Ping i20 Irons Review - Forum Testing Review Thread

Colt · Oct 31, 2012

Griff said:
Ping + game changing irons + awesome THP testers + even more awesome members = ??? Can it get to half a million? My work isn't done yet!

Worked out my problem on the range today and was hitting some really nice shots with these irons. Now I remember why I love them so much!

Driving for show and chutting for dough

ducmike · Oct 31, 2012

COLT said:
Worked out my problem on the range today and was hitting some really nice shots with these irons. Now I remember why I love them so much!

Great news. I hate when the swing goes away for no reason at all. Good to hear you got it back quick.

Colt · Oct 31, 2012

ducmike said:
Great news. I hate when the swing goes away for no reason at all. Good to hear you got it back quick.

Yep. It was seriously irritating for a while there. Turns out it was something as small as I was still raising my arms up at the top of the backswing even after my shoulders had stopped turning. Got the shoulders and arms synced back up and it was easy as just swinging the club from there.

Driving for show and chutting for dough

Griff · Nov 1, 2012

Previous test posts in Spoiler.

Spoiler

Little over 7 months and a season of golf with the i20s. This isn't a "final recap" or anything like that. I've used the irons enough to summarize a lot of things and thought it'd be useful for some folks as this thread is gigantic.

During the test I used Bridgestone B330RXs exclusively. I don't keep an official handicap although I did try to track one on my own during the season. At the start of the test for 9 holes I shot a steady 42-43. With the i20s I'm steady at 40. I state my handicap as 8 although it could be officially a little lower. With or without the i20s I'm capable of shooting low 70s or high 90s. Hey, I'm an amateur and that's the way it goes for us. Ball striking is good with my miss being very fat or an over the top pull or fade. OK, that's out of the way.

My test setup is 4-UW purple dot with PX graphite 5.0, -1/4". LW and UW have 5.5.

Which ones to get?

End of the season my iron setup is i20 5-UW. Only you can decide what iron setup suits your game. There are so many variables it'd be wrong of me to tell you what's best for you. I'll just share how I got to my setup.

The 4 iron is a great club. Easy to elevate, great off the tee, forgiving, and accurate. The reason the 4I is sitting out is simple. I rarely used it. During the test I really had to make an effort to use the club. I just didn't find myself in range very often. I haven't missed it yet, but there will be rounds where it will come back. The flight is a little low and a hybrid is now in its place for the extra height and distance. Where the 4 iron shines for me is utility shots. Having that low lofted iron to get under a tree or around an obstacle is very handy.

The wedges. Have quite a stormy relationship with the wedges, SW and LW that is. In the end I need more help with spin than the i20 wedges offer. On chips and small pitches they just run away from me too much. On the plus side I holed out 3 times with the SW, one from 40 or so yards. That was probably the shot of the year for me. On full shots having a perfectly seamless iron set from top to bottom has its benefits. Distance control is very good and look and feel is identical to the irons. Honestly, if it wasn't for the SCORs, a very successful club for me, I'd probably still be using the i20 wedges. With practice and a shaft change (spinner type shaft) I could master them.

Nitty Gritty

I like the look. Plenty of pics out there so no need for me to describe them. It's all subjective, you like their appearance or you don't. To my eye the i20 looks compact, not tiny, at address and there's nothing distracting me from concentrating on making good contact. The more I look at the i20s the more I admire how simple the design is and how well it works for me on the course.

Wear seems typical as seen in the pic below. At first I was not impressed with the durability. Mine seemed to wear very quickly. Since that first initial wear not much has changed. Newer i20s have a slightly different finish that seem to mask the wear better. There has been some heated debate on the finish. Ping irons of the past wear very slowly and that could've played into the debate. After the first full season I have no complaints on the finish. It's about what I've seen from other irons and wedges.

Feel is so subjective I'm not going to say much. To me they feel muted with just the right amount of negative feedback on a miss. That's key to me and it's what I look for in feel. I'm not one to seek out an iron that gives me physical pleasure on a sweet spot hit. You know, that buttery stuff. As long as the club is telling me where on the face I hit the ball I'm good.

