Ping i210 & i500 first impressions

[Thin2win]

Hey everyone. I got a chance to go hit the i210 and i500 today at the local golf store. I took in my current i200 to compare them with. I took a number of pictures, I'll attach them. Using the app it doesn't seem to want to let me place or caption them. So I'll throw them up and edit tomorrow when I have a computer. But you all can look at them without captions, I trust you.

 

First thoughts:

Visually, the i500 is dead sexy. Like, wow. I've never seen a better looking golf club. The king cobra mbs are petty close, but the i500's are really something.

 

The i210's are okay, the toe has a noticeably shape change from the i200, see pictures. And the damper that they add is more rectangular and shiny. They look good, not too flashy. I don't think I'd say they look better or worse than the i200's just a little different.

 

I used the same nippon Modus 105 for each club and the same crappy 2 piece golf ball that was in the Sim. I'll take better balls with me next time.

 

First, I love my i200's. They do everything I ever want from a club. I love the feel, the look and the control. Mostly, I love how predictable they are, my distance groupings are pretty consistent.

 

I hit my clubs first to get warmed up and then took 5 baseline shots. Besides for spin being a little low the numbers for a 7 iron looked like I expect. I'll blame the 2 piece ball for the spin.

 

Then I moved to the i210's. The sound and feel is close enough to the same that I couldn't tell you the difference. They felt great. The only thing I noticed, was the distance went up and the spin went down. I actually gained some club head and ball speed. Really, I thought I was hitting my current 6 iron. I haven't checked lofts but from my launch numbers I think the i210's are stronger lofted. That or ping has some magic.

 

At this point, I tried my current club again and my club /ball speed matched my baseline. So longer club with stronger loft or magic, you can decide.

 

On the the i500's... If you hit the g700's and thought, "wow, love the ball flight, don't love the sound or feel" well, go shell out the $1400 because these are as pure as freshly fallen snow. Ball flight was consistent, and I was grouping to the right without my typical draw. They feel great, again, I'm not actually sure I could tell you the difference between them and either the of the other two based only on feel. They are very pleasant to hit.

 

Again, they blast the ball out there and hit it as straight as I've ever hit a ball feeling as good as I've ever felt an iron feel. That said, I'm not sure I'd game them without some more testing. The spin numbers on these are very low. Without trying these with some proper Urethane balls, I don't know. But damn they are sexy.

 

So, looking at my ball data photos, they are really hard to read, so if some one asks, I can write out that data.

 

 

Questions, comments or concerns?

 

Current i200 ball fights

 

i200 vs i210

 

i200 vs i500

 

i500

 

i210

 

i210 Ball flight

 

i210 data

 

i500 Ball flight

 

i500 data

 

Current club data, i200

 

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[mdumble21]

The i210s look so similar to the i200s. And the i500s are damn sexy in comparison. 

[revkev]

Thanks

 

Actually the low spin rates are becoming a consistent and surprising theme across testing I've seen of late in what I'll call the sub blade player category.

 

I saw disappointing spin numbers in the most wanted player's iron (non-blades) test. I saw other i200 numbers and now yours.

 

So to my eye it's becoming a trend. While these irons are getting longer they seemingly spin less than their ugly sisters and step sisters in the GI category. It's not computing for me.

 

Anyway, lovely clubs and nice write up - thanks!

 

 

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[RickyBobby_PR]

I haven't hit the i500 yet but did hit i210 on Friday. The i210 is the first ping iron in a long time I have actually liked. I wanted to like the i200 but it underwhelmed in feel and sound and wasn't good enough to beat out any of the titleist clubs I had in my bag. The i210 is a big enough improvement over the i200 and if it wasn't for me liking my current clubs the i210 would get consideration.

[Mr_Theoo]

How's the offset in the i500s?

[THEZIPR23]

I wonder if spin is getting lower but actual decent angle is getting steeper thus actual roll out is similar. I know when I went from MP-64 to P790 spin is about 1000 rpms less but on the course roll out is same.

 

 

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[GolfSpy_APH]

Great write up. I'm still using my ping i e1 series and love them. Maybe these in a season or so will be with consideration for a good replacement set.

Personally I love the look of the i210, but have yet to actually see them in person.

 

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[Thin2win]

How's the offset in the i500s?

Very minimal, I didn't notice any with the 7 iron. So in that regard, it is probably even less than the i200 /i210.

