2019 Ping Blueprint Irons - New in hand photos

[Pinging77]

> @QuigleyDU said:

> I remembered a thread from days gone by regarding forging and metals used. I thought I would preemptively share since questions will most likely come up due to the metal used.

>

> https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/499960/8620-steel-vs-1020-steel/p1

 

Excellent description of metals by individuals that were in the manufacturing of irons. It is too bad that the term forged which used to be associated with the true carbon steel process (metals starting with 10 or S..in Asia) is now used anytime metal gets hit with a die. Cleveland started it with their form forged (8620), but way back Kenneth Smith used to forge 431 stainless steel. Actually you can forge any metal, but the structure doesn’t have the same molecular benefits that are derived with forging a true carbon steel. Not sure if Ping is using 4 dies or just 4 strikes with the same die. companies like Miura start with a billet and it goes through 14 forgings/strikes with the temperatures of the blank being varied throughout the stages. 8620 is fine for cast wedges (Titleist, Cleveland etc.) but gains nothing by being forged. No better example than pings own wedges glide stealth 2 and glide forged..both 8620 one cast, one forged little or no difference in feel.. as many have said 8620 is not a true carbon steel and doesn’t benefit from being forged...if it did Titleist and others would be forging the Vokeys rather than casting them. But the word forged does allow them to charge $230 a stick (up from the original $212.50 and more than the Glide forged wedges). Maybe paying for the precision tungsten in the hosel and toe which must be more expensive than a CTP...

 

May 30 or 31 per ping reps, but they also said $212.50 a stick..

 

 

[speeder757]

> @QuigleyDU said:

> I remembered a thread from days gone by regarding forging and metals used. I thought I would preemptively share since questions will most likely come up due to the metal used.

>

> https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/499960/8620-steel-vs-1020-steel/p1

 

 

 

Ya the Ping wedges are made the same way with the same material and they feel like a rock compared to most forgings.... Hopefully these are different somehow but I doubt it.

[QuigleyDU]

> @speeder757 said:

> > @QuigleyDU said:

> > I remembered a thread from days gone by regarding forging and metals used. I thought I would preemptively share since questions will most likely come up due to the metal used.

> >

> > https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/499960/8620-steel-vs-1020-steel/p1

>

>

>

> Ya the Ping wedges are made the same way with the same material and they feel like a rock compared to most forgings.... Hopefully these are different somehow but I doubt it.

 

considering that they have the same relative hardness as any club made with 1020. I am not sure why they would feel like rocks.

[BirdieBob]

FWIW....I can verify that the Kenneth Smith were stainless!

My 47* #9 iron..............very small blades, probably about the same size as the BluePrint, which has me interested.

 

 

[speeder757]

> @QuigleyDU said:

> > @speeder757 said:

> > > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > I remembered a thread from days gone by regarding forging and metals used. I thought I would preemptively share since questions will most likely come up due to the metal used.

> > >

> > > https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/499960/8620-steel-vs-1020-steel/p1

> >

> >

> >

> > Ya the Ping wedges are made the same way with the same material and they feel like a rock compared to most forgings.... Hopefully these are different somehow but I doubt it.

>

> considering that they have the same relative hardness as any club made with 1020. I am not sure why they would feel like rocks.

 

 

In my experience 8620 is muchhhh harder feeling than 1020 or 1025

[QuigleyDU]

> @speeder757 said:

> > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > @speeder757 said:

> > > > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > > I remembered a thread from days gone by regarding forging and metals used. I thought I would preemptively share since questions will most likely come up due to the metal used.

> > > >

> > > > https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/499960/8620-steel-vs-1020-steel/p1

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Ya the Ping wedges are made the same way with the same material and they feel like a rock compared to most forgings.... Hopefully these are different somehow but I doubt it.

> >

> > considering that they have the same relative hardness as any club made with 1020. I am not sure why they would feel like rocks.

>

>

> In my experience 8620 is muchhhh harder feeling than 1020 or 1025

 

I wonder if I handed you two exact copies of a club, with the exact same design one being 10..whatever and the other 8620 if you could tell the difference? I don't think you could. i don't think I could.

