In hand photos of the Ping i500 irons (MERGED)

[Taylormadegack]

Some surprising results from TXG testing on the Standard vs Power Spec vs Reto Spec lofts on the i500’s

 

 

Newish to golf. Learning lofts, decent angles, ball speed, spin etc. after watching this review ( and many others) I’m trying to figure out, if you hit your 6 iron 205 yards based on power specs how do you gap p-7 irons? Seems like your gaps would be huge and your 5 & 4 iron would not be played?

 

Thoughts?

[WarEagleGolf]

Gaps see to be a little wider 8-Pw but not too bad. I just had to add a third wedge, and o dropped a hybrid. Top end is longer and the gaps are more 10yd from 7 up.

 

Being new to golf, if you hit irons well, try out the long irons, if you're more of a hybrid guy, stick with them. I hit my 3i often, off tee and off fairway, but it gaps within 10 yds of my 4wd. Perfect for me. Maybe not for everyone.

 

You can always get power spec and bend to get cleaner gaps, but I'd be looking for a TOP ping fitter to do something like that. Also, with a concern for distance gaps and how far the 6 would go, why not just get normal lofts? Maybe power spec the PW - 8? Lots of options...but hard to try before you buy. Which is everyone's dilemma.

[J_Tizzle]

Well, after seeing the posts about the face issues I've cancelled my i500 order for right now. I WILL have a set, but given I won't be playing a ton of golf the rest of the year, I figure I'll give them 6 months to figure out the issues and order a set early next spring.

[Andrewkpk]

Have about 5 range secessions and 5 rounds on mine and have noticed the same toe weld issues on both my 8 iron and 5 iron. Bringing them into the retailer today. What I’m concerned about if they replace them both is this happening in the future. For me it’s not a risk I’m willing to take for the price I paid. I don’t switch irons very often so whatever I own I keep for long periods. I think I’ll just trade them in for the new Mizuno forged 919’s. It’s too bad because the 500’s are really nice irons and the long irons are so easy to hit.......

[Kmac]

Mine arrived today so I'll be picking them up later today and gaming them tomorrow, if it stops raining. Hoping I dont swing hard enough to worry about cracked faces, lol

[WarEagleGolf]

I'll be checking but haven't seen anything 12 rounds in. Could be a batch issue or something along those lines. Either way, not only will Ping handle, but I'd bet if they see a big problem they will go out of their way to remedy.

 

Love the irons, and I have put my faith in Ping for the last 10 years, and will continue to do so.

[USGA22]

Oh great. Just ordered a set with some gift cards I had. I surely hope this is not a huge issue, not to discount the ones affected, but I hope it was a batch issue. I also believe PING CS will remedy the problem.

[scottaz]

I had delamination issues with 2 sets with the 55's when they first came out. PING was awesome to deal with and replaced them fast. And eventually figured it out. I'm sure they'll do the same here.

 

I'll buy a set of these to test at some point but plan on sitting it out for a few months, let them work out the kinks.

[Kamen]

Mine are slated to arrive soon so I will check the faces as well. Even if I see the weld line I don't think that's acceptable as it really shouldn't be visible and I am sure it's not the intended finished product Ping was aiming to release. I am not worried though as long as they will take care of the issue via replacement or whatever if need be.

[rbilramz]

Mine are slated to arrive soon so I will check the faces as well. Even if I see the weld line I don't think that's acceptable as it really shouldn't be visible and I am sure it's not the intended finished product Ping was aiming to release. I am not worried though as long as they will take care of the issue via replacement or whatever if need be.

 

I 100% agree

[QuigleyDU]

I am curious, are there any low handicappers putting these in play?

[matchavez]

I am curious, are there any low handicappers putting these in play?

 

I think there's quite a few low caps that are putting these in as long irons. I'm not sure I'd want a full set, either.

[WarEagleGolf]

How low? Currently 5, been as low as 3. I love them. And hit some amazing shots from much further away with them. Great to be firing at pins with shorter irons in hand, confidence builder.

[BackNineCollapse]

I am curious, are there any low handicappers putting these in play?

 

I've been playing them for about a month now. I have them in retro spec, height is great, yet very easy to knock down.

[Jordan Speeth]

I am curious, are there any low handicappers putting these in play?

 

I am a 6 and I'm playing a full set. I still hit it fine, just not long enough anymore due to cancer treatment. So far, all's good. I know plenty of players who would do well with a full set. They perform as advertised but need a little different approach on some shots. I'd say that I'm having fun with them, and I don't think I ever referred to golf as "fun" before.

[matchavez]

I am curious, are there any low handicappers putting these in play?

 

I am a 6 and I'm playing a full set. I still hit it fine, just not long enough anymore due to cancer treatment. So far, all's good. I know plenty of players who would do well with a full set. They perform as advertised but need a little different approach on some shots. I'd say that I'm having fun with them, and I don't think I ever referred to golf as "fun" before.

 

Very curious what you mean by "different approach". Can you tell us more?

[Jasonic]

Just saw these in person. Much larger than expected

[mallrat]

Has anyone had or noticed a weird, almost loose noise? It is only on my 6 iron but almost sounds like the screw insert is loose. Almost sounds like rattling

[USGA22]

Has anyone had or noticed a weird, almost loose noise? It is only on my 6 iron but almost sounds like the screw insert is loose. Almost sounds like rattling

 

It's pretty amazing issues are turning up with these irons. I've had PING irons in the past, have a set of I500's on order. Any issue I have ever had with PING, which is seldom, has always been resolved in short order.

 

PING has always prided itself on quality control and brining product(s) to market that have been thoroughly tested. I don't include the previous finish issues in this post. But if this forged, hollow offering is having weld issues and now potentially a loose screw sound, boy PING might have a problem.