Accuracy is astounding with the i20s. Key is to be properly fit to enjoy what they have to offer as far as accuracy goes. I've held my finish more times than I can count, staring down the shot as it flies straight at the pin. The key to the i20s success for me is accuracy. On well struck shots the results are much better than with previous irons I've used. If I do my part I should be rewarded and the i20s deliver. Distance control plays a role here and the gapping I see is very consistent.

Forgiveness is way beyond what I was expecting. These irons are so forgiving I'd say a ton of golfers could use them. I've hit balls all over the face and the results are never too punishing. Hits out on the toe are almost as good as in the middle. Misses fly a little lower, but don't lose much distance. For an iron as compact as the i20 it's really surprising how little the performance drops off on an iffy swing. Now, if you regularly need help getting the ball off the ground don't pick the i20s. There are far better options to be had for golfers that hit lots of worm burners or big hooks and slices. Be honest with your game and use the appropriate clubs for max fun.

The sole on the i20 is fantastic. My fat shots are way way down and much of it has to do with the little relief under the lead edge. Looking at the sole it is well thought out. Yes the bounce on paper seems high. In reality that bounce has only helped me. The i20s get me through to the ball cleanly and the sole makes it happen. Holding a SCOR next to an i20...it's kinda eerie how similar they look. There's definitely 3 distinct surfaces on the sole of the i20. Relief under lead edge, middle section that is slightly rounded, and a well defined trailing edge to cut out the drag. In my book you can't talk forgiveness without looking at the sole. Ping could have easily slapped something simple on floor of the i20, but they didn't. It's very dynamic which offers me forgiveness if I come in a little heavy and gets through bad lies very well. Hopefully, more iron sets start to roll out with better soles rather than a simple bump on the bottom.

99% of my shots I envision flying straight and that's how I play. Working the ball left or right is not something I practice or use in play with any regularity. Of late that is changing. My confidence with them is so high I'm starting to work in a slight fade with approach shots. Will take practice as they just want to go straight more often than not and I'm perfectly happy with that. It is a lot of fun to bend a shot around a tree and I've done that a few times with the 5 and 6 iron. I probably won't change much this late in the year. Next year I plan to become a little more versatile in my iron play and the i20s well help me do that.

I'll kinda wrap things up so I don't make your eyes bleed and I think I'm hitting the 14000 character limit. Want the bottom line? Check out the link, not much has changed since I posted this:

http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...eview-Thread&p=1357474&viewfull=1#post1357474

With the help of the i20s I shot my career low this year, a 2 under 70. Not saying the i20s will let you shoot a 70, lots went into that day. I don't think I would've made that score without the i20s though. They've given me so much confidence it's spilled into all parts of my game. I've never used a club that offers the complete package like the i20 iron. They're so consistent and so precise they leave me with a really clear picture of what was going on in my swing, did I make the right shot choice...there's just no doubts even if the result was poor. I haven't been leaving the course scratching my head wondering at the results of the day. Never been more comfortable and confident in my game and it all started with the i20s.

WardF · Nov 1, 2012

Great recap Griff.
Also have my Lifetime low with these clubs ( 5 over 75)--disclaimer of working with a great instructor for the first time and really still in the learning phase with just 2 years playing as of October. I will say my love affair with these clubs continues into the 3 and 4 irons having had some wonderful shots with them on Par 5 second shots and using them off the tee on many of the courses that play very tight. The more I learn to maintain leverage into impact, the better the longer irons have gotten for me. As with any long club casting or dumping the leverage can lead to some more extreem mishits than with a shorter iron, so cleaning up my swing and trusting these irons I find myself going for the long shot more often and finding myself either on or very near the green. It also frees up my fear going into to the longer par 4's knowing that even if I do duff a drive or two short, I can still have a chance at getting the GIR with an iron.

Perkins Rooster · Nov 1, 2012

Good recap Griff.

