Ping has long been a titan in the players' distance category, and the release of the i530 last year set a remarkably high bar. For golfers in search of more speed and distance but who refuse to sacrifice stopping power, the new i540 arrives with a suite of score-lowering innovations.
I took them to the range and the golf course to see if they could surpass one of my favorite irons of recent times and compete with some of the best irons in the game.
Among the key advancements in the i540 is the patent-pending inR-Air Technology. This relies on an air bag (yes, you read that correctly) strategically placed behind the face inside the cavity. The goal is to filter frequencies for improved sound and feel without restricting the face bending that creates distance.
Ping’s engineers chose a specific molecular compound for the TPU insert to ensure it maintains pressurization through temperature changes and even air travel.
The engine of the club remains the forged, variable-thickness maraging-steel face, which is now 9% thinner. This allows for metal-wood-like flexing at the sole and top rail, resulting in faster ball speeds and a higher maximum height.
To support this, new i-Beam Technology adds structural support to the 17-4 stainless steel body, while tungsten weighting in the 4-7 irons lowers the CG to boost launch. Interestingly, some of the tech on offer here is very similar to that found in the iDi utility iron that I absolutely loved in testing, which certainly heightened my expectations.
While I really liked the i530 visually, the i540 is a step forward for me. The aesthetic is a lovely blend of clean and sleek, featuring some very visible nods to the performance element of the design without looking "busy."
Behind the ball, it is very nearly a copy-and-paste from the i530. However, the top line looks to have been slimmed down a touch. It’s a subtle change, but one that will certainly appeal to the better player who wants the help of a distance iron without the chunkier profile often associated with the category.
In terms of feel, I have to say that these aren't my favorite of recent times from Ping. Despite the internal work and the "airbag" technology, I personally found them a touch harsher at strike versus the i530.
Let me be clear, they are far from bad - offering an exceptionally powerful feel and plenty of feedback - but based on my pre-testing reading regarding the inR-Air tech, I was expecting something a touch softer. It’s certainly more of a "hot" sensation rather than a "buttery" one.
Performance-wise, the raw data collected on my Foresight Sports GC3 was exceptional. With relatively strong lofts (the 7-iron coming in at 29°), I was expecting significant ball speed, and that is exactly what I got. Crucially, this was coupled with a comfortable launch angle and spin rates that remained manageable throughout the bag.
The pitching wedge I tested was a particular highlight. Often in the distance iron category, the more lofted clubs lack a little control or finesse, but I didn't get that sense at all from the i540. The shaping was excellent, and it was superbly consistent in terms of carry distance - a vital metric for scoring.
If I were being fussy, I would have preferred to see less offset progression; the longer irons just have a little too much for my eye. However, that may well be a me problem, and many players in this sector will welcome the extra help in squaring the face.
For me, I don’t know if I would call it "progress" from the exceptional i530. In truth, with the improved aesthetic balanced against the slightly harsher feel, things net out about equal in my eyes. However, Ping may just be suffering from the high bar set by the predecessor - I’m sure Da Vinci wouldn’t have been devastated if his next effort had "only" turned out equally as good as the Mona Lisa!
It looks great, it’s fast, and it is extremely consistent. It’s more high-quality engineering from Ping that will undoubtedly find its way into many bags this season.
As with the full iron line-up from Ping, the i540s are available in standard, retro (weaker), and power (stronger) loft specs.
The i540 irons will be available at an RRP of £200/$235 per iron in steel, and £210/$250 in graphite.
