Irons

First Look: PING iBlade

BY Tony Covey
May 9th 2016
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Word is PING has a new iron making its debut at The Players Championship. Details are sketchy (non-existent), but we do know that the iBlade is slated to replace the S55, with the actual retail release coming sometime this summer.

Additional pics will no doubt yield additional details, but it does appear that the iBlade could be closer to a true blade than its predecessor. Given the changes in PING’s design staff over the past few years (most notably Mike Nicolette leaving for PXG) we expect a bit more model to model change than we might otherwise see from PING.

At first glance it appears the iBlade will bring some of the smoothest lines of any PING iron in recent memory, while still allowing for the company’s signature Custom Tuning Port for swingweight adjustment.

Also worth a callout; the evolution in nomenclature is likely significant as well. With the S-series replacement now rolled into the i family, PING has two clear and well-defined product lines. I’d speculate that both the Anser (everything other than putters) and S families are on indefinite hiatus.

While the sample show is clearly not for Bubba, it will be interesting to see how quickly PING’s highest ranked staffer makes the switch. Watson’s recent transition to the G driver suggests it may not take long.

As always, stay tuned…

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Tony Covey

Tony is the Editor of MyGolfSpy where his job is to bring fresh and innovative content to the site. In addition to his editorial responsibilities, he was instrumental in developing MyGolfSpy's data-driven testing methodologies and continues to sift through our data to find the insights that can help improve your game. Tony believes that golfers deserve to know what's real and what's not, and that means MyGolfSpy's equipment coverage must extend beyond the so-called facts as dictated by the same companies that created them. Most of all Tony believes in performance over hype and #PowerToThePlayer.

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Tony Covey

Driver Titleist TSi3	3-Wood Titleist TSi2 13.5°
5-Wood Titleist TSi2 18°	7-Wood Titleist TSi2 21°
Irons (5-9) PXG 0311 GEN5 T	Wedges Vokey SM9 (46° F, 50° F, 54° D, 60° T)
Putter PXG Blackbird	Ball Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash

Tony Covey

comments

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Ringerte

8 years ago

The look is good, trying to attract the younger crowd. I wonder if there is any improvement on feel/ distance.

Troy Vayanos

8 years ago

I’ve got the Ping S56’s at present and looking at upgrading in the near future. But, I’m not sure I like the look of these as they’ve moved away from the design I like.

Be interesting to see which pros start using them.

Michael Newman

8 years ago

All I can afford is this buddy!

Ayumi HackberryCreekgolf

8 years ago

Smallest sweet spot ever lol

Christopher Gallegos

8 years ago

Nah, I’m bouta go get me some Hatori Hanzo irons, then y’all will see what’s up

Tyler James Atkins

8 years ago

Those are freshh

Brendan Nicholson

8 years ago

I’m on Callaway staff, but played PING Golf before switching. I want these so bad!

joro

8 years ago

Well Brandon, if you are on a Staff you must be a PGA member and you can buy at PUD or maybe depending on your status contact your local rep. for a set comp.

Tod Fitzpatrick

8 years ago

Lol nope. I’m good. Cobra, Srixon, and Callaway in rotation.

Steven LaVergne

8 years ago

Look like old MP62s. Not bad.

George F Blackshaw IV

8 years ago

If they were only forged, glide wedge looks with a soup spoon design, meh- if Bubbles doesn’t Rock them it’s a design failure

Dave Hall

8 years ago

The shape of the toe is awful. Sorry Ping players, can’t see the appeal.

Ryan Holcomb

8 years ago

I completely disagree. I love the look of a square toe. I’d make them even more squared off like my set of Scratch Don Whites. The squared look frames the ball at address so much better IMO

barney

8 years ago

looks like a sanitized Bridgestone J36 pocket cavity.

Paul Taylor

8 years ago

If it’s not forged it’s not a blade

Paul Taylor

8 years ago

Cause long doesn’t know how to make forged anything…..so if you like to play a cast game improvement club by all means but ping doesn’t stamp themselves as a players brand they make game improvement clubs and that is all

Bradley Lawrence

8 years ago

The S55 was a game improvement club? They did make the Anser Irons which were forged.

What’s the big deal if a club is stamped “blade” but it will help people enjoy the game more? I wouldn’t say Ping only makes only makes “game improvement” clubs more like “game enhancement” very different.

Benseattle

8 years ago

Winner: most lame, most inaccurate, most ridiculous comment of the day. Congratulations. A blade, for your information, describes the shape and construction of the back of the head….NOT the material from which it is made. When I read comments such as this I’m always reminded of the blind testing done with professional golfers where their ears are covered and then they hit clubs…. one forged, one cast and they simply can’t tell the difference because of the FEEL. The only time people can even remotely have a chance of determining the difference between forged and cast is when they can hear the difference and with today’s polymers often that’s negligible. Every Ping staffer on Tour uses cast clubs including the king of spin and feel, your buddy Bubba

JEM

8 years ago

I have to agree. I’m not really good enough to be limited by whether an iron is forged or cast–if that is a limiting factor. I’m not one of these people that hits a forged iron and can tell it’s smoother feeling than a cast club. If I ever got to the point where my skills are outstripping the capability of my clubs it might be different, but I doubt I’ll ever reach that. About the only feel I get from a typical shot is the difference between hitting the ball in the middle of the face or on the toe or heel. I would guess the vast majority of golfers are probably in the same boat.

