Equipment
Spotted: Ping iBlade irons
Ping’s new iBlade irons, the much anticipated successor to the company’s S55 irons, will make their debut at The Players Championship this week.
Ping isn’t releasing any details on its new blade irons until late summer, according to a company representative, but that won’t stop GolfWRXers from speculating. We snapped in-hand photos of each of the new irons (3-PW) here, and have added photos of the 3 iron, 7 iron and Pitching Wedge below.
3 iron
7 Iron
Pitching Wedge
See what GolfWRX Members are saying about Ping’s new iBlade irons in our forum.
- LIKE1073
- LEGIT141
- WOW177
- LOL23
- IDHT27
- FLOP15
- OB11
- SHANK79
- Kevin Tway what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Utility (2), Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT 100 TX (2), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F @51, 56-14F), SM7 (60-10S)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48-56), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: Scotty Cameron Black Baby T
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus4
More photos of Kevin Tway’s WITB in the forums.
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
The timing of Lowry’s putter changeup was curious: Was he just using a Spider putter because he was paired with McIlroy, who’s been using a Spider Tour X head throughout 2024? Was Lowry just being festive because it’s the Zurich Classic, and he wanted to match his teammate? Did McIlroy let Lowry try his putter, and he liked it so much he actually switched into it?
Well, as it turns out, McIlroy’s only influence was inspiring Lowry to make more putts.
When asked if McIlroy had an influence on the putter switch, Lowry had this to say: “No, it’s actually a different putter than what he uses. Maybe there was more pressure there because I needed to hole some more putts if we wanted to win,” he said with a laugh.
To Lowry’s point, McIlroy plays the Tour X model, whereas Lowry switched into the Tour Z model, which has a sleeker shape in comparison, and the two sole weights of the club are more towards the face.
Lowry’s Spider Tour Z has a white True Path Alignment channel on the crown of his putter, which is reminiscent of Lowry’s former 2-ball designs, thus helping to provide a comfort factor despite the departure from his norm. Instead of a double-bend hosel, which Lowry used in his 2-ball putters, his new Spider Tour Z is designed with a short slant neck.
“I’ve been struggling on the greens, and I just needed something with a fresh look,” Lowry told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship. “It has a different neck on it, as well, so it moves a bit differently, but it’s similar. It has a white line on the back of it [like my 2-ball], and it’s a mallet style. So it’s not too drastic of a change.
“I just picked it up on the putting green and I liked the look of it, so I was like, ‘Let’s give it a go.’”
Read the rest of the piece over at PGATour.com.
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Equipment
Webb Simpson equipment Q&A: Titleist’s new 2-wood, 680 blade irons, and switching to a broomstick Jailbird
With seven career wins on the PGA Tour, including a U.S. Open victory, Webb Simpson is a certified veteran on the course. But he’s also a certified veteran in the equipment world, too. He’s a gearhead who truly knows his stuff, and he’s even worked closely with Titleist on making his own custom 682.WS irons.
On Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, I caught up with Simpson to hear about his experience with Titleist’s new prototype 2-wood, how Titleist’s 680 Forged irons from 2003 ended up back in his bag, and why he’s switching into an Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Cruiser broomstick putter this week for the first time.
Click here to read our full story about Simpson’s putter switch on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, or continue reading below for my full Q&A with Simpson at Quail Hollow Club on Wednesday.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
GolfWRX: It seems like you’ve been a little all over the place with your irons in the past six months or so, and now going back to the 680’s. Is that just a comfort thing? What’s been going on with the irons?
Webb Simpson: Titleist has been so great at working with me, and R&D, on trying to get an iron that kind of modernizes the 680. And so the 682.WS took the T100 grooves, but kinda took the look and the bulk and the build of the 680’s into one club. They’re beautiful, and awesome looking. I just never hit them that well for a consistent period of time. It was probably me, but then I went to T100’s and loved them. I loved the spin, the trajectory, the yardage, but again, I never went on good runs. Going through the ground, I couldn’t feel the club as well as with the blade. So last week, I’m like, ‘Alright. I’m gonna go back more for…comfort, and see if I can get on a nice little run of ball striking.’
