JonMUSC08

After all of the anticipation... I have content!! This afternoon I was able to meet with Bill Iseri from Ping for a Zoom web-fitting. Bill is the Head Master Fitter for Professional Athletes and Celebrities. Little did he know, I am neither... Regardless of my status, Bill was a great guy to talk and interact with. Very personal and informative. We spent a full hour talking Ping, golf, and life. I was able to learn a bit more about Ping and the pride they have being a tight-knit family company. Pre-fitting: Before getting on the call with Bill, I wanted to provide him with the most information I could in order for him to be knowledgeable about my swing and golf game. I sent videos of my swing down-the-line and face-on. I also sent screenshots of my current Arccos data, floor-to-wrist measurements, hand size, driver swing speed, and current iron setup. The Fitting: As previously mentioned, meeting Bill was a treat; class-act guy. A good bit of our discussion was based on my current iron setup. For me, I currently play Taylormade Rocketbaladz Tour irons from ?2013?. Being that I am 5'10" I fit very well into the A-typical profile for height. Very little to no lie adjustment needed. I believe that placed me into the Blue dot. As for swing weight, my RB Tour irons are a D2.0 weight. The G710's come standard as a D0. In order to maintain a similar feel, we decided to bump up the G710's to a D1 swing weight Shaft selection. I thought this was going to be an opportunity to change. After talking with Bill, he recommended I use the same KBS Tour stiff shaft that are in my RB Tour irons. This will maintain a similar feel as well. We debated if a lower trajectory shaft was needed but its tough to tell without launch monitor data or knowing current launch data from my irons. Ping utilizes a software database to help narrow down and optimize recommended shafts. Club selection. Not much to talk about as we wanted to see 4-SW in the bag to try them all out. I currently use 3 and 4 iron hybrids so I was very interested in trying out this G710 4-iron. The SW and UW will help prevent gaping issues with my other wedges too. Grips: I don't even remember which grips are being put on haha oops. I current game the Winn Grip Excel Wrap grip. I like the tacki-ness of them. I mentioned the Arccos sensors for the grips and will be getting those too. He mentioned that we add 2 wraps of tape since i tend to grip the club harder than normal. Conclusion: Very cool experience talking with a very intelligent professional. Web fittings seem to be kinda tough... In my honest opinion, web fittings might be best if you have experience, data, and are particular about certain aspects. If it is your first time ever being fit for clubs, you NEED a launch monitor. The data that is available to fitters is exceptional. The added aspect of interchangeable shafts for clubs at a fitter helps out too. I would have liked to TRY different shafts but I do not have any complaints about my current shaft (KBS tour stiff) so we stuck with it; it was also recommended by the software. The launch monitor at a fitter would also help me learn my new gaping as these G710's are expected to be approximately 13yds longer. All in all, very cool experience meeting a great guy. Always fun talking golf and tech with another golf nut.

Fittings are being scheduled!! Stay tuned! Mine is tomorrow (5/13) Very excited

I appreciate the birthday wishes!

Yea thats a legit concern to review. Looking at the line-up on G710 clubs, I would need to include the UW into the bag. My typical wedge setup (besides PW) are 52/56/60. The UW is 49 deg and the PW is 44. I prefer my Titleist Vokey wedges and know the feel of them better. Unless they tell us they want us to try ALL the clubs 4-SW then throw it in an we'll see. Maybe and extra forgiving SW is needed and i didnt realize it.

No i wont change the time or conditions i play in for something i dont need. There is always the possibility of playing early in the morning when there is dew on the grass or you get caught in the rain. But if i am caught in the rain i prefer to halt play. I am not quite good enough to notice nor do i take golf THAT serious to worry about losing spin in damp conditions. I might account that feature back to Ping's marketing team. Its hard to sell new clubs without having a few new "features". My $0.02

Yea sorry, im 95-105 with the driver but i shoot 88-92. Iron accuracy/dispersion are my biggest pitfalls. That will be my focus which should benefit us all.

i have pre-2020 sensors that screw into my grips. I was always wondering how my "subscription" was continuing unlike everyone else. Love the sensors though. There are some hiccups that need correcting during the round but just keeping an eye on it and its all good.

@GolfSpy MPR & @Berg Ryman we need to set up a spreadsheet or "contest" to see who improves the most from the Titleist/Ping irons. We would need to incorporate handicap into it but could be great for some content.

