Ping i530 Leaked Photo

[Lefty87]

Interesting they are saying these will fit up to a 14 HC when TM says the P790 is playable for a 20. Maybe these aren’t a direct competitor to the P790. 

[pullfade]

7 minutes ago, Lefty87 said:

Interesting they are saying these will fit up to a 14 HC when TM says the P790 is playable for a 20. Maybe these aren’t a direct competitor to the P790. 

Because they need to justify the existence of the 700 series irons.

[BlkNGld]

4 hours ago, hammergolf said:

The i525 had polymer behind the face as well, but are very loud, clicky, and harsh feel. No doubt they perform great. I had a set of i525 but just couldn’t get over the sound and feel.

 

The reviews thus are seem limited, but the sound and feel appears to remain the elephant in the room.

 

Obviously I haven't hit them, but I get the impression that Ping has determined that the can't improve the sound/feel without running afoul of pxg/tm patents but they have found a way to improve the performance and look so they are going to target those for whom those that aren't as sensitive to the sound or don't mind if the club performs.

[BlkNGld]

dbl post

Edited March 8 by BlkNGld
dbl post

[BlkNGld]

make that triple 😞

Edited March 8 by BlkNGld
triple post

[BlkNGld]

50 minutes ago, Lefty87 said:

Interesting they are saying these will fit up to a 14 HC when TM says the P790 is playable for a 20. Maybe these aren’t a direct competitor to the P790. 

 

I agree with @pullfade.   It's as much a statement in the context of a portfolio as a true HC indicator.   Plenty of ways to arrive at a given cap number.

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, BlkNGld said:

 

The reviews thus are seem limited, but the sound and feel appears to remain the elephant in the room.

 

Obviously I haven't hit them, but I get the impression that Ping has determined that the can't improve the sound/feel without running afoul of pxg/tm patents but they have found a way to improve the performance and look so they are going to target those for whom those that aren't as sensitive to the sound or don't mind if the club performs.

Yeah, they have said that if they filled them with foam it would reduce performance. It’s a shame because the clubs flat out perform and I wish I could get over it, but I can’t. 

[iNeedMoreGolf]

The 525 don't sound that bad.

[SwingBlues]

3 hours ago, BlkNGld said:

 

The reviews thus are seem limited, but the sound and feel appears to remain the elephant in the room.

 

Obviously I haven't hit them, but I get the impression that Ping has determined that the can't improve the sound/feel without running afoul of pxg/tm patents but they have found a way to improve the performance and look so they are going to target those for whom those that aren't as sensitive to the sound or don't mind if the club performs.

 

Don't know why that would be the case, other OEM like Cobra and even Maltby would run afoul with the foam. But I don't think it's JUST the foam (at least with the Costco v TM suit) since PXG v TM has been around since Day 1 of the P790 (not sure where thats gone)

 

Jus sayin'

Edited March 8 by SwingBlues

[PeterJP]

I've been using Ping clubs for a long time, and it's an interesting thing: with the G series irons, the lack of feel (especially compared to the Hogan 1999-2001 Apex mbs I'd been using before, in the years I could actually play a bit) never bothered me very much -- it seemed to come with the territory (and the looks), and I never expected anything different. But as I've demoed in recent years some of their better player/player distance irons, that lack of feel started bothering much more -- as if my mind was saying "You can't *look* like this and yet *feel* like that!" My favorite pings of all time were the s58s (which like I've read so many times here, 'I regret selling"). Besides suiting my swing very well, I think it was because what they looked like and how they performed and what they felt like all seemed to 'fit together' in a way I expected and appreciated.  

[Lefty87]

7 hours ago, BlkNGld said:

 

I agree with @pullfade.   It's as much a statement in the context of a portfolio as a true HC indicator.   Plenty of ways to arrive at a given cap number.

Are you insinuating there are different ways to calculate your HC?! 

[SteveL1]

Will be turning 70 in a couple of months but still play to a 7 index. Steadily loosing distance each year and seems like shot consistently is on its way out as well. Been playing OG P790’s since mid 2018 and decided it may be time to look for something new. Tested the T100, T200, new P790, Callaway ai Smoke and the i530’s. The 530’s feel and sounds almost exactly the same as my old 790’s but generated 5-6 mph ball more speed and were VERY consistent. Sure, the 5-6 mph is likely due the the lower loft but have to say that the i530’s were hard to hit off line and handled low strikes better than my old clubs. 30+ shots within 10-15 feet of center line which is what I’m really looking for. Could care less what the number is on the bottom of the club as long as I can hit it straight with consistent distance.

