NWO Golf Links March 2017

24 / 42

As good as Ping ‘I’ series irons
have been, the i200 surpasses
it in every conceivable way.
Looks
Looking at the i200 irons, it’s
hard to believe that it is built for
the average golfer and provides
forgiveness for off-center
hits. Thetop lines are thin, the
soles are modest, with very
little offset. The cavities are
clean with nothing but a simple
“i200” logo on them.
My primary curiosity, as
someone gaming PING’s
iBlades, was how different the
two sets look. When you set
them next to each other, it’s
not too hard to tell which is
which, but once I had it in my
hands, it was difficult to see
any difference.
Sound & Feel
Last generation’s
made a significant leap
forward in terms of feel, and
that progress continues with
the i200. By using the same
activated elastomer in the
cavity of both the iBlades
and i200, PING has made the
i200’s feel comparable to the
top-of-the-line player’s iron.
Overall the impact feels soft and
solid and provides excellent
feedback. The sound is robust
and mid-pitched, which also
enhances the solid feel.
Performance
PING has made several
upgradesto the i200 irons.
The face is 30% thinner,
which translates to higher,
more consistent ball speed.
The MOI has been increased
by 7%, which means more
forgiveness. PINGredesigned
the sole with a higher leading
edge and more bounce. Plus,
they coated it with a water-
resistant hydropearl finish.
The i200 irons are longer,
more forgiving, easier to hit,
and more consistent in wet
conditions. What’s not to Love?
In the head-to-head comp-
arison with iBlades, the specs
are similar, the i200s are the
same length and just 1 degree
stronger throughout the
set. The i200 does produce
less spin, which is helpful in
creating more distance and
straighter shots.
The i200’s deliver the goods
PING i200 Irons Review
By: Matt Saternus,
NWO Golf Links