Not since a set of PING Eye 2s graced my bag in middle school have I played any PING clubs. That all changed after a particularly tough round last year accompanied with some self reflection at the clubhouse bar.

I had spent a season struggling with my previous irons as they just didn’t quite match with how I played the game. My longtime friend and trusted club guru suggested I go get fitted for PING Clubs. He had watched my game over the years and seen the latest offerings from PING and thought they would be a good match.

Getting The Fit

I decided to trust my PING fitting to the professionals at Club Champion. If you are a serious golfer and have never gotten fit for clubs this can make a huge difference in your game. The knowledge, options and technology that Club Champion combines will leave anyone feeling confident they have the best fit for them. Take a look at my experience getting a full bag fitting at my local Club Champion.

Choosing the Right Clubs

Choosing the right golf club irons is crucial for maximizing your performance on the course. Here are several key factors to consider when selecting the perfect set of irons:

1. Skill Level: Consider your skill level and playing style. Beginners and high handicappers may benefit from game improvement irons, which offer forgiveness and distance, while low handicappers and professionals might prefer player’s irons for more workability and control.
2. Shaft Flex: The flexibility of the shaft influences the trajectory and accuracy of your shots. Select a shaft flex (regular, stiff, or extra stiff) that matches your swing speed. Slower swing speeds typically benefit from a more flexible shaft, while faster swing speeds require a stiffer shaft for better control.
3. Clubhead Design: Determine the type of clubhead design that suits your needs. Game improvement irons feature larger clubheads with perimeter weighting, providing forgiveness and distance on off-center hits. Player’s irons have smaller clubheads with a higher center of gravity, offering enhanced workability and feel.
4. Forgiveness vs. Workability: Decide whether forgiveness or workability is more important to your game. Forgiving irons help minimize the impact of mishits and offer consistency across the clubface, whereas more workable irons allow skilled golfers to shape shots and control trajectory with greater precision.
5. Distance Control: Pay attention to the consistency of distance control with each iron. Look for irons that provide consistent yardage gaps between clubs, allowing for precise distance management and better scoring opportunities.
6. Feel and Feedback: Consider the feel and feedback provided by the irons at impact. Some golfers prefer a softer, more responsive feel, while others prioritize feedback to assess the quality of their strikes. Testing different irons and paying attention to how they feel during practice swings can help you identify the right fit.
7. Customization Options: Explore customization options for shafts, grips, and club specifications to tailor the irons to your preferences and playing style. Adjustments such as lie angle, loft, and grip thickness can significantly impact performance and comfort.
8. Appearance: While performance is paramount, the visual appeal of the irons can also influence your confidence and enjoyment on the course. Choose irons with a design and finish that you find appealing and inspiring at address.

By carefully considering these factors and testing various options, you can find the clubs that best suit your game and help you achieve your desired level of performance on the course.

The PING Lineup

Sticking to the principals listed above the PING portfolio of irons became a goldilocks situation for me. I tried three iron types starting with the G430s. These irons would be great for a mid to high handicapper desiring forgiveness and extra distance but for me I hit them too far. I then moved on to the i530s which I would characterize as a “player’s” iron. I wouldn’t even touch these if you aren’t a single digit handicap with a great iron game. I found them to be just a little too hard for me to hit consistently, which led me to finally land on the i230s and the clubs that were “just right.”

What I feel is the most important takeaway from my experience is that PING has the right club option for any player.

i230s

I found that I settled on the i230s for five reasons:

1. Forgiveness
2. Aesthetics
3. Workability of shots
4. Distance gapping
5. Sound

Forgiveness

The design of the i230s varies from high to low irons to ensure you have the have the best hitting experience. The longer irons boast a lower and deeper center of gravity, promoting a higher launch angle and improved forgiveness on off-center hits, while the shorter irons feature a more compact profile for enhanced control and precision on approach shots.

The Look

In terms of aesthetics, the PING i230 irons exude a sleek and sophisticated appeal that instills confidence at address. The clean lines, minimal offset, and satin chrome finish combine to create a timeless look that appeals to traditionalists and modernists alike. Additionally, the progressive blade lengths and sole widths seamlessly transition from the long irons to the short irons, ensuring a cohesive visual aesthetic throughout the set.

Workability

The i230 irons incorporate a precision-milled groove pattern, engineered to maximize spin and control on approach shots and delicate pitches around the green. I found that I had a slightly lower launch and higher spin with the MicroMax grooves but my pitching and utility wedge control was great. I was also very impressed with how they held up after a season of use.

Gapping

How many times have we all walked up to a shot and said to ourselves: “that’s between clubs for me?”

When buying a new set of irons people often forget to check their gapping of distances. Every club manufacturer has slightly different specifications for loft which will make the ball fly longer or shorter depending on the club.

I had struggled in the past with other brands I played with some clubs being too close in distance and others having too far of a spread. I was very impressed with how consistent the distances were between clubs right out of the box with the i230s.

I gauge my clubs based on my 8-iron knowing that it is my 150-yard club. I found the gapping of i230s to be perfectly 10 yards apart between each club. This has certainly helped my game over the last season as I feel confident in yardage and know exactly what club to hit.

Sound

We all know the feeling of hitting a perfect shot, but how important is the sound? Besides the sound of a putt draining I would argue there is nothing more satisfying than the sound of a well-struck iron or driver.

When I first hit the i230s in the simulator it was love at first sound. The crisp sound of hitting a flush shot with the i230s is unlike any iron I have hit before. Take a listen as I hit a great approach shot to the 18th green at the Irish course at Whistling Straits.

A Season to Reflect on the PING I230s

With my i230s in the bag this past season I have never felt more confident. We all know golf is played within the six inches between the ears and if you aren’t 100% confident standing over a shot then you are just playing to get lucky.

I won’t pretend like I didn’t hit bad shots this past season, I most certainly did. But my iron mishits were so much lower and I found myself on the green in regulation more than ever before. I watched as my handicap dropped four strokes and I would attribute most of that to improved iron play.

Time to Upgrade

After my season with PING I will wholeheartedly endorse this brand to any skill level golfer. PING has been a trusted name in golf for decades and they aren’t resting on their laurels. Their continued innovation, quality and consistency should make you feel comfortable making the switch.

Check out the full lineup of PING clubs and grab a set for yourself

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