 

Didn't really gain anything from all of the other clubs I tried except for the Callaway ai Smoke, but it launched way too high and had very low spin numbers in comparison. Hit it very straight as well but doubt they would hold a green well. Am I going to run out and order a set, no, as I’m not convinced that they are really that much better than what I already have and just feel like there’s something else out there that could be my unicorn. Just wanted to post this to give some additional input.

[Yzmerf]

5 minutes ago, SteveL1 said:

Will be turning 70 in a couple of months but still play to a 7 index. Steadily loosing distance each year and seems like shot consistently is on its way out as well. Been playing OG P790’s since mid 2018 and decided it may be time to look for something new. Tested the T100, T200, new P790, Callaway ai Smoke and the i530’s. The 530’s feel and sounds almost exactly the same as my old 790’s but generated 5-6 mph ball more speed and were VERY consistent. Sure, the 5-6 mph is likely due the the lower loft but have to say that the i530’s were hard to hit off line and handled low strikes better than my old clubs. 30+ shots within 10-15 feet of center line which is what I’m really looking for. Could care less what the number is on the bottom of the club as long as I can hit it straight with consistent distance.

 

Didn't really gain anything from all of the other clubs I tried except for the Callaway ai Smoke, but it launched way too high and had very low spin numbers in comparison. Hit it very straight as well but doubt they would hold a green well. Am I going to run out and order a set, no, as I’m not convinced that they are really that much better than what I already have and just feel like there’s something else out there that could be my unicorn. Just wanted to post this to give some additional input.

Funny you mention they feel just like the 1st gen 790. I thought the same thing for me it was less than ideal but for you seems like it’s a big positive. Just show how asking someone how something feels or looks is kind of an execercise in futility.

[Lefty87]

9 hours ago, SteveL1 said:

Will be turning 70 in a couple of months but still play to a 7 index. Steadily loosing distance each year and seems like shot consistently is on its way out as well. Been playing OG P790’s since mid 2018 and decided it may be time to look for something new. Tested the T100, T200, new P790, Callaway ai Smoke and the i530’s. The 530’s feel and sounds almost exactly the same as my old 790’s but generated 5-6 mph ball more speed and were VERY consistent. Sure, the 5-6 mph is likely due the the lower loft but have to say that the i530’s were hard to hit off line and handled low strikes better than my old clubs. 30+ shots within 10-15 feet of center line which is what I’m really looking for. Could care less what the number is on the bottom of the club as long as I can hit it straight with consistent distance.

 

Didn't really gain anything from all of the other clubs I tried except for the Callaway ai Smoke, but it launched way too high and had very low spin numbers in comparison. Hit it very straight as well but doubt they would hold a green well. Am I going to run out and order a set, no, as I’m not convinced that they are really that much better than what I already have and just feel like there’s something else out there that could be my unicorn. Just wanted to post this to give some additional input.

You didn’t notice an increase in performance with the new P790 compared to your OG set? 

[SteveL1]

1 hour ago, Lefty87 said:

You didn’t notice an increase in performance with the new P790 compared to your OG set? 

Actually no. Felt like hitting a rock in comparison and no gains at all. Could have been lack of shaft options at our club, but was not impressed.

[Minarets]

I think the 2021 P790 and on feel very good.  Not forged good, of course.  But not like they are made out to feel.   

[Carolina Golfer 2]

3 hours ago, SteveL1 said:

Actually no. Felt like hitting a rock in comparison and no gains at all. Could have been lack of shaft options at our club, but was not impressed.

Interesting and glad to hear you say that. I hit the new P790 this week when our rep was out for a demo day. Hit them with everything between the Recoil Dart to PX LZ 6.0 and they felt harsher than i recall previous generations feeling.  
 

We will be getting the I530 and G730 heads and shafts into our carts next week.  Anxious to give them both a try. 

[eric61]

21 hours ago, Carolina Golfer 2 said:

Interesting and glad to hear you say that. I hit the new P790 this week when our rep was out for a demo day. Hit them with everything between the Recoil Dart to PX LZ 6.0 and they felt harsher than i recall previous generations feeling.  
 

We will be getting the I530 and G730 heads and shafts into our carts next week.  Anxious to give them both a try. 

Do you have the G430 irons as well? Thought I saw you post a picture that had them in the background, maybe in the S159 thread? Would be curious to hear how these two new irons compare to the G430s in terms of feel and spin.

 

I love my i230s so much. But with a newborn at home and basically no time to practice, the idea of something even easier to hit is appealing! (Plus I’m a GolfWRXer and just love new stuff…)

[hammergolf]

On 3/8/2024 at 1:28 PM, iNeedMoreGolf said:

The 525 don't sound that bad.

