Ping i3...Difference between the "Blade" and "O-Size"?

[H823Putt]

Does the blade version play like a true blade or cavity back iron?

Just a question about Ping i3 irons...Does the "blade" version mean that it has a small sweet spot and play like a muscle back/blade iron or do these irons play like a cavity back iron that is forgiviong???? What are the differences between the blade version and the O-size version?? Is the blade version a relatively forgiving club if it is in the category of a cavity back iron??

Thanks

[Simp]

I believe that the main difference between the blade and oversize model is that the oversize is just that: it's a little bigger than the blade model. Could be more offset as well but that's just a guess.

 

I played Ping Blades up until a few months ago and I really liked them. I believe them to be a "players" club with the forgiveness usually found in a game improvement club. They're not nearly as unforgiving as a true muscle-back or blade, but if you miss a shot with them you'll know it by what you feel in your hands but the result won't be as bad as it feels. I really liked the minimal offset and small'ish head on the blades. They're definitely a cavity back iron. Simp

[jbombardieri]

The O-Size is bigger and has more offset. The Blade is not really a blade, but it is a player's club. I played the I3+ Blade and loved it, but then I tried the Ping S59 Tour and immediately switched. The S59 has a better ball flight and I actually find it more forgiving.

[IHFN]

I don't know if this would be considered thread stealing, but its a pretty similar question. What is the exact difference between the i3 and i3+ blades? I looked at all of the reviews on here and BSG and there are conflicting stories between the two.

[sandy]

I don't know if this would be considered thread stealing, but its a pretty similar question. What is the exact difference between the i3 and i3+ blades? I looked at all of the reviews on here and BSG and there are conflicting stories between the two.

 

I found the difference to be night and day. I stupidly traded in a set of i3 blades with a bounce grind on the "latest" i3+ blades to have the latest. Dumb, dumb, dumb. First the i3+ blades had a bigger OTP cavity which "helped" get the ball very high in the air, secondly the came with the CS Lite shafts (which has to be the worst shaft ping has ever used as far as this iron is concerned---they are actually OK in the i5s) which also shot the ball higher than desireable. It was pretty much confirmed that the i3+s were 1/2-1 club length shorter than the same iron in the i3s because of the high trajectory. The confirmation was that Ping started offering a free tour adjustment to anyone that wanted it (I think that adjustment is now built in if you order the i3+s today). The adjustment was they bent the irons 2 degrees stronger to bring the trajectory down. Even with dynamic gold instead of the CS lites the ball went very high. I can tell you from personal experience I kick myself everytime I look at those i3+ blades sitting on the rack. Another example how such a seemingly small change can totally change (ruin in my opinion) an iron. The Cobra SS forged to the CB forged is another example.

[IHFN]

I don't know if this would be considered thread stealing, but its a pretty similar question. What is the exact difference between the i3 and i3+ blades? I looked at all of the reviews on here and BSG and there are conflicting stories between the two.

 

I found the difference to be night and day. I stupidly traded in a set of i3 blades with a bounce grind on the "latest" i3+ blades to have the latest. Dumb, dumb, dumb. First the i3+ blades had a bigger OTP cavity which "helped" get the ball very high in the air, secondly the came with the CS Lite shafts (which has to be the worst shaft ping has ever used as far as this iron is concerned---they are actually OK in the i5s) which also shot the ball higher than desireable. It was pretty much confirmed that the i3+s were 1/2-1 club length shorter than the same iron in the i3s because of the high trajectory. The confirmation was that Ping started offering a free tour adjustment to anyone that wanted it (I think that adjustment is now built in if you order the i3+s today). The adjustment was they bent the irons 2 degrees stronger to bring the trajectory down. Even with dynamic gold instead of the CS lites the ball went very high. I can tell you from personal experience I kick myself everytime I look at those i3+ blades sitting on the rack. Another example how such a seemingly small change can totally change (ruin in my opinion) an iron. The Cobra SS forged to the CB forged is another example.

 

 

So is this why the i3+'s weren't out for very long? I didn't really play much for a couple of years while in college, and when I started back playing, I didn't even know they had i3+. I just knew the i3 and the S59.

[IHFN]

The I3+ ran the usual Ping lifespan of 2 years. The I3+'s were not removed from the Ping Website until the I5s were released.

 

I believe the earlier I3+ had a problem with trajectory and distance loss, however Ping did address and correct this issue - unfortunately do not know how the problem was corrected.

 

 

So now my question is, how do I know which i3+'s have been corrected?

[sandy]

The I3+ ran the usual Ping lifespan of 2 years. The I3+'s were not removed from the Ping Website until the I5s were released.

 

I believe the earlier I3+ had a problem with trajectory and distance loss, however Ping did address and correct this issue - unfortunately do not know how the problem was corrected.

 

 

So now my question is, how do I know which i3+'s have been corrected?

 

 

That's a real good question since Ping never did and never will acknowledge there were any problems, they just offered a "tour" adjustement for those that were not happy with the distances.

 

Kind of like their rust problems with the S-59s, i5s, and G5s---doesn't exist at all except they will replace any set with rust you send them instantly. Even pictures of their few pros that play the i5s have very visible rust in the cavities. But not the i3+s like in DiMarco's bag, but of course the guyson finish hasn't changed, right :cheesy:

[IHFN]

 

 

That's a real good question since Ping never did and never will acknowledge there were any problems, they just offered a "tour" adjustement for those that were not happy with the distances.

 

 

Thats what I was thinking. Thanks for the information everyone! :cheesy:

[2brains]

O-size is slightly larger, slightly deeper cavity and more offset. Blade is still all cavity back. O-size is more forgiving, has a larger sweet spot and in my opinion doesn't really feel any different when hit well. I have owned both and unless you absolutely can't stand the increased offset there is not much reason to go with the Blade.