TMAdidas · Nov 1, 2012

How do they compare to the I15's?

ducmike · Nov 1, 2012

Great recap Griff.

Now that I have owned a set for all of one week, I have to agree with many of your findings. The sole works so well with my big miss right now, the fats. And tow shots feel a little different, but still go far and straight. I caught a 5 iron way out on the tow, missed the grooves, only lost about 30 yards and was a slight fade. Pretty impressive for a shot that was that bad.

Just had a good range session. The new swing is starting click and feels like it's starting to become natural. The i20s really work well for me.

SeeMoreGuy · Nov 1, 2012

Excellent recap Griff. Makes me want swing my i20 right now. Good stuff and right on point with these.

JonD · Nov 1, 2012

Nice recap Griff. My fitter echoed a lot of your sentiments about the sole. Haven't got mine out yet but expect only good things!

Jeff Spicoli · Nov 1, 2012

Good work on the write-up, Griff. You and all the testers have done an incredible job.

SeeMoreGuy · Nov 1, 2012

Just noticed this thread topped 300k posts. That says a ton about how you testers jumped started this thread and how you have transformed many a game with your honest reviews. Thanks!

Griff · Nov 2, 2012

Swiftflow said:
Great recap Griff.
Also have my Lifetime low with these clubs ( 5 over 75)--disclaimer of working with a great instructor for the first time and really still in the learning phase with just 2 years playing as of October. I will say my love affair with these clubs continues into the 3 and 4 irons having had some wonderful shots with them on Par 5 second shots and using them off the tee on many of the courses that play very tight. The more I learn to maintain leverage into impact, the better the longer irons have gotten for me. As with any long club casting or dumping the leverage can lead to some more extreem mishits than with a shorter iron, so cleaning up my swing and trusting these irons I find myself going for the long shot more often and finding myself either on or very near the green. It also frees up my fear going into to the longer par 4's knowing that even if I do duff a drive or two short, I can still have a chance at getting the GIR with an iron.

Thanks Swift. Sounds like you're onto something good with your instructor. Hitting good long iron shots is no easy task.

Perkins Rooster said:
Good recap Griff.

Thanks Perkins.

TMAdidas said:
How do they compare to the I15's?

Been a really long time since I hit i15s. When I did demo them I remember putting them down rather quickly. Mishits were pretty awful. I won't call the i20s "upgrades", but they certainly did a lot to the design and they work far better for me.

ducmike said:
Great recap Griff.

Now that I have owned a set for all of one week, I have to agree with many of your findings. The sole works so well with my big miss right now, the fats. And tow shots feel a little different, but still go far and straight. I caught a 5 iron way out on the tow, missed the grooves, only lost about 30 yards and was a slight fade. Pretty impressive for a shot that was that bad.

Just had a good range session. The new swing is starting click and feels like it's starting to become natural. The i20s really work well for me.

Nice Ducmike. You're right about the sole. Every round or so I'd hit a mega fat that barely went anywhere. I can't recall doing that with the i20s. Part of it is the sole and part of it is a great fit from Ping I think. Toe hits are remarkable. I've hit them that far out as well but didn't lose as much as you did. Lower flight for sure, but it's criminal how I can get away with being out on the toe and still get fairly close to my target.

SeeMoreGuy said:
Excellent recap Griff. Makes me want swing my i20 right now. Good stuff and right on point with these.

Thanks SMG. I want to hit em too! Ground is like a frosty sponge right now so may be a few more days.

JonD said:
Nice recap Griff. My fitter echoed a lot of your sentiments about the sole. Haven't got mine out yet but expect only good things!

Tanks JonD. So glad to hear your fitter talk about the sole. IMO it's something that can make a good iron great. More OEMs need to put more effort into sole design I think. I've seen a few iron sets with a dynamic design. For the most part all I see is a nondescript bump. Hope they fit right in without a hitch!

Jeff Spicoli said:
Good work on the write-up, Griff. You and all the testers have done an incredible job.

Thanks Jeff!

