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

[doublehans]

is the cavity just the same chrome as on the rest of the club, is there some extra finish/paint on top of the chrome in the cavity?

 

asking cause on the ie1 there's some extra paint/finish in the cavity that can wear, tho obviously isnt chromed. but it is different than the rest of the club, so it wears differently.

[towncryer]

Mine arrived yesterday (for sale tomorrow). For the first time ever in my golf equipment history, I am turning down a set of new irons. I got to play with a demo set with the same shafts I ordered (N.S. Pro Mod 105). The performance was about the same as the S55s (no better no worse) and both the iBlade and S55s looked very similar at address with the iBlade having a slightly straighter leading edge. Usually cosmetics mean nothing to me but that finish in the iBlade cavity just looks cheap/unfinished/rough. Don't know if it is part of the "water shedding" they claim. The feel between the two models is exactly the same, no difference for me between the 431 and 17-4 steels. But no biggie as the shop just added them to their stock and will probably sell them Thursday morning.. My wife is in total shock, having never known me to not buy the latest and greatest golf equipment.

 

The irony in the whole thing is I had said the perfect set of irons would be for Ping to make a set match the glide wedges.. for me the execution of the product didn't match the hope...

 

I don't have s55, but I hit our demo of it a ton this summer. I found iBlade to be a huge improvement across the board. I think everyone is going to have their own experience in hitting the club.

 

In my case, iBlade performed similarly enough to my irons and also felt way better on mis-hits. Big step up in everything...except I'd argue that a perfectly struck muscle back iron does feel a little better. However, only I only hit about 3 of 5 dead on the sweet spot. With the iBlade 7 iron, I feel like I have to hit it really poorly to notice a drop in feel.

 

As far as finish goes...I'm a big fan of how they look. They're going to get chattered up pretty good...but they're golf clubs, not jewelry. The first few scuffs and dings are going to look bad, but like every set of irons I've owned, they'll eventually wear into a uniform blemish pattern and look fine.

[Nelly32]

I got to hit mine today. I had the same shafts that I had in the S55 (Modus 125x). I picked up about 1mph of ball speed (granted, small sample size), even with the 1* weaker loft in the 7-iron. They launched the same, but Apex was about 10-15 feet higher for me. Distance was identical. I think they feel great, I honestly don't feel a difference between these and forged irons (but I didn't really feel a difference between S55 vs. forged either). They get through the turf just fine as well....really well actually. Overall, I think they're an improvement from the S55, albeit just a small one. I'm happy with them!

[Deuce78]

Those look nice in the bag, can't wait to get mine. I got mine at the same loft and length as my s55's. Question, have you hit the sm6 wedges and if so, what you think compared to the glide? Thx.

[mason82]

Hit a demo 7 with dg s300 for about 10 minutes today. Perfect looks, and the feel was super close to my mp5s. Maybe the same, I couldn't really tell. Just awesome.

 

Going to be between these and the jpx 900 tours.

[bunta]

im thinking about pulling the shafts from my current set (i25).. this way there is no adjustments with the feel or the shaft length, grip etc... anyone doing the same ?

[Nelly32]

Those look nice in the bag, can't wait to get mine. I got mine at the same loft and length as my s55's. Question, have you hit the sm6 wedges and if so, what you think compared to the glide? Thx.

 

I actually just swapped my SM6s for those Glides. I went through a wedge fitting and we found out my SM6 had nowhere near enough bounce for me. Hit the glides today and it was much better for me...they were getting through the turf a lot better and they feel great

[Deuce78]

I have pw in each the sm6 and the glide. Been contemplating getting glides in the higher wedges too. I love that ping can build exactly what I want for length and swingweight, and they hit my specs everytime! PINGWRX is just so good.

[MarkFromTheUK]

[Remon]

Mine arrived yesterday and just picked them up. Can't wait to get out and try them!

Looking really good in your bag Mark!

[MarkFromTheUK]

Mine arrived yesterday and just picked them up. Can't wait to get out and try them!

Looking really good in your bag Mark!

 

Thanks. They feel amazing!

 

Unfortunately they've just had to close my course as all the drooling by everyone who has seen them has caused severe water logging.

[soap1984]

I got to hit them today and they felt very nice. Couldn't tell much if any difference between mine and my s55 as far as numbers, but they look really good in person.

 

I found the feel to be the same as s55; if did a blind test and put both in a decent player's hands, I don't know how anyone could tell the difference on a well hit shot.

[Dbogey]

In preparation for the arrival of my Iblades, I went to golfsmith yesterday and purchased Ping G19* and 22* hybrid's, went and played a few holes and they performed great! I was also able to see and hit a demo iBlade 7 iron with DG s300 for the first time, had good numbers considering it was right after work and still had on a shirt and tie. Looking forward to getting these baby's in the bag.

