I500 Questions and reviews...

[russian7]

With the blade like appearance why wouldnt the pros use these vs. The iblades?

[matchavez]

Played 9 holes in Laughlin, NV this morning at Laughlin Ranch Golf Course. I did notice that the ball did launch a little higher but they also carried at least a 1/2 to full club longer than my Apex CF16's. When hit flush, they just feel wonderfully solid and inspiring.

 

The Wedge doesn't seem to be gapped correctly, but I'll have to test it a little more.

 

What did you notice with the wedge?

 

I happened to notice that myself I did the power spec Lofts and it's really odd that they would go very short increments on the long irons and then 1-2* degree bigger gaps in the short irons, I wonder what the theory is behind that??

 

I wasn't so sure about that....

 

The "theory" is equal gapping. It's an arc, not linear. As a ball generally flies higher, the short irons need more difference in launch angle to maintain proper gapping.

[matchavez]

With the blade like appearance why wouldnt the pros use these vs. The iblades?

 

Well, it isn't the appearance.

 

i500s are cool, but they aren't miraculous. As their engineers state, there's a slightly wider dispersion, and that's to be expected. It's not any different than what would be a normal club distance.

 

However in the hands of a pro, the iron control is considerably more accurate. For pros, this makes a great driving iron, and several do just that. But the versatility in, say, a pitching wedge.… pros are going to want a scalpel.

[russian7]

With the blade like appearance why wouldnt the pros use these vs. The iblades?

 

Well, it isn't the appearance.

 

i500s are cool, but they aren't miraculous. As their engineers state, there's a slightly wider dispersion, and that's to be expected. It's not any different than what would be a normal club distance.

 

However in the hands of a pro, the iron control is considerably more accurate. For pros, this makes a great driving iron, and several do just that. But the versatility in, say, a pitching wedge.… pros are going to want a scalpel.

 

Why is dispersion wider or what would cause that?

[matchavez]

With the blade like appearance why wouldnt the pros use these vs. The iblades?

 

Well, it isn't the appearance.

 

i500s are cool, but they aren't miraculous. As their engineers state, there's a slightly wider dispersion, and that's to be expected. It's not any different than what would be a normal club distance.

 

However in the hands of a pro, the iron control is considerably more accurate. For pros, this makes a great driving iron, and several do just that. But the versatility in, say, a pitching wedge.… pros are going to want a scalpel.

 

Why is dispersion wider or what would cause that?

 

 

Well, as Marty Jertson put it (heavy paraphrasing), if it's a 7-iron, it'll go roughly what an old 6-iron would in distance. It'll have the dispersion of an old 6, as well. It's not worse per se, it's just slightly worse than a traditional 7 because it's going farther.

 

My point is that a pro is going to take that 7 of yours, hit it as far as you hit your 4-iron, and still put it in a much tinier bubble. When you're talking about using these clubs as a pro, they're going to be useless in short irons because they'll go too high, and they won't have control over where they land.

 

That's the difference between us weekenders and guys playing scratch or better...

 

Hi caps want irons to go far

Mid caps want irons to go the same distance

Low caps want irons to drop out of the sky on command and stop.

 

I'm a mid-capper, and that's why I'm not all-in on these. I'm going to blend them.

 

That said, these are going to be perfect for guys of all caps that have lost some swing speed. They are a gorgeous kit.

[Duckgolfer]

10 rounds in with these irons and waiting on my back ordered 3 iron. Previously played ...everything lol but seriously coming from fourteen FH1000 with x flex Accra 110g. 4-PW traditionally lofted(34 7 iron 47PW). New kit: 4-PW ping i500 retrospec lofts nippon modus3 tour 105X. Standard L/L.

 

I tried them all in preparing for this purchase. Settled on either the JPX 919 tour(not out yet) or these. Went with pings for a few reasons. Play to a 3.7 and do not struggle for length. I wanted something that was more versatile than my current blades. I’m talking specifically on the bounce and sole width side. However I was unwilling to sacrifice the look I wanted and that’s why the PXG and P790 hadn’t hopped in my bag. I found the i500 to be better looking but still forgiving on strike. I travel a lot for work and am fortunate to play when I do, I’ll be in a wet climate one day and PHX the next lol home base is in Vegas so finding something that matched all of that was difficult. 10 rounds in I’m more than pleased. I can hit knock downs, launch balls, and stock shots with ease. I found them more easy to flight in the standard lofts and still 4-6yds longer than my Fourteen ‘s. Only frustration is the finish. After 10 rounds they look like I’ve had them all year. Which is frustrating considering the ping S55 were a club in my bag for almost 2 years and the finish never did this. I personally believe it’s the new hydro pearl finish but whatever it is, there getting sent in after the season is over.

