While there has been ample discussion on the new iron releases from PING on the THP Community for many weeks now, today is the day we can officially discuss just what this release holds for the company. There is a significant swath of golfers who have not so patiently been waiting for the release of PING’s newest iSeries irons and iCrossover, and with that has come much speculation. How about we get down to reality instead?
PING iCrossover
It makes sense to lead with the portion of this release that always seems to move a bit under the radar for PING, the iCrossover. It has consistently been an interesting release from the standpoint of appearance, offset, and sound (feel). While there is no denying the success it has seen in the hands of PING’s Tour Staff, it has been a bit of a mixed bag amongst mortal golfers. This year, there appears to be a change to some of that, but perhaps not as some might expect.
According to the company this one is aimed at high swing-speed players who are of course looking for an alternative to long irons or hybrids. This is with the goal of keeping higher ball speeds than irons as well as a higher launch window which will blend into the rest of the irons within the bag. Shape wise, the sole remains similar to previous versions with a decent amount of bounce finished with a more rounded leading edge. The goal here was to ensure a more seamless blending into the i230 irons. Of note, PING has shortened the heel-toe length and decreased the overall offset which they believe will make for a more appealing overall presence at address.
Technology wise, the iCrossover is a 17-4 Stainless Steel body with a maraging steel face blended together to create more flex and thus energy into the ball. PING has also lowered the CG for better launch and descent angles with hopes of making the club more effective into greens. Internally, the hollow design has a smaller cavity than in the past, which is filled with EVA polymer specifically on the back of the face to hopefully address the feedback issues many had with the previous iCrossover models.
The iCrossover will be available in three lofts, the 2XR (18.0), 3XR (20.0), and 4XR (22.0). Interestingly, they are now 1/4” shorter than previous models as well. PING is using their MicroMax grooves and a matte black hyrdopearl 2.0 finish to ensure consistent launch and spin in all conditions. Perhaps most intriguing, they are bringing an adjustable hosel to the iCrossover, a first for PING, which will have eight settings and allow 1.5 degrees of loft and lie versatility. Price point will be $249.00 per club, with the PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 85 (R, S, X) as the stock shaft selection, with three other optional stock options available at release.
PING i230 Irons
Ah, yes, now we get to the main event for PING, so-to-speak. The i230 irons have been a long time coming, and also met with much speculation from the wild to the mundane. Truth is, PING wanted to get it right, and though they might not admit it, recent iSeries irons have not had the same effect on the segment as they have in the past. How do you address that? You get back to what the roots of the iSeries.
You see, the iSeries is a touchy ground for PING, they sit smack in-between two lineups which occupy the extremes of the skillset bell curve, as such, they have to be an extremely versatile iron which can keep Tour players happy with as much play as they get out there (it is a lot), and at the same time let the average golfer have success with an iron that fits their more discerning eye regardless of their actual swing ability.
So, design wise, the i230 brings with it some notable changes. First, the elastomer which PING uses in their iSeries (and why they have always crushed the notion that cast irons cannot have feel) has had a leap in advancement when it comes to weight. The material has allowed the company to take the savings there and re-position it throughout the clubhead which has improved stability (MOI) and also pushed the CG lower to help with launch. The other thing the evolved elastomer does is to support the face while allowing more flex than previously, which their testing compared to the previous iteration has shown a 3-yard increase. Add in PING’s use of tungsten in the toe and shaft tip, they are claiming the i230 to be the most forgiving iSeries iron ever.
Joining the elastomer is a newly designed and re-positioned cavity badge which filters our specific frequencies which people might consider sharp or harsh. The badging is now a four-piece design which is finished with a larger outer portion to keep the cavity as clean as possible, at least as far as iSeries irons are concerned. This is all, of course, about sound (feel), and in the iSeries PING seems to always get it right, so there is certainly reason to pay attention when they say it is a noticeable improvement on their part.
The rest of the story comes into the shaping and smoothing of the 431 Stainless Steel body. PING is very clear that they listened heavily to their Tour Staff in order to really massage the classic iSeries shaping. While the hydropearl 2.0 finish and MicroMax grooves provides durability and performance in all conditions, it is the physical changes in the long irons which will appeal to most. The set is still a progressive design, the 3-5 irons are now more compact heel-to-toe than the i210 were while the rest of the set remains the same length as previous. This makes for a more blended look throughout and addresses something many have long been hoping to see from PING in the long irons.
The i230 irons will be priced at $187.50 per club in steel, and $220 for graphite. Set makeup are available in 3-9, PW, and UW across 10 different color codes with Black being standard once again. PING is also continuing to offer Standard Spec (45.0 PW) as well as Retro (47.0 PW) and Power (44.5 PW) Spec loft orientations. Stock steel shaft is a True Temper DG 105 (R300, S300) and graphite are PING’s Alta CB Black (SR, R, S). However, as always there will be a variety of optional stock shafts available as well.
What do you think? Is PING back on track with the new iCrossover and i230 iron release? Jump in and let your opinion be heard below or directly on the THP Community!
The crossover looks really difficult to hit Adjustable hosel is cool though.
Id love to hear your experience in testing as you consider your next set.
They look really clean!
Honestly, I’m a bit surprised how underplayed they were about the information we received on the irons. It really feels again like they’re still “We’re PING, here they are, changed a couple things, buy them”
Sure!