So that’s why I went back.
View this post on Instagram
OK, that makes sense. I know you had done some 2-wood testing recently. Is that in the bag right now?
It’s like day-by-day. I used it at Hilton Head every day. Valero, I used it one round. And this week, me and my caddie will do the book every morning, and if it’s a day where we think we need it, we’ll just put it in and take the 3-wood out. I love it because it’s a super simple swap. Like, it doesn’t really change much.
Yeah, can you tell me about that club? I mean, we don’t really know anything about it yet. You know? I haven’t hit it or anything, obviously.
It has grooves like a 3-wood. Spin is perfect. And it’s honestly, like, everything is in the middle of a 3-wood and driver number. Trajectory, spin, carry, all of it. So, a Hilton Head golf course is almost too easy to talk about because, you know, there, so many holes are driver 3-wood.
Valero, our thinking was we had two par-5’s into the wind, and we knew that it would take two great shots to get there in two. So instead of hitting driver-driver, we just put it in. And I used it on those holes.
Hilton was a little easier because it was off-the-tee kind of questions. But Colonial will be a golf course where, you know, there’s a lot of driver or 3-woods. It’s kind of like a backup putter or driver for me now. I’ll bring it to every tournament.
So it’s, like, in your locker right now, probably?
Well, it would be. It’s in my house [because Webb lives near by Quail Hollow Club, and is a member at the course.] It’s in the garage.
Oh, yeah, that’s right. Do you know what holes you might use it out here if it goes in play?
Potentially 15, depending on the wind. Second shot on 10. Could be 14 off the tee. The chances here are pretty low (that he’ll use the 2-wood). But, like, Greensboro would be an awesome club all day. I’m trying to think of any other golf courses.
There’s plenty that it’ll be a nice weapon to have.
It’s interesting, the wave of 2-woods and mini drivers. Like, it’s just really taken off on Tour, and all the companies have seemed to embrace it.
Yeah. The thing I had to learn, it took me, like, at least a week to learn about it is you gotta tee it up lower than you think. I kept teeing it up too high. You need it low, like barely higher than a 3-wood. And that was where I got optimal spin and carry. If you tee it up too high, you just don’t get as much spin and lose distance, I don’t know if that’s just a mini driver thing.
And you obviously have a Jailbird putter this week. What spurred that on?
Inconsistent putting. I’m stubborn in a lot of ways when it comes to my equipment, but I have to be open minded – I just hadn’t putted consistently well in a while. And I’m like, ‘Man, I feel my ball-striking coming along. Like I feel better; for real, better.’
If I can just get something in my hands that I’m consistent with. Being on Tour, you see it every year, guys get on little runs. I can put together four to five tournaments where I’m all the sudden back in the majors, or in the FedExCup Playoffs. You can turn things around quick out here. I’m like, ‘Man, whatever’s going to get me there, great.’
My caddie, David Cook, caddied for Akshay at the Houston Open and he putted beautifully. Then, I watched Akshay on TV at Valero, and he putted beautifully. And, I’m like, ‘I’m just going to try it.’
I’ve never tried it for more than a putt or two, and I just ordered what Akshay uses. It was pretty awkward at first, but the more I used it, the more I’m like, ‘Man, it’s pretty easy.’ And a buddy of mine who’s a rep out here, John Tyler Griffin, he helped me with some setup stuff. And he said at Hilton Head, he wasn’t putting well, then tried it, and now he makes everything. He was very confident. So I’m like, ‘Alright, I’ll try it.’”
And you’re going with it this week?
Hundred percent.
Alright, I love it. Thank you, I always love talking gear with you. Play well this week.
Thanks, man.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
- LIKE26
- LEGIT3
- WOW1
- LOL2
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK2
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
What we know about Bryson DeChambeau’s 3D-printed Avoda irons
Kevin Tway WITB 2024 (May)
Kevin Tway what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Matthieu Pavon WITB 2024 (May)
Pavon’s WITB accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Ping G430 Max (9...