Paul Taylor

8 years ago

The ansr irons were a shit forging with tungsten and no one plays them. Not even the your guys liked them. The s55 are cast rocks I’m sorry but cast irons are game improvement clubs that offer 0. Feel

cgasucks

8 years ago

Really? I have sets of forged blades and cast cavity backs and to me they feel just as solid

John Kittlesen

8 years ago

I like the minimalist look

Leigh Hendrick

8 years ago

Someone’s going shopping!!

Tess

8 years ago

As someone said above, I’m wondering if this new design will be blended somehow into the G line. I’ve had the G15’s since they came out and every G series since has looked quite similar. That’s not a put down….you don’t fix what ain’t broke but I’d like to see something sleeker like this new i-blade…but with forgiveness of course.
Wish I had more swing skills.
Go Ping!

Sharkhark

8 years ago

You can only blend in so much forgiveness in a blade like sleek design. Just not possible. To want this level of sleek with anything like a g series forgiveness?
Uh uh not happening.
You’d have to look at the I series.

Mbu

8 years ago

Can anyone tell me what the metal flap thing is in the middle of the blade?

Pointer

8 years ago

It’s probably a dirt guard for the slot?

I like the plain amd simple look. Hopefully, it will produce plain and simple results.

Tony Covey

8 years ago

It’s the custom tuning port (CTP). Basically it gives PING the flexibility to achieve the desired swing weight regardless of shaft length and weight.

Mbu

8 years ago

Thanks. That’s great, better looking than the lead tape I have had to put on my X forged. ..

Scott Bradford

8 years ago

Wow I read through the comments and was surprised it took so long to see the word beautiful. Best looking Ping ever.

Andrew

8 years ago

Doubtful, but will they be forged?

Don

8 years ago

I moved away from Ping years ago for a bunch of reasons. One of them was how clunky I thought their clubs looked. I really like the clean look of these. This is something that, for me, I cannot overstate. Too many times the club manufacturers litter their clubs with flashy designs, colors and decals that simply are not needed. I would definitely give these a go. And if they are forgiving enough for me I would consider a switch back to them.

nico

8 years ago

I’m really loving the clean look on these. I thought all the s series looked good (perhaps some more than others!) but these look fantastic.
Sounds like a combo i blade/i might be finding its way into a few bags.

Gareth Murray

8 years ago

Gutted I’ve got Titlesit 716 CB now might be a quick trade in coming!hmm

Sean Cartwright

8 years ago

Nice, clean and simple design…but terrible name!

Gravy Davy

8 years ago

I loved my Rocketbladez Tour irons…then I made the mistake of hitting the new I E1 iron and couldn’t believe how amazing they were. Put them in the bag immediately. Will be interested to see a side by side with the new iBlade. Will it be closer to the S series or the I series in size and forgiveness? Guess we’ll have to wait and see!

Mike Kelsey

8 years ago

One of the cleanest Ping irons I have ever.seen.. I really like the appearance…now to see if looks as well from the top and how it feels is the next step. But like it so far

Shooters Tour

8 years ago

Happy to see a ferrule and clean lines. A+

Scott Rains

8 years ago

Those are freakin sweet!

Beardedcoffeemug

8 years ago

I’ve honestly never played a Ping iron, so I can’t really comment on their feel. I will say that I’ve never been a big fan of how their irons look. This line looks really cool though! It looks less “Pingy” and more traditional.

Bill G.

8 years ago

Just plain ugly. Why change just to change? Maybe the Pros will like them, but as a low handicap player, I do not like the look. Maybe they hit good, but I have to like the look to feel confident when I swing a club.

Pointer

8 years ago

Well then, the dime-store blue streak model is the perfect choice. 4U

Mybluc4

8 years ago

Simple, Clean. Like it. If it has some forgiveness like the Ansers and some workability like the ISI’s, this could be a really interesting iron.

djwping78

8 years ago

I agree with Rogers….no need to follow TaylorMade & Callaway (with a new model 2x-3x/yr) still give me my old BeNi ISI’s or my old Eye 2’s w/Z-Z65’s…they still work great and lofts aren’t jacked up either. It takes some time to learn “good distance” control and shot shaping.

Undershooter30

8 years ago

What the hell are you and John Rogers on about? The S55 line is over 3 years old. Its time for a replacement. Also these aren’t for those who don’t know how to shape shots and distance control. These are players irons and will be targeted to the appropriate market.

Doug Wolfe

8 years ago

Undershooter30
yes sir…you sound like a complete player/professional to me. I imagine your handicap is in the plus (+) range. so….Enjoy your iBlades :-)

mcavoy

8 years ago

Doug if you were a member here you might know that Undershooter30 lists is current hdcp at 1.2. So maybe he’s not a professional but he might know a thing or two about playing the game. Or you can just go on assuming things about people you know nothing about.

