Ping don’t get into the same flashy advertising battles as some of the other major golf manufacturers. Their irons are found in the bags of Tony Finau, Bubba and Louis Oosthuizen, and these guys often go years without changing clubs.
So what's the big secret, and what are the most forgiving Ping irons? Let’s take a look at what they have on offer to try and solve these burning questions. Genevieve Ling uses Ping irons.
Most Forgiving Ping Irons in Golf
- Ping G710 irons (Game improvement performance with sleek looks)
- Ping G425 irons (best styling with Ping forgiveness for every player)
- Ping i210 irons (cavity back “players” iron with max forgiveness)
- Ping i500 irons (for golfers who want a higher forgiving ball flight)
Game improvement performance in a super slick package
When PIng released the G700 in 2018, it was part of a wider hollow body revolution taking place across the iron space. Ping has sometimes lagged behind their competitors when it comes to the looks of their game improvement models, but that is no longer the case.
The Ping G710’s are not only the most forgiving Ping irons, they are also some of the best looking clubs on the market.
The G710 irons are available in two loft options - standard and Power Spec. A standard loft 7 iron comes in at 29.5 degrees whereas the Power Spec is a beefy 28 degrees. Traditionalists will probably opt for the standard option, but those with higher swing speeds should probably consider the lower lofts as an option.
Loft “jacking” has been common practice for OEMs for some time now as they seek to attract buyers with promises of extra distance.
Game improvement models often launch the ball higher with in-built tech, and higher swing speed players could lose some distance with higher lofts due to higher spin rates. As always, get a fitter to look at your needs to be sure you’re getting the best product for you.
Pros
Cons
Looks great at address with understated styling
This latest iteration of Ping’s famous G series all rounder iron delivers on all fronts. The styling has been toned down from the red of the G410’s and the blade is slightly smaller giving the clubs a more premium feel overall.
Centre strikes feel beyond solid and heel/toe hits are compensated for by the perimeter weighting across the face. These irons still have the signature “Ping” sound but it is not as pronounced as the gunshot which the G710’s produce. As will all Ping G series irons, these have a decent amount of offset, but a thin topline doesn’t make this too distracting at address.
Arrcos premium shot tracking sensors are embedded in the grips which is a great feature for the stat focused player. Knowing your club distances is more likely to improve your game than many other things you do, so download the tracking app and get to know your game intimately.
Ping has resisted the temptation to jack the lofts in these irons, leaving that to the beastly G710 model. This places the G425 firmly as a frontrunner for the most forgiving Ping iron which will appeal to the widest range of players.
Pros
Cons
For golfers who want a higher ball flight with blade styling
The i500 Ping irons are simply some of the best looking blades out there. But wait a minute, this is meant to be about finding the most forgiving Ping irons, not butter knives for ego maniacs! While the i500 irons look like a blade, they are actually hollow.
This hollow body tech makes these irons some of the most innovative on the market and they are quickly gaining legendary status. The face is constructed from C300 maraging steel which is bendier than a gymnast, allowing the ball to be propelled at impressive speeds and launch angles.
The club head isn’t too small, but the lack of offset will make these desirable for players who want blade looks but with serious power.
Pros
Cons
Cavity back players iron with max forgiveness
The i210 is Ping’s “crossover” model, aimed at the better player while providing high levels of forgiveness.
The head is noticeably smaller than those in the G series models and there is little offset. At address these have Mizuno levels of appeal and the HydroPearl finish always looks delicious.
There is an elastomer insert in the cavity back which provides a lot of forgiveness for off centre hits. This was a feature in the older i200 but has been beefed up following feedback from players.
These clubs are far more workable than the G series irons and should be considered by players on the way down from a mid to low handicap.
Pros
Cons
Understanding Ping irons for forgiveness
Pings Unique Fitting System
You can take measurements of your body and your body in relation to the floor and match them up to the Ping fitting chart. It's unique and easy for you to fit yourself into a set of Pings.
Shafts used in Ping
You don't get recommendations of shafts from the Ping fitting system but this is not something they can determine. Generally you know which shaft you should be using. For faster swinging players, you want to go stiffer, and normal swing speed, you'll find regular does the job for most people.
For the slower swing speeds, you can try some graphite shafts to increase the swing speed to get the ball flying higher and further. Often steel shafts are used by moderate to high swing speeds, ranging from regular to extra stiff. If your swing could use some speed gains, a graphite shaft can shed grams off the weight, bringing your speed up.