 

vokeys, and clevelands are both 8620.

[cz13X4]

wilsons are 8620 and they feel as good as anything

[QuigleyDU]

I am sure there are terrible feeling 8620 clubs out there. I just suspect that some of that is preconceived ideas manufactured into personal truth, and the rest is design.

[PowderedToastMan]

Honestly, what iron or wedge feels bad with a soft urethane tour ball?

[Chex]

The 2019 Wilson Staff Model Blade is forged using 8620 steel, so initially I was concerned that they would not have a very soft feel. It turns out I was worried about nothing as they feel great. This is coming from a guy that likes “Mizuno soft” irons. After being surprised by the feel of the Wilson’s I am really looking forward to trying PING’s Blueprint irons; 8620 or not.

[bfizzy]

I'd have to imagine that the placement of mass and overall head design have a greater impact on feel with material used somewhere after that.

 

[towncryer]

> @bfizzy said:

> I'd have to imagine that the placement of mass and overall head design have a greater impact on feel with material used somewhere after that.

>

Bingo.

 

[TheMoneyShot]

How long until we see some Blueprint Tour wedges??

[TLUBulldogGolf]

@Pinging77 said:

> > @QuigleyDU said:

> > I remembered a thread from days gone by regarding forging and metals used. I thought I would preemptively share since questions will most likely come up due to the metal used.

> >

> > https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/499960/8620-steel-vs-1020-steel/p1

>

> Excellent description of metals by individuals that were in the manufacturing of irons. It is too bad that the term forged which used to be associated with the true carbon steel process (metals starting with 10 or S..in Asia) is now used anytime metal gets hit with a die. Cleveland started it with their form forged (8620), but way back Kenneth Smith used to forge 431 stainless steel. Actually you can forge any metal, but the structure doesn’t have the same molecular benefits that are derived with forging a true carbon steel. Not sure if Ping is using 4 dies or just 4 strikes with the same die. companies like Miura start with a billet and it goes through 14 forgings/strikes with the temperatures of the blank being varied throughout the stages. 8620 is fine for cast wedges (Titleist, Cleveland etc.) but gains nothing by being forged. No better example than pings own wedges glide stealth 2 and glide forged..both 8620 one cast, one forged little or no difference in feel.. as many have said 8620 is not a true carbon steel and doesn’t benefit from being forged...if it did Titleist and others would be forging the Vokeys rather than casting them. But the word forged does allow them to charge $230 a stick (up from the original $212.50 and more than the Glide forged wedges). Maybe paying for the precision tungsten in the hosel and toe which must be more expensive than a CTP...

>

> May 30 or 31 per ping reps, but they also said $212.50 a stick..

>

>

 

They are $1699.99 at retail for an 8 club set, so yes $212.50 per club. MSRP =/= retail.

 

I am used to the Mizuno feel but I'll reserve judgment until I get a chance to hit these, if they still feel good then they will last longer which is a plus.

[BirdieBob]

 

[Socrates]

> @TheMoneyShot said:

> How long until we see some Blueprint Tour wedges??

 

Glide Forged.

[speeder757]

> @QuigleyDU said:

> > @speeder757 said:

> > > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > > @speeder757 said:

> > > > > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > > > I remembered a thread from days gone by regarding forging and metals used. I thought I would preemptively share since questions will most likely come up due to the metal used.

> > > > >

> > > > > https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/499960/8620-steel-vs-1020-steel/p1

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Ya the Ping wedges are made the same way with the same material and they feel like a rock compared to most forgings.... Hopefully these are different somehow but I doubt it.

> > >

> > > considering that they have the same relative hardness as any club made with 1020. I am not sure why they would feel like rocks.

> >

> >

> > In my experience 8620 is muchhhh harder feeling than 1020 or 1025

>

> I wonder if I handed you two exact copies of a club, with the exact same design one being 10..whatever and the other 8620 if you could tell the difference? I don't think you could. i don't think I could.

>

> vokeys, and clevelands are both 8620.

 

 

Yes I can..... And Vokeys are Cast and not "Forged"

If you cant tell tell the difference between different Forged Clubs or Cast clubs as well as different metals then you are for sure not a feeeeel player

[speeder757]

> @bfizzy said:

> I'd have to imagine that the placement of mass and overall head design have a greater impact on feel with material used somewhere after that.