SeeMoreGuy said:
Just noticed this thread topped 300k posts. That says a ton about how you testers jumped started this thread and how you have transformed many a game with your honest reviews. Thanks!

Thanks again man. But, this thread is just Jman, Goalie, and myself talking to each other without everyone who participated. Forum has made this test awesome with all the feedback.

StevieC · Nov 2, 2012

I'm all in with the Ping i20 irons.

I went thru the extensive Ping fitting process in Phoenix (5 days, hit everything from Mizuno, Miura, Ttitleist, etc). My ultimate set resulted in 4-PW, yellow dot, +1/2" KBS Tour X soft stepped 1x D2 (had to trust my fitter on this-he was spot on), 703 full chord grips. (I'm 6'4" tall, 215) It's a very nice setup for me coming off of the old 1998 Callaway X-12s. I had a lengthy layoff. I'm back now with a good childhood friend who is now PGA certified to coach. The lessons for me are crucial. I'm down to an 18.2 from a 25. I doubted myself prior to the Ping i20s purchase. I didn't t feel I was strong enough to game 'em. My coach and Ping fitter both thought otherwise (I thought they were just trying to make a sell). I'm happy I listened to the pros and not myself. I'm still workin' on a consistent swing and dialing in the iron distances as these new Ping i20 irons play about 1 club longer than my old Callaway X-12s (was never fitted for the previous Callaways). Had to do golf right this time around and upgrade everything.

I do like the looks of the i20 irons at address. I decided to go with the Tour S Rustique wedges (56/60) as these wedges set up best for me. The custom grinds for both wedges was nothing I knew of prior. The wedges are working. Ended going with the RBZ driver/3 wood & Adams Idea a12 (19 degree) after hitting everything else in Phoenix. 82 is my personal best with this new set up. I'm looking forward to playing more, getting better, lowering my index and having fun!

I'm most happy to be a part of the THP community! Play well all!

ducmike · Nov 3, 2012

Got in 9 last night. Felt more like 18 because of a very slow foursome in front of me. I played 2 from every shot. I could have played through at 3, but I mistakenly thought they were being held up too. Anyway, the waiting started to effect my play by the 5th.

Shot a 48, very good for me right now. My swing was off today too, just didn't feel right. I did hit a few great shots with the i20s though. I need to get my distances dialed in, hard to tell with the inconsistencies as I dial in a new swing. But, I am much longer with these than I am used too. I had 145 to the middle of the green on 4, little down hill, slight wind to my back, so I grabbed the 8 hoping to run it up. Blew it about 15 yards over the green. Dropped another since I had to wait anyway, 75% 9 iron this time, knocked it pin high but just off on the left fringe. I would have pulled a 6 iron for that shot with my Mizunos. I got lucky on that hole with my drive. Sliced my 3 wood but the ball hit a tree about 20 yards right of the fairway and ricocheted back into the fairway. I didn't know if I should mark it as a fairway hit, or missed. I hit a low thinned worm burner 4 iron from about 190 for my second shot on the 7th that would have been on the green if I hadn't pulled it left. I'm amazed at the distances I am seeing, even on such a poor shot.

I am far more confident with the i20s, I know that my shot is going to be in the general area I intended it to be. I am excited to see what I can do with these once I get more natural with the new swing and get better at aiming correctly.

bunkerville · Nov 4, 2012

I've had a few range sessions with my new I-20's 4-uw and honestly feel these are the best irons I've ever played. My previous set were the g-20's (thinking they would be the ultimate forgiving iron) but, I actually hit the I-20's better. Yesterday at the range I worked with the 7 and 5 irons. I have noticed that when struck dead center the feel at impact is so pure. I hit quite a few dead center on the club face and several out on the toe. I could tell when I didn't pure a shot, but the results were not that off from a center strike. I was amazed when I would look down at the club face and see the ball impact towards the edge of the grooves out on the toe. I am amazed at how forgiving these actually are. My only regret is that I didn't consider these before I purchased the g-20's. Oh well, I'll be selling the g-20's now since I've got such an awesome set of irons now.

