Ping has long been considered a revolutionary in the world of golf equipment and with each passing release, more and more golfers are finding out what makes their irons so intriguing from a technology stand point. With the buzz surrounding the release of the latest launch of the G20 line from Ping, THP readers have been testing out the newest creations and the results have been quite positive.
Technology
From the company
Forgiveness and accuracy are achieved through extreme perimeter weighting in the 17-4 stainless steel head. A multi-material cavity badge made of soft elastomer improves feel and sound while enhancing distance control, allowing you to play your best golf. Consistent, precise distance control was achieved by using a thin face backed by a floating CTP structure. Weight in the back flange of the deeply cut, multi-cavity head increases the MOI. Combined with PING’s new CFS steel shaft, the G20 optimizes feel and trajectories.
First Impressions
Testing
After weeks of range testing and close to a dozen rounds of golf, it is safe to say that the Ping G20 irons are a different animal than the G15s were in terms of performance, feel and overall package. At setup, the clubs look eerily similar, but that is where the changes begin to creep in. From the first swing you take with the G20 irons, you get a different audible impact sound, which translates to a softer and smoother feel through the hands. This sensation was something that I begged for in the G15 line and for the most part, thought was the only thing missing to that release.
Throughout the set, the G20 shows its technology and forgiveness through and through. Are you looking for an iron to launch high and straight? Few will compare to the forgiveness that the Ping irons are offering here and more importantly they do so without any sacrifices in terms of balance. These irons are a great compliment to the golfer that wants that extra forgiveness without the sacrifice of audible tone and feedback to let you know when you missed and where it happened.
What is distance without distance control? With so many pieces of equipment in today’s day and age touting longer distances than ever, THP was intrigued to hear that while Ping is touting the long distances achieved with the G20 line, the company is also promising “distance control”. Putting this to the test for weeks, we found that Ping did in fact hit a home run in that department. The thinner face does give off more distance and forgiveness with a higher ball flight, while the gapping between irons is perfect.
The Ping G20 irons tested were fitted with the Ping CFS steel shafts. Engineered with fewer steps throughout, the new CFS shafts deliver a smoother feel through the transition while not skimping at all on the stability. CFS stands for Control Feel Stability and its something that THP thinks worked quite well. The shaft offers a high ball flight without any ballooning that would kill off distance. Of course as one would expect from a company that stands behind fitting as much as Ping does, there are a number of different shaft options available for the golfer.
Overall
Ping has come forth and improved upon the extremely popular G15 irons in a big way. Offering more forgiveness, faster ball speeds and more distance control these are irons that should be on every golfer’s short list to try. If and high straight is what you are after, the Ping G20 irons deliver in a big way. For more information on these or any other Ping products, check out their website at www.ping.com.
Till Next Time
Josh B.
Nice review! These sound like real quality irons! High and straight? Who wouldn’t want that? Thanks for the review Josh, I am really eager to try out the rest of this G20 line because it all sounds so great!
Great review JB! These sound like a solid offering from Ping with everything a hacker like me wound want & need. Thanks for the write up.
I have always liked Pings G series of irons and these look like the next step. Very interested in trying the new shaft
Nice review JB, thanks.
Sounds like Ping have a winner here. These things perform in both distance and distance control? Can’t really ask for much more.
You’ve got me interested after reading this. The consistent distance claim was one that I was most curious about with this line and it sounds like PING delivered on it. Great info, Josh.
Great writeup. The distance control thought is interesting, as the Burner 2s are known to have some rockets that come from no where.
Great review JB. I never thought I would say this about Ping irons but these are a really good looking set of irons.
Excellent review, JB. If I hadn’t really started to score well my current irons then these would be contender #1.
I really liked the G15 irons but thought they still felt a little harsh however the G20’s sound like they’ve corrected this issue without losing any distance. Looking forward to hitting these soon. Great review JB!
Nice review JB. Always liked Ping irons in the past but not usually a fan of the stock shafts. Sounds like this one is an improvement.
Excellent review JB! These irons are really good and as you say high and long. It is good news to see how PING is touting the distance control aspect of these.
Great review JB. I’m looking forward to hitting these! I thought the G15 wasn’t bad in terms of sound/feel and it sounds like the G20’s have improved on that aspect. The shafts and distance control have me intrigued too.
Great review, I liked the G15’s when I tested those out will have to give the G20’s a try.