WITB Time Machine: Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB, 2015 Wells Fargo Championship
Then-No. 1 player in the world Rory McIlroy began the week at the Wells Fargo Championship at 3-1 odds, if...
Akshay Bhatia WITB 2024 (May)
Akshay Bhatia what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. Bhatia is deciding between drivers. More photos...
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoLET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
-
19th Hole3 days agoReport: LIV star turns down PGA Championship invite due to ‘personal commitments’
-
19th Hole1 week agoGary Player claims this is what ‘completely ruined’ Tiger Woods’ career
-
Whats in the Bag2 weeks agoTeam McIlowry (Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry) winning WITBs: 2024 Zurich Classic
-
Equipment1 week agoGolf fans left surprised by LIV’s choice of course for its 2024 individual championship event
-
19th Hole1 week ago
LIV star splits with swing coach after working together for 14 years
Pingback: Hot debut: PING Vault putters... - Bernard Daily
golfraven
May 13, 2016 at 6:30 am
I like it when they show the 3 iron but who plays those appart from pros and folks who are playing for 30+years. Though I could see those in the bag but will stick with my i20s till something blows my mind.
Officer Smizzle
May 11, 2016 at 6:05 am
Someone hijacked Double Mocha Man’s name on another article and posted “69” when answering a question from Ron M. about his putter loft…. If anyone knows any details about who did this please let me or golfwrx know (preferably me)
KTM2000
May 11, 2016 at 3:39 am
Amazingly beautiful. If I had the game and wasn’t so fond of my i25 irons I would write the check right now.
Chuck D
May 10, 2016 at 4:01 pm
Let the Summer 2016 arms race begin!! Cleveland? Mizuno? Spalding? Ram? What say you? Even Northwestern “Target’s golf club of the moment” has new irons in the sports department.
Ca
May 11, 2016 at 12:18 am
What a total douche get this girl off the site now
Shank
May 10, 2016 at 3:01 pm
Why are these called “Blade”? Thought just about every blade was forged…
Oh well…marketing at its best!
Christosterone
Jun 23, 2016 at 5:53 pm
Ping uses deflationary protracted recession forging on some irons, especially at their Japanese foundry….
A blade is simply a colloquial term used to broadly define a style of club with a thin(ish) topline, minimal offset(respectively), and a lack of traditional cavity…
Historically it was assumed that a blade would be forged chrome and have very little in terms of angles and then search… That has obviously changed technology and God’s abilities of five decades…was assumed that a blade would be forged chrome and have very little in terms of angles and then search… That has obviously changed our golf sensibilities due to technology over the past 5 decades…
In short, a blade of today could be considered a game improvement iron of the 70s…
Hope that helps
-Christosterone
Insider
May 10, 2016 at 8:58 am
been product testing these for the past 3 months. super clean at address, soft feel, really workable. the leading edge of the club has a lot of turf response.
Billy
May 10, 2016 at 12:08 pm
Forgiveness wise how do they compare to the 55’s?
Insider
May 10, 2016 at 2:50 pm
ap2 type forgiveness/playability tungsten weight horizontally in back semi cavity helps with medium ball flight. improves forgiveness, and just lets the angle of the club face contribute to the flight of the ball.
Insider
May 10, 2016 at 2:54 pm
you obviously play at a pristine country club with a moisture controlled fairway. If you ever play in a dry/hard packed fairway as in desert or river bed areas you will like knowing that the leading edge of the club will enter the turf, and the bounce will bring it back up.
Insider
May 10, 2016 at 11:30 pm
I’m just messing with you. Not even a product tester lol no offense buddy.
Officer Smizzle
May 11, 2016 at 12:56 pm
Lol. Love it!!
Unfortunately I gotta be serious… I’m working Mocha-gate. It’s a case from another article I took over from “deano the hall monitor”… Appreciate any help
SD
May 10, 2016 at 10:32 pm
Smizzle is a douche nozzle
KK
May 9, 2016 at 8:13 pm
Mizuno designers: “Dayum, these suckers are clean.”
KCCO
May 9, 2016 at 7:00 pm
These are insane….wowwww
Pool Party
May 9, 2016 at 4:53 pm
Sorry Bob Parsons!!!