 

Positives are the top of my bag. It’s got transformative abilities in the long irons from a distance and bag set up perspective. Also, because the PW only carries 148yds I can simplify my wedges and didn’t have to do anything there (already played 4) so now I have the luxury to drop the 3 iron and carry a 3/5 wood or when my 3 iron comes to drop the 3 wood depending on the course and location. This has been so god for me, I can hit the 4 iron comfortably 225carry and it feels so easy to hit its unreal.

 

Last word is the shaft options- suuuuuch an upcharge for c tapers... so I will add a new review when I get my new shafts added. Going KBS c taper 130x soft stepped and am excited to see the flight flatten out and how it meshes with the natural high launching technology in the irons.

[russian7]

I can't wait for mine to get here, I am a 0 handicap and distance isn't an issue but I still want more LOL, I got power spec lofts on mine. I feel like accuracy due to lofts is not necessarily true because at the end of the day it's just a number on the club. What was a 7 is now an 8 for me so it inspires confidence. The true test is on the course but good players can adjust and hit different shots so I just hope consistency is good and no weird flyers or anything like that. I am excited!

[russian7]

Any lower scratch or plus handicaps out there gaming the i500s that have thoughts on them or comparisons for their iron game compared to other irons?

 

My set is delayed due to no s300 shafts which i find very odd and the 3 iron is delayed like 2 months so i just cancelled that.

[BackNineCollapse]

Any lower scratch or plus handicaps out there gaming the i500s that have thoughts on them or comparisons for their iron game compared to other irons?

 

My set is delayed due to no s300 shafts which i find very odd and the 3 iron is delayed like 2 months so i just cancelled that.

 

I am playing a set with retro-lofts (I'm not against strong lofts, I just like having closer gaps <175yds). I have had a low to mid ball flight my entire life. I can hit high shots with my other sets (I still rotate in a set of Miura blades from time to time, they are pretty and they feel great), but doing so limits what else I can do (i.e. it's hard for me to hit high draws...this is a function of my swing). With the i500's I can make my normal swing and get 20-30ft higher peak than I have ever seen before. With the i500s I can easily play shots that would be much lower percentage shots with any other set I've played (and that includes some pretty chunky game improvement irons). I've been playing golf for 35 years and it has literally changed my iron game. There are pins that I would never have considered going for that are green lights now. There are probably other irons out there that I could get the same results from, but none that look so good to my eye (I am not adverse to chunky irons, I played Ping G irons for a few months a couple years ago as an experiment, but I do appreciate the i500s lack of offset, thinish topline and clean back).

 

Comparing similar lofts, they are about a half a club longer than my Miuras (with my swing I get a consistent ~3-4mph increase in ball speed from the same CHS, again, same loft so that's clubhead design), spin a few hundred less, but launch a couple degrees higher (get more dynamic loft as a function of the clubhead design) and peak at ~120ft. They are still easy to knockdown, I have no trouble flighting it low when needed (and for me and my swing, I can still move the ball left and right easily when flighting it down).

[russian7]

Any lower scratch or plus handicaps out there gaming the i500s that have thoughts on them or comparisons for their iron game compared to other irons?

 

My set is delayed due to no s300 shafts which i find very odd and the 3 iron is delayed like 2 months so i just cancelled that.

 

I am playing a set with retro-lofts (I'm not against strong lofts, I just like having closer gaps <175yds). I have had a low to mid ball flight my entire life. I can hit high shots with my other sets (I still rotate in a set of Miura blades from time to time, they are pretty and they feel great), but doing so limits what else I can do (i.e. it's hard for me to hit high draws...this is a function of my swing). With the i500's I can make my normal swing and get 20-30ft higher peak than I have ever seen before. With the i500s I can easily play shots that would be much lower percentage shots with any other set I've played (and that includes some pretty chunky game improvement irons). I've been playing golf for 35 years and it has literally changed my iron game. There are pins that I would never have considered going for that are green lights now. There are probably other irons out there that I could get the same results from, but none that look so good to my eye (I am not adverse to chunky irons, I played Ping G irons for a few months a couple years ago as an experiment, but I do appreciate the i500s lack of offset, thinish topline and clean back).

