Ping I200 users

[pullfade]

QC issues happen from any mass produced manufacturer. Just remember when measuring Ping lays the clubs horizontal....not vertical....and will tell you their measurements will not match what you see when put in a Mitchell. I do believe swingweight is swingweight, but variances in everyone's tools.

 

As for finish, these aren't your grandfathers Pings. Those were tumbled with no coating on them and bulletproof. These will look good at the shop but wear like any other club. I would LOVE a set of i200 with the eye 2 finish!

[dmeeksDC]

QC issues happen from any mass produced manufacturer. Just remember when measuring Ping lays the clubs horizontal....not vertical....and will tell you their measurements will not match what you see when put in a Mitchell. I do believe swingweight is swingweight, but variances in everyone's tools.

 

As for finish, these aren't your grandfathers Pings. Those were tumbled with no coating on them and bulletproof. These will look good at the shop but wear like any other club. I would LOVE a set of i200 with the eye 2 finish!

 

I think the i200 ultimately looks shinier once the finish is completely uncovered. And could always take a scotchbrite wheel to them down the line. I do like the matte look the coating gives them. The main thing is how they play. If it truly is just a coating over the actual plated finish, it won’t hard to spuce them up from time to time.

[braincramp52]

QC issues happen from any mass produced manufacturer. Just remember when measuring Ping lays the clubs horizontal....not vertical....and will tell you their measurements will not match what you see when put in a Mitchell. I do believe swingweight is swingweight, but variances in everyone's tools.

 

As for finish, these aren't your grandfathers Pings. Those were tumbled with no coating on them and bulletproof. These will look good at the shop but wear like any other club. I would LOVE a set of i200 with the eye 2 finish!

 

I think the i200 ultimately looks shinier once the finish is completely uncovered. And could always take a scotchbrite wheel to them down the line. I do like the matte look the coating gives them. The main thing is how they play. If it truly is just a coating over the actual plated finish, it won't hard to spuce them up from time to time.

 

Yes, once the hydropearl finish evens out they are still the same old bullet proof Pings.

[Makuakane_Bear]

I am contemplating going to these from my VPC irons, any advantages? Anyone made this switch? Thanks.

 

I went from Nike VPC to Ping s55 then to i200. I found the Ping products (both s55 and the i200) to be more forgiving than the VPCs. Durability is also better. s55 was a sneaky forgiving set but still required you to make a good swing to get the most out of them. I moved to the i200s for more forgiveness as I am not playing as much as I used to (family and work). I think distance is up for the i200s compared to both s55 and VPC. Long irons are much easier to hit as well. I have not sacrificed any workability in the short and mid irons even with the larger sole. For my swing, I tend to be a digger/driver so the soles have helped quite a bit. A couple friends of mine are more sweeper/sliders (and are single digit and scratch handicaps) and they had no problem with the stock grind. One of buddies (single digit handicap like yourself) ended up getting the trail grind on them and that worked great for him. A guy I play with every so often (scratch but now signed digits- handicap has gone up due to work and family life) went to the iBlades with the leading edge grind as he is also a digger driver and he said he was a full club longer than his VPCs and still can hit any shot he wants. Based on your handicap, you are a much better golfer than I am so I am sure that you would be able to get along with these just fine- maybe even the iBlades. You can get specific grinds and swing weights as well, which is more than other OEMS can offer- but as others have said, the order has to be placed right for them to come out the way you want them to. Hope that helps.

[minteq]

I am contemplating going to these from my VPC irons, any advantages? Anyone made this switch? Thanks.

 

I went from Nike VPC to Ping s55 then to i200. I found the Ping products (both s55 and the i200) to be more forgiving than the VPCs. Durability is also better. s55 was a sneaky forgiving set but still required you to make a good swing to get the most out of them. I moved to the i200s for more forgiveness as I am not playing as much as I used to (family and work). I think distance is up for the i200s compared to both s55 and VPC. Long irons are much easier to hit as well. I have not sacrificed any workability in the short and mid irons even with the larger sole. For my swing, I tend to be a digger/driver so the soles have helped quite a bit. A couple friends of mine are more sweeper/sliders (and are single digit and scratch handicaps) and they had no problem with the stock grind. One of buddies (single digit handicap like yourself) ended up getting the trail grind on them and that worked great for him. A guy I play with every so often (scratch but now signed digits- handicap has gone up due to work and family life) went to the iBlades with the leading edge grind as he is also a digger driver and he said he was a full club longer than his VPCs and still can hit any shot he wants. Based on your handicap, you are a much better golfer than I am so I am sure that you would be able to get along with these just fine- maybe even the iBlades. You can get specific grinds and swing weights as well, which is more than other OEMS can offer- but as others have said, the order has to be placed right for them to come out the way you want them to. Hope that helps.

