Are Ping Eye 2 Irons Still Good? [Explained]
Ping Eye 2 irons have been around since the late ’80s and have been used by many professional golfers around the world. Though these irons are quite old and don’t have a variety of technologies as the modern clubs have, there are many loyal fans of these Eye2 irons.
Even in 2023, the Ping Eye 2 irons are still legal for casual golfing. It is because of their impressive performance, feel and lifespan. They are, at the same time, illegal too for professional tournaments as they do not conform to the PGA rules.
However, Ping Eye 2 irons offer many advantages. But there are also some disadvantages that you should be aware of before making a choice. So, what are they and why are they still good? Let’s find it out.
Overview of Ping Eye 2 Iron
Ping Eye 2 irons are still one of the most popular perimeter weighted game improvement cavity back cast irons. The perimeter weighted club head offers supreme accuracy and forgiveness.
For higher ball speed and ball flight, the Ping Eye 2 irons also feature an offset hosel and a cavity back club head also.
But the best part of Ping Eye 2 irons is their color dots on the back of the club head. It is a unique system of determining the ideal length of the club depending on the player’s height used by only Ping.
Moreover, the Ping Eye 2 clubs are made of stainless steel which makes them durable and fairly lightweight.
Also, thanks to their larger sweet spot which makes it easier to hit the ball. They are also very consistent and forgiving as well.
Here is a look at the good sides and drawbacks of Ping Eye 2 irons:
Good Sides
- The color coded system
- Perimeter weighted and cavity back design
- Larger sweet spot
- Durable and lightweight
- Extraordinary consistency and forgiveness
- Excellent feel and performance
Drawbacks
- Fairly expensive than many modern irons
Ping Eye 2: Features and Specs
Here we will discuss the major features, specs, and pricing of Ping Eye 2 irons. This is so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not they are still good for you.
Perimeter Weighting
One of the key features of a Ping Eye 2 iron is the perimeter weighting design. Perimeter weighting means removing the weight from the center and distributing it around the periphery of the club head.
This feature on Ping Eye 2 irons increases the Moment of Inertia (MOI) and forgiveness on off-center shots. It also offers more consistent ball flight over the shots.
Cavity Back Design
Though the Ping Eye 2 irons are the 80s intention, they also have a cavity back design like modern game improvement irons.
As the name suggests, the cavity back design means there is a cavity or hole in the back of the club face.
The main benefit of cavity back on a Ping Eye 2 is it will improve consistency during off-center strikes.
It also helps Ping Eye 2 clubs to produce more forgiveness, more ball speed and will deliver an aesthetic look than the blade-style irons.
Color Dot System
As we mentioned earlier, the Ping Eye 2 irons have different color dots behind the club head. It represents the lie angle between the shaft and the sole of the club.
A golfer should have the right lie angle in his/her iron for optimal performance. So, before purchasing a Ping Eye iron, you must check the manufacturer’s color chart and choose the accurate length of the club.
Here’s a look at the meaning of different color dots in Ping Eye 2 golf clubs:
| Color’s Name | Lie ANGLE Meaning |
| Black dot | Standard |
| Blue dot | 1° upright |
| Red dot | 1° flat |
| Green dot | 2° upright |
| Orange dot | 2° flat |
| White dot | 3° upright |
| Brown dot | 3° flat |
| Gold dot | 4° flat |
| Maroon dot | 5° upright |
Larger Sweet Spot
The cavity back design and perimeter weighting offer the Ping Eye 2 irons a larger sweet spot. The larger sweet spot helps the golfers to hit the ball well.
It also delivers higher ball flight and reduces the number of miss-shots.
Offset Design
As we already know, the Ping Eye 2 irons are the game improvement irons that help mid-to-high handicap golfers to be low handicap golfers.
For this, the Ping Eye 2 clubs come with the offset hosel design that every beginner-friendly golf club set must have.
In some simple words, offset means the distance between the leading edge of the face and leading edge of the hosel.
The offset design on a Ping Eye 2 iron offers a couple of advantages specially for the amateur golfers.
Firstly, it delivers higher launch angle and more distance over the shots. Secondly, an offset hosel club like a Ping Eye 2 iron makes it easier to hit a ball straighter.
| Club | Offset | Bounce |
| 1 | 0.36″ | -4° |
| 2 | 0.35″ | -3° |
| 3 | 0.34″ | -2° |
| 4 | 0.28″ | -2° |
| 5 | 0.26″ | 0° |
| 6 | 0.21″ | 0° |
| 7 | 0.19″ | 3.2° |
| 8 | 0.21″ | 3.2° |
| 9 | 0.19″ | 3.2° |
| PW | 0.16″ | 8.7° |
| SW | 0.14″ | 13.7° |
Square-faced Grooves
The earlier Eye2 irons have a square groove. This square design of grooves improves spin rate and control on shots.