Correct, they sound and feel much worse than bad… 😉 

[Redbird]

My PGA SS had the heads. Hit both PX LZ and Modus 120x, hit both well. It comes down to feel and I have a fence post up my a** at the moment. 🤣

[iNeedMoreGolf]

3 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Correct, they sound and feel much worse than bad… 😉 

Well of course when you shank them everytime they sound bad. You have to hit the middle lol jk

[Carolina Golfer 2]

3 hours ago, eric61 said:

Do you have the G430 irons as well? Thought I saw you post a picture that had them in the background, maybe in the S159 thread? Would be curious to hear how these two new irons compare to the G430s in terms of feel and spin.

 

I love my i230s so much. But with a newborn at home and basically no time to practice, the idea of something even easier to hit is appealing! (Plus I’m a GolfWRXer and just love new stuff…)

Yep. Good eye. I have had the G430 since release last yesr.   They feel like a G iron.  Maybe slightly better then the 425 or 410.   
 

i should ger an idea in the next week or so.  

[Honman]

I had a really good session today with my PXG Gen6, but I am tempted by these. Less offset in the longer irons appeals to me. 

[Golfdoctor]

22 minutes ago, Honman said:

I had a really good session today with my PXG Gen6, but I am tempted by these. Less offset in the longer irons appeals to me. 

The i525 has less offset than the i530’s. 

[blazman11]

My thoughts on the i530 after hitting the demo 7 iron this weekend:

 

1. I almost dismissed them outright because of the lofts.  It's not so much the loft jacking (while annoying because there was no reason for Ping to do this) it's the 42 wedge going to a 47 wedge.  I like 45 / 50 there and I don't know yet if all my gaps will be covered.  I can easily get them bent to whatever loft I want but going weak in the wedges will increase an already high bounce. 
2. But whatever I wanted to hit them and I'm glad I did.  The demo 7 has an explosive feeling that I enjoyed.  I blind tested against Apex Pro, T200, T150 and Blueprint T.  Apex and T200 felt dead by comparison.  I knew I was hitting T150 once I made contact and the feeling was ok.  Last Titleist iron I played was a 712 CB and the CB felt better IMO.  I didn't know I was hitting a Blueprint T until I was 6 swings in but now I want them.  I thought I was hitting an Apex pro again and remarked that the club felt a lot better with a different shaft vs whatever I was hitting in the Apex pro previously.  
3. I hit indoors with plenty of foot traffic around.  All the irons looked very similar at address but this was your dark setup with brighter lights on the hitting area so not a great comparison vs outdoors.  I would equate what I experienced to hitting balls with headphones on.  I'd have to get the i530 outside to really make a determination.
4. Distance was 200 all day with the 7 but I'm launching way too low at the moment.  I had wrist surgery in November and haven't played in 10 months.  Just 2 recent range sessions and I'm learning how to swing pain free.  This was never intended to be a fitting, rather generating a new baseline for myself and getting familiar with new offerings.

With the exception of the Blueprint, every other iron I hit made me want to hit the i530 again because that feeling is something I have never gotten in an iron before.  Way too early to say if it's good or bad but it's at least encouraging.  I loved and played the best golf of my life with i500.  I just despised the sound and feel.  I ordered i525 blindly and received them before they were even available in hitting carts.  And I hated that set.  Easily the fastest I've ever dumped a set of irons and probably my biggest money loser as well.  So when I saw the specs for the i530 I was severely disappointed again.  Now that I hit them I can't wait until I can start launching my irons with proper height again so I can hit the i530 again.  Next time outdoors.  I still might order the Blueprint though 🙂

[BlkNGld]

On 3/8/2024 at 5:55 PM, Lefty87 said:

Are you insinuating there are different ways to calculate your HC?! 

More like there are different ways to arrive at a score.  I could be a poor putter and bunker player and it will affect my HC but may no be an accurate reflection of my iron game. 

[karstens_ghost]

Maybe there's a reason they left a screw cap on the iron?

 

Maybe put some Gillette Foamy in there?

[Yzmerf]

13 hours ago, karstens_ghost said:

Maybe there's a reason they left a screw cap on the iron?

 

Maybe put some Gillette Foamy in there?

You just reminded me about stuffing cotton balls In the G Driver

[this_is_golf]

I saw the i530 fitting heads over the weekend and was surprised at the size - they’re quite large. 

[ASN21]

Hopefully they fixed the sound this iteration as the predecessors sounded absolutely horrid. 42 degree PW is also laughable and makes for an easy pass these.