2nd Swing Golf
Master fitters, Trackman-heavy testing
“I think we kind of hit gold there.”
The clear winner of the fitting: a forged players head that cut carry-distance standard deviation from 3.9 to 2.3 yards while keeping identical launch, spin, and land angle to the gamer.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Dramatically tighter carry dispersion, standard deviation dropped from 3.9 to 2.3 yards
- +Held spin around 5,800 rpm even on pulls and varied strikes
- +Slightly bigger, more forgiving profile than the Cobra King Tour CB without sacrificing anything
- −Ping runs slightly higher spin than most brands, which suits this player but is worth noting
For: Good ball strikers who want a players iron with a real forgiveness factor and consistent carry numbers on mishits
Dan Hendriksen
Straight-talking UK club reviews
“it's hard to take your eyes off this club”
His number two, a stunning-looking iron with tight dispersion and Mizuno-like feel.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +absolutely stunning, like art
- +tight 154-161 dispersion
- +good 6316 rpm spin
- −not cheap at 185 per club
For: Mid to low handicap players wanting a premium players iron.
Mark Crossfield
Coach, famously hard to impress
“I want the S into this hole like I just want the S”
The more gameable Blueprint is the one he actually wants over a shot that matters; it rescued a mediocre strike at Valderrama and is where he says most should start a blend.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Precision pocket design in 3-5 irons adds real perceived and actual help
- +Performed well even on a poor strike in the on-course test
- +Slightly higher launch than the T helps in the longer irons where launch drops
- −Expensive, premium pricing
- −Loses the beauty contest to the T's bladier shaping
For: Better players who want the Blueprint look with a margin of security, or as the top half of a T/S combo set
Michael Newton Golf
On-course, season-long club tests
“that's quite refreshing from ping”
Ping's fully forged cavity back finally competes in the players category, and it's the one that will appeal to most golfers.
+ the facts · 8 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Full 8620 carbon steel forged head with a genuinely forged feel
- +Precision pocket forging saves 10g in the 3-5 irons
- +Elastomer fill dampens sound
- −Slightly bigger toe section than some will want
For: Players who want a Ping in a compact forged shape without going full blade.
Club Champion (TXG)
Tour-level fitting studio
“if someone said gun to your head, you have to play a ping iron, be blueprint s”
A compact cavity that hides real forgiveness behind its frame and pocket, giving up nothing to the blade on looks while adding a few yards and holding mishits together.
+ the facts · 6 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Genuinely forgiving four iron despite an unforgiving look at address
- +Faster than the Blueprint T: about 4 mph more ball speed and 4 yards for one tester, 9 yards more carry in the long iron for the other
- +Frame and elastomer pocket absorb mishits and improve feel
- −Stronger lofts than a traditional blade may not suit everyone
- −Not the pure blade look or feel for purists
For: Good players who want a players iron with a bit of help, in T100 territory rather than player-distance
SAS Golf
UK coach, honest equipment takes
“the numbers and spin rates were very consistent”
The new forged Blueprint S looks like a love-child of the i230 and iBlade and delivers consistent tour-level spin with more forgiveness.
+ the facts · 3 pros− the facts
- +More forgiving than the original Blueprint
- +Very consistent spin rates around 7500 rpm
- +Forged head, softer feel than the s55
For: Players wanting player-iron looks with consistent spin and a bit more forgiveness
