Ping i230 vs Ping i525
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | i230 loft | i525 loft | i230 lie | i525 lie | i230 length | i525 length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 19 | 18 | 59 | 60 | 39 | 39.5 |
| 4 | 22.5 | 21 | 59.8 | 60.5 | 38.5 | 38.875 |
| 5 | 26 | 24 | 60.5 | 61 | 38 | 38.25 |
| 6 | 29.5 | 27 | 61.3 | 61.5 | 37.5 | 37.625 |
| 7 | 33 | 30.5 | 62 | 62 | 37 | 37 |
| 8 | 37 | 35 | 62.8 | 62.8 | 36.5 | 36.5 |
| 9 | 41 | 40 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 36 | 36 |
| PW | 45 | 45 | 64.1 | 64.1 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| UW | 50 | 50 | 64.1 | 64.1 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- i230
- i525
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the i230 is 33° and the i525 is 30.5°, a 2.5° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the i525 should carry roughly 8 to 10 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the i230. Across the 9 clubs both sets share, the i525 averages 1.4° stronger, with the largest gap at the 6-iron (29.5° vs 27°).
The i230 is a players iron and the i525 a players distance iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The i525 is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 5 to 15 handicaps who want extra distance from a compact head. The i230 trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
The i230 is listed as investment cast and the i525 as hollow body. The i525's hollow body lets the face flex more and moves mass low and outward, usually giving higher launch and more ball speed on off-centre strikes than the i230, at some cost in feel. Both use tungsten weighting to lower the centre of gravity and steady the head on off-centre strikes.
Both sets were introduced in 2022, so this is a choice between two models from the same lineup rather than an upgrade: Ping designed them to sit side by side for different players.
Which should you choose?
The i525 is the stronger-lofted set — up to 2.5° stronger than the i230 on matching clubs. Expect longer carry per numbered iron but a flatter descent angle; gapping at the wedge end is where that shows up.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Ping i230 specs and Ping i525 specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ping i230 stronger lofted than the i525?
No. The i525 is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 30.5° against 33° for the Ping i230, 2.5° stronger and worth roughly 8 to 10 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Ping i230 and i525?
At the 7-iron the difference is 2.5° (33° vs 30.5°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2.5° at the 6-iron, and 7 of the 9 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Ping i230 or the i525?
The i525. As a players distance iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 5 to 15 handicaps who want extra distance from a compact head. The Ping i230 is a players iron, better suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
Do the Ping i230 and i525 have the same lie and length?
At the 7-iron, yes: both are 62° lie and 37 inches long.
Shop Ping i230
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