VERY FIRST LOOK AT THE PING i20 IRONS

[Geo]

An In-Depth, First-Hand Look at the New Lineup

Just a few short days after PING announced the G20 irons, interest immediately shifted over to what the i20s might hold. With nothing more than a low-quality TiVo'd screen capture of a wedge on a desk and lots of hearsay, WRXers speculated on what PING had up their sleeves. Last month PING had a few of us come down to put the rumors to rest and let us know exactly what we had to look forward to. And I gotta tell you, the buzz was warranted. Now, because of the interest generated on this site, PING is letting GolfWRX showcase the i20 lineup!


IRONS

At first glance, the i20 irons are an obvious departure from the i-lines of the past. The most obvious of these changes are the use of the vertical custom tuning port (CTP) and stabilization bars in the cavity; carryovers from PING's S56s. The stabilization bars help improve feel along with a thicker face in the impact area, while the vertical CTP construction allows for a lower center of gravity and different options for weight positioning.

Another key feature to the design of the i20s is PING's blended set concept. As was the case with the i15s, the i20s are noticeably longer heel to toe in the long irons, gradually decreasing in size to the wedges. This time around, PING made the top rail thicker in the long irons transitioning toward a thinner topline in the wedges, dramatically increasing the MOI where golfers need it most.

Along with the tungsten weighting in the toe, these three features increase the MOI across the horizontal axis by about 3% throughout the set, and between 4% (PW) and 12% (3iron) more vertical axis forgiveness over the i15 irons. Given the greater headweight and smaller size that irons have compared to drivers, that increase is substantial. Basically, the i20 irons provide golfers a pitching wedge that has almost the same workability as the S56s with a 3 iron that's even easier to hit than the i15 counterpart.

New to the i20s is the variable cavity pull construction. Here, PING moved the center of gravity down and toward the front in the wedges to give players a more piercing trajectory, progressively pulling the COG back to elevate ball flight in the long irons. This feature makes the clubs more user friendly while maintaining workable distance control throughout the set, prioritizing accuracy in the short irons and forgiveness in the long irons.

The last key design change in the latest i-iron, is the decreased moment of inertia around the shaft axis. In keeping with the varying nature of the blended set design and the cavity pull construction, PING decreased the axis MOI in the i20s by 14% in the 3 iron and 22% in the pitching wedge over the i15 irons (with the middling 7 iron coming in with a 20% decrease). This makes it easier for golfers to manipulate the club through rotation, working the ball left or right as needed, while not losing forgiveness off mishits.

To accommodate all these new features, the differences in how they'll cause the ball to react, and the adjustments that golfers may make, PING adjusted the sole design so that turf interaction wouldn't detract from the clubs' utility. Changes include more material in the heel to decrease digging, more bounce, a slightly blunted leading edge, and a little trailing edge relief. These changes were needed because when the lower the center of gravity is placed, the more the clubhead wants to deflect down into the ground when impacting the ball (which is why you don't take divots on practice swings).

In standard PING fashion, the i20 irons will be available both lefty and righty in 3-9, PW, UW, SW, and LW configurations. The standard shaft offering will be PING's proprietary CFS shaft.

For those new to this shaft, it's based on the ZZ65, but has been expanded from the original hard stiff flex. One of the characteristics that made the ZZ65 unique was the thicker tip section, which reduced tip action at impact and flutter immediately after. In the Stiff flexed CFS, PING extended the tip by an inch to bring the stiffness to the current industry standard. Short irons get slightly less tip reinforcement to help with feel. The X-flex CFS shafts have a tip that is 1" shorter and 5 grams heavier, while Regular and Soft Regular CFS shafts have no tip reinforcement to help activate the tip.

I am REALLY looking forward to these irons. My impressions were...very favorable. ;)


Per Ping press Release:

PING today unveiled the i20™ driver, fairway woods, hybrids, and irons, relying on innovation and custom engineering to ensure that every design attribute helps to optimize performance, right down to the color of the clubs' finish.