 

Great info, thanks.

[leftie]

Any news on a new I series iron this year?

[Argonne69]

OK, I now have nine rounds played with the new clubs, and I'm still scratching my head a bit. The clubs are a minimum 10 yards longer than my old MP-5's, and a number of shots from the fairway were 15 to 20 yards longer. The lofts are the same, but the Pings are 1/4" longer. The XP 95 shaft is supposed to add length compared to the Nippon 950GH's in the 5's, but can the changes really account for 10 to 20 yards?

 

The clubs don't seem to spin as much as the 5's. 'Seems I'm getting close to 5 yards more of rollout on the greens.

 

They are definitely more forgiving, especially on toe hits. You know you hit it on the toe, but it still goes. 'Not bad. Similar to the 5's, I can easily hook the cr*p out of them if I take the club back too far inside. 'Nothing can fix a poor swing path. Lol.

 

Now, one thing I have to consider is that I was playing with a mixture of golf balls, including a handful of non-urethane balls. I imagine a cheaper ball might go farther with less spin. My next round I'll stick with one ball. Also, it's quite possible that I'm swinging harder on some shots knowing that the club is more forgiving.

 

Anyway, still a work in progress. I may have to get comfortable choking down 1/2" to control the distance.

[collje26]

OK, I now have nine rounds played with the new clubs, and I'm still scratching my head a bit. The clubs are a minimum 10 yards longer than my old MP-5's, and a number of shots from the fairway were 15 to 20 yards longer. The lofts are the same, but the Pings are 1/4" longer. The XP 95 shaft is supposed to add length compared to the Nippon 950GH's in the 5's, but can the changes really account for 10 to 20 yards?

 

The clubs don't seem to spin as much as the 5's. 'Seems I'm getting close to 5 yards more of rollout on the greens.

 

They are definitely more forgiving, especially on toe hits. You know you hit it on the toe, but it still goes. 'Not bad. Similar to the 5's, I can easily hook the cr*p out of them if I take the club back too far inside. 'Nothing can fix a poor swing path. Lol.

 

Now, one thing I have to consider is that I was playing with a mixture of golf balls, including a handful of non-urethane balls. I imagine a cheaper ball might go farther with less spin. My next round I'll stick with one ball. Also, it's quite possible that I'm swinging harder on some shots knowing that the club is more forgiving.

 

Anyway, still a work in progress. I may have to get comfortable choking down 1/2" to control the distance.

 

The lies on the i200’s are going to be much more upright in relation to the mizuno’s. One reason why I went back to mizzy’s. The i200’s are legit regarding playability.

[AltaGuy]

The lie discussion in this thread has been really interesting. I purchased a used set of iBlades with mixed angles: red dot in 4 through 7; purple 8 through PW. So .75 and 1.5 flat respectively. I wanted a flat lie, but didn’t know the purpose of multiple angles.

 

Took four or five rounds before I found my groove with them, but holy are they accurate once I did. I’ve never hit a straighter ball - even down to the 4 iron. They have modus 105x shafts.

 

I would’ve probably preferred the i200s but since I found a great deal on these iBlades I pulled the trigger. No complaints so far except that I really do have to concentrate on a good swing every time - misses feel and look like crap.

[Drudersh]

I checked my set that I got in a few weeks ago for SW and they were all within 1/4 point of spec and most were dead on. Still enjoying them, especially enjoyed the 66 I put up with them on Saturday. This is my second go round with the PX LZ 6.0 and I was skeptical as I spun the bejeezus out of the iBlade's with that shaft but they don't seem to be over-spinning paired with the i200's. So far so good.