[Ivyguy]

It is also 2 defects within the hundreds (if not thousands) of set manufactured and sold.

[Pleasedwith3putts]

Unfortunately this is what you get being an early adopter of new technology. The extra cost of these clubs vs solid heads is in some way down to the greater manufacturing complexities.

 

My personal belief is that the hollow cavity is why they are seeing teething issues and other companies haven't. It means the face is unsupported which could have assisted with what appears to be a seam issue and would definitely stop any rattles you can get in a cavity.

[matchavez]

Has anyone had or noticed a weird, almost loose noise? It is only on my 6 iron but almost sounds like the screw insert is loose. Almost sounds like rattling

 

Unscrew the weight and see what comes out?

[Moleman]

How would you compare the forgiveness and ease of launch between the i500 and the JPX900 Hot Metal?

 

 

[RodrigoNicely]

How would you compare the forgiveness and ease of launch between the i500 and the JPX900 Hot Metal?

 

Having had both set id say forgiveness wise they are comparable with the i500 having a little less distance drop off on poorly struck shots

[Andrewkpk]

How would you compare the forgiveness and ease of launch between the i500 and the JPX900 Hot Metal?

I owned the HM 900’s before I bought my i500’s. The HM are super easy to hit, especially the long irons..... but the short irons were a little to game improvement for me and I had trouble with precision shot making. The i500’s checked both boxes for me. Easy to hit long irons (not as easy as the HM mind you) and really precise short irons. You need to put a good swing on the 500’s to get everything out of them as they are somewhat less forgiving. The feel is also much different. The HM feel softer with less feedback on bad shots where as the 500’s I know when I’ve missed the sweetspot. Very little offset in the 500’s also when compared to HM. Distance wise they were close, with a slight edge to the HM due to forgiveness, loft, etc. stopping power on the greens were no issue for either as I am a high spin player so the lower spinning characteristics of both sets are not a issue. The 500’s launch just a bit lower for me with a more penetrating flight than the HM with the same shafts in both. Both are easy to get up in the air. Unfortunately my 500’s are showing weld defects on the toe of my 8 and 5 iron after hitting 400 balls or so in total so there is that headache/risk to consider.....

[Ivyguy]

It doesn't sound like flighting these bad boys down is an issue...

 

I saw the PW in the set, it didn't look too goofy... which is an issue for some, none blade or small profile clubs.

[PT1911]

Has anyone had or noticed a weird, almost loose noise? It is only on my 6 iron but almost sounds like the screw insert is loose. Almost sounds like rattling

It’s just the toe screw. Just use your driver wrench and tighten it back down.....problem solved.

[Moleman]

How would you compare the forgiveness and ease of launch between the i500 and the JPX900 Hot Metal?

I owned the HM 900’s before I bought my i500’s. The HM are super easy to hit, especially the long irons..... but the short irons were a little to game improvement for me and I had trouble with precision shot making. The i500’s checked both boxes for me. Easy to hit long irons (not as easy as the HM mind you) and really precise short irons. You need to put a good swing on the 500’s to get everything out of them as they are somewhat less forgiving. The feel is also much different. The HM feel softer with less feedback on bad shots where as the 500’s I know when I’ve missed the sweetspot. Very little offset in the 500’s also when compared to HM. Distance wise they were close, with a slight edge to the HM due to forgiveness, loft, etc. stopping power on the greens were no issue for either as I am a high spin player so the lower spinning characteristics of both sets are not a issue. The 500’s launch just a bit lower for me with a more penetrating flight than the HM with the same shafts in both. Both are easy to get up in the air. Unfortunately my 500’s are showing weld defects on the toe of my 8 and 5 iron after hitting 400 balls or so in total so there is that headache/risk to consider.....

 

That’s great info, thanks for the reply. My experience is very similar to you. I came to the HM from the 900 Forged and for a GI iron they are very nice to look at however I’m smitten with the looks of the i500.

 

My main fear is the long irons, before the HM I didn’t like hitting anything below a 6i, with the HM now striking the long irons is an addictive experience and I actually look forward to hitting my 4i. I’d hate to go back to an iron set that make the long irons less friendly.

[kcsf]

After one round in the books I have the following thoughts on the standard loft set I received this week.

 

--Feel is much better than the TMB's (closest competitor I've owned)

--I value 'softness' and 'buttery-ness' and the i500's are lacking in both honestly. Not a deal breaker though.

--More forgiving than I anticipated. Missed an 8-iron off the toe and the ball still had 95% of the distance of a well struck shot.

--I had 3-4 shots during the round with my 6/7 iron that I laughed out loud at the height and distance. Truly impressive flights

--To echo a few others, the 4-5-6-7 are money and extremely fun to hit. The 9/PW I haven't been able to get my head around as they act very much like my z745's, but feel clicky. I may replace them with some blades or the z745's, not sure yet.

--No issue stopping a 5 iron on the greens. I'm a high spin player, and these stop just fine.

--Weld lines seem to be fine so far, but I'll keep a close eye on them and hope the issues others have seen was a bad batch or two.

 

 

In short, I love everything about them except the feel. I think the feel will improve for me the longer I play them, but if not, I'll simply replace the 9/PW with something else suitable.

[mallrat]

Has anyone had or noticed a weird, almost loose noise? It is only on my 6 iron but almost sounds like the screw insert is loose. Almost sounds like rattling

It’s just the toe screw. Just use your driver wrench and tighten it back down.....problem solved.

 

Tried that and it’s not loose. Almost sounds like an old Cobra driver I had (ZL Encore) where some epoxy inside the head came loose