 

Comparing similar lofts, they are about a half a club longer than my Miuras (with my swing I get a consistent ~3-4mph increase in ball speed from the same CHS, again, same loft so that's clubhead design), spin a few hundred less, but launch a couple degrees higher (get more dynamic loft as a function of the clubhead design) and peak at ~120ft. They are still easy to knockdown, I have no trouble flighting it low when needed (and for me and my swing, I can still move the ball left and right easily when flighting it down).

 

Thank you for the great information! That is a great review and that is exactly what I was looking for and hoping to accomplish with my set so I'm excited to get mine

[Duckgolfer]

So I need to provide an update on my set. Unfortunately I will have to have my set replaced due to a delaminating/cracking issue. Every club has serious stress marks on the weld line. Additionally the 4 iron has developed a hairline crack as well. Ping let me know that aside from the crack, the other issues are likely cosmetic. However, they are reaching out this week from corporate and also I am meeting with the regional rep at my local fitter where I purchased them, this Thursday. The issue I have now is my trust in the club not doing it again. I play to a 3.7 GHIN and have a fair amount of swing and ball speed, however I am not a long drive specialist or anything and the guys I play with(local club pros) put a similar move and smash on the ball. I wanted these because they might give me a touch more forgiveness on low strikes but still had a very very small amount of offset much like the iblade. Now I may go with i210 or iblade instead. It may just be my clubs and an anomaly or bad batch, but regardless, my confidence in the long term performance is shot.

[russian7]

So I need to provide an update on my set. Unfortunately I will have to have my set replaced due to a delaminating/cracking issue. Every club has serious stress marks on the weld line. Additionally the 4 iron has developed a hairline crack as well. Ping let me know that aside from the crack, the other issues are likely cosmetic. However, they are reaching out this week from corporate and also I am meeting with the regional rep at my local fitter where I purchased them, this Thursday. The issue I have now is my trust in the club not doing it again. I play to a 3.7 GHIN and have a fair amount of swing and ball speed, however I am not a long drive specialist or anything and the guys I play with(local club pros) put a similar move and smash on the ball. I wanted these because they might give me a touch more forgiveness on low strikes but still had a very very small amount of offset much like the iblade. Now I may go with i210 or iblade instead. It may just be my clubs and an anomaly or bad batch, but regardless, my confidence in the long term performance is shot.

 

That blows ill be pissed if that happens

[Andrewkpk]

So I need to provide an update on my set. Unfortunately I will have to have my set replaced due to a delaminating/cracking issue. Every club has serious stress marks on the weld line. Additionally the 4 iron has developed a hairline crack as well. Ping let me know that aside from the crack, the other issues are likely cosmetic. However, they are reaching out this week from corporate and also I am meeting with the regional rep at my local fitter where I purchased them, this Thursday. The issue I have now is my trust in the club not doing it again. I play to a 3.7 GHIN and have a fair amount of swing and ball speed, however I am not a long drive specialist or anything and the guys I play with(local club pros) put a similar move and smash on the ball. I wanted these because they might give me a touch more forgiveness on low strikes but still had a very very small amount of offset much like the iblade. Now I may go with i210 or iblade instead. It may just be my clubs and an anomaly or bad batch, but regardless, my confidence in the long term performance is shot.

 

That blows ill be pissed if that happens

You are not the only one unfortunately. My 8i and 5i are going in for replacement as soon as my 919F arrive. My confidence in the set is pretty much gone now as I’m also concerned about the long term durability. It’s too bad because they’re a really nice set.

[mktrout]

Ooch, id be pissed. I was considering these too.... aye not now.

[ProjectX_Mizuno]

Dang! Thanks for sharing these issues. I was going to go with the i500’s, I may change that now.

[jclinegolf]

I was loving the demo i500 today. Basically, I had narrowed it down to the Srixons or Mizzy 919F (on looks alone because no one has a demo yet), but then I fell in love with the i500.

 

After seeing these reviews on cracks, I’m out. I had similar issues when I purchased the G400 and then a G400 LST. Both cracked on the hosel and the weights came unglued.

