It’s Ping Blueprint Irons time.
Today marks the official announcement of the next iterations of what has become one of the most successful player’s irons on Tour, the Blueprint. While for some time there have been images floating about from Tour bags, it is finally time to get the details on the two new versions PING is releasing, the Blueprint S and Blueprint T.
PING Blueprint Iron Lineup
PING’s original Blueprint saw them creating the most Tour driven iron we had possibly ever seen from them, a true muscleback design, they brought precision forging into the fold and saw an incredible level of Tour success. However, they still saw room for change.
That is why the new Blueprint lineup is made up of two different irons. By keeping the muscleback design and adding a player’s cavity back to it, the goal was to create a wider net so that golfers of more skill levels could enjoy the Blueprint. Going forward, the Blueprint S will be the CB, and the Blueprint T the muscleback. While this may be the “official” release, the irons are both already garnering much play, and wins, on Tour with both models as well as combo sets in Tour bags.
PING Blueprint S Irons
The “S” was an iron much asked for by PING’s Tour players looking to take Blueprint precision via the high-level forgings and implement it into a cavity back design. As you might expect, the footprint of the “S” irons is compact overall with minimal offset and a thin topline.
Each iron is forged out of 8620 Carbon Steel and the grooves are milled into each head and they are finished with a textured pattern and Hydropearl 2.0 chrome. In what has become standard PING iron design procedure, there is also a single high-density toe screw that combined with the company’s use of internal tip weights allows fitters to dial in each club.
A big story here is the implementation of what PING is calling an industry first with a patented construction technology they are referring to as “Precision Pocket Forging”. This actually forges a pocket into the cavity of the 3-5 irons rather than milling it out. According to them, it not only saves 10g, but it does also so more precisely and combined with the elastomer insert generates more speed while maintaining uniform feel.
PING Blueprint T Irons
On the other end of the spectrum, it wouldn’t be a Blueprint release without a muscleback. The Blueprint T is just that, forged from 8620 Carbon Steel just like their S brethren. Naturally, being an MB, this is a single piece forging which should surprise no one. The shaping of the head is designed to create pleasing sound/feel at impact while maintaining the workability.
Profile wise, they are compact with a shorter overall heel-to-face height making the transition as clean as possible. Visually, things are as clean as one would expect with minimal engraving, a thin sole and topline, as well as minimal offset.
The Details
Blueprint continues to mark a departure for PING and in contrast to the thoughts they once held about blending iron sets, both the Blueprint S and Blueprint T have the same lofts as the i230 irons, opening a world of possibilities for those who might want to play a combo set. The iron sets come standard with True Temper Dynamic Gold 120 (S300, X100) for steel and PING Alta CB Black (SR, R, S) for graphite.
The irons are available in 3-PW with both standard, Power Spec, and Retro Spec loft options. Price point on these are $230/club for steel, and $245/club for graphite.
