Equipment
Spotted: Tony Finau testing an unreleased Ping Forged iron
Tony Finau was spotted at the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills testing an unreleased, unknown Ping utility iron.
What is the iron? If you check out this GolfWRX forum thread, members are saying its Ping’s new i500 iron, which is unconfirmed and strictly rumor.
What do we know about the iron? Nothing, aside from what we can see in the photos. They’re forged, they have a section in the toe that’s been milled out, and there’s a screw in the toe, likely showing that it has a hollow body construction, ala the Ping G700.
We’ll update you with more information as soon it becomes available. Until then, enjoy the images below.
Check out more photos of the Ping iron, and join the discussion/speculation here.
Check out more photos of the Ping iron, and join the discussion/speculation here.
In our forums, users are talking about top of bag setups that are non-traditional or thought-provoking in some way. Original poster @SuperSpurs106 inquired about other members who might use unorthodox set-ups to help with gapping issues or weak spots.
They wrote:
“I currently have a PING G430 driver, TM Qi35 3W and a TM Qi4D 7W. Driver and 7W are fine but can’t get on with my 3W and have always struggling with this club over the years. Thinking of adding a 2H which I know would look odd. Just wondering if anyone else had a weird set up at the top of their bag?”
Our members in the forum have offered up their thoughts and personal experiences with non-traditional top of bag set-ups, and their reasoning for thinking outside of the box to begin with. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- BowMain42: “Don’t worry about what “looks” odd. If the club does what you need it to do, it’s the right club.”
- scooterhd2: “I cant hit 3 woods either. Thats why I roll with a unicorn XL Hibore 2 wood. 400 cc head at 16 degrees of loft and its just a monster 3 wood off the tee. Off the deck, we are playing the f6 baffler. 5 wood at 41.75 inches and its easy to control.”
- phizzy30: “I had driver, 3 metal, 2/4 hybrid once upon a time as a higher ss player. 4 hybrid is gone and in place is a driving iron nowadays. I don’t think what you’re proposing is weird in anyway, however the yardage gap might be glaringly huge between driver and 2 hybrid. What is it about your 3 metal that has got you all messed up? You could always go 4 metal with shorter shaft and see if that works.”
Entire Thread: “Interesting clubs at top of bag”
If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!
In our forums, one user has gone searching for fellow users of a mini driver. In a post, @TightFade asked for other mini driver users to chime in with their weapon of choice, the reason for employing a mini, and what club follows it in the bag.
@TightFade asked:
“What mini are you playing? What spot in the bag did it take over? What’s the next club after it? For me: Elyte mini 13.5. Replacing 3w. Next up club looks like it’ll be 5w.”
Our members in the forum have been sharing their own bag setups featuring the mini driver, and the various reasons they purchased one in the first place. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- RCGA: “Ping G430 Max 12* ‘Thriver.’ Next club is a 4w and 2i (I play a weird course).”
- JMB3: “R7 at 12.75 with Diamana BB 63s. 3w replacement. Next Club: Elyte Ti 5w at 17*.”
- ColdOkieGolf: “R7 15.5 turned down to 13.5 It replaces the 3w. I found it surprisingly easy to hit off the deck, and it’s very rare that I need or want to hit something beyond 250 from the fairway, so next club is my 7w.”
- ChaosTheory: “I’m sub-90 MPH with driver. But I’m able to hit DOD. I have been wanting something like the R7 15.5, so I just ordered one. I have a spot in the bag so nothing has to go. But I could see it replacing my trusty 4 wood, which I never use for approach shots. Just tee shots and lay ups. If I drop the 4 wood, I will turn my 7 wood down to ~20 degrees and will have good gaps. I recently tried a thriver build: 12 degree driver turned to 14, with a heavier 44 inch shaft and added head weight. I hit it great. Very accurate and not overly high, but the problem was that it sometimes went as far as a typical drive. And that’s not what I needed. So I will probably turn the 15.5 up to 16.5 or even 17.5. It’s all theoretical at this point. ?”
Entire Thread: “Members of the Mini Driver Club…Check In.”
If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!
- Chris Gotterup had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.
Drivers: TaylorMade Qi4D (8 degrees), Ping G440 LST (9 degrees @8), Ping G440 LST (7.5 degrees)
Shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS T1100 Handcrafted 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black TX 80 g
5-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana WB Wood Shaft 83 TX
7-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB Wood Shaft 83 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), Bridgestone Tour B 220 MB (4-9)
Shafts: KBS C-Taper 130 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG5 (46, 52, 56, 60)
Shafts: KBS C-Taper 130 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: TaylorMade Spider X Tour
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride Z Grip Cord
Ball: Bridgestone Tour B X Mindset
Check out more in-hand photos of Chris Gotterup’s clubs here.
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Tommy
Jul 1, 2018 at 12:49 am
If this one is a hit and they take lots of business away from the P790/0311T/TMB, we’ll then be able to know that golfers buy clubs based on their looks….but we already know that, and this is one GREAT looking club for a GI design. Best ever, by a mile. If it performs, it’ll be in a lot of bags.
MD
Jun 14, 2018 at 10:37 am
Thank goodness they have a look better players wont mind gaming. The G700’s look like bazookas
HDTVMAN
Jun 13, 2018 at 9:35 pm
My G700’s are incredible. Two guy’s in my group today want me to fit them to a set. Long, high flying, and forgiving.
Jay
Jun 13, 2018 at 12:28 pm
Those look sweet. I already have them though, mine just have p790 on them. Maybe that is the part that was removed from the face.
Matt
Jun 13, 2018 at 8:22 pm
Are yours forged and come with a 3iron
Doug
Jun 13, 2018 at 11:26 am
It is the PING I500. It follows the industry trend being a distance iron with jacked up lofts.
The I210 and I500 are supposed to be out in July.
gif
Jun 13, 2018 at 1:07 am
Orgamsic feeel jello-filled hollow irons… only for frustrated gearheadbaters.
Travis
Jun 12, 2018 at 7:05 pm
That offset though…
Geohogan
Jun 12, 2018 at 8:09 pm
Agree, too much offset. Otherwise reminds of TMB 716, with tungsten weights and bore thru tapered shaft plug, that can be drilled out and more weight can be added. TMB is a very neat design IMO, too bad that technology makes them so expensive.
Tim Armington
Jun 13, 2018 at 3:03 am
You are joking when you say too much offset arent you?
Geohogan
Jun 13, 2018 at 5:39 pm
No joking. If leading edge isnt in line with the left side of the shaft, its too much offset.
Geohogan
Jun 13, 2018 at 5:41 pm
Ben Hogan called it onset.
Painter33
Jun 14, 2018 at 8:28 am
Agree; however, I’ll reserve that judgement until I see the specs. Maybe the long irons have much more offset than the mid and short irons, per usual. I’ll compare them to my S55s that I’m loving.
DL
Jun 12, 2018 at 6:22 pm
It’s the new i500 and its amazing. I’ve hit it and can confirm it’s really good.
The dude
Jun 12, 2018 at 5:55 pm
Fake forge……….oh wait, I already said that.
Billymo
Jun 12, 2018 at 6:29 pm
What?
The Dude
Jun 12, 2018 at 2:37 pm
Fake forge……
John
Jun 12, 2018 at 2:27 pm
Could be a masked PXG due to his contract..
Wslice
Jun 12, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Except for the the PING stamp on the hosel.
Ryan
Jun 12, 2018 at 3:36 pm
And different screw type, and ping lettering for the 3.