The good news is that Ping use great shafts in their stock issue clubs. I have three Ping clubs and I have not felt tempted to change the shafts at all since having them, and I have had them since December 2021.
Iron Head Shape and Type
Ping has forged and cast irons as well as blade and cavity back irons. The forged irons from Ping are more for the shot shapers while the cavity back are for pure forgiveness. Because this guide is about forgiveness, it would be best to get a cavity back iron so you can enjoy the mis-hits not being so punishing.
The forgiving cavity back Ping irons will get you hitting more reliably straight shots instead of shot shaping, but that's what we want in forgiving clubs. Keep in mind that forged clubs can be bent multiple times for lie and loft while cast irons cannot. Cast irons do feel firmer but you need to flush the blade forged irons right in the sweet spot to make them work.
Irons vs combo vs hybrid set
Most golfers looking for forgiveness in their irons have trouble hitting long irons. Ping offers a Crossover hybrid club as well as their normal hybrids. The Crossover is a bit different though.
The Crossovers are popular with people who don't like the look of a pure hybrid. Hybrids do have a tendency to hook and some golfers just don't like the look of them. The Crossovers have a more 'iron' style of look to them.
You can mix and match whatever you prefer as there is no right answer. You must hit the clubs that make you happiest. If you're looking for wedges to round out your set of forgiving Ping irons, they also make incredibly forgiving wedges in the Glide series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Ping irons cost much more?
Ping golf irons cost more than other golf clubs because of a couple reasons.
The main reason is because Ping does not allow vendors and distributors to undercut each other on pricing. If you sell Ping, you have to stick to the pricing set by Ping at head office otherwise your ability to sell the clubs will be in jeopardy. is very strict about competition and pricing. If you are a certified Ping distributor, you must follow the exact pricing guidelines set forth by the Ping brand. If you are to violate these guidelines, you lose the ability to sell the Ping golf clubs.
Ping hold their value as well because they release so few clubs. Much like Srixon, you only find new models every 2 years or so. When they release something new, you know they have put in some effort to create something special. Generally Ping purchases last for a long time and people very rarely get rid of their sets because the quality of the product is so good.
You'll find that even forgiving Titleist irons can also run quite a high price tag.
What Are The Best Ping Game Improvement Irons?
Currently the Ping G425 are the best game improvements from Ping. Ping game improvement irons tend to get longer and more forgiving each year and the Ping G410 are also a hot product if you can get your hands on any!
Game Improvement irons have got a bad reputation lately as some sort of high handicap or unskilled players clubs. The truth is, that the majority of golfers can play Game Improvement irons all the way down to single figure golf. Ping offer longevity in their irons and your set will last you for years. Very often, Ping enthusiasts are as rabid as forgiving Mizuno iron fanatics
PING’s dot system explained
Before we look at the specific irons which Ping offer, it’s worth going over Ping’s unique dot system. You may have noticed that on all Ping irons, there is a little colored dot somewhere on the head. This dot is used to identify the lie angle of the club and with 10 possible colors/angles, it’s worth getting the right one for you.
A professional club fitter will be able to fit you into the correct color easily, but if you’re buying off the rack, the chart should give you a good indication of which color is best suited to you.
Which PING irons are right for you?
If you shoot in the 100’s or 90’s, you are probably looking for a club which will get the ball in the air quickly and maximise your distance. Ping offers a range of clubs which could be suitable for this type of player each with subtle differences.
Generally the G425 or G410 will be excellent for most mid to high handicappers. For advanced players, the blade Ping irons will be fantastic options. The quality of Ping just sneaks past high handicap Callaway irons and Taylormade who make very forgiving irons too.
But like all golf clubs, how they look and feel is just as important as the tech which is built in. You have to look down at your clubs and LOVE them. If you don’t, you need to think about why and reassess your tools. With this in mind, you might find that the most forgiving Ping iron for YOU is a blade. It probably won’t be but it could be.
Conclusion
Ping has turned from best kept secret to major player in recent years. They offer a great range of products for all players. Ping irons also hold their value really well over time so they make a great investment whether you are buying new or used.
The winner for me here are the hollow bodied models when it comes to forgiveness with the G710 edging it over the i500 due to the black finish. Overall the G4 series is probably the best value option, with the i210 offering the best of all without really shining.