In hand photos of the Ping i500 irons (MERGED)

[mallrat]

Took mine out to the range yesterday and course today. Love the way these react on the course and are over a full club longer than my Mizuno's. Used to hit my 8 iron 150-155, had 156 uphill and stuffed a 9 iron.

 

Now, yesterday at the range I heard the click people have talked about. I did NOT hear it on the course with better balls.

 

Another observation... hitting a ball on the course is not going to send sound back to the ears in the same way any reflective surfaces would at a range. Whether that's nearby concrete, bay barriers, a roof, whatever. I notice this a lot with my driver...

 

Only thing on the range that could reflect any sound is grass, a cement cart path 50 yards away and an office (think small house; our real estate office) about 70 yards away.

[Dougie Jones]

Has anyone added the i500 3 iron to a set of s55 or iblades and play it like a 2iron. How is the gapping?

[J_Tizzle]

checked out the mpf ratings on these things, the moi here his significantly higher than other comparable hollow irons out there, 790, tmb, etc.

 

I guess worth nothing that the overall mpf rating is crazy low, I dont know how much weight I put on the overall mpf, its more interesting to look at the individual category numbers, however it does suggest ping has decided to do sthg very different with these clubs (and to a lesser degree the i210 as well which also comes in a lot lower than you'd expect, not but nothing like the i500). looks like they've chosen to move the vcog up on both which apparently maltby frowns, but I'm sure ping has their reasons that they think it works with their designs, especially the i500.

 

Boy the MPF is hella low on these, lol. I'm not sure how much faith I put in those numbers overall, as I don't exactly know what they mean, but damn its gotta mean something that people put faith in...

 

Plus its interesting to see that these (based on those measurements) have a higher MOI than my G25s do, not sure what to take from that, lol.

[Bucken77]

checked out the mpf ratings on these things, the moi here his significantly higher than other comparable hollow irons out there, 790, tmb, etc.

 

I guess worth nothing that the overall mpf rating is crazy low, I dont know how much weight I put on the overall mpf, its more interesting to look at the individual category numbers, however it does suggest ping has decided to do sthg very different with these clubs (and to a lesser degree the i210 as well which also comes in a lot lower than you'd expect, not but nothing like the i500). looks like they've chosen to move the vcog up on both which apparently maltby frowns, but I'm sure ping has their reasons that they think it works with their designs, especially the i500.

 

Boy the MPF is hella low on these, lol. I'm not sure how much faith I put in those numbers overall, as I don't exactly know what they mean, but damn its gotta mean something that people put faith in...

 

Plus its interesting to see that these (based on those measurements) have a higher MOI than my G25s do, not sure what to take from that, lol.

 

I think it just means that the MPF puts a lot of value on a specific measurement that this club does not adhere to (VCOG I believe). I have these and can say with certainty that they are extremely forgiving for my crappy swing

[Techgolfer1]

checked out the mpf ratings on these things, the moi here his significantly higher than other comparable hollow irons out there, 790, tmb, etc.

 

I guess worth nothing that the overall mpf rating is crazy low, I dont know how much weight I put on the overall mpf, its more interesting to look at the individual category numbers, however it does suggest ping has decided to do sthg very different with these clubs (and to a lesser degree the i210 as well which also comes in a lot lower than you'd expect, not but nothing like the i500). looks like they've chosen to move the vcog up on both which apparently maltby frowns, but I'm sure ping has their reasons that they think it works with their designs, especially the i500.

 

Boy the MPF is hella low on these, lol. I'm not sure how much faith I put in those numbers overall, as I don't exactly know what they mean, but damn its gotta mean something that people put faith in...

 

Plus its interesting to see that these (based on those measurements) have a higher MOI than my G25s do, not sure what to take from that, lol.

 

I think it just means that the MPF puts a lot of value on a specific measurement that this club does not adhere to (VCOG I believe). I have these and can say with certainty that they are extremely forgiving for my crappy swing

 

Yeah he lists s55 as game improvement clubs

[WarEagleGolf]

I can say more forgiving than s55, partially due to larger size in longer irons, but the face as well. About the same size but longer in higher lofts.

[J_Tizzle]

checked out the mpf ratings on these things, the moi here his significantly higher than other comparable hollow irons out there, 790, tmb, etc.

 

I guess worth nothing that the overall mpf rating is crazy low, I dont know how much weight I put on the overall mpf, its more interesting to look at the individual category numbers, however it does suggest ping has decided to do sthg very different with these clubs (and to a lesser degree the i210 as well which also comes in a lot lower than you'd expect, not but nothing like the i500). looks like they've chosen to move the vcog up on both which apparently maltby frowns, but I'm sure ping has their reasons that they think it works with their designs, especially the i500.