Ha i hear ya, irons are getting very expensive these days. It will definitely take some time to figure out my new distances. My 7-iron is typically 150 and i expect these to be like 165-170. Hopefully i can do a gapping session too! Coming from those Eye2's, the Sim Max had to be WAY different. But in a good way too! The Eye2's are classic and great but those lofts are tough to play these days. Fortunately my golf course is still open so i'll be able to get out as soon as we get fitted and get the clubs in hand.

oh ive watched everything and anything on these too! Heard the same thing, the dispersion is great but sound/feel/finish/markups/ etc could be improved. But if i hit more greens i can suck up the other issues.

This data will definitely ruffle some feathers in the industry. More so hurt current sales when people realize there are only 5yd gains on drivers costing $200+ more. I guess it will depend on how many people read the article when it is released....

I plan to go with whatever the fitter recommends. Will be interested to see if i end up with graphite. I have not had an iron fitting in over 7 years and i know my swing has evolved since then. I would think i need mid/high launch shafts BUT the G710's have so much bounce to get the ball up that it my detract from the shaft. We'll see....

Yes I will definitely use the Arccos grips. I currently use the sensors on my current clubs and love them. Provides a great understanding of issues within my game as well as average distances for clubs. Will be highly needed when comparing. I'm excited to see how much more forgiving these will be than my current gamer (2013 TM Rocketbladez tour). These seem a bit chunkier than my current set but maybe that is what I NEED. If it helps me score better than i'm cool with that.

There is a forum member that put together a really nice setup in his house. If I can find it, i will post the thread. I believe he went with a quad as well.

Im with you all.... wondering how the finish holds up. Seems to be a common theme. I KNOW i'll gain at least 1 extra club. In perspective, my 2013 TM Rocketbladez Tour 7-iron is 33.75deg. The Ping G710 7-iron is 29.5deg (can be power spec'd to 28deg)! I could get nearly 6deg more! Assuming I can hit this 4-iron well and also get at least 200yds from it, i might try an all-iron round.

Around 2002 when Ben Hogan was its original company, I found some brand new BH Apex edge forged irons for $375 online (MSRP abt $700 at the time) from a place going out of business. They were new irons for the time period. Might have helped I am left handed so finding a buyer is more difficult.

Been watching and reading a bunch of reviews on the G710 in preparation. Sounds like the black finish is easily scratched up. Similar issue that the G700 had except more prevalent given the black color. On the flip side, everyone seems to be impressed with the performance. At the end of the day, if you drop a few strokes, isn't that what matters?

Well it could be a few weeks before we get fit for obvious reasons. I currently game TM Rocketbladz Tour irons I was fit for back when they came out. These Pings will be much more aggressive in loft in comparison. I’m anticipating 1 or 2 clubs difference from my current set up. My main issue is hitting GIR so if I’m able to hit shorter clubs a longer (more controlled) distance than I HOPE to hit more GIR. We’ll see.... Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Correct. No stupid questions, unless you ask which club is the driver...

Interesting way they displayed the information and results now. All based on a % related to the median. Probably best so people don't argue on the numbers and possibly removes outliers.

Im super. excited to get this opportunity. I'm in need of new irons so this came at a perfect time! My wife might be even more excited knowing I will stop talking about getting new ones haha But I appreciate the love/support from everyone. Looking forward to getting my hands on these. If there is anything specific you are interested in learning about, let us know and we'll provide feedback. ...when we can

