New Ping i irons launched – video review

Details
SRP: £112 steel; £124 graphite.
Shafts: CFS steel/graphite. After-market with no upcharge: Dynamic Gold, Project X, XP 95, Nippon Modus3
Available: 3-P, U,

First impressions:

It’s hard not to start with the name. These are just called i as stopping the 15,20,25 sequence but these say E1 on the face so we expect them to be the first in a new series.

In terms of the look at address, any Ping fan or i25 user will be able to transition easily into these new irons although the top line is slightly thinner and the short irons look a bit more compact.

There’s a nice splash of light blue and in general this is a stylish looking club in a classically understated Ping way.

What they say:

The i irons are softer thanks to a new type of steel and the Custom Tuning Port is is deeper and lower to enhance feel. The progressive set design sees offsets and head sizes increase in the long irons.

A 431 stainless steel head provides softer feel and allows for more perimeter weighting to increase forgiveness and accuracy

The Custom Tuning Port is concealed deeper in the cavity and lower to align with the impact area and improve sound and feel

The progressive set design sees head sizes get smaller and offsets decrease in the shorter irons.

NCG verdict:

The ongoing process of expanding the brand’s appeal continues apace for Ping.

Once the golf brand that most polarised opinion – between those who couldn’t see past the looks and those who were only looking at the results – a glance at these new irons is enough to demonstrate that Ping can mix it with the best when it comes to style these days, just as they always have when it comes to performance.

The i irons will appeal to lower handicappers than their predecessors, even though Ping say they are actually more forgiving.

I was able to put the new i irons straight in the bag and they continue to deliver the consistency which I had come accustomed to with the i25s.

This is not just new for news sake though as the new technology has certainly improved the feel without compromising on any forgiveness.

Go and have a hit to see for yourself and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.