Undershooter30

8 years ago

Actually Doug I probably won’t be looking at these. I’ve never ended up with Pings for some reason. I’ll stick with my MP69 BLADES, thanks very much. Enjoy your 15 handi and keep being informed :)

djwping78

8 years ago

Nice touch…I’ll bet you’re feeling very blessed again right now

Undershooter30

8 years ago

You know it friend :D

Cristos Dimopoulos

8 years ago

I knew you’d be frothing on seeing this Diddy!

Aaron

8 years ago

Any update on where these will be produced? Until they move back to producing stuff in the US, I doubt they can knock the s59’s out of the bag. I have tried every iron after the s59, and non of them perform as well as irons that are over 10 years old. Very sad!!!! They look great, but if the steel is not as good and the castings are not as solid, then the iron will be just like all the other models. I hope to put these in the bag as I need an upgrade, but have not found one yet.

Javier Vigil

8 years ago

I’m excited, I currently game the older vr Nike which has one of the smallest toplines in the industry which looks right to me. It seems like all of the newer players irons if late have looked huge in comparison. The s55 is a fantastic iron but has a wide sharp topline to me it looks as if the smoother lines on this iron mitigate that harshness a bit. Don’t like the name though.

Aaron Thompson

8 years ago

Dont really like pings new designers/designs

Sad because I loved everything for the last 5 years

Gary

8 years ago

State of the art look for all the scratch golfers. No wonder the average golfers scores are so high, how does it help the 15 hdcp.

Undershooter30

8 years ago

Gary these obviously aren’t for the 15 hdcp and aren’t marketed as such. Why the hell do you think “blade” is in the name? If you wan’t game improvement from Ping then look at their G series line. They have to have SOME products for the low handicap golfer.

Christopher

8 years ago

PING’s irons have been traditionally played by the very best players, even their most game-improvement lines (especially the good old Eye2s). But in recent years they’ve attempted to attract those that prefer more traditional looks (which is what these clubs are aimed at). I’d imagine you can find nearly ever model of iron they produce on the PGA Tour, where players’ play what works for them … so the majority of their line-up is aimed at low handicapped golfers, not just these beauties.

Undershooter30

8 years ago

Not saying that pros only play “players irons.” Just that these are targeted to better players where as the G series is not. If a better player happens to like a GI iron so be it. But that isn’t where they were targeted.

Sharkhark

8 years ago

Did you miss the word ‘blade’ in the article? It’s clearly the low handicap as target. It’s not in any way designed to help a 15 hdcp. I’m a 7 and I say this design is so clean and has such a simple beautiful look that I find it almost anti ping in looks. Love it. I’ll stay with me forgiving designs but a classy subdued look to this I blade & no garish colors or large inserts etc. Great job!

Kerry Cole

8 years ago

very sanitary looking… I wonder how forgiving they are?

Ashton C Plumley

8 years ago

I love the look. To me the PING iron has needed an update for years. This is moving forward to me. This is sure to attract people who are currently playing Titleist, Nike, Mizuno, etc… smooth lines, simple design.

Dave Jemo

8 years ago

Looks a lot like the crossover, but I’m guessing the proportions will be dramatically different. Interesting to see if this new design direction will leak over to the coveted G series…

Christian Furu

8 years ago

i-everything. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone made an i-Phone in the future.

Aaron Thompson

8 years ago

Yeah they flopped on the G/I name continuation

Ryan Holcomb

8 years ago

Yeah, naming anything i-something is a failure to be creative. It’s clear they are appropriating from Apple. What happens if the public turns on Apple or Apple drops the i-name (which they will eventually)?

Justin Wells

8 years ago

The “i” series was in place for Ping long before the iPhone came to be. Here are my thoughts:

1. who cares that it’s a cast iron. Forged are great, but I can hit the S55 irons as well as any other on the market with good feel.I play MP-5’s and I would say that’s the only club Id’ hit over the S55’s because the boron addition makes so much of a difference for me.

2. It’s your right to say that you think something is beautiful or ugly, so don’t knock someone else for having a different opinion.

3. Are they going to help lower your 15 hdcp? NO!! that’s why the G-series exists!

4. Go test drive some glide wedges as I would think these are very similar performance-wise

5. I never thought about owning Ping clubs because I always hated the look and feel of them. To me, these look beautiful and they may have won me over

Paul Kielwasser

8 years ago

Looks like the S55 minus badging.

Dan

8 years ago

Uggggly!

Gavin

8 years ago

It sure ain’t pretty – maybe the angle is wrong

James Gray

8 years ago

Look like muscle back forged blades . For a decent Low handicapper to pro level

Mark

8 years ago

Take a closer look. There’s obviously a hidden cavity there, similar to the MP-25

George F Blackshaw IV

8 years ago

Not forged at all, completely cast

Chris Williams

8 years ago

Plain looking iron

Hula_Rock

8 years ago

Sometimes plain is BETTER.

No speed pockets, missing cavities, dry wall screws, etc…..

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