I’m an avid golfer, 6ish handicap (on my way to a 2), and frequent tester of golf gear since 2015.
Quick Take
Ping i540 irons are high flying, fast stopping player distance irons that deliver game improvement distance, launch, and peak height, with player sound and feel and shot making.
Golfer Geeks Verdict
4.2/ 5
★★★★★★★★★★
The Scorecard
Bag Appeal4
Distance4
Sound & Feel4
Launch & Flight5
Forgiveness4
Value4
5 = Among the best / 4 = Very good / 3 = Average–acceptable / 2 = Below average / 1 = Poor / 0 = ☠️
Best For
I like the i540s for say, 12ish handicappers and lower. Especially helpful if you need help with launch, distance, and forgiveness.
Considerations
Not giving these puppies away.
The Verdict
I really enjoyed playing the i540s. The last true player distance irons I tested from Ping were the i525s, which I did not particularly care for.
These i540s look great behind the ball. They launch high with good carry. Plus, they stop on a dime once they hit the green.
Straight is default, but I had no issues playing my normal 2-5 yard draw.
They really go when you catch them and lose about half a club when you miss the sweet spot more than a little. That’s pretty much all you want out of this category of club.
My only hesitation is the price. To be fair, it isn’t out of line with their competition.
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In this review of Ping i540 irons, I discuss my experience with the clubs, any unique features and benefits, customer reviews, and potential recommendations. I also tell you who I think should be playing them and why.
About Jamie
Handicap: 6.5
Expertise: reviewing clubs since 2015
Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
Typical ball flight: Mid-High Tight Draw
Golf ball used: Titleist ProV1x
Set Tested
Set: 4 iron – PW
IronShaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid 100g
Shaft flex: Stiff flex
How We Tested
Rounds of golf: 2 Launch monitor: 3+
7-Iron Launch Monitor Data
7-ironLaunch Monitor #s
Club Speed85mph
Ball Speed115mph
Carry Distance178yds
Peak Height70ft
Spin3618rpm
Ping i540 Irons Review
Category
Grade
Bag Appeal
4
Distance
4
Sound & Feel
4
Launch & Flight
5
Forgiveness
4
Value
4
Bag Appeal: (4) I’m a fan of the shape and size of the blade. It’s no-doubt Ping and it sets up wonderfully behind the ball. Very confidence inspiring.
Sound & Feel: (4) As I said above, they’re not soft. But…they’re not hard either. I think of them as solid with a touch, a very small touch, of springiness. They feel solid and satisfying on contact. The “click” I got on solid shots felt great and I wanted more.
Forgiveness: (4) Plenty for the category. You don’t need pure contact for good results. But, pure contact is richly rewarded.
Distance: (4) I averaged about 175 or 176 on my launch monitor. I got into the 180s when I hit them particularly solid. Same experience on the course too.
Launch & Flight: (5) Hit them the way you’re supposed to and the ball launches off the face high with tons of carry and stops pretty much where it hits when it lands.
Value: (4) Outstanding. ~$200/club. That’s kind of the benchmark from major brands for clubs in this category.
My Experience with the i540s
I enjoyed my time with the i540s. They feel good. They look good behind the ball, giving me confidence in the shot to come.
They launch high and seemingly go forever with tons of shot-stopping spin once they land. They cover well for misses and I played my normal shot shape all day long during my rounds.
The last Ping player distance irons I tested didn’t leave the best impression on me. So, I didn’t know what to expect from the i540s.
The design is a little busy for me, but there’s nothing too offensive there. I like the shape and size of the blade. Classic Ping, basically. Mid thickness topline and Ping’s standard sole shape and rounded toe with weight screw.
My set came with True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid 100g shafts. (I normally play 124g True Temper Dynamic Golds.) The i540s felt balanced and very hittable.
Bottom line: A solid set of player distance irons. They do all the things you want and need for irons in this category.
Who Should Play Ping i540 Irons?
I’ll stick with what I said above. 12ish handicaps and lower.
Low handicaps (Yes): You certainly may. Those of you closer to scratch will likely opt for something more playeresque. Mid handicaps (Maybe): I think you can start looking at these once you’re around a 12 or so. Always pays to test to see for yourself. High handicaps (No): You’ve got TONS of options better suited to your current game.
Best Alternatives to Ping i540 Irons
The player distance iron category is LARGE. Here are some suggestions from the irons I’ve personally tested.
Callaway Apex Ai200 irons – Maybe the benchmark for the category, in my book. They do everything exceptionally well and have premium player sound and feel on top of that.
Takomo 201 MKII irons – A SCREAMING bargain. You get performance that rivals the best in the category for half the price. They look great. They feel great. They perform great.
Taylormade P790 Irons – GORGEOUS irons with superior performance. They keep making these better with every iteration. They’ve been out a couple of years so they’re less expensive than some other premium brand competitors. Should definitely be on your list.
An average rating of 4.5 out of 5 with 20 verified reviews in. (1) Buyers reflect what I’ve said here. They’re long, they fly high, they feel great. Great clubs.
They have two 1-star reviews which are bogus.
One complains because he can’t find a “buy” button on the site - Ping doesn’t sell clubs directly.
The second 1-star complains that his fitter charged him $100 for the fitting.
Ping i540 Irons FAQ
What handicap are the Ping i540 irons for?
Ping i540 irons suit golfers around a 12 handicap and lower. Low handicaps can play them, though golfers closer to scratch will likely want something more player-oriented. Mid handicaps can start looking at them around a 12, and should test them first. High handicaps have better options for their current game.
Who are the Ping i540 irons for?
Ping i540 irons are for golfers who need help with distance, launch and inconsistent center contact, but still want player sound, feel and shot making. They go high, straight and far by default, and can be worked in either direction as your skill allows.
What are people saying about the Ping i540 irons?
Buyers rate the Ping i540 irons 4.5 out of 5 from 20 reviews on Ping’s website. They say the irons are long, fly high and feel great. The two 1-star reviews are not about the clubs: one buyer could not find a buy button, and the other objected to a fitting fee.
Final Verdict
Ping i540s are player distance irons meant for golfers who need help with distance, launch, and cover for inconsistent center-contact.
They go high, straight, and far by default, but can be worked in either direction and flighted as your skill allows.
They do everything you want a player distance iron to do.
Thanks for checking out our Ping i540 irons review.
