Ping i525 Iron £180 per club
GM verdict
Ping usually works on longer product cycles than most other manufacturers, but it made us wait a whopping four years for the i500’s replacement. The i525 iron occupies the space between the G425 and i210 as a hollow, distance-orientated model in a slimline chassis.
On first inspection, it would appear not much has changed. Besides a small textured section on the back, which doesn’t do much for us, the look remains similar to i500 – no bad thing given its visual appeal. That said, the topline is thinner and the hitting area a fraction larger.
Testing the i525 iron on the launch monitor hinted that the performance hadn’t moved on a great deal. Ball speed and launch were very similar and the i525 carried one yard further. The i525 did spin around 300rpm less, although a difference in shaft will have played a part here.
Hitting shots outdoors, it was obvious the i525 did have a more lively, stable feel to it. It didn’t necessarily feel any softer – it still has that metallic tone at impact – but it was a little more energetic than the i500. Shots flew on a similar trajectory, but down at the green it became apparent those hit with i525 finished three or four yards further up the putting surface than i500, so that powerful feel does seem to convert itself into extra yardage.
There were also a couple of slight mishits with i525 that carried further than expected, so it looks like your margin for error has increased slightly too, which is a pleasing trait to possess.
Overall, the changes aren’t drastic, but i525 immediately becomes a major player in the ‘compact distance iron’ category alongside the Taylormade P790. It somewhat treads on the toes of G425, but it’s an appealing prospect for the competent player who wants to rekindle the speed of yesteryear, or any mid-handicapper who likes a players’ look at address with long and consistent distances.