2020 Official Member Review: PING G710 Irons

[GolfSpy MPR 9,010]

Official Review Thread: PING G710 Irons

It's a special joy for me to announce the reviewers of the PING G710 irons. PING iron tests are always among our most-applied-for, (dare I say) most wanted review opportunities. I had the privilege of getting in on the test of the predecessor to the G710s and have shot the best rounds of my life with my G700s. I am absolutely looking forward to seeing how the sequels perform in the hands of our four forum testers!

Without further ado, our reviewers will be:

• @perseveringgolfer: REVIEW
• @Berg Ryman: REVIEW
• @JonMUSC08: REVIEW
• @Lacassem: Final Review

Join me in congratulating these four and in following their reviews here!

[Berg Ryman 3,318]

G710 Review: Berg Ryman Edition

LADIES AND GENTS...THIS IS THE MOMENT YOU'VE WAITED FOR

That's right everyone, it's your guy Berg Ryman back with his final review of the Ping G710 iron set. Before we begin I'd like to take this time in the intro to that the MGS Staff, my fellow testers @perseveringgolfer, @Lacassem, @JonMUSC08, and let's not forget the man who gave up this opportunity due to COVID concerns @McaseyM, for their help in this tread and this summer in putting these proper irons through the paces. GIve reads to the other reviews as they have alot of exciting video and opinions that may or may not match my own and may better inform you and hopefully give you a round about idea of how these irons may perform for you. Lastly, a huge shout out to my girlfriend Monica. We able to get out yesterday after my morning 18 for another 9 for some photos to pepper the review with. She is the best. 

 

THIS IS ME...

As always, my girlfriend catches my best side

I'm currently playing of a 10.1, but have been as low as a 3 in high school and as high as a 18 when I was working my way back. Based in Central New York, my golf season isn't the longest in the world due to harsh winters, but I try to optimize my time by playing my game into shape, although I have gotten in range sessions when needed or just to beat some frustration in life out. The last set of irons before this test I had was the Cobra F7 One Length. I did a self fit for them, having worked in the golf section at Dick's for nearly 3 years. I average around 78 MPH for 7 iron, hitting it on average carry of 155-ish. If I step on it I can carry it to 165. Iron play is a strength of my game, but I've always had issues with ball flight. I'm a low ball hitter. I've been complemented of my stinger like ball flights with 9 iron and Pitching Wedge in the past. I'm hoping this is an iron that helps me launch the ball higher for my irons.

 

DREAMING WITH OUR EYES WIDE OPEN

Dreams don’t die… until you’re off the first tee.

 Before we begin here, a quick aside. I hate the current way golf clubs are labelled. I understand it’s easy to group similar clubs together based on perceived characteristics, it’s easy jargon to strat the non-informed golfer on the way toward finding a iron that may work for them, but I hate it. So let’s just agree to call these a Super Game Improvement Iron and move past it.

So, let’s talk about what PING is claiming with the G710. Layman terms, you’re looking at irons that fly higher and farther, partially because of lofts, partially because of tech. They should be more forgiving on off-center strikes due to that perimeter weighting improvement and should play better in wet conditions.

The real question, is it all advertising speak? Honestly, it’s tough to say. It’s pretty easy to become disillusioned to these things when you hear it every year, but I see PING as a different case. They always test well in Most Wanted, they don’t rush their product cycles, and they always find their way into the bags of many amateurs. This is my first experience with PING in my bag, so I’m coming into this with the most open of eyes.

 

WE’RE FREE TO FLY (GRADING)

Sometimes, you fly and look like a Flamingo

 

Looks (10 out of 10)

I’m not going to pull any punches here. The black color is sexy. It sits well on the shelf for proper shelf appeal and it just looks cool. The badging is minimal which is really nice and while some may consider these irons large, the black does slim. After all, why do you think my chubby self wore black on a 90+ degree day to take some pictures?

A craftsman always looks at his tools, and then blames them sometime

Now, I know you’ve seen @Lacassem post on wear. That’s a really extreme example. I’ve seen minor scratching on the sole of the club, like from tees and range areas that aren’t the best grass.  It’s nothing past what I would consider normal wear and tear. Plus, you’re not looking at the sole of the club at address.

Also, I’d give it an 11 if I could because of that line-up line. So simple, so easy.

Plus, they look sexy in the bag

 

Sound and Feel (8 out of 10)

Ok, total honesty from me here, I never feel how to rate this category correctly. With certain clubs it’s easier, like my Stroke Lab review from last year, because feel is so important to a putter, but in an iron… I don’t really ever feel a difference if I’m honest among clubs in similar styles. Therefore, it feels like a PING iron. You already probably know how you feel about that. The different thing is the sound. I recommend you check out the video by @JonMUSC08 as I feel like it captures what the sound is. It might not be everyone’s taste, but I personally don’t mind it. The crack gives me the feel of power and is different than a thud. So an 8 seems, right.. i guess?