[Argonne69]

OK, I now have nine rounds played with the new clubs, and I'm still scratching my head a bit. The clubs are a minimum 10 yards longer than my old MP-5's, and a number of shots from the fairway were 15 to 20 yards longer. The lofts are the same, but the Pings are 1/4" longer. The XP 95 shaft is supposed to add length compared to the Nippon 950GH's in the 5's, but can the changes really account for 10 to 20 yards?

 

The clubs don't seem to spin as much as the 5's. 'Seems I'm getting close to 5 yards more of rollout on the greens.

 

They are definitely more forgiving, especially on toe hits. You know you hit it on the toe, but it still goes. 'Not bad. Similar to the 5's, I can easily hook the cr*p out of them if I take the club back too far inside. 'Nothing can fix a poor swing path. Lol.

 

Now, one thing I have to consider is that I was playing with a mixture of golf balls, including a handful of non-urethane balls. I imagine a cheaper ball might go farther with less spin. My next round I'll stick with one ball. Also, it's quite possible that I'm swinging harder on some shots knowing that the club is more forgiving.

 

Anyway, still a work in progress. I may have to get comfortable choking down 1/2" to control the distance.

 

The lies on the i200's are going to be much more upright in relation to the mizuno's. One reason why I went back to mizzy's. The i200's are legit regarding playability.

 

I was fit in the red dot (1 degree flat), and I had it bent an additional 1 degree flat. My MP-5's were bent 1 degree flat, so the Ping is actually playing 0.5 degree flatter than the Mizunos.

 

For example, the i200 7 iron is 62 degrees. The red dot is 61 degrees. My 7 iron is 60 degrees. The MP-5 7 iron is 61.5 degrees, and mine was weakened to 60.5 degrees.

[dmeeksDC]

Lie angles are not upright or flat permanently. They can be adjusted to whatever you need. I would not play or not play an iron based on its standard lie angle. That is not importantt given Ping designs their cast irons to be adjusted for the player.

[magnus7319]

The lie discussion in this thread has been really interesting. I purchased a used set of iBlades with mixed angles: red dot in 4 through 7; purple 8 through PW. So .75 and 1.5 flat respectively. I wanted a flat lie, but didn't know the purpose of multiple angles.

 

Took four or five rounds before I found my groove with them, but holy are they accurate once I did. I've never hit a straighter ball - even down to the 4 iron. They have modus 105x shafts.

 

I would've probably preferred the i200s but since I found a great deal on these iBlades I pulled the trigger. No complaints so far except that I really do have to concentrate on a good swing every time - misses feel and look like crap.

 

Some people like to play their short irons a little more flat than their mid or longer irons.

[tobiasjd]

Wider soles should not produce more fat misses. If anything, you would thin it more by bouncing into the ball

 

Not sure I agree. The issue, at least as I see it, is that there is metal where previously there was none. Add a lie angle issue into the equation and the iron's sole is striking the turf when I expect it to still be hovering above it.

 

There may be other factors at play, I grant you.

 

One thing I know is that I've never had an issue with fat misses until 27 holes ago and it has been a very big issue since. Some time and tweaking should sort things out. I hope.

 

I guess I think of it like I do with wedges. If I had an L wedge and a K wedge. The thinner sole L wedge would be a lot more likely to dig and fat the shot, if I wasn't coming in shallow enough.

 

I think a change in swingweight can cause these kind of problems as well, but with ping you can order pretty much any weight you want.

[drvrwdge]

I checked my set that I got in a few weeks ago for SW and they were all within 1/4 point of spec and most were dead on. Still enjoying them, especially enjoyed the 66 I put up with them on Saturday. This is my second go round with the PX LZ 6.0 and I was skeptical as I spun the bejeezus out of the iBlade's with that shaft but they don't seem to be over-spinning paired with the i200's. So far so good.

 

I actually think all “I”series irons spin less than the S series or the iblade. Believe they are designed this way. Less spin = less curve and ability to work ball. Generally your iBlade player will want to work it a bit more or control trajectory, easier accomplished with more spin. Sucks as a high spin player because I had an issue with iBlades spinning too much.

