Ping iBlade irons: shot at the 2016 Players Championship (In-hand pics of Louis Oosthuizen's irons a

[cz13X4]

please don't turn this into a blade cb thread....PLEASE

[av1084]

A cast blade? None of the feel of forged and none of the forgiveness of cast.

 

For whom, exactly, is this for?

 

Definitely not Rich Douglas.

[Geaux Gators]

These are aimed at the low handicapper. I highly doubt that ping is ever going to put anything out that isn't forgiving. Their track record is to always try to be close to the most forgiving club in any category they are in. That's just their MO. I am a 7. I will have them, and I may mix my set of ping i's with them. May keep the 5 and six from the i's in the bag and use 7-W from these and my 3 glides.

 

[threeputt]

These are aimed at the low handicapper. I highly doubt that ping is ever going to put anything out that isn't forgiving. Their track record is to always try to be close to the most forgiving club in any category they are in. That's just their MO. I am a 7. I will have them, and I may mix my set of ping i's with them. May keep the 5 and six from the i's in the bag and use 7-W from these and my 3 glides.

 

No need to ,ix I think, there is some data that says that the 6 iron is even more forgiving than the i e1 irons ....

[Foreleft]

These are aimed at the low handicapper. I highly doubt that ping is ever going to put anything out that isn't forgiving. Their track record is to always try to be close to the most forgiving club in any category they are in. That's just their MO. I am a 7. I will have them, and I may mix my set of ping i's with them. May keep the 5 and six from the i's in the bag and use 7-W from these and my 3 glides.

 

No need to ,ix I think, there is some data that says that the 6 iron is even more forgiving than the i e1 irons ....

 

The Maltby Playability Factor (MPF) once listed the S series as having a higher degree of forgiveness than the I series. It may have been the S55 v. I20.

 

The MPF is not universally embraced as being a defining metric, however.

[Geaux Gators]

Well I definitely don't need more reasoning to get em. But just in case I did, you just hooked me up with more

[matchavez]

The MPF is not universally embraced as being a defining metric, however.

 

Understatement of the year, 2016.

[Greenhenry07]

Personally i cant wait to hit them. Love the looks

 

Personally i cant wait to hit them. Love the looks

[GolfMonster09]

Rep stopped by the other day, got to see the iBlade 7 and go over some technical specs with him. Really really excited for these now. Here are the highlights:

 

4% more forgiving heel-to-toe than s55

4.5% more forgiving bottom-to-top than s55

More forgiveness than Eye2

Stronger lofts in the long irons, weaker lofts in the short irons (compared to s55) for gapping purposes

About 6 yards longer per club than s55

Higher flight throughout the set than s55

Slightly less spin - Louis Oosthuizen said the ball seemed more stable in the wind than with the s55

Shafts lengthened slightly from s55 to match current offerings in the G and I series

 

I'm sure I've forgotten something but those are the really big sticking points that I latched on to. These are going to be absolutely filthy when they come to retail...

[Nessism]

Rep stopped by the other day, got to see the iBlade 7 and go over some technical specs with him. Really really excited for these now. Here are the highlights:

 

4% more forgiving heel-to-toe than s55

4.5% more forgiving bottom-to-top than s55

More forgiveness than Eye2

Stronger lofts in the long irons, weaker lofts in the short irons (compared to s55) for gapping purposes

About 6 yards longer per club than s55

Higher flight throughout the set than s55

Slightly less spin - Louis Oosthuizen said the ball seemed more stable in the wind than with the s55

Shafts lengthened slightly from s55 to match current offerings in the G and I series

 

I'm sure I've forgotten something but those are the really big sticking points that I latched on to. These are going to be absolutely filthy when they come to retail...

 

Reading between the lines this suggests that Ping lowered the CG and pushed it back into the head a little. That's how manufacturers reduce spin and increase forgiveness. Longer shafts in the long irons is an iffy proposition for experienced players. I suppose one could order the clubs with old style lengths as required though. I like the idea of spreading the lofts since that frees up room in the bag for another club at the top or bottom.