 

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[TSauer]

The i210s are bleh... But those i500s look GREAT!

[deejaid]

Wow, the 210's look like 90% of the weight is in the sole. On looks alone I'd assume I'd hit them straight up in the air.

 

 

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[JohnSmalls]

Those i500s should be censored

[Mr_Theoo]

Very minimal, I didn't notice any with the 7 iron. So in that regard, it is probably even less than the i200 /i210.

 

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Awesome! If they're anything like the g700 in performance terms I might throw a 3i in the bag as my driving iron

[Mr. 82]

I'm getting a hard on. Just a shame I went all in on the Ping G's last year. I can't even remotely consider buying new irons again for another 5+ years. But by then who knows what they'll be pimping that'll be that much more sweet.

 

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[Golfspy_CG2]

Awesome! If they're anything like the g700 in performance terms I might throw a 3i in the bag as my driving iron

In my limited session with them and 500 was not nearly as forgiving as the 700.

 

210 however was much more forgiving and better feeling than the 200.

 

 

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[Golfspy_CG2]

A look at Brendan Stones WITB. Had some 210 love in the high irons.

 

https://twitter.com/pingtour/status/1018568300962373632

 

 

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[Mr_Theoo]

In my limited session with them and 500 was not nearly as forgiving as the 700.

 

210 however was much more forgiving and better feeling than the 200.

 

 

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Interesting, I'll have to def check them out and maybe put me ordering a p790 3i on hold for a bit

[TMAG-FIREMEDIC]

In my limited session with them and 500 was not nearly as forgiving as the 700.

 

210 however was much more forgiving and better feeling than the 200.

 

 

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+1 on THIS! the i500 ,FOR ME, is hard and clunky despite the sexy look....the i210 has S55/i200 mix but larger....I've had the opportunity to use the i210 on course and the biggest thing was enjoying....no loving my misses....I didn't get along with previous iterations (i20/i25/i200) but something about the feel and look has me anxiously waiting!

[Shankster]

How's the offset in the i500s?

Sounds like it will be the same as iBlade....

[Shankster]

Cameron Champ had a i500 2 iron in the bag. Please golf gods let this hit the market.

 

I checked out the G400 crossover 3 iron. If there was just a smidge less chunk to it I would love it.

 

Need to source a Rapture 2 iron. Loved that club, should have bought it while I had the chance.

[GB13]

Well, now I have convinced myself I need the I500's. I may have a problem now.

[GeekingGolf]

Those i500s look amazing and forged say what I have always been a Ping fan but since I bought my i200s last year they will be there for a long time.

 

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[txgolfjunkie]

Alright, we've all seen the write-up and pics of the latest Ping iron lineup. Lets say Ping gives you the chance to test out their new irons and wedges (we'll include the G700 as well for craps and giggles)...Karsten family on the phone wants to know your choice and why:

 

I'll start...

 

i500 4-PW with Power Specs because I'll do anything to keep the spin down on my irons. I've never liked the look of PXG (too much going on with the weights) or TaylorMade P790 (too bulky and they felt too clicky to me), but these i500s look just perfect. Minimal cavity design, thin top line, and forged feel...I'll take that in a heart beat! 

 

Glide forged 52* and 58* in the wedges as well. I know there's only one grind available but the smaller head shape and leading edge look real good. 

 

 

 

 

Mods: if this post is too similar to the current Ping iron lineup under Top Secret, feel free to merge/delete/lock.

[Shankster]

Current lineup?

 

iBlades 4-9 with 4° loft gaps

 

Glide 2.0 Stealths 46, 50, 56, 60

[GB13]

I500 4-6 and I210 7-PW Glide 2.0 50,54,58

I need the help in the longer irons but hit the shorter irons just fine.

Those I500 are sooo pretty and the I200 are nice and low offset.

I have always like the wany Pings feel and look and now they convinced me I need new irons.... I didn't yesterday.

[Jon Brittan]

Actually the low spin rates are becoming a consistent and surprising theme across testing I've seen of late in what I'll call the sub blade player category.

 

I saw disappointing spin numbers in the most wanted player's iron (non-blades) test. I saw other i200 numbers and now yours.

 

Same.

I asked this question on the web page and Facebook threads, but no-one else commented.

The spin numbers in the better players iron testing seem insanely low to me. I get it in the game improvement category where anything that adds distance is helpful to the vast majority of the demographic, but not in the player's range.