>

 

This is true to a certain extent..... That is why different companies Forgings feel different even though they use 1025 or some 1020.....

For the record I may buy a set of Blueprints however I am hoping they feel better than the glide forged do.... It's hard to make 8620 feel buttery

[QuigleyDU]

> @speeder757 said:

> > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > @speeder757 said:

> > > > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > > > @speeder757 said:

> > > > > > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > > > > I remembered a thread from days gone by regarding forging and metals used. I thought I would preemptively share since questions will most likely come up due to the metal used.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/499960/8620-steel-vs-1020-steel/p1

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Ya the Ping wedges are made the same way with the same material and they feel like a rock compared to most forgings.... Hopefully these are different somehow but I doubt it.

> > > >

> > > > considering that they have the same relative hardness as any club made with 1020. I am not sure why they would feel like rocks.

> > >

> > >

> > > In my experience 8620 is muchhhh harder feeling than 1020 or 1025

> >

> > I wonder if I handed you two exact copies of a club, with the exact same design one being 10..whatever and the other 8620 if you could tell the difference? I don't think you could. i don't think I could.

> >

> > vokeys, and clevelands are both 8620.

>

>

> Yes I can..... And Vokeys are Cast and not "Forged"

> If you cant tell tell the difference between different Forged Clubs or Cast clubs as well as different metals then you are for sure not a feeeeel player

 

I know they are cast. Forged vs cast does not make a difference in feel. It is a complete myth that forged is softer than cast. The soft feel comes from the fact that forged clubs generally use softer metals in their production. Feel is 100% due to the metal used, and the head design (shape).

 

If you forged and cast heads out of 1020, they would feel the same if the head design is the same.... Wedges for the most part all share the same basic head design. If the same metal is used, It will produce very similar feel.

 

For example the T7 wedges from Mizuno. Those are forged, but include boron, which is pretty hard stuff. hence a harder feel.

[GrandmasterJ]

I got to hit the 4, 7, PW and wow they feel AMAZING!!! But it is it considerably smaller than the i500! But aesthetically, it is very pleasing to look at during address!

[TLUBulldogGolf]

> @GrandmasterJ said:

> I got to hit the 4, 7, PW and wow they feel AMAZING!!! But it is it considerably smaller than the i500! But aesthetically, it is very pleasing to look at during address!

 

Where did you hit them? Heading to PGA Superstore after work and hoping they have demos.

[matchavez]

> @QuigleyDU said:

Not to be overly pedantic, because I generally agree with your conclusion, but there are some specifics.

 

Feel equates to what you receive back from the club in terms of force, loss of momentum, and sound. Generally it's pleasing to feel little returned resistance, like knocking a nail in one blow. It starts and ends where you perceive it is correct, so your body doesn't receive any "fight" from impact.

 

As you pointed out, the metal has a hardness. That's science, and it's settled. You can look it up on a chart, it's been fully worked out. It's the impact between that metal, your ball (hopefully) and whatever else it hits on planet earth during your swing that produces irregular forces to the head and shaft. Those forces, the resonance and resistance, are what get fed up to your hands and ears.

 

Your point is taken; the metal does have an effect on the returned forces. So does shape. So does even the epoxy used. Your grip matters. Your shaft is a transfer of energy into the ball, but it's receptive to changes and fires those right up to your hands. And the sound a club makes gives your brain expectations; usually loudness is an indicator for your body to prepare for impact, and can tighten your muscles as you might expect.

 

It's complex, but this whole "only certain forgings" is always comical. If you want a soft golf club, play a soft ball. It'll have much more change. If you don't want to do that, put in earplugs. All golf clubs feel soft when your hearing is muted.

 

That's not what this thread is about, and there are hundreds of posts on this particular topic. The Blueprint has a smaller head; that'll contribute to fewer returned vibrations up the shaft. It has a narrower sole, which provided it gets through the dirt, is again less agitation of the ground. The metal is 8620, so it's going to give a little more, and with a urethane ball, is going to receive less return energy from the interaction, even on less-than-perfect strikes. It's those reasons I'm very excited about these clubs. That, and I'm going with a softer shaft, and now that my elbow problems are behind me, I'm hoping they'll always be gone - and I can continue on with steel shafts.