Pool Party
May 9, 2016 at 7:08 pm
🙂
Kevin
May 9, 2016 at 4:35 pm
Perfect, I was looking to snag a set of s55s in the next few months. Ill have to check these out, or get a sweet deal on the s55s.
Nath
May 9, 2016 at 4:30 pm
i like
cgasucks
May 9, 2016 at 2:10 pm
Me likey!!!!
SmokingGun
May 9, 2016 at 1:12 pm
S55 with blank cavity!!! Nothing like forged irons!!!
Benseattle
May 9, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Uh….. Sorry but Ping has never made a forged iron. Where do you get the impression that they are starting now?
KCCO
May 9, 2016 at 7:03 pm
Ummmmm…..not true, anser?
matto
May 9, 2016 at 8:01 pm
-1. Wrong.
David Labbe
May 10, 2016 at 10:31 am
@Benseattle
Do your research.
Benseattle
May 11, 2016 at 5:46 pm
Sorry about that.. it must be what they call “early onset” or a senior moment. What I should have said was “where are the forged Ping Anser irons here in 2016?” Not on the Ping website.
Tim
May 9, 2016 at 12:40 pm
I’ve never been a Ping guy (except I’ve liked a few of their bags and accessories – like my trusty rain hood), but these look awesome. If they don’t add any weird colors or rubber pieces, I’d at least demo them. Ping stuff has always looked a little more industrial than I prefer, but these are stylish while still being clearly “Ping.”
SPANKY
May 9, 2016 at 2:19 pm
sure tool
KK
May 9, 2016 at 8:11 pm
Yup. Tim, you’re that guy.
Nice
May 10, 2016 at 3:02 am
HAHAHAHA ya got her where it hurts! Nice.
Scooter McGavin
May 9, 2016 at 12:04 pm
Several of the FB comments saying how they look just like Glide irons… but that’s what people wanted…
iC
May 9, 2016 at 11:49 am
You mean iCavity.
Not a blade.
Next!
christian
May 10, 2016 at 12:16 am
Ha ha, exactly my thought. And they they will test them agains real blades and marvel about the “forgiveness” they have. Like when they test S55s against blades in the “better player category”
cody
May 9, 2016 at 11:19 am
guessing around a $1200 for 8 club price tag.
Chris
May 9, 2016 at 11:12 am
S55 without the cavity lines and different badging. Not exactly earth shattering
Tyler
May 9, 2016 at 10:33 am
I can’t image the one that comes to retail being this clean. Hopefully they don’t put anything in the cavity/empty space area
JS69
May 9, 2016 at 9:54 am
Meh…
digitalbroccoli
May 9, 2016 at 9:47 am
I’m diggin them. Clean, understated…everything I like about Ping.
iC
May 9, 2016 at 11:50 am
Haha, that was funny
Konklifer
May 9, 2016 at 9:36 am
Did GolfWRX credit @jonathanrwall for this pic?
Greg
May 9, 2016 at 2:31 pm
It wasn’t Jonathan’s photo. The 1st photo posted was a stock photo that Ping sent to all the golf media people
Chuck
May 9, 2016 at 9:35 am
Hope to get specs soon. Lofts, and especially offset #’s.
By late summer, Ping should have full rights to offer DG AMT, right?
Ryan
May 9, 2016 at 9:21 am
So why not the s blade to keep the lines simple? It looks great though. Hopefully they expanded the custom shaft offerings. You couldn’t put a DG in the S55 without an up charge.
Makuakane_Bear
May 9, 2016 at 8:57 am
WOW!!! They look fantastic! If it performs better than my S55s they can take my money!
Christosterone
May 9, 2016 at 8:49 am
soooooo, where do I send my money??
SPANKY
May 9, 2016 at 2:19 pm
why would a hack want those?
Jacob
May 9, 2016 at 8:45 am
Now Apple will have to think up a different name if they start making irons.
MBA-J
May 9, 2016 at 8:39 am
It looks as if they didn’t stray too far away from the aesthetics of the S55, and that’s a good thing. These look fantastic!