I hit these at a Ping demo day a couple weeks back, and really liked them. Just like JB describes, high (Not ballooning) straight shots time after time. I was fit with the Z-Z65 shafts. The topline and sole were a little thicker than I expected, but I think I could easily get used to it with the results. I am gaming R9’s with KBS 90 Stiff shafts, and they perform nicely too. I don’t think I will make a change at this time, but could see myself buying these used in a couple of years to replace the R9’s.
nice review JB…. looks like a great set of irons.
Solid review JB. I am a big fan of the Ping G line, and am excited to give these a try. I gamed G15’s for a while, and if these feel better than them, they must feel awesome!
Good work JB. I am really interested in these irons. Seems Ping has done a good job improving over the G15. Wonder if I can work that big sole? Will definitely try.
Distance is good but not at the expense of accuracy. Long, high, and straight? Sign me up! Plus these are a Ping iron I can get behind looks-wise. These seem to be an upgrade from the G15’s in every way!
Great review! These sound like the perfect irons for me. Can’t wait to try them for myself!
Nice review JB. I think PING’s G series has gotten better every line since the G2’s. While they may turn people away by their looks, the performance could easily win you over.
Solid review and a good review. Thanks for your hard work. Love the fact there is so much control packed into a distance iron. I’ve never been much of a Ping fan, but have liked the last two iron offerings quite a bit, more so the G20s.
Excellent review. It seems that Ping is continuing to provide great GI products. I can’t wait to try them.
great review JB. ill hit them but the shape looks like all the older models and that is a turn off for me. but the distance control is a turn on, cant wait to hit these at the outing!
will there be i20 irons in the near future
Thanks for the review. I know I’ve been fascinated reading about the G20 driver, but these were not really on my radar before this.
Nice review Josh, most people loved the G15’s and if these are an improvement upon those irons like you say then Ping has themselves a big winner on their hands.
Great review JB. Really good to hear that PING has hit a home run with the G20’s!
How one acheives greater forgiveness is lost on me but Ping seems to have it’s hands in the forgiveness jar. Nice review Josh, thanks for sharing
Wow cant believe they got better . I love my G15. Can you say Upgrade!
Nice review JB! I think these are some great looking irons. They really have a nice industrial look to them.
GR8T Review ! I Already love my G15’s, now I want the G20, when is the next Demo day
What are the major differences betwen the Ping G20 and Taylormade R11 irons?
What are the major differences between the Ping G20 and Taylormade R11 irons?
I am a 10 handicap golfer. I have piles of blade irons that range from Miuras to Titleist.I like blades and hit them well. I purchased a set of Ping G20’s after demo day because I liked the ball flight. I played them this weekend and was more than convinced that the G20 is more than a high handicap iron. I hit some of the finest shots all season with these irons. The ball flight into greens was perfect and usually stuck. Many golfers, including myself, need to toss their blade pride away and experience the ease of hitting these irons.
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After a lot of research, for Christmas 2011 I bought my 11-year old son a set of G20 irons with graphite shafts (he’s tall for his age so they are full man-size). The local Ping ‘fitter’ recommended ‘red dot’, so that’s what he got. His handicap then was 14.8. Since then we added a G25 driver (10.5 degrees, regular shaft), and a Ping G20 5W and 7W, and Anser putter. He has other wedges and a Callaway Diablo 3W.
He’s now 13 years old and his handicap is 5.8. He loves the clubs, especially the driver (he regularly hits 240m drives and it has really boosted his confidence off the tee).
The problem is the irons. Over the 19 months we’ve had the clubs 3 of them have fractured at the point the shaft joins the head (W, 5I, 7I). The symptoms are the same – the graphite cracks and splinters, then fractures. The Ping retailer has repaired them all for free, but it seems like a major fault to me. I contacted Ping directly this week (after the 5I fractured), and they say that he may be too strong for them, and that young, improving golfers may need a refit every 6 months! How can this be? He’s 13, weighs 50kg (100lbs), stands 5′ 9” tall. OK so he plays a lot of golf, but he doesn’t take big divots, and he loves his clubs so he doesn’t abuse them. The Ping retailer says they should be good for at least 10 years. How can it be ‘normal’ for shafts to fracture like this? I’m now wondering if we need to change clubs – but this really isn’t good (either the Ping answer, or the clubs fracturing).