The badge is for looks and sound in the cavity of the club, but a lot of companies make it look one piece, while actually using multiple levels of material and shape/placement to achieve the look they want while also ensuring the filtering of negative feedback to the ears and hands which create “feel” many of us are picky about. PING has always been among the head of the class when it comes to this, as I said in the release article, they broke the idea that cast irons cannot feel good.
I’m surprised it took them this long to move it over from the G series irons.
It’s more visible tech than the old internally pressed tungsten, and it’s easier for them to adjust and tune for fitting.
I just looked back and as far as I can tell this is the first new i series since they started the toe screw. It’s been a while.
The irons look clean and it sounds like there’s some goodness packed in there with the lighter weight and helping with launch, I just have no desire to hit them. They don’t jump out and say "hey swing me!"
A long long while.
It’s my favorite time of year!
To be fair though, Ping debuted the screw toe in March 2018 in the G700 irons. Then in their G410 irons in Feg 2019 with the G410. The last i series iron (i210) came out in July 2018. So this is really their first opportunity to implement it in that line. I can’t speak for Ping, but my guess is they were not there yet on the toe screw for a playes iron with the 210 model back in aught 18.
Not sure what’s to be fair there, that’s a them problem that it’s taken 4 years for this. I’m still surprised it made its way over, with the Tour play the iSeries get, it’s typically not a clean enough look.
You know Ping. They are not a lets put out a new line just for the sake of it. Has to be an improvement. I’m sure this was in the pipeline for years, but with Covid and the subsequent supply chain debacle, maybe they wanted to hold off to get it right and not have delays on delivering clubs.
My initial comment was simply to state they couldn’t roll out the toe screw because its been over 4 yrs since the last model. Now if they had a new i model in 2020 that didn’t feature the toe screw then I could see the comment.
Either way, I am glad they have a new i series iron out. Long overdue and IMHO this one looks really nice.
I will give it a look as I gamed the i200 for a while last year and this year and shot my best every round (68 -2) with them. Dummy me for trading them in 2 weeks ago
I do seriously question how it would improve my game over my present set. Time will answer this part.
I like that is is cast as well. I don’t know what it is, but hollow irons (other than the large hybrid type irons) just always seem to launch lower and spin less for me than cast clubs. Maybe its their cog and weighting, not sure.
I know the i200/210s were some of the highest launching and spinning in my testing. My local shop said the same thing, they always go to the i210’s if a customer of their’s needs launch and spin. So kinda hoping Ping stuck to their guns there and that these retain those performance characteristics.
They say it’s all about blending to the irons rather than being as much of a standalone club as in the past. We shall see, eh?
Interesting. Should be cool to see how these gap for people then and blend into sets. Does shortening it that 1/4" play with the lie angle at all?
January wait on G430 LST 10.5
Also ordered new 4.0 50 & 54 as I’m changing 14 club bag to 4 wedge set up.
The wait begins
I think you’d find them interesting in comparison to some of your recent irons. They really are kind of in the middle of a bunch of things.
Edit:
Thoughts on them.
If Ping achieves what they wanted, that is their goal. I am sure they have data to backup thier objectives.
For the consumer, as with any club, your mileage will vary based on fit, right?
Having owned the G (2016), owned the G400s twice, demo’d the G410 and now game the G425’s, I find the 425 the best of the 4 iterations, but I think that simply comes down to a proper fit. On the flip side, I have tried every Tour Edge hybrid since the Trilogy/Xrail line and the Trilogy and Xrail win out every time. It’s not that their newer lines are inferior…the older model suits my swing better.
You see this though every day with oems and their club lines.
I see youtube video after youtube video comparing an older club to a newer club and often times the older club wins out. Most recent Pate Finch showed the Sim beat out the Sim2 and Stealth for him.
View attachment 9130847View attachment 9130848View attachment 9130849
and some might not guess which is which in a blind test.
They have a decent feel and over a few sessions have been really consistent with spin across different shots and strikes. I think they’d look pretty good a little weak, but I’m curious to put them up against something like ZX7 in size and results. Not sure what’s there that would be on Ping’s side of the equation.
Should combo really easily with the i525 visually and I think people that want to like them will.
No, but have you seen some of the quick results I’ve had with them? At that loft it gets my attention a bit.
They really moved the toe screw, comparatively. IMO the extra scoring line aid in that consistent spin – i59’ish.
That said, it’s 99% sound for me – looking forward to experiencing it.
man the first versions sounds soo bad.
the first crossover?
I remember spending about 45 minutes with one in a broken golf galaxy simulator roping 270 yard bombs hahaha – it was super fun.
They have GOT to fix that. The past version was painful, literally.
Oh it was fast. They were pretty early to the game with that style.
Ian may have said that. He also said in a video within the last week that Cobra’s best was the F9 over the Rad and LTDx…which I am not so sure about. Everyone is going to have opinions.
Super shallow with a lot of junk in the trunk. ?
Overall the head looks good. The utility is worlds better than the previous models.
The previous version was glued, this is actually their first time putting an adapter in the crossover.
Interestingly, their materials claimed it to be a first in the segment, but we know Cobra already did that.
that’s for sure. I remember playing a Feb round with one in the cold and wind and having to hit some low balls off the tee with it and it was really good at that. Low draws that hit and ran(as well as they could in those conditions).