[GolfMonster09]

Rep stopped by the other day, got to see the iBlade 7 and go over some technical specs with him. Really really excited for these now. Here are the highlights:

 

4% more forgiving heel-to-toe than s55

4.5% more forgiving bottom-to-top than s55

More forgiveness than Eye2

Stronger lofts in the long irons, weaker lofts in the short irons (compared to s55) for gapping purposes

About 6 yards longer per club than s55

Higher flight throughout the set than s55

Slightly less spin - Louis Oosthuizen said the ball seemed more stable in the wind than with the s55

Shafts lengthened slightly from s55 to match current offerings in the G and I series

 

I'm sure I've forgotten something but those are the really big sticking points that I latched on to. These are going to be absolutely filthy when they come to retail...

 

Reading between the lines this suggests that Ping lowered the CG and pushed it back into the head a little. That's how manufacturers reduce spin and increase forgiveness. Longer shafts in the long irons is an iffy proposition for experienced players. I suppose one could order the clubs with old style lengths as required though. I like the idea of spreading the lofts since that frees up room in the bag for another club at the top or bottom.

 

They did move the weight lower and further back. Glad you mentioned it. The CTP in the iBlade is 45% 20% larger than in s55. The length change is 1/4 inch at most (matches iE1 length). I know I was going to order my iBlades 1/4 an inch longer than my s55 but now I won't have to.

 

Edited to reflect correct numbers.

[PantherFritz]

Does anyone know when these will be introduced by PING and they will start taking orders?

 

With the August 11th release rumor I would have thought we would be able to place orders by now.

 

With the S55 they introduced them and started taking orders one month before the release.

[Peanut191]

Rep stopped by the other day, got to see the iBlade 7 and go over some technical specs with him. Really really excited for these now. Here are the highlights:

 

4% more forgiving heel-to-toe than s55

4.5% more forgiving bottom-to-top than s55

More forgiveness than Eye2

Stronger lofts in the long irons, weaker lofts in the short irons (compared to s55) for gapping purposes

About 6 yards longer per club than s55

Higher flight throughout the set than s55

Slightly less spin - Louis Oosthuizen said the ball seemed more stable in the wind than with the s55

Shafts lengthened slightly from s55 to match current offerings in the G and I series

 

I'm sure I've forgotten something but those are the really big sticking points that I latched on to. These are going to be absolutely filthy when they come to retail...

 

Reading between the lines this suggests that Ping lowered the CG and pushed it back into the head a little. That's how manufacturers reduce spin and increase forgiveness. Longer shafts in the long irons is an iffy proposition for experienced players. I suppose one could order the clubs with old style lengths as required though. I like the idea of spreading the lofts since that frees up room in the bag for another club at the top or bottom.

 

I don't think that they changed the spreading of the lofts that much from the S55's so much. I thought I read that it was maybe a degree or less here or there. More than likely, it was something they did to keep the gaps consistent with the small changes in CG and shaft length as you mentioned above.

[GolfMonster09]

Rep stopped by the other day, got to see the iBlade 7 and go over some technical specs with him. Really really excited for these now. Here are the highlights:

 

4% more forgiving heel-to-toe than s55

4.5% more forgiving bottom-to-top than s55

More forgiveness than Eye2

Stronger lofts in the long irons, weaker lofts in the short irons (compared to s55) for gapping purposes

About 6 yards longer per club than s55

Higher flight throughout the set than s55

Slightly less spin - Louis Oosthuizen said the ball seemed more stable in the wind than with the s55

Shafts lengthened slightly from s55 to match current offerings in the G and I series

 

I'm sure I've forgotten something but those are the really big sticking points that I latched on to. These are going to be absolutely filthy when they come to retail...

 

Reading between the lines this suggests that Ping lowered the CG and pushed it back into the head a little. That's how manufacturers reduce spin and increase forgiveness. Longer shafts in the long irons is an iffy proposition for experienced players. I suppose one could order the clubs with old style lengths as required though. I like the idea of spreading the lofts since that frees up room in the bag for another club at the top or bottom.

 

I don't think that they changed the spreading of the lofts that much from the S55's so much. I thought I read that it was maybe a degree or less here or there. More than likely, it was something they did to keep the gaps consistent with the small changes in CG and shaft length as you mentioned above.

 

Correct. The lofts aren't going to be drastically different. They had to change them slightly to keep the gaps between clubs correct is all.