[towncryer]

Hey everyone! Happy official iBlade release day! I can't wait to get to work this morning and put out our stock set!

[chris975d]

I've played the past two days with mine (today will be the 3rd round), and despite being just a touch less forgiving than my Apex CF16s (and I do mean a touch, the iBlade is very forgiving for its size/profile), I like the iBlades more right now. The feel is great, and I love the Modus3 105 shaft much more so than the Project X LZ in my Apex. Surprisingly not losing a whole lot of yardage (club to club) from the Apex CF.

[Brescia1016]

I've played the past two days with mine (today will be the 3rd round), and despite being just a touch less forgiving than my Apex CF16s (and I do mean a touch, the iBlade is very forgiving for its size/profile), I like the iBlades more right now. The feel is great, and I love the Modus3 105 shaft much more so than the Project X LZ in my Apex. Surprisingly not losing a whole lot of yardage (club to club) from the Apex CF.

 

That is great to hear! I have the 105 in my S55 irons and love them. Get great distance out of them but still get the control. I am hoping there isn't much difference between the S55 and the iBlade so i don't have to get a new set. (but who am i kidding, i will somehow talk my self into them. They only upgrade once every 3 years so i should "invest" in them)

[chris975d]

I've played the past two days with mine (today will be the 3rd round), and despite being just a touch less forgiving than my Apex CF16s (and I do mean a touch, the iBlade is very forgiving for its size/profile), I like the iBlades more right now. The feel is great, and I love the Modus3 105 shaft much more so than the Project X LZ in my Apex. Surprisingly not losing a whole lot of yardage (club to club) from the Apex CF.

 

That is great to hear! I have the 105 in my S55 irons and love them. Get great distance out of them but still get the control. I am hoping there isn't much difference between the S55 and the iBlade so i don't have to get a new set. (but who am i kidding, i will somehow talk my self into them. They only upgrade once every 3 years so i should "invest" in them)

 

I say get them. I think they are the best club PING has made in recent history. I had a set of iEs earlier in the year, and while I hit them great, just never really looked right to me. The iBlades really give up zero forgiveness from the iEs, and look much better to my eye behind the ball. Got my rep sending me a 50 deg Glide and a 56 deg Eye Sole Glide to finish out my set.

[Dbogey]

I've played the past two days with mine (today will be the 3rd round), and despite being just a touch less forgiving than my Apex CF16s (and I do mean a touch, the iBlade is very forgiving for its size/profile), I like the iBlades more right now. The feel is great, and I love the Modus3 105 shaft much more so than the Project X LZ in my Apex. Surprisingly not losing a whole lot of yardage (club to club) from the Apex CF.

 

Good news, I have the Apex Black with 5.5 PX LZ and I'm going with S300's in my iBlades, I hit the 7 iron last night and was getting about the same distance maybe 3-5 yds shorter than the Apex black but the dispersion was "TIGHT" with the DG.

[Brescia1016]

I've played the past two days with mine (today will be the 3rd round), and despite being just a touch less forgiving than my Apex CF16s (and I do mean a touch, the iBlade is very forgiving for its size/profile), I like the iBlades more right now. The feel is great, and I love the Modus3 105 shaft much more so than the Project X LZ in my Apex. Surprisingly not losing a whole lot of yardage (club to club) from the Apex CF.

 

That is great to hear! I have the 105 in my S55 irons and love them. Get great distance out of them but still get the control. I am hoping there isn't much difference between the S55 and the iBlade so i don't have to get a new set. (but who am i kidding, i will somehow talk my self into them. They only upgrade once every 3 years so i should "invest" in them)

 

I say get them. I think they are the best club PING has made in recent history. I had a set of iEs earlier in the year, and while I hit them great, just never really looked right to me. The iBlades really give up zero forgiveness from the iEs, and look much better to my eye behind the ball. Got my rep sending me a 50 deg Glide and a 56 deg Eye Sole Glide to finish out my set.

 

...well if you insist, I don't want to be rude...

[teezoid]

I've played the past two days with mine (today will be the 3rd round), and despite being just a touch less forgiving than my Apex CF16s (and I do mean a touch, the iBlade is very forgiving for its size/profile), I like the iBlades more right now. The feel is great, and I love the Modus3 105 shaft much more so than the Project X LZ in my Apex. Surprisingly not losing a whole lot of yardage (club to club) from the Apex CF.

 

I just ordered my iblades on Tuesday and with the Modus 3 - 105's in stiff. I have that shaft in my iE's and really love them. That being said, I was tempted to try out the Project X LZ as I understand Mizuno is going to offer them at no upcharge on the new JPX 900 Tours.