 

Boy the MPF is hella low on these, lol. I'm not sure how much faith I put in those numbers overall, as I don't exactly know what they mean, but damn its gotta mean something that people put faith in...

 

Plus its interesting to see that these (based on those measurements) have a higher MOI than my G25s do, not sure what to take from that, lol.

 

I think it just means that the MPF puts a lot of value on a specific measurement that this club does not adhere to (VCOG I believe). I have these and can say with certainty that they are extremely forgiving for my crappy swing

 

Thats good to hear, I know my game improved when I went to the G25s as I just hit a lot more greens. But the G25s also make me a sloppy swinger as well from what I've noticed. I can just flop at everything and still get respectable results, hopefully the i500s might force me to tighten things up a bit and get better overall results.

[Jordan Speeth]

I've had my i500s for 3 weeks now but haven't yet played with them, though I've had several good range sessions. The Hydropearl 2.0 looks like shite already, as expected. The face in particular shows lots of wear thanks to our sandy practice tee. Still the wear they show after about 250 balls is ridiculous and the backs and hosels don't look much better even without banging on each other. I'm thinking of removing it with abrasive since it really bugs me to look at. They look a year old after a few practice balls. I'm very happy with the club so far and can't wait to play with them but I'd sure be happier with Ping if they'd dial in this finish a little more before using it. What're they thinking? It's a good way to ruin an otherwise great quality control reputation.

[tbone18]

I've had my i500s for 3 weeks now but haven't yet played with them, though I've had several good range sessions. The Hydropearl 2.0 looks like shite already, as expected. The face in particular shows lots of wear thanks to our sandy practice tee. Still the wear they show after about 250 balls is ridiculous and the backs and hosels don't look much better even without banging on each other. I'm thinking of removing it with abrasive since it really bugs me to look at. They look a year old after a few practice balls. I'm very happy with the club so far and can't wait to play with them but I'd sure be happier with Ping if they'd dial in this finish a little more before using it. What're they thinking? It's a good way to ruin an otherwise great quality control reputation.

got any pics? lets see the wear.

[Rippin6Gears]

I've had my i500s for 3 weeks now but haven't yet played with them, though I've had several good range sessions. The Hydropearl 2.0 looks like shite already, as expected. The face in particular shows lots of wear thanks to our sandy practice tee. Still the wear they show after about 250 balls is ridiculous and the backs and hosels don't look much better even without banging on each other. I'm thinking of removing it with abrasive since it really bugs me to look at. They look a year old after a few practice balls. I'm very happy with the club so far and can't wait to play with them but I'd sure be happier with Ping if they'd dial in this finish a little more before using it. What're they thinking? It's a good way to ruin an otherwise great quality control reputation.

got any pics? lets see the wear.

 

+1

[WarEagleGolf]

What kind of range? Jeeze. Up to 6 full rounds and not a scratch. I'll try and remember to snap some pics post rounds 7 and 8.

[easyyy]

Played with these for 3 rounds. Higher than PXG. Dispersion feels tighter using these. Scoring has been great. Excited to see how they perform post honeymoon.

[WarEagleGolf]

Played with these for 3 rounds. Higher than PXG. Dispersion feels tighter using these. Scoring has been great. Excited to see how they perform post honeymoon.

 

Please. Please. Please. Don't be a honeymoon. Really liking these irons.

[torbill]

Played with these for 3 rounds. Higher than PXG. Dispersion feels tighter using these. Scoring has been great. Excited to see how they perform post honeymoon.

 

Please. Please. Please. Don't be a honeymoon. Really liking these irons.

 

 

Not to worry. Higher and 10 yards further is beyond the possibility of any temporary placebo effect . I have regained all of my age induced distance loss, and boy do they every fly high. These irons are for realz.

 

I ordered the gap wedge yesterday, to replace my Glide 50 deg. My 3/4 hybrid will be next to go, I suspect.

 

I feel young again... ?

[Geaux Gators]

I have 2 rounds on mine... I am struggling wih them... They feel great. they look great. but I am not seeing ANY distance gains at all, and in fact compared to my iBlade (Powerspec'd) 7iron, this 7i struggles to fly as far...

 

8 iron goes just as far, and I can bow up on the Ptching wedge and hit it 145, but its not very accurate

 

long irons are money (strong 1degree) but the 6 and 7 dont seem any longer than the iblade.

 

that said, they stop on a dime for me...

 

175 with my iBlade 7 normal

This one, I feel like I have to kill it to scare 175... its strange 8 iron still goes 165 which is what I had in my iBlades... 9 iron is still 150 but the 7 almost feels dead or something.

[BMuller23]

I have 2 rounds on mine... I am struggling wih them... They feel great. they look great. but I am not seeing ANY distance gains at all, and in fact compared to my iBlade (Powerspec'd) 7iron, this 7i struggles to fly as far...