Also for feel, the Modus shaft is legit. Very happy with it and would recommend it to anyone looking for an easier stable shaft to swing.

Sometimes I feel like this on the course, sometimes in when I'm writing the review

 

Playing Characteristics (17 out of 20)

Let’s get it out of the way upfront. The lofts on these are not traditional, but they aren’t extreme in my opinion. PING finds a way to strike that balance in a world where people are seemingly going mad. Admittedly, the lofts on these clubs weren’t all that difference than my old Cobra’s maybe only differing my around half a degree. As such, I was slightly longer from 7 iron on down, but it wasn’t by much. We’re talking carrying 7 iron 157 instead of 155. The real difference was from 6 iron on up.

Sending the 4 iron of destiny

The 4 iron is now my favorite club in the bag

You read that bold sentence correct. Me, the hybrid guy, the near 7 wood guy, is now a 4 iron guy. That thing was a weapon for me off the tee against @Blackngold_Blood. I can punch shots out under trees and keep it low, I can hit it high if necessary to uphill greens. I love the G710 4 iron, it is my personal swiss army knife. 200 yards and easy money. I’m around 10 yards longer with 4 and 5 iron, and roughly 6-8 yards longer with 6. Part of it is the shaft length coming from One Length, but part of it is forgiveness.

The other thing that is a big plus for these irons is the launch. I wanted to increase the height of my iron shots and it’s happened. Whether it’s the sole or the weighting I don’t know exactly, but these things launch and I love it. Plus, although the soles are wide, they are easy to flight where I need to. The accuracy on these things is near point and shoot. If you’re aimed in the right spot, it’s easy.

Why the knocks? Well, they aren’t workable when I need to, which is not that often, but it’s hard to move them in a meaningful way, but straight works. The other knock, although I’m longer in the long irons, I was hoping for a bit more distance in the short irons.

Sometimes you need to ask your ball to move, even with easy to hit irons

 

On Course Performance (25 out of 30)

2 iron only rounds, 6 other rounds, including a tournament qualifier, but no career best from these irons. I wish I had a success story like @JonMUSC08from this season, but I have to be honest, I haven’t. My game has been a bit up and down this summer. A 91 in the my tournament qualifier, and a lot of rounds in the low to mid 80’s. In a perfect season I’d be in the high 70’s, But I have to admit, the issue right now is not my irons. It’s the driver and my fairway woods. I’ve having trouble finding the center of the club face. Luckily my PINGs are doing the heavy lifting. They make me confident in taking on any shot I come across with any of the clubs and makes me feel like any green is on notice.

I’m hopeful as we continue through the season I’ll be able to post some great scores and stories in this thread for you, but for now, it’s just a bit off.

A feeling of being lost, too common on the golf course

Miscellaneous (8 out of 10)

So, big props to PING for their online fitting and their access to information that they gave us. Top marks and by far gives me a better understanding of why they have such a loyal following in the industry and among amateurs.

But there is an issue, and while I know it’s not an Arccos review, I feel lit would be incomplete if I didn’t discuss Arccos as PING including Smart Grips as an option was a selling point. The Arccos app on Android is a bit finicky for catching stats, which is why I don’t have much in the way of screenshots to share here. I have to spend a bit more time editing the round as I go. It’s not a huge issue, but something I wanted to mention.

 

Play It or Trade It (20 out of 20)

I was hoping to get a new set of irons this year and was lucky enough to be chosen for this testing opportunity. After the past two months, while I think those were potentially really good irons from other companies, I am ecstatic with the PING G710. They tick every box for me to be in the bag into 2021 and beyond and it’s going to be tough for them to be knocked out. I don’t want to say I’m forever a PING iron man, but they are now at the top of list for testing and fitting in the future.

 

IT’LL NEVER BE ENOUGH

 So, if you didn’t enjoy the previous 1500 plus words, or if you’re just impatient, here’s the brass tacks. These irons are great and I would recommend them to any player, regardless of handicap. If you like long and straight and high, which works for a lot of us, you owe it to yourself to test the PING G710. The may not be the longest or the most workable, but you get a quality iron from a quality company.

Also, keep eyes on this space for updates throughout the summer, and check out my new WITB.

 

OVERALL: 88 out of 100

The Pleasure Was Mine

 

[JonMUSC08 639]

[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

1. 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)

Edited July 12 by JonMUSC08
Final Review

[McaseyM 1,670]

Since this place holder was originally put here for me, I thought I'd put a little something in it. A huge thank you to Ping for supporting the mission of MGS and providing the opportunity for the test and MyGolfSpy for picking me to participate, but unfortunately I had to withdraw due to time restrictions and family needs once our area schools closed. 

I've been able to be on the inside of the messages back and forth between the testers and mods and it's been fun to follow along and I'm looking forward and everyone's final reviews. 

Thanks again and you'll see my name back in the application pools when life allows.  