Jeroenmo · Nov 4, 2012

Great write up griff. Honest and to the point.

I'm passing on the I20 wedges after reading your review. Using my dads vokeys now. Still pondering a wedge setup in my specs. There are so many and I'm sorry but there not all that different. Will try the mizuno's mp t4's next.

Iakona · Nov 5, 2012

First time poster but been lurking for a little while now while I came across this forum for club reviews. I have Ping G-10's and have been playing regularly for about 2 1/2 years now. I decided I needed another set of irons because I feel I have "outgrown" these irons and started looking. To make a long story short I came across this thread about the i20's and was intrigued but thought these might not suit me since I am still learning this sport. I have been through lessons for about a year now and have fixed my golf swing so I can enjoy the sport more. I hit quite a few club brands and decided to give the i20's a try after reading your 200+ pages (the last 80 pages I read this weekend). I was VERY consistent with these and spent 3 days going back to the range trying to decide for sure but pulled the trigger last week on these i20's. The fitting went well and am looking forward to picking these up as soon as they get in. I played two days this weekend dreaming of my new clubs. Thank you for helping with my decision. I am glad I came across this forum.

Butters · Nov 5, 2012

Iakona said:
First time poster but been lurking for a little while now while I came across this forum for club reviews. I have Ping G-10's and have been playing regularly for about 2 1/2 years now. I decided I needed another set of irons because I feel I have "outgrown" these irons and started looking. To make a long story short I came across this thread about the i20's and was intrigued but thought these might not suit me since I am still learning this sport. I have been through lessons for about a year now and have fixed my golf swing so I can enjoy the sport more. I hit quite a few club brands and decided to give the i20's a try after reading your 200+ pages (the last 80 pages I read this weekend). I was VERY consistent with these and spent 3 days going back to the range trying to decide for sure but pulled the trigger last week on these i20's. The fitting went well and am looking forward to picking these up as soon as they get in. I played two days this weekend dreaming of my new clubs. Thank you for helping with my decision. I am glad I came across this forum.

You won't be sorry, these irons are the real deal. I keep hitting them better and better.

Colt · Nov 7, 2012

I20's always seem to save a bad range session! Particularly the 8i. I LOVE me an 8i! Seems to be the club I can smoke when all others fail.

Griff · Nov 7, 2012

Jeroenmo said:
Great write up griff. Honest and to the point.

I'm passing on the I20 wedges after reading your review. Using my dads vokeys now. Still pondering a wedge setup in my specs. There are so many and I'm sorry but there not all that different. Will try the mizuno's mp t4's next.

I think the wedges aren't working for me because in essence they're i20 irons with a higher loft. Based on my research and testing they have no special grooves or design that sets them apart from the irons other than loft. I could make them work, sure. What's nice is you can add them later if you wish. Customization is nearly unlimited.

Loved reading all the feedback. Keep it coming!

KellyBo · Nov 7, 2012

I'm trying these out next week with my golf instructor who has done fittings for me previously. I used to play the G15 but didn't really like the offset. I've read enough of your reviews that I want to at least try these out! Not sure I'm good enough for them but we'll see.

SeeMoreGuy · Nov 7, 2012

You are def good enough KB...no doubt about it.

Griff · Nov 7, 2012

KellyBo said:
I'm trying these out next week with my golf instructor who has done fittings for me previously. I used to play the G15 but didn't really like the offset. I've read enough of your reviews that I want to at least try these out! Not sure I'm good enough for them but we'll see.

You may be surprised kbo. They're deceptively easy to get in the air and with the right fit very accurate.

KellyBo · Nov 7, 2012

Griff said:
You may be surprised kbo. They're deceptively easy to get in the air and with the right fit very accurate.

I once hit the Ping I15s at a THP demo day and loved them. I was surprised at how easy they were to hit. I will be trying several irons next week but these are the ones I'm hoping work out for me. Keeping an open mind and counting on my fitter to put me in what's best.

Ping i20 Irons Review - Forum Testing Review Thread

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