[russian7]

So with ping knowing this what is their solution?? Are they paying for shipping for people to get fixed and doing it no charge??

[WarEagleGolf]

18 rounds in ..not a mark...

 

Hope it stays that way, but nada. Ping will fix these folks' bad equipment. If it's a widespread issue they'll fix that too, I'm Sure.

 

 

[Haber]

Damn. I hit the demo of these today with dg120 and was in love with them. I'm a low ball hitter and was launching them with some serious height. Definitely ready to move on from my 900F. Do you guys think an 85-87 mph 6 iron swing would have anything to worry about with regards to faces cracking?

[FmaxTurboSi]

haven't made it out to my local PGAsuperstore to test these things out yet........ but they sure do look nice. I'm waiting til they get the jpx 919 forged heads so I can test them out side by side.

[Andrewkpk]

So with ping knowing this what is their solution?? Are they paying for shipping for people to get fixed and doing it no charge??

 

Ping is providing a 2day shipping label to send the clubs back to be inspected. Per the customer service at Ping “If they find issues, they will replace the clubs affected. If it’s deemed wear and tear, they will be sent back to you as is.” My question is for $1200, is that what you expect. I’m personally on the fence about it.

[Andrewkpk]

Damn. I hit the demo of these today with dg120 and was in love with them. I'm a low ball hitter and was launching them with some serious height. Definitely ready to move on from my 900F. Do you guys think an 85-87 mph 6 iron swing would have anything to worry about with regards to faces cracking?

 

I have a 88mph 6i swing and I cracked both the 8i and 5i. These were by far my most used clubs for practice and play.

[JoeJoeJoeUrBoat]

Looks like a defect to me, I doubt that's wear and tear after such a short period of time. PING is great with their replacements or repairs, top notch in that department.

[russian7]

So with ping knowing this what is their solution?? Are they paying for shipping for people to get fixed and doing it no charge??

 

Ping is providing a 2day shipping label to send the clubs back to be inspected. Per the customer service at Ping "If they find issues, they will replace the clubs affected. If it's deemed wear and tear, they will be sent back to you as is." My question is for $1200, is that what you expect. I'm personally on the fence about it.

 

I am going to call them today, that is great they offer that, but what determines the defect or cosmetic or wear? For $1,200 I better not get paint falling off and discoloration on the backs and issues like that, we pay for the aesthetics of the club, if that is the case I will cancel my order unless PING can guarantee me to take care of finish issues...

[Taylormadegack]

I’m am guessing they will replace now, but what happens a couple years from now? You spend that much on clubs they should last. And if they replace are the new ones going to be any better? Hope its just a bad batch.

[Andrewkpk]

I’m am guessing they will replace now, but what happens a couple years from now? You spend that much on clubs they should last. And if they replace are the new ones going to be any better? Hope its just a bad batch.

Yeah that’s what I’m worried about. I tend to keep my irons for long periods when I get them dialed in so I don’t relish the idea of dealing with this yrs down the line.

[BlkNGld]

I'm a big fan of Ping, but it seems like a QC problem has become an annual thing.

 

Delaminating irons, TR groove depth on putters, tungsten weights falling out of driver heads, etc. Now this one. Hopefully just a run of bad luck and not the price to be paid for no longer doing in house manufacturing.

[Duckgolfer]

UPDATE: Ping engineer called me today to clear it up. He informed me that it was a batch of irons that had been laser welded with an inaccurate weld material. They have corrected the issue and are replacing my full set. They sent me a label and are sending my sticks 2 day. If for whatever reason it has additional issues or does not meet my satisfaction they will work with me to find a new set within the current range and give me credit for the difference. All in all, fantastic experience with the exception of the issue itself.

[ProjectX_Mizuno]

Well done PING. Makes me much more confident in picking up a set now!!

[matchavez]

UPDATE: Ping engineer called me today to clear it up. He informed me that it was a batch of irons that had been laser welded with an inaccurate weld material. They have corrected the issue and are replacing my full set. They sent me a label and are sending my sticks 2 day. If for whatever reason it has additional issues or does not meet my satisfaction they will work with me to find a new set within the current range and give me credit for the difference. All in all, fantastic experience with the exception of the issue itself.

 

That's the one right there. And nor should they send you a third... that's the right thing.