[collje26]

Officially have gone AWOL. Bought the mizuno jpx 900 tours played them for a couple rounds but couldn't leave the i200's in the corner so I went back to them and the glide 2.0 wedges.

[Frisco Kid]

I’ve joined the club and gone almost all Ping in the process. Came from AP2s and these I200s are simply fantastic. I got 4-U with Modus 105R, added Glide 2.0s in 54,58 SS. Also picked up like new G30 driver, 3 & 5 metals. Hitting the irons and wedges great but I need more work on the woods.

[2Bad4u]

I’ve joined the club and gone almost all Ping in the process. Came from AP2s and these I200s are simply fantastic. I got 4-U with Modus 105R, added Glide 2.0s in 54,58 SS. Also picked up like new G30 driver, 3 & 5 metals. Hitting the irons and wedges great but I need more work on the woods.

 

I think it's time to update your signature Bro.

[dgbarar]

I own a set of i200 with AWT regular shafts. I am considering changing out the shafts to graphite to reduce elbow issues. The Ping website indicates only the CFS graphite are available. However, it appears that Ping also offers graphite Alta CBs and Recoil for their other iron lines.

 

My plan is to send them back to Ping to be re-shafted. Does anyone have experience with i200 with graphite shafts? What shaft are you using? What are your thoughts?

 

Don Barar

[Mike_C]

I own a set of i200 with AWT regular shafts. I am considering changing out the shafts to graphite to reduce elbow issues. The Ping website indicates only the CFS graphite are available. However, it appears that Ping also offers graphite Alta CBs and Recoil for their other iron lines.

 

My plan is to send them back to Ping to be re-shafted. Does anyone have experience with i200 with graphite shafts? What shaft are you using? What are your thoughts?

 

Don Barar

 

I ordered mine from Ping with Recoil 110 F5s, my first real try at graphite, and also for elbow issues. I think the upcharge was like $40-45 per club. For my swing, I think I made a mistake, the regular Recoils are too spinny, even with the Powerspec lofts I ordered. I had demoed/hit other irons with the Recoil protos in F4 and liked them and spin was not a problem, and I thought maybe the regular Recoil in the X flex would be similar, but they just don't play that way for me. I have since got a set of Rogue Pros with KBS Tour V 110s, and they are about the opposite of the i200s with the Recoil, almost too little spin. On a whim I also recently picked up a used set of 714 CBs with Recoil proto 95 F4s, and bam, almost perfect ball flight..... I think for me the i200 and Recoil protos would have been a great choice, and probably if I had gone the Steelfiber route, but I tried to save some $$$$ and that is why I tried the regular Recoils.

[dgbarar]

HI Mike,

 

Thank you for your input on the graphite shafts. I was not aware there were choices for graphite from Ping other than the CFS, Alta CB, and the Recoils they have on their website. This is great information as I would prefer the graphite heavier shafts.

 

Do you believe that graphite shafts improved or eliminated elbow issues?

 

Don Barar

[MarkAJones]

I've had my i200s about 9 months now. Love them. I have them in +1inch shaft length, green dot (2up)

 

I've got original Glide wedges in 50, 54 and 58 SS which I had made up the same length as my PW so effectively I'm in "one length" from PW down. I just hit my PW well so figured it made sense. Plus I'm 6 foot 5 so standard length 58 (1.75inch shorter than what I have) feels more comfortable. I'm not sure if or how standardising the shaft length affects club performance but tbh, I just play with what is in my hands. Although probably edging more towards single figures now rather than 13 (not played any comps yet this season but regularly shooting 81/82 now) I'm not so good that I feel I would be able to detect any slight differences due to lie, loft or swing weight being slightly out.

 

I know what I hit when I hit it right and even when I don't the i200s do their best to help me out.

 

These will be in my bag til they basically break which with Ping, will be a long time

[Mike_C]

HI Mike,

 

Thank you for your input on the graphite shafts. I was not aware there were choices for graphite from Ping other than the CFS, Alta CB, and the Recoils they have on their website. This is great information as I would prefer the graphite heavier shafts.

 

Do you believe that graphite shafts improved or eliminated elbow issues?

 

Don Barar

 

I don't think Ping will do the Recoil Protos from the factory, but you can get standard Recoils and Steelfibers in 110 weights.

