Ping iDi Utility Iron Review

Ping Golf is releasing a new utility iron to market, the iDi. Looking to expand on the success of the previous generations of Crossover and iCrossover, the iDi is looking to rival some of the best utility irons in the game in what is fast becoming a very competitive sector of golf equipment. Let’s see what it has to offer…

From a technical standpoint, there is a lot going on here. Ping has decided to individually optimize each loft for launch and spin to produce different flight characteristics. The 2 iron (17˚) is a traditional driving iron, designed to deliver low launch and spin to produce a low, penetrating ball flight as a more specialized tee club, while the 3 iron (20˚) is designed with more mid launch/spin CG to be a little more versatile as either (or both!) a driving iron or long-iron replacement. Finally, the 4 iron launches higher with more spin, to make it easier to hold greens with a steeper descent angle.

All three lofts have been engineered to produce higher ball speeds by virtue of the thin, maraging steel face and lower CG position, which is closer to the impact location to produce more energy transfer.

The 17-4 stainless steel head is now both deeper front to back and shallower than on the Crossover models. In addition to this, iDi is a fraction shorter heel-to-toe to make it easier to manipulate the clubface to produce different ball flights. Interestingly, each club is ¼” shorter and 1° flatter than the previous generation in an attempt to promote control. The fixed hosel allows for precise adjustment to all 10 Ping color codes and custom loft changes independent of lie.

With acoustics and impact in mind, the iDi irons are engineered with inR-Air technology, which is essentially an air pocket strategically placed inside the club behind the face to eliminate any unpleasant frequencies at impact. The i-Beam structure inside the 17-4 stainless steel body also adds structural support to the clubhead.

Looks-wise, this is a big step up in my opinion. The shelf appeal is exceptional on the iDi with its smooth, satin finish and contemporary contouring. It combines a somewhat futuristic aesthetic with some subtlety and minimalism that simply looks great in the bag and complements the iron range nicely if you are blending it into a set of Pings, such as the i530 or Blueprint S, for example.

Down in the playing position, I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight with the iDi, although it is definitely my favorite utility iron yet from Ping from this angle. I am not a huge fan of the trailing edge bulging out beyond the top edge at address, which is present on the iDi, albeit more so as you decrease in loft, but I accept it as it is an essential element of the design. I just wish it wasn’t. That said, if you can blur out anything behind the top edge from your eyes, the iDi sits very squarely behind the ball with ample blade length to provide confidence to all levels of golfers.

With regards to the performance on offer from the iDi, I was blown away. I started with the 2-iron, and my first shot set off like a scolded cat, carrying 249 yards from the floor, rolling out to 270, and this was not an isolated incident by any means. In fact, it was my shortest hit of my early swipes! My best attempt distance-wise pitched half a yard shy of 260, and rolled out to 282 yards! The ball speed I experienced was quite simply outstanding.

What may have been even more outstanding, however, was the consistency of launch and spin I experienced, never deviating by more than 1 degree or 400 rpm, and what was more impressive still was the feel off the face…

Whatever Ping has done with the air pocket, I sincerely hope it keeps doing it, and even rolls it out to some of its players' distance irons soon, as it is superb. Hot and springy without feeling harsh, providing feedback on mishits but not punishing them unduly in terms of dispersion of ball speed retention, I can’t speak highly enough of the iDi in that regard.

As much as I loved the distance on offer from the 2-iron, we settled on the 3-iron for me as it blended in better with my gapping on the rest of the set, and the added launch and spin were evident and equally as consistent as the lower lofted model.

This has jumped very close to the top of my list of favorite utility irons immediately. Strong looks, explosive speed, exceptional feel, and individually tailored launch characteristics, I am not sure what else you might be looking for from a utility iron.

Models: 2 (17° loft) 39.75” std length, 3 (20°) 39.25”, 4 (23°), 38.75”

Stock shaft: PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 85 (R, S, X)

Optional graphite shafts: PING Alta CB Blue 70 (SR, R, S), PING Tour 2.0Black 90 (S, X), Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 85 (S, X), Project X Denali Red 70HY (5.5), 80HY (6.0, 6.5)

Stock grip: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes

U.S. MSRP: $295 per club with graphite or steel shafts