Refined Sole
In Spite of being a non-modern golf club, Ping Eye 2 irons have a refined and fairly wide sole.
Ping Eye 2 irons with refined and wide soles have lower center of gravity for higher launch and distance. Also, this feature exceptionally improves the turf interaction.
Specs
The common specifications of Ping Eye2 irons are listed below:
| Club | Lie/Loft | Length |
| 1 | 58.0°/16.0° | 39.75″ |
| 2 | 58.5°/18.5° | 39.35″ |
| 3 | 59.5°/21.5° | 38.75″ |
| 4 | 60°/24.7° | 38.25 |
| 5 | 61°/28.5° | 37.75″ |
| 6 | 61.5°/32° | 37.25″ |
| 7 | 62.5°/ 36° | 36.75″ |
| 8 | 63°/40.2° | 36.25″ |
| 9 | 64°/45° | 35.75″ |
| PW | 64.5°/50.7° | 35.50″ |
| SW | 64.5°/57.7° | 35.2″5 |
Are Ping Eye 2 Irons Still Good?
The answer, unfortunately, is not a simple one. Because, it depends on the golfer who will play it.
Ping Eye 2 irons are a great option for the players who want accuracy, quality and performance altogether.
They have many benefits to offer that really help and improve your game. Though the Ping Eye 2 irons are the old model, they are still good because of their extraordinary features.
They are the best for those who are struggling with easier ball flight and launching. These game improvement irons will also help with consistency, forgiveness and distance.
But still there are some things missing in these irons compared with the modern irons.
For example, Ping engineers didn’t get to use A.I. technology for a precise and aesthetic design of the club that time.
Ping Eye 2 irons also don’t have a multi-material construction as the modern irons have.
It is really useful for higher ball speed. But still Ping Eye 2 irons are highly regarded and have the capability to ace any modern iron.
Why Were Ping Eye 2 Irons Banned?
Ping Eye 2 irons were banned in the early 1990s by the United States Golf Association (USGA). It is because of conforming to the rules set by USGA.
Till date, they are illegal in professional golf tournaments arranged by the USGA. Because, it is proved that the Ping Eye 2 irons offer unfair advantages in many ways.
The larger sweet spot allows the golfer to hit the ball easily and almost always make contact with the ball. They are also banned in terms of square groove design and increased spin rate and control.
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FAQs
Now we know whether the Ping Eye 2 irons are good or not. But still here we have answered some frequently asked questions regarding the Ping Eye 2 irons:
Are Ping Eye 2 Irons Still legal?
Ping Eye 2 irons are still legal in casual golfing. They are not allowed in competitive or professional golf tournaments.
How to know if my Ping Eye 2 iron set is illegal?
The easiest way to know if your Ping Eye 2 version is illegal or not is finding the grooves. Ping Eye 2 irons having square shaped grooves are only illegal.
Are Ping Eye 2 irons blades?
No, Ping Eye 2 irons are not blades. They are a cavity back iron. So, they have a larger sweet spot and are more forgiving than blades.
Is there any difference between the old Ping Eye 2 irons and the new versions of Ping Eye 2?
The main difference between the old and the new Ping Eye 2 irons is their groove’s shape. The new versions come with a V-shaped groove, while the older Ping Eye 2 irons had a square groove.
Conclusion
Though it’s been a long run, Ping Eye2 irons are still very popular among golfers and professionals because of their unique design and features. Actually, they have a lot to offer both beginners and experienced golfers.
But they are a little expensive too. So, if you’re looking for a bargain, it’s better to look elsewhere. But the online retailers such as Amazon can help you to purchase a Ping Eye 2 iron at a cheaper rate.
Overall, the Ping Eye 2 irons are worth the investment. They may be a little costly, but they offer unbeatable quality and performance.
Reference: https://aecinfo.org/ping-eye-2-vs-modern-irons/
Meet Jalal, a passionate golf writer and the driving force behind Golfertroop.com, your go-to destination for all things golfing! Whether you’re a seasoned golfing veteran or a beginner taking your first swing, Jalal is here to assist you in making the most out of your golfing experience.
