Ping Eye 2 wedges vs. Ping iWedge

OpusX20 · June 18, 2009

Need some wedge advice.

Long story short, my Vokeys are being replaced. I have taken out my 60* Vokey for a 57.5 old school Ping Eye 2 SW. I will be replacing my 50* Vokey with a 50.5* old school Ping Eye 2 PW. I am also looking to replace my 55* Vokey with something 54*.

I am trying to find a wedge with similar playing characteristics to the Eye 2 wedges. The Ping iWedge claims to be inspired by these older clubs. Does anyone have any experience directly comparing the Eye 2 to the iWedge? Or is there another wedge out there that would also be close? One of the Scratch grinds maybe. (Not a fan of the Eye 2+ wedges.)

Thanks in advance for your input.

cleek-man · June 18, 2009

The grinds on the eye 2, and the eye 2+, were absolutely the most versatile grinds ever made.

But man did those faces wear out fast. I've not found an original grind on other wedges even close.

Fred (Scratch)has said that he'll have his grinders match anything you send to him. The wide sole on the eye2+ seems to allow the room necessary for the grind.

M

dlygrisse · June 18, 2009

I have played Vokeys for years and have also used Eye2 wedges and briefly an Iwedge. (I quit using the Iwedge for reasons I wont go into here, but not because it was a bad club.)

the sole grind on the Iwedge is very similar to the original Eye 2 wedge, with the "sand cup" sole design. The thing I like about the Iwedge is that the profile of the wedge is more traditional looking, head shape being closer to a Vokey than a original Eye 2 which was very boxy with a high toe and very offset. The Iwedge has a little offset but not a ton, great club if you like the sole grind which works great out of the sand but IMO is a little too bouncy for tight lies. Of course you can have Ping do a custom grind and take some of the bounce off as well.

To me the Vokeys are the best wedges going, except they tend to wear out over time, if you like the ping wedges they last forever, and if you get them with a shaft you like, the correct lie angle, and if needed the sole grind tweaked to your liking they are a great addition to any set of clubs, especially any of the Ping GI clubs.

So to anwer your question, go with the Iwedge if you like the sole grind of the Eye 2 wedge, IMO they are better than the Eye 2 wedge with the modern grooves and better look at address.

IMO the "illegal" Eye 2 grooves, which are grandfathered because of the lawsuit are highly over rated. The modern box grooves that are soon to be grandfathered in are better anyway.

Babydaddy · June 18, 2009

Some good thoughts by DLGrysse

I would say, that some pros, like Jim Hardy comes to mind, just like the eye2 wedge. I think for a better player it has to do with the versatile grind and for many players it's also a confidence thing, just looking down at a wedge that looks easy to hit.

I have an iWedge that I had bent one degree higher (54 to 55). I love everything about the iwedge, and I would agree with the above comments only to say that recently, it has been easier for me to use the eye2 out of different types of sand traps. It seems to travel well between sandy, fluffy traps and grainy, dirt type traps.

Both are great wedges. I am undecided right now.