I recently tested a small number of what are still considered "players" irons from the mainstream manufacturers against my current gamer Srixon Z965 blades and while most gave me a few more yards (only a few), it was only in keeping with the stronger lofts in most cases and the spin numbers dropped off with it too. For me, at least, there was nothing to be gained by contemplating changing if you're not struggling for distance anyway.

[Golfspy_CG2]

From what I read from some of the engineers from these companies. The lack of spin (compared to previous years versions) is often made up for in launch and a steeper decent angle. So there is very little difference in stopping power.

 

 

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[Jon Brittan]

From what I read from some of the engineers from these companies. The lack of spin (compared to previous years versions) is often made up for in launch and a steeper decent angle. So there is very little difference in stopping power.

 

 

That seems to be the line they're pushing quite hard, yes.

 

I haven't seen it in my (very limited, admittedly) testing though and what if you already have high ball flight? There comes a point where you don't constantly want higher and higher, especially if your usual courses are open to the elements and you get a lot of wind.

 

I might be talking rubbish, but it really does seem to me to be basically re-packaging GI tech into something that looks more like a player's club because there are still many people playing players clubs for the aesthetics when they would probably benefit from GI.

 

With already low spin numbers and a higher ball flight, what would it be like with a tail wind that pushes the flight down and knocks off even more of that spin? Those shots are going to just roll and roll....

[Shankster]

That seems to be the line they're pushing quite hard, yes.

 

I haven't seen it in my (very limited, admittedly) testing though and what if you already have high ball flight? There comes a point where you don't constantly want higher and higher, especially if your usual courses are open to the elements and you get a lot of wind.

 

I might be talking rubbish, but it really does seem to me to be basically re-packaging GI tech into something that looks more like a player's club because there are still many people playing players clubs for the aesthetics when they would probably benefit from GI.

 

With already low spin numbers and a higher ball flight, what would it be like with a tail wind that pushes the flight down and knocks off even more of that spin? Those shots are going to just roll and roll....

So you're saying someone is trying to figure out my “feels like a blade, looks likes a blade, but has GI features?” The low spin is crazy, I rely on spin... how else are you going to stop a ball on the green? Hit flop shots with you're 5 iron?

[Jon Brittan]

That's essentially what I'm saying, yes. I just don't see how I, or an entire group of players, could live with those low spin numbers, especially if you already fly the ball high.

 

Basically, what I'm saying is that it seems manufacturers are trying to make game improvement clubs seem like they're blades for people's egos, not adding "game improvement features" to actual blades.

They're chunky clubs in the form of an overweight blade, they're definitely not Z965s,MP5s,718MBs or anything of that ilk.

[Golfspy_CG2]

That seems to be the line they're pushing quite hard, yes.

 

I haven't seen it in my (very limited, admittedly) testing though and what if you already have high ball flight? There comes a point where you don't constantly want higher and higher, especially if your usual courses are open to the elements and you get a lot of wind.

 

I might be talking rubbish, but it really does seem to me to be basically re-packaging GI tech into something that looks more like a player's club because there are still many people playing players clubs for the aesthetics when they would probably benefit from GI.

 

With already low spin numbers and a higher ball flight, what would it be like with a tail wind that pushes the flight down and knocks off even more of that spin? Those shots are going to just roll and roll....

 

 

So you're saying someone is trying to figure out my “feels like a blade, looks likes a blade, but has GI features?” The low spin is crazy, I rely on spin... how else are you going to stop a ball on the green? Hit flop shots with you're 5 iron?

I get what your both laying down.    I will say some of the online reviews I've seen by the big names, all lament the same thing, I didn't know until recently that a good gauge is 1,000 rpm x the iron number.  So a 6 iron should have roughly 6,000 rpm of backspin.   I know these may be old school thoughts, as some of the testing of new clubs (not just PING, but the TM 790, Titleist AP1 and AP3 etc show some spins in the 4500 to 5000 range.   

 

I only have recent experience.with my P790's but I have hit a few shots recently with a 7 iron that were struck very well, that didn't hold the green.   Now some of these were last week, where we are going on over 3 weeks without a drop of rain.   

 

All that said, seeing something like the I210 that has more traditional lofts does seem kind of intriguing.   That is assuming I can resist the urge for the Power Specs.....