 

As far as how they helped my elbows, can't say I felt a lot of difference last fall. I developed pretty bad tennis elbow in my lead (left) arm last year after trying Nippon Modus 3 120X in some irons and had a nagging issue in my other side for a couple of years before that. I did a lot of rehab over the winter and they are both much improved, enough where I tried to go back to steel with the KBS Tour Vs. But I worry that hitting steel a bunch on the practice range will start me back on the path to more severe problems, I think I just have to find the right graphite shaft for my swing.....

[dgbarar]

Hi Mike,

 

Again, thank you for your input. I have a Ping fitting next week. So it will interesting to see what shafts Ping has on their truck.

 

It's interesting just how similar our elbow experiences have been. Last year I developed golfer's elbow in my right arm--I am right handed. With a shot of cortisone and using the combination Dr. Nircshl and Bob and Brad's recommendations I was able to home physical therapy myself out of it in three months. So I went back to playing again with an arm brace.

 

Then last month my elbow issues re-emerged not just with golfer's elbow in the right arm but now tennis elbow in the left arm. This is what has me seeking a change in shafts to graphite. I sure hope graphite helps because I am going through golfer's withdrawal.

 

Don Barar

[matchavez]

So about the elbows...

 

Yes, the Recoils are good. Two other products might help.

 

#1 - CP2 grips. Less sting in the shot, less impact force directed to the hand.

#2 - I don't have elbow issues with the Modus 105s. If I hit 200 balls off a range mat, I'll be a bit sore in the elbow, but certainly not like KBS or TT

 

Finally, over years of adjustments, I've found that for me, if I end up with any elbow pain anymore, it's from incorrect positioning at impact. I was once someone who had full extension of both elbows at impact. No more. The left is extended fully but if it has any "stop", it hinges at that point. The right is now slightly bent at impact, and only gets stress if it hits something artificial.

 

I'll go ahead and put my hand up and say I "cheat" / take relief any time I see exposed tree roots. I consider that an abnormal surface, and while the sanctimonious will get after me, I prefer my roots underground.

[dgbarar]

Hi M,

 

Thank you for the tip on the slightly bent elbow at impact. I was unaware of this. I reviewed some self videos I did of myself. And, indeed my right (trailing elbow) the one I have golfer's elbow is fully extended at impact.

 

Now, I wonder how I go about changing this??????????

 

Don

[Frisco Kid]

Any ideas on how to strip off the hydro pearl finish? My irons look beat after just 4 range sessions and one round. I’d prefer not to wait for the rest of the clubs to even out cause there are areas on them that never will.

[sTmGolfer]

I feel like their build quality has gone down through the years...they are good at building stock but not custom.

 

I've seen this, too.

 

My iE1s, 3-PW... on delivery 5 out of 8 clubs had shaft offcuts rattling around inside the shaft.

 

Then my first set of i200s, also 3-PW, 5 out of 8 clubs have the serials printed like this:

 

 

 

Laser etching machine... you had one job!?!

 

And now my latest set of i200s, I ordered the same spec as my other sets... and they're a shade shorter.

 

/shrug

 

I'm not hopping mad or anything, nor have I complained... just a PING fan/player with some experience here.

 

Don’t get the “good at building stock but not custom” comment. There really is no “stock build” for PING. 100% of the sets they build are built to order so no order is stock. All orders are “custom” if you want to think of that way.

[dmeeksDC]

Any ideas on how to strip off the hydro pearl finish? My irons look beat after just 4 range sessions and one round. I’d prefer not to wait for the rest of the clubs to even out cause there are areas on them that never will.

 

I seem to recall someone did this and talked about it in another thread, maybe it was a G400 or iE1. Took off the coating and maybe even scotchbrited the clubs and they looked great.

[Belmont148]

Had an awesome round with the new irons. 4i is still a bit tough to hit, so the jury is still out on whether it will be replaced with my 4H. But man, the 7i-PW is money. Felt really good and so easy to hit target. These things really excel in different lies. So glad I got fit for these. The PW was so easy to hit target I just ordered the UW. Not that my current 52* is bad, I just like the sole and forgiveness of the i200. And who doesn’t want some help hitting 100-110 yds.