"In the i20 series, we've combined workability, distance and forgiveness with the goal to make any golfer a more versatile and complete player," said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. "We've engineered the i20s with a solid feel and generous forgiveness but also a degree of workability for the player who wants full command of the clubface for controlling trajectory and shot shape. Anyone who is passionate about their game is going to be very confident and capable with this game-improvement technology."


In the multi-metal irons, a progressive set design features long irons that are slightly larger, high launching and more forgiving. The smaller short irons feature less offset and provide exceptional control. Distance control, a key to consistent iron play, was a priority in the irons' design, Solheim said. "The stabilizing bars and the thicker face offer great feel and ensure that golfers can hit to precise yardages. Distance control is an absolute must for better players, but precision is going to help anyone lower their scores."


i20™ Irons
Multi-metal technology in a progressive set design. The long irons are slightly larger, high launching, and more forgiving. The smaller short irons feature less offset and provide exceptional control. Stabilizing bars and a thicker face ensure precise distance control and a solid feel. Tungsten toe weights in the 17-4 stainless steel heads elevate forgiveness. An innovative design gives golfers full command of the clubface for controlling trajectory and shot shape. A low-glare satin chrome finish and ferrule offer a clean, high-performance look. Combined with PING's new CFS (Control, Feel, Stability) steel shaft, the i20 optimizes feel and trajectories.

-Available 3-9, PW, UW, SW, LW
-Stock steel shaft: PING® CFS® (Soft R, R, S and X flexes)
-Stock graphite shaft: TFC 169i (L, Soft R, R and S flexes)
-U.S. MSRP: $110 per club w/steel shaft; $137.50 per club w/graphite shaft.

4 Iron







6 iron








8 iron









Pitching Wedge












Here is the video Ping also posted on the 1st of Jan...


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ec-QWeE6NH8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Geo]

And here are some random pics when taken inside during the presentation.


[attachment=965281:i20i22.JPG]
[attachment=965283:misciron03.JPG]
[attachment=965287:misciron01.JPG]
[attachment=965289:misciron02.JPG]
[attachment=965291:misciron04.JPG]
[attachment=965285:misciron05.JPG]
[attachment=965295:i20i24.JPG]
[attachment=965297:i20i25.JPG]
[attachment=965299:i20i26.JPG]
[attachment=965301:i20i27.JPG]
[attachment=965303:i20i28.JPG]
[attachment=965305:i20i29.JPG]
[attachment=965307:i20i30.JPG]
[attachment=965309:i20i31.JPG]
[attachment=965293:i20i32.JPG]
[attachment=965313:i20i33.JPG]
[attachment=965315:i20i34.JPG]
[attachment=965317:i20i35.JPG]
[attachment=965319:i20i36.JPG]
[attachment=965321:i20i37.JPG]
[attachment=965311:i20i38.JPG]
[attachment=965323:i20i23.JPG]

[Geo]

brief playing impressions

[Asleep]

To be honest, I had not been eagerly anticipating the i20 updates when we got the call from PING to fly to Phoenix for the pre-launch debut.

 

The i15 irons were a real disappointment to me -- too long heel to toe, too big overall, red accents( yech! ), and the AWT shaft created problems for me when the wind was up. The i15 driver was nice looking, but the sweet spot was small -- I have one friend who games it quite successfully. That's it. Fairways were good.

 

So when Mike and Marty pull out these it was kind of like BAM!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The brighter silver finish gives a bit more contrast against the grass, and the black ( anything but red ) accents are all business. Good, good. This is a progressively sized & offset set -- small/less in the short irons, bigger/more in the long ones. Smaller than the i15s.

 

Turning the club over I'm looking at the sole grind I always wanted on my Lehman Box Toe 300 Forged ..... come to Papa! :yahoo:

 

Now my interest is piqued! I'm excited to get out to PING's range and see if they play as pretty as they look. First impression short answer is: they do.

 

Earnie is calling out yardages as I warm up with the PW --- 116, 120, 121, 118, 123. As an owner of the 2008 AP2s I'm not too worried about thicker toplines on irons, but I'm liking the narrower look the i20s have. The CFS Stiff shaft feels much better to me in the i20s than it did in the G20s back in May. ( I'm sure this is just me. ) It's easier for me to get these faces pointed at my intended target than irons with more offset. And I can hit them high or low (yay!) as needed. The sole grind is doing it's job as turf interaction is nice and divots are shallow. Sound & feel are good. I didn't get any clunker feels on misses across the face.

 

So I flew out to Phoenix for a "blind date" with low expectations and walk away with what may be a keeper.

 

Now the real test -- I'm anxiously awaiting a set of i20s for a full on playing review.

[Ping_Ho]

Will Definitely Try

Might kick my I5 out of my bag

[easyyy]

Guys, those look good. The sole. Are they approx width of the old i15's? I also see the trailing sole has been relieved as well as the leading edge.



Here is the video Ping also posted on the 1st of Jan...


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ec-QWeE6NH8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[MMB1500]

Finally!

Thanks for the scoop guys. Sounds like Ping have packed a fair bit of technology into these. Any idea about the specs?

[scothomas24]

[quote name='Ping_Ho' timestamp='1325427719' post='4012721']
Will Definitely Try

Might kick my I5 out of my bag
[/quote]

i second this. will definitely try. i am really liking the look of these. it's gonna be a loooong january til these come out.

[steven-m-rose]

[size="3"]Been waiting for these to arrive, the only thing I am not sure about is finish, I [/size][size=2]actually liked the finish on the i15s, everything else looks great, Steve[/size]

[plus8]

I've been playing I15 blue dots with soft-stepped stiff for a couple of years now - and picked up an 'experimental' set of Callaway Diablos last spring. Look forward to trying out the new I20's, but at first glance I wonder about:

 

 

1. Topline - seems thicker than my 15's - and I can't learn to love a thick and slovenly topline (which is why I sold my Diablos and do not own G-series clubs). These aren't REAL thick, but certainly not a particularly thin topline either.

2. Blunt leading edge - I dunno, maybe that repositioning of weight really DOES warrant a more blunt leading edge, but I like my relatively crisp I15's.

3. More bounce (huh?) - should an I-series club really have bunches of bounce? Again, maybe the weight redistribution, but.....

 

Other than that, I LOVE:

 

1. The Satin finish - a long long time coming and something I personally prefer in clubs. I also like the ferrule. Brings them to a different level imho.

2. The weight port and stabilizer system - not having hit 'em yet, I can't really judge 'em, but I really really like the visual.

3. Sole - they look a bit thicker, but still well under the 'hate' threshhold for me.

 

Bottom line -- I like 'em alot, but wonder if these are a whole lot different from the G20's if I were to trade up. And, would I like 'em enough, or is there enough difference in these, to dump my I15's for them.

 

Admin, please have Ping ship me a set of blue dots +1/4" so that I, too, may get the full monty. In fact, go ahead and make'em graphite....

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

 

[pga43]

Great job on the write-up & the photos!



Greg

[Bucken77]

These look amazing. They sound like they are made for diggers as well. Can't wait to try them out

[dzoid]

different look.. but will diff hit....

[radtech]

I can't wait to try them out. It took the S56's to pry the ISI-S out of the bag (like 15 years) but I might have to have 2 sets of clubs for the first time! MY main concern is the leading edge........ I left the ISI's for the S56's because I play on very tight fairways and a blunt leading edge on tight fairways for a "picker" leaves no room for error! So I to will have to wait to see in person before I order a set.

NICE PRELIMINARY REVIEW!!!!!

[easyyy]

I am a sweeper too. I liked that relief it shows on this pic of the sole grind. Less sole on the trailing edge...


[attachment=966441:post-397-0-69906500-1325425600_thumb.jpg]

[mantan]

My DVR pic was called low quality.... It was taken with a cell phone cam and everything.....

 

Seriously...thanks for the pics and the initial scoop on the release. They look nice, but the proof will be how they hit on the range. As I said in the other post, there are two camps of potential i15 users. Those who want something closer to the S56, but more forgiving. And those who want something closer to the old i5s. These look like they'll appeal to the former, but with just enough offset and thick topline for them to b**** anyway.

 

All the technical changes are interesting, but ultimately it comes down to how they perform for each individual's swing. Looking forward to trying them out.

[KarstenK]

Thanks Beruo! I think my i15's are gonna be ebay-bound soon.

[Socrates]

Spent the last 1/2 hour reading both reviews on the i20 line and now I am more convinced than ever that these could be in the bag come spring. Very impressed by the clubs and the write up. It was mentioned about the length of the iron heads toe to heel. Are the i20 longer than the i15's? I'm hoping so.

[Socrates]

p.s. I'm so bloody jealous of you guys being able to get advance looks at new product. I'll bet it's just like Christmas every time that happens.

[bellken]

great info, I am looking forward to your reviews

[Asleep]

[quote name='easyyy' timestamp='1325427918' post='4012729']
Guys, those look good. The sole. Are they approx width of the old i15's? I also see the trailing sole has been relieved as well as the leading edge.
[/quote]
Richard, I'd say they aren't quite as wide as the i15s -- but more important is the blunted leading edge to counteract the downward club deflection post impact. You can see the variance in the trailing edge grind from the 6-iron to the 3-iron ( which I'm holding at a funny angle ). This is nice work, imo.

[attachment=966445:6isc.jpg]
[attachment=966443:3isc.jpg]

[MK7Golf21]

looks like they took some of the features from the anser irons and put them into the i20. Comparing the specs of the new i20 irons to the i15, they have quite a bit of less offset compared to the i15, but a noticeable thicker topline. The anser irons had a very blunted leading edge as well. These look very interesting, Il have to give them a try.

[TheMoneyShot]

Great review and a great looking set of irons!

[Asleep]

i15 6-iron topline for comparison:

 

 

i20 7-iron for comparison ( best topline focus I could get :russian_roulette: ):

 

[radtech]

Did anyone get a release date for the i20's during this visit?

[TMBob]

Finally the scoop is out, thanks.

So is Ping not doing the big social Twitter release on the i20's as they did with the G20's?

Interesting date to release on also. I am guessing that shaft choices will be the same as the G20 also, or did Ping add anything else to the line up since then?

[Bob57]

Same silly little ferrules that ping seems to be standardizing on. They look out of place on the S56s after years of nice long ones on the S series and even on the Anser irons. On these the clubs would look better with no ferrules at all. Nothing to do with performance. The cavity is busy looking but adds to the performance of the club. The dinky ferrules detract in my opinion. With their size they should be easily removed without removing the shaft. A little heat and a grip cutting knife.

[MK7Golf21]

i15 6-iron topline for comparison:

 

 

i20 7-iron for comparison ( best topline focus I could get :russian_roulette: ):

 

 

I guess it is pretty close but longer irons have a bigger topline?

 

"This time around, PING made the top rail thicker in the long irons transitioning toward a thinner topline in the wedges, dramatically increasing the MOI where golfers need it most."

[eldog-in-the-hizouse]

I love the color schemes and the finish of the clubs. I was in the minority who preferred the direction of the i10 over the i15 irons. These irons look more like a hybrid of the i15 and Anser as opposed to the i10 being a hybrid of the S57 and i5. The technology in this club is awesome. I'll bet PING has a total winner here!!!

[Saluki91]

Thank you very much for your write-up. I am in the market for new irons (replacing i15's), and to be honest, was not even considering i20's. Now...?

I want to like my i15's... I really do. However, I just can't get the mojo flowin'. They are a club shorter than my S58's and Wishon 560MC's (have tried three shafts in the i15's - zZ65, Aldila VS Proto 100's, and CFS - Aldila is my favorite, but I still feel like I have to stretch). Furthermore, the afore mentioned irons just glide through the turf like it isn't there. The i15's... well... not so much.

Adams CB2's and B'stone J40 DCB's have my attention right now. Perhaps the Razr X Tour as well. Can you compare the i20 to either of these? Turf interaction...? Ball flight...? Distance...?

Thanks!