PING’s most recent challenge was a tall task — they asked their engineers to create a more forgiving forged blade iron without compromising its feel, size and appearance. The result: the i59 irons.
“It was a very interesting and educational project,” said PING’s president, John K. Solheim. “We set out to disrupt an iron category that traditionally has lacked a lot of performance innovation. The result is a true forged blade on the outside, but inside it’s like nothing we’ve ever engineered.”
The new iron series replaces the iBlade model, as demand for a forged blade that provided forgiveness rose significantly as of late. Typically, golfers who want to play blades – forged or cast – don’t want or even need forgiveness with them.
However, PING took that idea and ran with a design to benefit all golfers, providing a blade that has forgiveness that’ll be there for them, whether they need it or not.
To bring this idea to life, PING altered the inside of the irons with a new aluminum-made AlumiCore component. The aerospace-grade AlumiCore replaces an older, heavier material and shifts the weight of the blade on the perimeter of the head to increase MOI. The i59 achieves this and remains looking as clean and pristine as a regular forged blade.
The complex joining of a forged blade body, an aluminum core and a laser cut face was achieved through a unique technique called “swaging.” This technique applies significant pressure to create a unibody-style part that is then plasma-welded to seal the seams together. This triforce of power brings together PING’s most complex iron to date.
The i59 irons, along with other offerings from PING, are available to demo at your local Club Champion.