Does the i Have It?

Ping’s new player’s-style i Iron features a number of game-improvement elements.

Yes, another iron. We’ve featured a few of those in recent weeks. And, just as we were unapologetic for having two new Mizuno clubs in last week’s blog, we feel absolutely no remorse whatsoever for this week showcasing Ping’s new player’s club—the i Iron.

It’s a big deal when a company like Ping introduces a new iron. The Phoenix-based company has a reputation for bringing products to market only when convinced it has something new and innovative.

In development for roughly 18 months, the i Iron certainly breaks one barrier in particular: It’s the first iron the company has designed using 431 Stainless Steel. This grade of steel has a greater strength-to-weight ratio, but slightly softer feel, than the 17-4 Stainless Steel Ping has traditionally used. Ping says the 431’s softer feel delivers “workability and trajectory control with forgiveness.”

Increasing the level of forgiveness of player’s irons has become a common goal of manufacturers in recent years. The aim is to create a great-looking club that won’t put off low-handicappers and professionals while simultaneously providing greater leniency on off-center hits than yesteryear’s blades and musclebacks.

 

The favored terminology is to describe these clubs as having “clean lines.” This basically means being free of all the unsightly, high-tech add-ons usually found on game-improvement clubs.

The Ping i Iron is perhaps as unclean as a player’s club should get.

The cavity is a good size, and tungsten weights are positioned in the toe of the 3 thru 7 irons to increase the clubhead’s MoI. Ping’s proprietary Custom Tuning Port is placed lower in the cavity than on other Ping models to align with the impact area for a more solid sound and feel. The longer the iron, the bigger the head, and the greater the amount of offset. The sole is shaped to glide through the turf “with ease,” and the “optimized bounce” promotes “exceptional performance in all conditions.”

Much of this suggests the i Iron might be a good choice for a mid-to-high handicap golfer. But the thin(ish) top line—similar in width to the company’s S55 iron which many of its staff players have had in their bags since it was launched in October 2013—and relatively compact size and shape, are more to the liking of a mid-to-low handicapper and, yes, even Ping professionals, several of whom now have the i Iron in play.

The Ping i Iron may look a little intimidating for the less-than-proficient golfer, but perhaps too busy for the player who really does like his lines to be clean.

Or, it could be the ideal club for just about the widest range of players any iron has ever reached.

So which is it? Check it out and decide for yourself.  

The Ping i Iron costs $135 per club (steel), and $150 per club (graphite). Stock steel shaft is the Ping CFS Distance, though there are also four custom options available at no extra charge.
Available 3-9, PW, UW. Steel CFS in Soft R, R, S, and X. Right and left-hand.
ping.com

Related Links:

Mizuno’s latest MP Irons

Miura’s CB57 Irons

ScottGolf Forged Irons

Visit our Gear section for more reviews on golf clubs, balls, equipment, and accessories.

Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.

GET COLORADO GOLF NEWS DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX