For those that hate the look of Ping irons

[Solutions Etcetera]

I agree with you but...

I don't usually start club review threads as I am not a great golfer (shoot in 90's), but have to tell this story for those that still hate Ping's looks.

I have been through 3 sets of irons in the past 5 years, and tried many more. None of them Ping. They just look so strange and utilitarian, I never hit one. But the almost universal acclaim of the G15 have had it in the back of my mind… way back.

Plus… of all the irons I have tried, there was no revelation. I figured it was the indian and not the arrow. Just never been confident with my mid/long iron play. Bit of a flipper, and have been known to carry hybrids up to a six.

But last month I found a G20 8 iron on the 18th fairway while setting up for my approach. It looked quite a bit more refined than the G15 (nicer finish, badge, etc). So I hit it instead of my X22. I liked it.

My shop didn't have G20 demos, so I took a G15 rental set for a couple of rounds and I really liked them. My miss is always right, and the occasional fat shot, and these really seemed to help. So I make a deal with the Pro to fit me for a set of G20s. They came in last week.

I am stunned. First outing I had double my average GIR, and this was a day when I was hitting my driver like crap (I usually average about 70% fairways). Every shot felt great (CLICK!), super consistent trajectory with just a gentle draw. By the 5th hole I was actually confident pulling any iron on any lie. Didn't touch a hybrid once. On my second round… more of the above, even in really soft conditions where a fat shot can just kill you. I now understand the Ping love.

To be fair… this is the first set of irons I have been fit for. I'm 5'10" and line up "statically" pretty well for standard L/L, so have always gone with that. But these are 2.75° more upright than my X22s, and a couple of SW points lighter. So I really can't say how much of it is the fit, or the design, but I am having WAY more fun with these irons. I play a mountain course that presents you with a variety of challenging lies and these things are just amazingly consistent out of all of them. All I have to do now is resist my habit of lining up a little left of the target to compensate for my miss to the right.

Don't let the looks of these things scare you away. And for those who think the G20 is the same as the G15 just because they look similar, you gotta try the G20. This is by far (more than an order of magnitude) the most noticeable results I have obtained from a gear change in 5 years!

Looking forward to breaking 90 this year.

[jaskanski]

Good post. Pings just plain work - I guess they've built their empire and reputation on that basic fact. And a solid endorsement for being fitted by the pro too - a wise decision. Wish you the best for the coming season.

[MattMo]

Aside from the thick topline of the Zings, I've always been a fan of Ping irons' appearances. I think it's the non-chromed finish and their different look that seems to stand out over other brands. Been playing Ping irons for about 15 years and have rarely even thought about trying a different brand. That and their customer service being second to none.

[jeffrey r]

Nice write-up. I play G15's currently, and can't imagine going with anything other than the G20's if and when I replace the G15's. I do enjoy playing other irons in the offseason just to mix things up (currently love the 710 AP1's as well), but I would be surprised if the Ping G series wasn't in my bag for a long time.

[Jack Pearsall]

Pings certainly are longer than most garden shovels, but they retain that consistent Ping shovel feel.

[FLGOLFJUNKIE]

The Mercedes-Benz of golf clubs baby!!!

[Potatohead]

[quote name='FLGOLFJUNKIE' timestamp='1328381753' post='4212951']
The Mercedes-Benz of golf clubs baby!!!
[/quote]


Huh?

More like the pickup truck of clubs... They do the job well but perhaps not the nicest to look at.

[jons1]

Ping irons perform really really well. Even game improvement offerings from other OEMs seem to fall short, and frankly, look more like frank-n-clubs then anything Ping puts out. You'll get over the dull grey look quickly.

[Lobber]

[quote name='golfpros1' timestamp='1328382227' post='4212981']Ping irons perform really really well. Even game improvement offerings from other OEMs seem to fall short, and frankly, look more like frank-n-clubs then anything Ping puts out. You'll get over the dull grey look quickly.
[/quote]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I agree Ping flat out performs! Just switched to G20 irons and wish I had done so long ago.

[FLGOLFJUNKIE]

I actually think that because I don't really see myself driving a mercedes, I see a 74 year old driving a mercedes. It's not really appealing to my eye lookwise, but however, give me the technology, the power, the name and the durability...

[Jimbud]

Any thought that the light swing weight of the Ping irons might have helped your swing?

[weesalesmon]

play i15's not the prettiest clubs around but funny how there looks got better after a 65 on a par 71 course. be in the bag for a long time.

[ribeye26]

Couldn't agree more. Switched to i15s a year ago, from TM blades, and while they don't look as pretty they sure are fun to play! I really enjoy my golf snob buddies giving me grief over my "ugly" clubs, then paying me for our bet at the end of the round.

[craz-e]

I got put off pings many years a go by their looks and never hit one, just couldn't get over the looks. One day a few years a go now I turned up at the range to find a Ping demo day and so grabbed a s58 to try. Still didn't like the looks but soon got it after I hit it. Since that day I make sure I try any club and don't be so quick to judge on looks alone. Simple fact is Ping make some of the best performing clubs out there, the s56's are truly awesome irons and the feedback coming from the G20's and the i20's make sure Ping have a great line up from top to bottom.

[jons1]

maybe it's just me, but the look doesn't even phase me. clubs that were popular when I grew up were tommy armour 845s and ping eye 2s. other then mizuno, most of the clubs had that dull cast club look. It's funny how OEMs like Adams and Callaway are now going to the anti-glare dark colors, because it's never been an issue for Ping and the rest of the non chromed cast clubs. I personally think the anti-glare properties of it is a benefit, and I'm kind of shocked to hear that people actually think so poorly of the looks. I can see maybe the Zing they had once upon a time.

[Nessism]

I love Pings! Playing G10's and i5's lately but have also owned Eye2, i15's & G20.

Not trying to rain on anyones parade but to me the G20's were almost identical to the G10's. I haven't played G15's but have to assume they are also similar. Great great irons. Just don't expect there to be much difference between them.

[station2station]

[quote name='Potatohead' timestamp='1328381997' post='4212963']
[quote name='FLGOLFJUNKIE' timestamp='1328381753' post='4212951']
The Mercedes-Benz of golf clubs baby!!!
[/quote]


Huh?

More like the pickup truck of clubs... They do the job well but perhaps not the nicest to look at.
[/quote]


Agreed...

Titleist is the Mercedez Benz
Mizuno is the Porsche


TaylorMade is the Toyota....err Scion.

[The Sheepdog]

I like Jeeps, I like Swiss Army Knives, I like plaid shirts, and I love my Pings!

[BENCHMADE]

I had my set since the fall. Wifey "Santa" was good to me. It's all about the fitting and they play super nice. I like the looks just fine.

 

 

 

[Solutions Etcetera]

@JimBud
Possibly. But I had graphite R7's before the X22's. They had a similar swing weight to the G20, but they just felt dead to me. After some lessons, the pro suggested heavier SW in the hopes it would help me feel more lag. Maybe it did as I am finally starting to overcome the early release… but I never hit the X22's well enough to be confident with them.

@GolfPros1
I don't mind the tumbled look. It was more about the unfinished look of the casting, where not even the mold lines were buffed out (easily seen in the G15). The G20 is much nicer in this regard. Certainly not a fan of the Callaway chrome as after one or two rounds they looked like they were hit for two seasons (must be really soft chrome). After two rounds the pings still look brand new.

@Nessism
Never played the G10. Here's what I noticed between the G15 and G20:

1.) As my miss was right, I tend to toe it when I don't hit it solid. The G20 was noticeably, albeit not night and day, more forgiving in this aspect.

2.) Feel. The G20 just felt more solid then the G15… less clanky or thuddish. They just feel more lively, and this was very noticeable.

Not sure I would trade in G15's for G20's if I already owned 'em, but the above differences were surprisingly noticeable to me. Can't wait to get them out again... hopefully twice next week!

[Thrillhouse]

I played to a +2 most of last year and I am seriously considering picking up a set of G20's. Man those things are easy to hit.

Im gonna be like the MTLJeff of golfwrx!

[Solutions Etcetera]

[quote name='BENCHMADE' timestamp='1328405886' post='4214905']
I had my set since the fall. Wifey "Santa" was good to me.
[/quote]

Wow! That is quite the Ping bag. Does your wife work for Ping or, if not, does she have a sister who's single?

I am keeping my Diablo fairways, Jaws 58 and 64 wedges, and my Bettinardi as I hit them all well, but I did just today order a G20 23° hybrid to fill in the 4 iron slot. It was a tough decision over just ordering the G20 4 iron (can't remember the last time I carried a 4 iron), but if the turf interaction of the G20 hybrids is even close to the G20 irons I will be very pleased, plus figure I should have at least one rescue in the bag.

I did test out the G15 driver, but hit my SuperFast 2.0 a bit longer with the same relative forgiveness. Maybe the G20 is better, but that will have to wait.

Again… nice bag!

[BENCHMADE]

[quote name='Solutions Etcetera' timestamp='1328411677' post='4215497']
[quote name='BENCHMADE' timestamp='1328405886' post='4214905']
I had my set since the fall. Wifey "Santa" was good to me.
[/quote]

Wow! That is quite the Ping bag. Does your wife work for Ping or, if not, does she have a sister who's single?

I am keeping my Diablo fairways, Jaws 58 and 64 wedges, and my Bettinardi as I hit them all well, but I did just today order a G20 23° hybrid to fill in the 4 iron slot. It was a tough decision over just ordering the G20 4 iron (can't remember the last time I carried a 4 iron), but if the turf interaction of the G20 hybrids is even close to the G20 irons I will be very pleased, plus figure I should have at least one rescue in the bag.

I did test out the G15 driver, but hit my SuperFast 2.0 a bit longer with the same relative forgiveness. Maybe the G20 is better, but that will have to wait.

Again… nice bag!
[/quote]

Since i'm an odd ball with fitting i went to the whole bag. Even the putter is fitted. World of diffrence. I tell myfriends how lucky they are to be able to use/hit off the rack stuff.

This set is white dot, 1/2 over and gold full cord grips. Also have a K15 driver and 3 wood when my long game takes a dump.

[Nessism]

[quote name='Solutions Etcetera' timestamp='1328406346' post='4214947']

@Nessism
Never played the G10. Here's what I noticed between the G15 and G20:

1.) As my miss was right, I tend to toe it when I don't hit it solid. The G20 was noticeably, albeit not night and day, more forgiving in this aspect.

2.) Feel. The G20 just felt more solid then the G15… less clanky or thuddish. They just feel more lively, and this was very noticeable.

Not sure I would trade in G15's for G20's if I already owned 'em, but the above differences were surprisingly noticeable to me. Can't wait to get them out again... hopefully twice next week!
[/quote]

I'm glad you like your clubs but I'd attribute most of the difference you experienced to the G20's being custom fit for you. Nothing wrong with that!

[Robert Brown]

Good post....I have been hitting Pings for 34 years...never moved to anything else. Had no reason to.... I have bought every generation of Pings and loved them all... perhaps my favorite irons of all is the G15.... Eye 2 would be next. That "look" of the clubs says different things to different people...to me, it says 'long, strong & forgiving'....I am a 6 hdcp...not a pro so I need all the legal help I can get. By the way, over a dozen players on the PGA in the last year or sso have put the G15 or G20 in their bag...Hmmm!

[Solutions Etcetera]

[quote name='Nessism' timestamp='1328413822' post='4215743']I'd attribute most of the difference you experienced to the G20's being custom fit for you.
[/quote]
Seems plausible… if I hit them better they would seem more forgiving. But I do stand by my assessment that they feel/sound better. Don't know if it is the head or the shaft as they are both different.

Edit: Note that with new clubs it was very easy to see the dimpled silhouette of my contact point on the clubface. In fact, repeatedly so after wiping off with a wet towel. I did indeed catch my fair share out to the toe. Same positions as the contact tape in the fitting. I am working on it.

This is the criteria I have used to determine the forgiveness (in both distance and windage) as well as feel. Possibly, if you nutted them more often than me, you would experience less difference.

[Vinny Nguyen]

At the moment I'm switching back and forth between my G20's and my 690.mb/cb combo set depending on conditions. If I'm looking at a no wind day i'll take the G20's out in a heartbeat no questions asked. But if its a little windy out I prefer my blades/players cavity's. I feel like the g20's give me the high straight ball flight while the other clubs cut through the wind better when I feel like moving the ball. But I have to agree that ping makes a great product. I wish the anser forged irons didn't cost so much cause I feel like those are exactly what I'm looking for.

[Solutions Etcetera]

[quote name='BENCHMADE' timestamp='1328412397' post='4215609']This set is white dot
[/quote]
Curious as to whether you had your hybrids bent more upright. White dot is 3°, and G20 are supposed to be flatter than G15. I know they don't have color codes like the irons, but the G20 has the notch in the hosel so should be bendable.

[eqman]

[size="6"]PING`S THE THING[/size]

[PINGWRXforeme]

[quote name='Potatohead' timestamp='1328381997' post='4212963']
[quote name='FLGOLFJUNKIE' timestamp='1328381753' post='4212951']
The Mercedes-Benz of golf clubs baby!!!
[/quote]


Huh?



More like the pickup truck of clubs... They do the job well but perhaps not the nicest to look at.
[/quote]
More like a mini van then. Looks terrible but too functional not to get.