ at your club. We know you would go pro but you just can’t get the financial backing to get a start.

Reply Report comment
- Shaft
  
  Jul 16, 2015 at 8:25 am
  
  Yes, and hit your 47 PW 200 yards.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - tjs
    
    Jul 16, 2015 at 9:58 am
    
    Really??? What tour do you play on?
    
    Reply Report comment
- Christosterone
  
  Jul 16, 2015 at 3:25 pm
  
  I think what a lot of people don’t like is that the lofts are getting stronger and the shafts are remaining the same. It’s basically hard-stepping entire sets….which is actually worse for the high handicapper.
  If anything, they should be staying more towards a 49 degree PW with a wedge length shaft as opposed to what equates to a 9 iron with a wedge length shaft….the same goes for every club in the bag….a 3 iron with a 4 etched on it and paired with a traditional 4 iron shaft….which is generally WORSE for high handicappers….they would be better able to get the ball up with more a soft stepped setup…
  Just my 2 cents…
  -Christosterone
  
  Reply Report comment
- Joe Golfer
  
  Jul 17, 2015 at 1:57 am
  
  Amen, TJS. It gets tiring hearing of all the pro level players who complain about every single club that gets shown or reviewed by GolfWRX.
  One guy says he hits his PW 200 yards.
  Another says he loves his Titleist blades because he can control his baby draw and hit that 3 iron 255 yards every time.
  Or the complaints that a club isn’t a blade.
  Just take it for what it is instead of whining about the fact that it doesn’t suit a scratch player’s game.
  Even a lot of pros play clubs similar to these styles. Not everybody plays blades like Rory and Tiger.
  
  Reply Report comment
Sven Olsen

Jul 15, 2015 at 4:19 pm

I never liked Pings – from their very first forestation tools to these new ones – it seems to me that Ping tried to copy an old Hogan trick with these clubs – not realizing, that they shall never succeed.
Sorry – not for me personally – I prefer blades!

Reply Report comment
- JPF
  
  Oct 30, 2015 at 12:40 pm
  
  Never succeed? Are you brain dead? Think you may want to check out the current financial states of the major golf equipment manufacturers. Think you’ll find PING has succeeded and thrived by using conservative club cycles of about 18 months rather than release a new club every half hour. They must be doing something right.
  
  Reply Report comment
Raymond Norris

Jul 15, 2015 at 4:04 pm

bought a set of 825’s last fall, have changed the shafts from the stock CTF’s to the Distance CTF’s and they are still crap. Another shaft change or just Ebay these not-nice i25’s for more traditional blades like Titleist. I’ve always played Ping’s, but sorry, I don’t care how many Better Player awards they have won (I’m in that category also), the i25’s are not “Pings”. just My take……..

Reply Report comment
- JPF
  
  Oct 30, 2015 at 12:43 pm
  
  I’m pretty sure your skill level probably exceeds the quality of PING. i25’s are actually played and have won on the PGA Tour but those hacks are nothing to your superior talent. Could it be that the equipment just doesn’t suit you? Everybody on this blog are so effing critical of ANYTHING that they don’t play and act as if their skill level somehow has exceeded the club manufacturers. While it’s annoying as hell, it sure provides much needed comic relief.
  
  Reply Report comment
shabby

Jul 15, 2015 at 2:04 pm

Nothing special/Shaft choices are lame but better than just one crappy cfs

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Ping man

Jul 15, 2015 at 2:03 pm

Please keep the s-line 17-4 steel. it’s enough of the softer metal. we want our clubs to last longer.

Reply Report comment
mo

Jul 15, 2015 at 12:40 pm

Wow 45* PW. Nice looking clubs but I’d order 5-U for my game.
It appears to lean more towards players cb’s but gi in disguise?

Reply Report comment
Max

Jul 15, 2015 at 12:04 pm

Longer lengths and stronger lofts……gross

Reply Report comment
Gautama

Jul 15, 2015 at 11:03 am

Look great, but didn’t the i25s launch just last year? I’d always had the impression Ping was on more like a 2+ year product lifecycle. I wonder if the i25s just weren’t hitting their projected volume…

Reply Report comment
- Mat
  
  Jul 15, 2015 at 6:23 pm
  
  They launched almost two years ago. Started showing up in late 2013? However, a material change is a pretty darn big change. I’m quite happy with my i25s. It’s going to be very interesting to see how 431 holds up over time.
  
  Reply Report comment
Tyler

Jul 15, 2015 at 10:10 am

Another 45 degree PW? When will the “lofting up” end?

Reply Report comment
- Nolanski
  
  Jul 15, 2015 at 11:01 am
  
  45 is not the highest I’ve seen. But I don’t classify clubs by the club number or letter. Loft degree is the only important thing which is why I liked how the new Hogan irons bought into that.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Scooter McGavin
  
  Jul 15, 2015 at 11:04 am
  
  Never
  
  Reply Report comment
Christosterone

Jul 15, 2015 at 9:35 am

Ping makes a great looking club….Like Michael said, I wonder why KBS Tour are not a standard…could be the op forgot to list them as they are offered for Karstens and s series for no up charge…
Now If Ping ever makes an entire glide set I will buy it instantly.
That being said, I am not blown away enough by the design of the new i club to dump my z945s.
-Christosterone

Reply Report comment
- David
  
  Jul 25, 2015 at 11:50 pm
  
  Ping thinks their own shaft design is superior. Abundant comments in the forums will indicate the opposite. Never get a stock Ping shaft if you want to happy in the long run.
  
  Reply Report comment
MartyMoose09

Jul 15, 2015 at 9:34 am

These look like the G30s to me which is what I play. Also ZZ65 is a great no upcharge shaft.

Reply Report comment
- Christosterone
  
  Jul 15, 2015 at 9:47 am
  
  It remains forever perplexing that Ping ended(for the most part) the AWT shafts.
  I had AWT X-Flex in a set of s56s and i15s.
  They were very stiff for such a light club…I probably couldn’t differentiate between the AWT X and an aerotech steel fiber shaft…they were awesome.
  Ping looks to have stopped development/marketing of the AWT….guess I was in the minority.
  -Christoaterone
  
  Reply Report comment

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Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/7/24): Mizuno 245 irons

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Gianni Magliocco

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