[Ping G710 irons – Official MGS Forum Review by JonMUSC08 Intro Im an engineer by trade, married, and have an amazing 10-month-old little girl. I prefer to go by-the-numbers. Data is king. I tend to gravitate towards Taylormade products given my relative success with them in the past, but since joining MGS in the past few years, I’ve opened my bag to trying new products in order to improve my performance. …Oh, and I am taking more golf lessons so I place less blame on the clubs. “So you’re telling me its NOT the clubs fault when I skull it 30yds OB… Get to know Me: ● Occupation: Project Manager ● Specs: 5’10” 160lbs ● Rds/yr: 12-15 ● Charleston, SC ● Been playing since I was 14 (I just turned 34) ● Self-taught lefty. Kinda wish I was not a lefty bc finding and trying clubs bites… My Current Golf Game: ● 12.8 index ● Mid-tempo ● Current irons - Custom fit Taylormade Rocketbladz Tour KBS Stiff shafts (2013) - 7-iron 155yds ● Mid ball flight ● Miss: fade ● Strength: - Driving 55-60%+ FIR - Putting: <2 hole Claims – So What you’re saying is….. Ø Faster Maraging Steel Face One of the strongest aerospace-grade alloys in the world, maraging steel provides strength and flexibility for launching shots higher and farther. High durability coupled with a machined variable-thickness face make an ideal pairing for distance. AKA We aren’t using the cheap stuff. The face is thin in some areas and thick in others to improve forgiveness, because we know hitting the center of the club face isn’t your ideal shot. Ø 5% Higher MOI High-density tungsten toe and heel weights optimally positioned in the 17-4 stainless body increase the MOI by 5% compared to the G700, producing exceptional forgiveness for more distance and accuracy, especially for mid-to-high handicaps and slower swing speeds. AKA We drop it like its hot. “From the window to the wall…” Put the weight lower in the club to help get the ball higher into the air. Even Grandpa can throw darts at the green with ease. Ø Stealth, Hydropearl Finish A hydropearl chrome finish with black PVD coating provides hydrophobicity to repel water and improve performance through the turf and in wet conditions. The stealth finish also creates the perception of a smaller, more compact head. AKA They aren’t chrome or dull silver, they are black. Like wearing black clothing, they look smaller in size. We added RainX to whisk water off the face easier. …If you like playing in the rain. My $0.02 Having done a bit of research on the G710’s beforehand, they are classified by Golf Digest as Game Improvement (GI) irons. But so are the G410’s. My opinion, they are more Super Game Improvement (SGI). With my current swing, I’ve always tried to hit straight shots. (Now going through some swing lessons, its better and easier to control, to have a designated shot shape; fade/draw). Going into the testing, I want to see how much easier it is to consistently hit straight shops. Additionally, with swing changes, can I shape the shot if needed. How will the more aggressive lofting provide more distance as well as affect the trajectory. Will the black stealth PVD finish hold up to normal playing conditions? Like many of us, we do not own or have regular access to a launch monitor, so it is difficult to get actual data. Much of my grading is based on perception. With that, it’s very important to play a few rounds of golf to increase my sample size. I am not looking to take any extreme measures when testing considering most of us will only see normal wear and tear. Here is what I’m looking for Will normal wear & tear of the black PVD finish eventually make it a 2-tone club? (visual) Ø What are the distances gains from my past gamer? (data) Ø Do I hit the ball more consistent? (perception) o Increase Greens In Regulation (data) o Is it easier to hit 4-iron through SW? (perception) Ø How is the trajectory? o What is the stopping power on greens? (perception) Grading **Trying to be very keen on grading these for their category. I do not want to compare SGI irons to blades, players iros, etc. These are generally intended for higher hdcp players** Looks (8 out of 10 points) ● They are quite large. Larger than any iron I’ve played in the past. BUT the black finish helps reduce how large they look. The sole is thick/wide. The topline is thicker than I’d prefer. On some clubs you can see a little bit of the sole at address. ● I do love the lack of graphics or colors or logo’s; very minimalistic ● The perception of the club does not fully match its shape and size; in a good way. With that, I felt more confident standing over the ball. Confidence from the looks alone its Goal #1. ● Typically, many other SGI’s (Super Game Improvement) irons are a bit flashier and have more graphics since there is more ‘real estate’ to work on. These do not and I prefer that. ● The gray face on the black PVD finish frames the ball very well. On smaller clubs, sometimes the face can get lost in the overall club head. The white line across the bottom grove provides a slight alignment aide when trying to square up to your target. ● I did receive a bunch of comments; “Oh those look awesome!” * points deducted for minor wear decolorizations and for being a little ‘chunky.’ Sound & Feel (7 out of 10 points) ● I don’t think there was ever a shot that didn’t sound the same. I agree with the notion of a wooden bat sound; like a crack. Listen to baseball players hit a homerun, that’s the sound. My golf instructor used the word ‘clicky’ when he heard them. ● Being a cast iron, the G710’s are fairly soft. They are not buttery smooth, but I’ve certainly felt forged irons with a more harsh feeling. ● Very consistent sound and feel between great hits and mishits. No stingers, NOT A SINGLE ONE. ● I feel confident on the looks over the ball and now I also feel confident when I make the shot; great audible and physical assurance. * 2 points deducted for the wooden bat/ clicky sound. I like the sound but don’t like the sound. Point deduction for feel. Although they are cast, its not the same feel as a nice forged iron. Playability / Data (16 out of 20 points) These are SGI’s and not GI’s, players irons, or blades. Their intended use is to help the 15-20 hdcp hit the ball higher in the air, prevent mis-hits, and keep the ball straighter. There were multiple times I spun the ball backwards on the green unintentionally. The stopping power due to the trajectory was very good. Could be challenging in high wind areas. Can be very straight on good hits but the workability is not ideal with the G710’s. I have a harder time turning over a draw with these than my GI irons. Characteristics ● Accuracy – Dispersion seems tight. Larger head reduces mishits. ● Distance – Raw distance is amazing. Gained 10-15yds due to more aggressive lofting. ● Trajectory – High trajectory with more aggressive lofting is my new drug. Hitting a 7-iron 170yds consistently! ● Forgiveness – Great forgiveness. Large clubhead. Easy to sweep through the ball. ● Control – The larger sole allows me to easily sweep through the ball. The SW might be my new favorite club for >100ys; easily slides under the ball for chip shots or anything under 100yds. ● Workability – I struggled trying to intentionally draw and fade them most times. On-Course / LM Performance (25 out of 30 points) I typically shoot 88-90 with my Taylormade Rocketbladz Tour clubs… My first round with the G710’s I shot an 84. Follow-up with a 85, 88, 89. I could have broken 80 during that 84 round if my driving was better! The added distance compared to my TM gamers was awesome; extra 10-15yds greatly improves confidence shooting into greens. Hitting a 4-iron 210 yds knocks the 3 & 4 hybrids out of the bag. The visual, audible, and physical feels of the club provided great confidence. I did not like the SW from firmer greenside bunkers but loved using it from inside 100 yards. Having gone through a recent iron fitting with Golftec this week, the statistics were pretty good with the G710’s (though a different club/brand fit me better). **Lets not talk about how awful that aim was in the last video.... I know, I know.... ** I have a hard time getting past the larger clubhead and bit thicker topline. BUT if I do not have the ability/skills to hit something smaller than I NEED to be playing these clubs for sure. Miscellaneous (10 out of 10 points) Ping was amazing to work with. They brought out the big guns to help us during the fitting process. They were also very quick to ship the irons to my door. Ping wrapped each clubhead in a cover to prevent any dings during shipment. Though I do not recommend a web fitting unless you are very keen on a lot of your data, launch angles, feel for shafts, trajectories, etc. This was a Covid issue, not a Ping issue. I had the Arccos grips installed and I love having that data available to me after each round. It provides a great sense to where I struggled. I would definitely consider Ping in future purchases based on their customer service. Play it or Trade it? (15 out of 20 points) Dang this is tough… For now, I am PLAYING IT. After my most recent iron fitting I SHOULD be playing something different, but for now, my scores are lower with the G710’s so they are staying in the bag! The asking price seems a bit steep for these. You can look into some older clubs or other SGI irons from major competitors for $200-$300 less (point deductions). The G710’s are chunkier than I prefer to look at. Conclusion Overall these are great SGI irons for higher handicap players. They feel great, they go far, have a cool black finish, and are quite forgiving. The arrow certainly helps the Indian in this case. > High trajectory > Forgiving > Moisture wicking > Long distance > Great feel Final Comments: > Overall, I hit the ball further and it helps. > I scored lower than my average > Great clubs but quite expensive for what they are. > The sound does need to change. Once you start listening for it, you can’t unhear it. > Great clubs for the 15-20 hdcp range Final Score (81 out of 100 points)

If you are paying $300+ for a fitting, mentally you have already exceeded what you expect to get out of it. I was custom fit by a top100 fitter for $75 and they did an excellent job. They let me take my top 2 clubs to the driving range and hit outdoors too. Personally, i do not hit well on indoor simulators. I need to see the ball flight in person and hit on real grass. Maybe seeing the #'s make me want to change my swing too. Finding a demo day or an outdoor fitter would be ideal in your case. Hit 3-5 balls and they can dial in the optimal angles, shaft, etc after each set. With the number of shaft offerings these days (by the major brands), about 80-90% of golfers will perform very well in. There are very few that require a premium shaft.

I think this would b a good time for Trackman, Foresight, or SkyTrak to reduce prices and advertise on here!