[perseveringgolfer 4,791]

I am posting here slightly early as I dont have the clubs yet and it might be a few weeks due to this horrible disease affecting everyone.

But I thought a quick write up on a fitting thats not a fitting, well not in the way we are all used to but sadly this might end up becoming the new normal for at least the foreseeable future or until a vaccine is found.

Thanks to MGS and Ping for this opportunity and for working out a way to try and keep everything moving when it's so easy to just wait until someone else comes up with a solution to this pandemic!

So instead of a personal fitting in a Ping centre one on one, I would have a zoom fitting with a Ping Master Fitter from Arizona. I chose a time based on an email they sent, then I sent a couple of videos of my swing face on and DTL by email to help with how I load the shaft (Pings request). All set up with zoom on my phone I clicked the link on their email and it connected to the meeting and waited for the host to log in. James Lee logged in and I could see him chatting away but couldnt hear him, he couldnt hear me either I think, so I used the chat function to tell him. After 10 minutes of chatting about settings etc (all were fine both sides) I asked him to call me on my cell and I would view him via zoom on my pc which doesnt have a camera or mic. James tried and eventually told me it was blocked to make a cell call. I think its because of different continents that Ping block audio and cell calls. Anyway, we cracked on with him talking, me seeing him on my pc and me typing answers to the questions he asked which I could hear

We had basically taken an already strange fitting experience via video to a new level and even stranger scenario  James was talking to a monitor and I was frantically typing as fast as I could. Is this the new norm? I don't like it!

Fortunately with the videos I had sent and the specs he agreed that the Nippon Modus3 105 shafts in 'S' were a good fit for me even though the web fit wanted 'X', but thats because of my SS I think, if it knew my age it would recommend Senior or ladies 

With all tech working both ways I think this would be 50% off the way to a decent fitting, key areas of ball flight, feel, ball speed, AoA, distance etc wont be there and I know thats key for many, but if you want clubs asap and want some expert opinion on what's good for you and your swing, this is as close as we are going to get these days.

I'm sure ball flight could be tweaked once you have the clubs if you needed a higher or lower launch and flight, any good fitter could make that tweak and I'm sure Ping would support that, worth asking during your zoom fitting and before buying, but based on the usual excellent Ping customer experience I cant see this being an issue, but check first.

Anyway, I await my new 'fitted' clubs with eager anticipation and I will of course feedback how they really are based on a strange but pleasant encounter with a fitter socially distanced not by 2 metres but by a different continent!

[blackngold_blood 3,836]

That is a high quality group of testers right there! I can’t wait to read your thoughts. Hopefully the courses stay open for you guys!


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[GolfSpy Stroker 9,904]

Congrats testers!  Cannot wait to see how these do for you.  Go get 'em!

[Berg Ryman 3,318]

Super excited for the opportunity guys. I hope to being you my typical joy and opinions and information! Thanks again to the forum and Ping for giving me this opportunity!

[sirchunksalot 7,205]

Congratulations fellas! The G710's are a beautiful club and one of the most exciting ones ( to me ) to debut this year. I'm really excited to see how they perform for each of you.

Sent from my SM-N975U using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[MaxEntropy 6,381]

Congrats, guys!

[tony@CIC 15,305]

Congrats you lucky dogs! Can't think of a better group to put these clubs though the mill.


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[Shankster 23,701]

Awesome! Congrats gentlemen!

[bens197 5,389]

Hey now @Berg Ryman congrats bro. Pumped to see how these work for you.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

 

 

 

 

[perseveringgolfer 4,791]

Well well well, after a day of listening to our PM say he is closing every bar, restaurant, cinema, gym, leisure centre etc etc and will review it on a monthly basis, it sparked off hours of talk about no income and how to survive going forward. PM has a decent package to support individuals and we just have to be sensible and stay safe.

at 22.20 tonight was the first time I looked at my emails and saw a few pm's from MGS- strange I thought, have I done something wrong or has covid-19 had a serious impact on MGS. Then I see I have been chosen to test the new Ping irons, fantastic! Thank you MGS and Ping, lets hope things ease off here enough to do some proper testing.

Congratulations fellow spies, really keen to see how these compare to Mizuno's and if they can help me be the golfer I want to be.

[jayjay0808 1,095]

Congrats boys! Enjoy taking these beauties through their paces.

[edingc 6,551]

Congrats! This is a great group of testers!

[josmi15 1,648]

Congrats to the testers. Put em through the paces. Looking forward to reading the results


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Nunfa0 5,271]

Congrats guys, a great group of golfers from all over .

This is a test I will be following with great interest.

[Berg Ryman 3,318]

2 hours ago, bens197 said:

Hey now @Berg Ryman congrats bro. Pumped to see how these work for you.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

 

 

 

 

Guess once everything opens the long rumored meetup might have to happen

[bens197 5,389]

Guess once everything opens the long rumored meetup might have to happen

I agree. Timber Banks let’s make it happen.