 

So, so happy these have come out. Thanks Paul, Marty, and everyone who twisted arms to make this a public release.

 

[speeder757]

> @matchavez said:

> > @QuigleyDU said:

> Not to be overly pedantic, because I generally agree with your conclusion, but there are some specifics.

>

> Feel equates to what you receive back from the club in terms of force, loss of momentum, and sound. Generally it's pleasing to feel little returned resistance, like knocking a nail in one blow. It starts and ends where you perceive it is correct, so your body doesn't receive any "fight" from impact.

>

> As you pointed out, the metal has a hardness. That's science, and it's settled. You can look it up on a chart, it's been fully worked out. It's the impact between that metal, your ball (hopefully) and whatever else it hits on planet earth during your swing that produces irregular forces to the head and shaft. Those forces, the resonance and resistance, are what get fed up to your hands and ears.

>

> Your point is taken; the metal does have an effect on the returned forces. So does shape. So does even the epoxy used. Your grip matters. Your shaft is a transfer of energy into the ball, but it's receptive to changes and fires those right up to your hands. And the sound a club makes gives your brain expectations; usually loudness is an indicator for your body to prepare for impact, and can tighten your muscles as you might expect.

>

> It's complex, but this whole "only certain forgings" is always comical. If you want a soft golf club, play a soft ball. It'll have much more change. If you don't want to do that, put in earplugs. All golf clubs feel soft when your hearing is muted.

>

> That's not what this thread is about, and there are hundreds of posts on this particular topic. The Blueprint has a smaller head; that'll contribute to fewer returned vibrations up the shaft. It has a narrower sole, which provided it gets through the dirt, is again less agitation of the ground. The metal is 8620, so it's going to give a little more, and with a urethane ball, is going to receive less return energy from the interaction, even on less-than-perfect strikes. It's those reasons I'm very excited about these clubs. That, and I'm going with a softer shaft, and now that my elbow problems are behind me, I'm hoping they'll always be gone - and I can continue on with steel shafts.

>

> So, so happy these have come out. Thanks Paul, Marty, and everyone who twisted arms to make this a public release.

>

 

I am also excited to try out these irons.... From a shape at address standpoint they are fantastic....

Well done Ping

[mBiden2]

> @TLUBulldogGolf said:

> > @GrandmasterJ said:

> > I got to hit the 4, 7, PW and wow they feel AMAZING!!! But it is it considerably smaller than the i500! But aesthetically, it is very pleasing to look at during address!

>

> Where did you hit them? Heading to PGA Superstore after work and hoping they have demos.

 

Edwin Watts in Atlanta told me today that they wouldn’t have them to demo until next month. That’s a huge mistake if you ask me. I also don’t quite trust their answer cause the guy I asked had no clue what the Blueprint irons were.

[towncryer]

My rep does not even have demos yet...soon, though. Can't wait!

[CCTxGolf]

Crossfield loves them. He rarely seems to say he loves things.

[BiggErn]

> @ibradley said:

> The 2 iron will be a fantastic practice club!

 

Or bad for self esteem.

[GrandmasterJ]

How would you blend the blueprints with the i500s? any idea??

[matchavez]

> @GrandmasterJ said:

> How would you blend the blueprints with the i500s? any idea??

Ya. Mostly, you don't. If you're going to blend, maybe a 5-iron i210, and a 4-iron i500. I'm happy with my 4-iron i500, so it's going in and i'm hoping I have a 15-20 metre gap between that and the 5-iron bp. If the 5-iron proves too hard to hit, I'll grab my iBlade for that for now.

The only scary thing is that I'll be slowly introducing these in place of their iBlade cousin, and from all accounts, the iBlade face looks "big" after hitting the bp.

 

[GrandmasterJ]

I currently play i500 4-6 and i210 7-PW. I just worry bout the lofts and weighting but these are beautiful makes me really wanna pull the trigger and order 7-PW!