 

8 iron goes just as far, and I can bow up on the Ptching wedge and hit it 145, but its not very accurate

 

long irons are money (strong 1degree) but the 6 and 7 dont seem any longer than the iblade.

 

that said, they stop on a dime for me...

 

175 with my iBlade 7 normal

This one, I feel like I have to kill it to scare 175... its strange 8 iron still goes 165 which is what I had in my iBlades... 9 iron is still 150 but the 7 almost feels dead or something.

 

Get the lofts checked, Ping is usually great about quality control but it can’t hurt to check them.

[WarEagleGolf]

Would power spec iblades be lofted about the same ? Seems odd, I get 10 yds on the clubs with the same lofts as my s55. To the point of getting a new 46* wedge to fill a gap. Even when the PW is 45.

[st_pedro]

Ping i500 4-W fitted with DG120 X100 and GolfPride Tour Velvet Align

Swing weight 4&5 iron at D3

6&7 iron at D4

8-9-W at D5

 

Having tested both indoor with GCQuad and outdoors on the range and on course, the “low” spin numbers on the launch monitor don’t really translate to the actual shots. There are so many variables from swing mechanics, range or proper golf balls, etc.

Yes the i500 launches higher despite the strong loft and low spin numbers but the decent angle is relatively steep to stop the ball on the green.

Greens tested today were decent, running at 9.5 on stimp meter on bermuda grass.

 

I also tested against my Gen1 PXG 0311 T with DG AMT X100 and TM P790 with DG 105 Stiff hard stepped and purposely bend the loft so all irons are identical to the i500.

 

On short to mid irons, they were all comparable. P790 seemed to have lower launch and roll out more. The PXG does feel softer of the face, more forged feeling. I500 has the highest launch thus carry 3-5 yards further. Based on same loft, ball used were TP5X, all shots hit from the same distance to the flag.

 

It gets really interesting when comparing the 4-5-6 irons. This is where the i500 shines and out performed the others. The launch, carry and control was just simply amazing. Shot shaping is much easier with the longer irons. Whereas the mid to short iron, they just tend to launch high even on fully compressed shots.

 

These aren’t really apple to apple comparison but just to give an idea on how the i500 performs against other hollowed (or filled) player distance irons. Maybe i’ll Do some comparison with the new Miura IC601 since both are quite similar in specs and in hollow iron concept.

 

I’m planning to do more tweaking with different shafts. Just to see which would perform best.

 

Happy Golfing guys ??

 

 

 

After 2 weeks testing with DG120 X100, I decided to switched back to KBS cTaper S+ With MCC 4+.

Somehow I prefer the counterbalanced shaft profile and needed to rebalance the each iron head to obtain the desired swing weight.

 

With total weight of 427grams vs the same shaft and grip settings on epic pro 4i weighing at 417grams.

Will conduct more on course testing and n launch monitor using GCQuad and TP5X and Chrome Soft X.

 

What’s your i500 shaft combinations?

[bunta]

I have 2 rounds on mine... I am struggling wih them... They feel great. they look great. but I am not seeing ANY distance gains at all, and in fact compared to my iBlade (Powerspec'd) 7iron, this 7i struggles to fly as far...

 

8 iron goes just as far, and I can bow up on the Ptching wedge and hit it 145, but its not very accurate

 

long irons are money (strong 1degree) but the 6 and 7 dont seem any longer than the iblade.

 

that said, they stop on a dime for me...

 

175 with my iBlade 7 normal

This one, I feel like I have to kill it to scare 175... its strange 8 iron still goes 165 which is what I had in my iBlades... 9 iron is still 150 but the 7 almost feels dead or something.

 

Your signature says you have "custom lofts" on the i500. Did you tweak the original lofts ?

[youngunz5840]

I210s are on the way so I decided I need my driving iron to match. Planning on ordering a i500 3 iron wothbpower spec. Anyone else do this yet?

[phil75070]

I hate to do it but I think I am going to have to sell mine. I won a contest for a custom fitting and full set of clubs and the wife is hounding me asking why I need this set, too. :(

[bogey777]

Just Picked up my new i500 with project x 6.0 LZ shafts can't wait to hit them sunday

[bogey777]

I hate to do it but I think I am going to have to sell mine. I won a contest for a custom fitting and full set of clubs and the wife is hounding me asking why I need this set, too. :(

Frist of all your a 3.6 hdcp that alone should be enough to warrant more than one set of clubs ....

[matchavez]

I have 2 rounds on mine... I am struggling wih them... They feel great. they look great. but I am not seeing ANY distance gains at all, and in fact compared to my iBlade (Powerspec'd) 7iron, this 7i struggles to fly as far...

