Ping i525 Irons Review

This is Golfer Geeks’ review of the Ping i525 irons.

I’m an avid golfer, a 9.2 handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6) and frequent tester of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.

I tested the Ping i525s during 3 range sessions along side the i59s. I hit 2 buckets of balls between them each day and had them on my launch monitor for nearly every shot.  

Summary: The i525s are sleek, compact, easy to hit, and long. The forgiveness and distance tech is hidden nicely inside a player iron shell. They performed well for me and are worth a look if you are in the market for player distance irons. 

In this Ping i525 irons review, I discuss my experience with the clubs, unique features and benefits, as well as customer reviews and potential alternatives. 

Ping i525 irons Overview

The i525s are forged hollow-body irons. They have precise perimeter weighting for more forgiveness, easier launch, carry, and green holding ability. They have stronger lofts for help with distance. They maintain a “player” look, so your buddies won’t know you’re about to out hit them through the bag.  

Why Consider the i525 irons

The i525s perform with the best in the player distance iron category. They’ve got stronger lofts for added distance, but still get up easily and carry forever before gently dropping onto the green. The clubheads are slightly larger, but not large, for more forgiveness. They look player, so you’ll be proud… oh so proud, to have them in your bag.   

Features & Benefits

1) Forged Maraging Steel Face

• The strength of maraging steel lets Ping use a thinner face which increases face-flex at impact for faster and higher ball launch, while remaining predictable. 

2) Extreme weighting

• Ping added tungsten weights to the toe and tip of the shaft to allow for increased perimeter weighting for increased MOI.

3) Polymer-injected face

• Ping injects a polymer compound on the back of the clubface to improve sound and feel while not interfering with face deflection. 

4) Micromax face grooves

• The grooves are cut closer together to allow for an additional 4 grooves to be added to the clubface, which reduces fliers in short irons and preserves spin in long irons

5) Preferred styling

• Compact clubhead with slightly thicker topline and sole, and minimal offset. 

Ping i525 Iron Specs

Testing the Ping i525 irons

I tested the i525s alongside the i59s. I alternated between them between shots most of the time. I wasn’t swinging particularly great, so it had to take a few cracks at a club before switching on occasion.

Because of this, it took me 3 days to work out what I was seeing and how I felt about them. 

My Experience with the Ping i525 irons

I spent all my time with the i525s on the range. Probably about 4 buckets-worth over 3 days. My swing wasn’t cooperating, so it took me a good while to give them a fair shake.

They are neck and neck with the i59s in sound and feel. 

They were consistently about a club longer than the i59s, depending on the club. The lofts are stronger in every club, but it varies from 1 degree to 3.5 degrees. 

Review of the Ping i525 irons

Looks: (A)

The i525s look great in the bag (yes, this is a thing) and great behind the ball.

I prefer the clean and refined look of player clubs, especially irons. Ping delivers nicely on this with the i525s. The topline is thicker, but not thick. Same with the sole. The offset is minimal also – something better players can obsess on.

My eyes are very used to compact clubheads since I started playing Hogan icon irons (blades) about a year ago. So, that’s why I have the “A” vs “A+” like I did with the i59s. 

Sound & Feel: (B)

They produce nice feedback but the feel is harsh compared to the soft carbon steel construction of my Hogan combo set. They deliver a nice “click” at impact.

Distance: (A)

They’re longer than the i59s by about a half club or so, which you would expect because of the jacked lofts. (see above) 

Forgiveness: (A)

More forgiving than straight-up player irons, which is exactly what Ping was going for.

You don’t need perfect contact to get good results, but the whole face isn’t a trampoline.  

Flight / Playability: (A+) 

They want to go high, but you can easily flight and shape them. These are player irons, so, they can deliver the shot if you’ve got the swing.    

Customer Reviews

It’s early days for the i525s, but they have 17 reviews with an average rating of 4.8 and 13 of 14 buyers would recommend the i525s to a friend. 

Who are the Ping i525 irons for?

Low handicaps – Yes. Low single-digit handicappers may prefer a smaller clubhead, but these are fine for the rest of us. 

Mid handicaps – Yes, once you are closer to single digits. They aren’t impossible to play for higher mid handicaps, but there are better irons on the market for your current skill level.

High handicaps – No. Again, not impossible for you to get around the course with these, but you won’t have fun. You’ve got better options suited to your game. 

Potential Alternatives

See other Ping Alternatives.

Our Verdict

Ping i525 irons are a good choice in the player distance iron category. Well worth a test drive if you are in the market.  

Thanks for checking out our Ping i525 irons review and let us know how they work for you.