Tell me, what flex did you get on your Project X LZ's ??? I was looking at the 5.5's as that is supposed to be sort of a light stiff shaft if I recall correctly.

Can you offer some comparison between the two shafts from a standpoint of feel, flight, etc??

thank you!

[teezoid]

I've played the past two days with mine (today will be the 3rd round), and despite being just a touch less forgiving than my Apex CF16s (and I do mean a touch, the iBlade is very forgiving for its size/profile), I like the iBlades more right now. The feel is great, and I love the Modus3 105 shaft much more so than the Project X LZ in my Apex. Surprisingly not losing a whole lot of yardage (club to club) from the Apex CF.

 

Good news, I have the Apex Black with 5.5 PX LZ and I'm going with S300's in my iBlades, I hit the 7 iron last night and was getting about the same distance maybe 3-5 yds shorter than the Apex black but the dispersion was "TIGHT" with the DG.

 

What don't you like about the Project X LZ's ????

[CAJ4AU]

I just saw, held, and hit the iBlades. They look and feel great! Come with white and black NDMCs stock. I may ask Santa for a set!

[chris975d]

I've played the past two days with mine (today will be the 3rd round), and despite being just a touch less forgiving than my Apex CF16s (and I do mean a touch, the iBlade is very forgiving for its size/profile), I like the iBlades more right now. The feel is great, and I love the Modus3 105 shaft much more so than the Project X LZ in my Apex. Surprisingly not losing a whole lot of yardage (club to club) from the Apex CF.

 

I just ordered my iblades on Tuesday and with the Modus 3 - 105's in stiff. I have that shaft in my iE's and really love them. That being said, I was tempted to try out the Project X LZ as I understand Mizuno is going to offer them at no upcharge on the new JPX 900 Tours.

Tell me, what flex did you get on your Project X LZ's ??? I was looking at the 5.5's as that is supposed to be sort of a light stiff shaft if I recall correctly.

Can you offer some comparison between the two shafts from a standpoint of feel, flight, etc??

thank you!

 

I got the LZ installed by Callaway in a 5.5 hard stepped once in my Apex CF16s. Just never been a fan at all of Project Xs feel across their product line. Never thought they had much "feel" and are harsh feeling. The LZ is much better in the "feel" dept, at least for a Project X product. But to me, nothing beats the feel of a Nippon, especially the Modus line. I'm actually sending my Apex CFs back to Callaway to be reshafted with Modus3 105s.

[nova6868]

Are you guys adding Cushin to the Modus 105s? They are pretty light, aren't they?

[chris975d]

Are you guys adding Cushin to the Modus 105s? They are pretty light, aren't they?

 

Nope. I feel Modus already has a good enough "feel" to not need the enhancement of the Cushin.

[Deuce78]

Are you guys adding Cushin to the Modus 105s? They are pretty light, aren't they?

 

I did put the cushion in, I have the 105 X hardstepped in my s55 with cushion, and I put the 130 S hardstepped in my iblades with cushion. The way I look at it, anything to help prevent injury is a plus...

[Dbogey]

I've played the past two days with mine (today will be the 3rd round), and despite being just a touch less forgiving than my Apex CF16s (and I do mean a touch, the iBlade is very forgiving for its size/profile), I like the iBlades more right now. The feel is great, and I love the Modus3 105 shaft much more so than the Project X LZ in my Apex. Surprisingly not losing a whole lot of yardage (club to club) from the Apex CF.

 

Good news, I have the Apex Black with 5.5 PX LZ and I'm going with S300's in my iBlades, I hit the 7 iron last night and was getting about the same distance maybe 3-5 yds shorter than the Apex black but the dispersion was "TIGHT" with the DG.

 

What don't you like about the Project X LZ's ????

 

Love the px lz shaft! I just didn't feel like paying the up charge. I'm keeping the apex so I can play either set

[tyro]

I have mine with PX LZ 6.0's, so I'm a bit excited and a bit nervous at the same time. I'll give them some time and then perhaps have them reshafted with Modus 3 125's. I would have gotten 125's to start with, but Ping only offers the 105 and 130. I'm just psyched to hit the iBlades on Monday. The pics and preliminary reviews are pretty fabulous! :)

[Deuce78]

I have a lz 6.0 in one of my s55 just testing out. It's a good shaft. I debated going with them in the iblade, I'm sure I could get identical results with them and the modus, however I did go with the modus. I think a lot of people are thinking the LZ will play weaker to flex. I was one and hardstepped it. I ended up going straight in and it was better. Real good shaft, I am sure you will love them, as I think the iblade is a bit softer and would be a good combo together...let us know what you think!

[tyro]

Thanks for the info! I'll check back in after I get a round or two on them.