[tbowen19]

Does anyone know when these will be introduced by PING and they will start taking orders?

 

With the August 11th release rumor I would have thought we would be able to place orders by now.

 

With the S55 they introduced them and started taking orders one month before the release.

Would love to know this information as well

[TheKclub]

Saw the Iblade the other day when the Rep stopped in. Looks really really good in person! Couldn't hit it. Reps were told to not let anyone hit it yet, including themselves!!! Same stock offerings as the Ping I series and come standard with MCC Black/White.

I hope you don't believe that the rep doesn't hit them from time to time ;) ? Too bad you couldn't try them, I'm also very curious about these.

[bazinky]

This is the first set that's made me want to stray from trusty i20s. Absolutely cannot wait to hit these with the Nippon Modus 3 105 ...

 

Stashed away all my member-member tourney winnings from this year just in case they are are as good as rumoured (which should just about cover the cost of these, yay!)

[Hochbeinz]

6 yards comes from clubface being 50% thinner than s55.

[Big Dozer]

My local Edwin watts is taking orders now.

[south side slugger]

If they are taking orders, did they say when they would be shipping?

[tyro]

That info makes them sound very promising. A must try for me when they come out!

[paulchung]

If they are taking orders are the project x lz shaft a no upcharge option?

[Foreleft]

If they are taking orders are the project x lz shaft a no upcharge option?

 

If they are taking orders are the project x lz shaft a no upcharge option?

 

Ping does not have a good record on "exotic" low cost shaft upgrades.

 

They seem to make some of the more popular shafts available, but when you step out of that box, it gets expensive.

[av1084]

If they are taking orders are the project x lz shaft a no upcharge option?

 

If they are taking orders are the project x lz shaft a no upcharge option?

 

Ping does not have a good record on "exotic" low cost shaft upgrades.

 

They seem to make some of the more popular shafts available, but when you step out of that box, it gets expensive.

 

Agree, their "all or nothing" pricing on shafts is one of my biggest pet peeves with them.

[Roadking_6]

If they are taking orders are the project x lz shaft a no upcharge option?

 

If they are taking orders are the project x lz shaft a no upcharge option?

 

Ping does not have a good record on "exotic" low cost shaft upgrades.

 

They seem to make some of the more popular shafts available, but when you step out of that box, it gets expensive.

 

Agree, their "all or nothing" pricing on shafts is one of my biggest pet peeves with them.

Yeah no kidding. I was fit into the iE1's and I know Nippon Modus 105 was a free shaft option. The 130, not so much. A $30 per shaft upcharge made me want to puke considering the 105 was free. I bit the bullet and paid and the results have been phenomenal so far.

[irwinfletcher77]

If they are taking orders are the project x lz shaft a no upcharge option?

 

 

40.00 up charge as explained to us when talking to our rep

[Foreleft]

If they are taking orders are the project x lz shaft a no upcharge option?

 

 

40.00 up charge as explained to us when talking to our rep

 

Considering that PX is a no charge upgrade on the I-e, only seems equitable that Ping would up charge for the cost delta between shafts.

 

Might as well buy stock and has a custom fitter do the work.

[DatSliceDoe]

If they are taking orders are the project x lz shaft a no upcharge option?

 

 

40.00 up charge as explained to us when talking to our rep

 

What? That is a lot of money per club. Better off buying a stock set and getting the shafts installed yourself aftermarket.

[av1084]

I wish you could just order a set and tell them to hold the shafts. For a lot of folks I know the shafts get pulled immediately. But who knows, they made a moderate step up with the I-e offering, maybe they'll take it a step further with the iBlades...or not.

[doublehans]

it seems like they have two tiers of upgrade prices. i have the ie-1 w kbs tour-v and the upgrade price was like $10 or $15 bucks. a little annoying when px was a stock no charge option, but not so awful and they can prob justify some volume pricing on the stock shafts. i can live with that. but i did notice when ordering that the ctaper was like $30-45 and the same for DGTI, those prices when you can get px at no charge are more ouch than annoying. not sure what the business reasons are, but there does seem to be two tiers of upgrade prices, for some shafts there is a modest fee which gives you some credit for stock shafts value and another price which is much stiffer.