2nd Swing Golf
Master fitters, Trackman-heavy testing
“It looks and feels like a player's iron.”
Tested on TrackMan at the PING Proving Grounds, the i540 delivered roughly 15 extra carry yards over the host's gamer 6-iron with almost no carry variability, earning a stamp of approval as a top 2026 players distance option.
+ the facts · 6 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Big ball speed gain (about 141 mph average with a 6-iron, ~15 yards more carry than the tester's current iron)
- +Extremely consistent carry distances, nearly all within a few yards
- +High launch with spin retained around 6,000 rpm, so landing angle and stopping power stay strong
- −The added distance may be more than some players want or need through the scoring clubs, pointing toward a combo set for stronger players
For: Golfers who have lost some speed and want distance back without a big clunky head, either as a full set or as the long irons in a combo set
Mark Crossfield
Coach, famously hard to impress
“every time I hit the iron, I was blown away”
A slender players-looking iron whose numbers shocked him: huge distance with high launch and a steep descent angle that still stops the ball.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Beautiful slender player shapes with next to no offset
- +203-yard average 7-iron carry at around 90 mph, launching a surprising 18 degrees
- +48-degree descent angle gives stopping power despite lower spin
- −Expensive, a lot of money
- −Clicky game-improvement sound that does not match the forged-look promise of the internal air-bag tech
- −Slender profile still demands some precision from the player
For: The thinking player who wants game-improvement performance hidden inside a players iron, especially slower-speed players competing at distance
National Club Golfer
UK magazine, hands-on club testing
“a club like the i540 is better if you're looking to improve”
A players-distance iron with great feel, sound and feedback plus higher ball speed and spin, and the reviewer's pick for anyone wanting to improve their ball striking.
+ the facts · 6 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Great sound and lots of feedback off the face
- +Thinner face with new air technology improving sound and feel
- +More compact players design with thinner top line and narrower sole
- −Stronger lofts than the reviewer's current set led to flying greens until adjusted
For: Better players and improvers who want feedback and control to improve their ball striking
Today's Golfer
UK magazine, robot + human testing
“I can't think of any players distance iron better than the ping i540”
A genuinely mind-blowing players distance iron whose new tech solves the descent-angle problem hollow-body irons have always had, making it the reviewer's best-in-class pick.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Class-leading high descent angles despite strong lofts, holds greens
- +Explosive distance (a 280-yard 4-iron)
- +Forged-face feel, best-feeling recent Ping iron
- −High-pitched percussive sound may put some off
- −Wide sole can be hard to turn over, producing a right miss
- −Healthy offset, more extreme in the long irons
For: Mid-handicappers wanting explosive distance without sacrificing green-holding descent angle
James Robinson Golf
Mid-handicap everyman reviews
“What would I have? I'd certainly probably have the i540s”
Gorgeous, sleeker player-distance iron he would put in his own bag, though the firm clicky feel and distance jumps between strikes give him pause.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 4 cons− the facts
- +Best looking of the two new Ping sets, sleeker as you move down the set
- +Strong distance with tungsten weighting maintaining ball speed and launch
- +More comfortable strike than the G740 thanks to head size and sole shape
- −Very firm, clicky feel despite the InAir 'airbag' tech claiming improved feel
- −Inconsistent carry jumps (179 then ~197-199 with the same club) worry him
- −Lots of offset, so not for everybody
For: Golfers wanting a forgiving hollow-body distance iron with some workability and a better look
Michael Newton Golf
On-course, season-long club tests
“it's just spins a little bit low for my liking”
Fast, sleek and a better sound than previous i-series hollow irons, but the spin is low enough to worry him about front-to-back dispersion.
+ the facts · 7 pros · 4 cons− the facts
- +Very clean, sleek look with a good compact shape
- +In-Air technology noticeably improves the sound over the i500
- +Maraging steel forged face with variable thickness keeps ball speed across the face
- −Spin averaged 4,400, too low for his liking
- −29 degree 7-iron loft, he'd prefer 30-31
- −13-14 yard swing between a slight mishit and a good strike
For: Players distance golfers chasing ball speed who aren't naturally low spin.