 

8 iron goes just as far, and I can bow up on the Ptching wedge and hit it 145, but its not very accurate

 

long irons are money (strong 1degree) but the 6 and 7 dont seem any longer than the iblade.

 

that said, they stop on a dime for me...

 

175 with my iBlade 7 normal

This one, I feel like I have to kill it to scare 175... its strange 8 iron still goes 165 which is what I had in my iBlades... 9 iron is still 150 but the 7 almost feels dead or something.

 

You're not the first to say that the 9/P/U feel dead, Gator.

[blazman11]

Couple of things:

 

I was quoted $255 a wedge for Glide forged, stamping, graphics and Modus 125 shaft. Person at the shop thought the shaft was a $30 upgrade so that would make the stamping/graphics around $25 a wedge.

 

I ordered 4/5 G700 and 6-GW i500 all with Steelfiber 95 stiff. All Irons had hot melt in there. The channel isn’t that big on i500 compared to i700 but fortunately the SW was as requested on i500,s except for 6 iron (1pt low)and GW (2.5 puts low).

 

G700 are another store. Ping said best they could do was C8. My 4/5 are 3/8” short of standard. Fitter is going to rectify the problem.

 

In any event the goo in each head really helped mute the sound compared to the demos I hit. It’s basically the difference between hitting a non-hot melted driver head vs a hot melted head which sounds obvious now that I’ve typed it.

[phil75070]

I hate to do it but I think I am going to have to sell mine. I won a contest for a custom fitting and full set of clubs and the wife is hounding me asking why I need this set, too. :(

Frist of all your a 3.6 hdcp that alone should be enough to warrant more than one set of clubs ....

 

That set I will be fit for will make three sets that I will have. I still have the CF16's the i500's were replacing in my backup/travel bag. :)

[radiman]

Couple of things:

 

I was quoted $255 a wedge for Glide forged, stamping, graphics and Modus 125 shaft. Person at the shop thought the shaft was a $30 upgrade so that would make the stamping/graphics around $25 a wedge.

 

I ordered 4/5 G700 and 6-GW i500 all with Steelfiber 95 stiff. All Irons had hot melt in there. The channel isn’t that big on i500 compared to i700 but fortunately the SW was as requested on i500,s except for 6 iron (1pt low)and GW (2.5 puts low).

 

G700 are another store. Ping said best they could do was C8. My 4/5 are 3/8” short of standard. Fitter is going to rectify the problem.

 

In any event the goo in each head really helped mute the sound compared to the demos I hit. It’s basically the difference between hitting a non-hot melted driver head vs a hot melted head which sounds obvious now that I’ve typed it.

 

These wedges are $200 a pop? That is ridiculous.

[jwo]

M

[blazman11]

 

These wedges are $200 a pop? That is ridiculous.

 

Yup. If it included the cool graphics and stampings Ping allows you to play with on their website along with upgraded shaft (or a big selection of no upcharge shafts) I probably would have bought them. But the high $200 price for a plain factory wedge that their wrx dept can’t apply a custom grind due to tungsten in toe was a deal breaker. I had just assumed the graphics and stampings were free because of the high price point.

[Hehateme]

I got my new i500 irons, 5-PW with regular graphite shafts. I traded-in my iBlades with steel shafts.

 

My only comment is that I am mystified by the concerns about these clubs not feeling great. These clubs feel absolutely great to me, better than my iBlades. Off center hits aren’t quite as good, maybe, but anything near the sweet spot feels great to me. If this is due to the difference in shaft materials, so be it. Whatever it is, they feel and look perfect to me, clean and compact at address, and a rock solid feel.

Now that's what we want to hear. How would you compare off center hits with the iblades to the i500s? I assume the i500s are much more forgiving and longer. What about spin? Thanks Torbill.

 

Too early to tell on your questions about spin as I don’t have a launch monitor. These clubs are obviously somewhat higher and longer, but I don’t know how much, yet. Forgiveness versus iBlade... I am a good player and don’t hit a lot of really bad iron shots off center. I actually think that the iBlade is a very forgiving club for what it is; must be the tungsten weight in the toe. These clubs seem to give me more feedback in terms of sound and feel on an off-center hit, and that’s a good thing asfar as I am concerned, and they still produce good shots. Forgiveness doesn’t seem to be a problem.

 

What I can say for certain at this point is that the i500 feels absolutely great to me and hits farther and higher than iBlade, and they look as clean and good at address as the iBlade which is important to me.

Exactly what I am looking for. Had the iblades and loved them but as a steep swinging digger, I needed more bounce. Liked the i200s but didnt love them. Have the i500s coming with Nippon 105s. Hoping they are just what dr. ordered.

 

Ordered mine with the 105's as well. Hope to get them in this week