If small, compact, minimalist blades are your thing then PING’s new Blueprint irons will get your heart pumping, thumping and jumping in 2024.
The original PING Blueprint blades, released in 2019, were an overwhelming success despite being the antithesis of just about every PING iron in history. PING were famous for producing cast, perimeter-weighted, cavity-back irons that didn’t hurt your hands and send a shudder up your spine whenever the ball was hit off centre. But in what can best be described as a complete 180° handbrake-assisted U-turn, PING Blueprint irons were forged muscleback blades designed to satiate the whims of elite ball strikers.
They were austere. They were workable. They weren’t forgiving. But golfers went absolutely bananas for Blueprint irons. In fact, they were so successful PING have decided to release two versions of Blueprint irons this time around.
DOUBLE EDGED BLADES
Blueprint irons sound like they’ve been created in a top-secret research lab in PING’s basement. But the reality is they are quite conventional irons.
The Blueprint T is a traditional muscleback blade while the Blueprint S is a slimline cavity back. Both models are forged from 8620 carbon steel and feature minimal offset, a thin topline and a narrow sole.
Featuring PING’s Hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish on the exterior, PING have designed the S and T Blueprint models to be blended into a combination set. They feature identical lofts that also match up with PING’s i230 player’s irons.
PING Blueprint irons feature a True Temper Dynamic Gold 120 shaft.
PING BLUEPRINT S IRONS
On face value, the new Blueprint S might be simply viewed as PING attempting to expand the range of handicaps who might consider playing a Blueprint iron. There does appear to be an element of truth to that given what the Blueprint S has hiding under its bonnet.
While it’s an incredibly compact iron, the Blueprint S offers a little extra forgiveness via the cavity on the back. PING have instituted “precision pocket forging” in the 3-5 irons, a patented forging technique that positions a pocket within the cavity. It saves 10g of weight, which has been redistributed within the head to optimise the centre of gravity and create extra distance. And it also elevates MOI for greater forgiveness in the long irons.
Sealed with an elastomer insert and featuring a smidgeon more offset, the 3-5 irons produce a solid feel and sound and distance. Meanwhile, the 6-PW in the Blueprint S are geared towards elite control and workability.
PING BLUEPRINT T IRONS
Forged muscleback blade irons don’t come much purer than the PING Blueprint T. PING deferred to their Tour staff to understand what they’d really like to see in the next generation Blueprint iron. The feedback was pretty much, “don’t change it, but make it better”.
The forged Blueprint T is an upgrade on the original Blueprint iron but the emphasis remains on offering feel, workability and control that is the most precise in the game. Make no mistake, Blueprint T irons are made for the crème de la crème of ball strikers. Slightly narrower soles result in improved turf interaction. And a shorter face height on the heel side of the blade enhances the clean appearance of the Blueprint T iron. But there isn’t much margin for error.
Mass is concentrated around the strike zone in the centre of the head to offer the premium feel unique to a forged muscle back iron. However, the addition of a tungsten toe screw and tip weights on the irons’ perimeter has created superior performance and boosted MOI. In testing, the PING Blueprint T iron generated faster ball speeds than the original and achieved a greater apex height to improve green-holding capacity.
PING BLUEPRINT IRONS SPECS
- Hand: Right/Left
- Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold 120
- Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
- PING Blueprint T Iron Lofts: 3: 19°, 4: 22.5°, 5: 26°, 6: 29.5°, 7: 33°, 8: 37°, 9: 41°, PW: 45°
- PING Blueprint S Iron Lofts: 3: 19°, 4: 22.5°, 5: 26°, 6: 29.5°, 7: 33°, 8: 37°, 9: 41°, PW: 45°
PING PING CHIPR LE
Due for release on the same day is an interesting addition to PING’s Le women’s club range: the ChipR Le. The club is a blend of a putter and wedge and is based on the PING Chipo invented nearly 50 years ago by PING founder Karsten Solheim.
Featuring the loft of a 9 iron (38.5°) and the same shaft length as a putter (34 inches), the ChipR Le is designed to simplify the technique required to play shots from up to 40 yards from the putting surface. It allows golfers to play bump-and-run chip shots using a simple putting stroke to improve distance control. And with a cambered sole, the ChipR Le is just as effective from the rough or fringe as it is off the shorter grass.
PING CHIPR LE SPECS
- Hand: Right/Left
- Shaft: PING Le Wedge (graphite)
- Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
- PING ChipR Le Loft: 38.5°
- PING ChipR Le Lie Angle: 70°