Back in May, Golf Monthly’s contact at PING asked if we’d be interested in running an exclusive first look at the new PING i15 range in the magazine. It was an opportunity not to be missed, especially as the range would feature an all new wood line up to fit somewhere between the Rapture V2 range and the new G15 models.

So it was about after that initial offer, that the closely guarded new clubs arrived at GM Towers and the black-faced PING i15 driver immediately grabbed our collective attention. Quite frankly, it looks mean and would be the star attraction in any golfers bag. The head might be 460cc but it doesn’t look too big and uncontrollable. Having said that, it is long. Very long.

The fairway wood is relatively small but the hybrid is quite large. This is an unusual combination but both clubs offer considerable benefits. The PING i15 fairway wood provides good shot shaping potential, making it a solid driving alternative, whereas the PING i15 hybrid seems to provide out-and-out power to help you muscle the ball out of all sorts of heavy lies.

The PING i15 irons represent a more gradual progression from the previous i10 line. The toplines are thicker, separating the i15s from the players muscleback, the S57. The i15s are cast and not forged, and for me this compromises slightly on feel, but as a result perhaps they are longer than many forged offerings.

The PING i15 range features strong performers throughout and is set to become another success story for PING. Of course, many of you will be more interested in the forgiving properties of the new PING G15 line.

We caught our first glimpse of these up at Turnberry as various PING staff players tested them. Throughout they promise bigger sweetspots and higher ball flights and from looking at the shapes, it seems that PING has evolved and not overhauled the G range.    

Having said that, the hybrid represents a significant departure from anything else in PING’s range. The G15 hybrid has the look of a driving iron and I suspect this will become one of those clubs that players of all abilities will end up using.