50 Words or Less
The PING Blueprint irons are the easiest-to-hit blade in golf. Beautiful shape. Great feel. Unlimited shot making potential.
Introduction
Ever since I saw them at the 2019 PGA Show, I have been dying to get my hands on the PING Blueprint irons. With the iBlade (review HERE), PING took a near-blade and somehow packed in the forgiveness of a full cavity back iron. I couldn’t wait to see if they could repeat that magic with a true blade. The minute that these clubs arrived on my doorstep, I unboxed them and ran to the range to begin testing.
Looks
If you have preconceived notions about what a PING iron looks like, throw them out the window. This is not your daddy’s PING iron.
The PING Blueprint irons were designed based on their Tour staff’s desire for a true blade. This is a very compact blade with a thin top line, narrow sole, and virtually no offset.
As good as they look at address, I think they look even better in the bag. The shape of the muscle is simple yet unique, and the branding is clean and minimal. I also like the weight plug in the toe – a gentle nod to the fact that, despite the appearance, this is a highly engineered PING club.
Above you can see the Blueprint (left) next to my gamer iBlade (both are 7 irons). The top line is noticeably thinner, and the blade is shorter. Additionally, the soles of the Blueprint irons are much thinner than the iBlades, though they have nearly identical bounce specs.
Sound & Feel
The PING Blueprint has a solidness at impact that is unparalleled (yes, solidness is a real word) . The Blueprint checks all the expected boxes – soft, muted, etc – but what makes it unique is that feeling of connection to the ball.
These irons are forged from 8620 carbon steel. The result is that the feedback is exceptional. Every shot can be precisely located through feel, but, pleasantly, the mishits don’t sting your hands.
Performance
As I sped to the range with my shiny new Blueprint irons in the trunk, I had visions of all the shots I was going to create. I didn’t leave until the irons were no longer shiny and every one of those shots had been hit. Assuming you have the right shaft for your swing (and PING has plenty of stock options), these irons will give you control over every aspect of your ball flight.
The shot control was exactly what I was expecting from the Blueprint irons. What I was not expecting was the forgiveness. These are the easiest-to-hit blades I’ve ever played. Now, before anyone goes crazy, let me be very clear: these are no substitute for the G410 irons (review HERE). That said, the Blueprint irons are more than happy to forgive a slightly thin shot. Additionally, the tungsten screw in the toe boosts stability making small mishits virtually identical to pure strikes.
This summer I’ve spent more time practicing than I have in many years, and I’ve gotten more in touch with club/turf interaction. That’s made me appreciate the versatility of the narrow sole on the Blueprint. By this point in the season, my range is a minefield, and I found all manner of sketchy lies. The Blueprint was able to pluck the ball out of any of them, but there was enough bounce to keep the club from digging.
The loft specs on the Blueprint irons mirror the iBlades, which is to say they’re fairly weak by modern standards. These are designed for better players who are more concerned about stopping power on the greens than they are about hitting their 6I longer than the next guy. For those that do want stronger lofts, the Blueprint is available in Power Spec Lofts which are 1-2 degrees stronger.
Conclusion
I came into this review with high expectations, and the PING Blueprint irons exceeded them. They delivered the look, feel, and shot control that I was hoping for with more forgiveness than I expected. The Blueprint will be getting a lot of time in my bag for the rest of 2019 and beyond.
PING Blueprint Irons Price & Specs
Matt Saternus
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Recognizing that this is a blade, so forgiveness is always in air quotes, where do you see this compared to the players CB field (ex. Apex Pro, CB/AP2, iBlade, etc..) for slightly off center strikes?
Matt,
The clubs you mention (Apex, AP2, iBlade) are some of the best players CBs for forgiveness. Compared to them, there’s some drop off. When you bring in clubs like the Titleist CB, I think the Blueprint is every bit their equal.
Best,
Matt
I have been playing with a set of these in the power spec with the stock Dynamic Gold 120s and love em. I’m surprised how well the stock shaft works the heads which I think Ping put some well thought into. I agree with the article on the easiness to hit the ball for a blade. I’m a 10hdcp with decent, not super good striking ability. Good feel on flush shots, and good feedback on misses. I plan to keep these in the bag for awhile.
Do you guys get to keep every club you review?
Brandon,
Some OEMs choose to submit clubs for review, which we then keep. Other OEMs choose not to supply clubs for review.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt, will you stick with the stock shaft DG 120 or will you reshaft?
Cheers, Matt
Matt,
I could happy with a number of the stock options, but anything going in the bag has to have C-Taper Lite.
Best,
Matt
How is the finish? I found the G400 and other Ping irons scratch and mar quite easily and look bad in a short period of time.
Bruce,
I’ve had no issue with the finish so far.
Best,
Matt
Very generous in the “Feel” section. Reality is the Blueprints are much firmer than most any other forged blade on the market due to the use of the harder 8620 steel instead of 1020 or 1025. Durability and longevity are key reasons why PING went this route, but it’s disappointing to see their first venture into blades used this cheaper, harder material yet they still choose to charge nearly double what they should for it…
Feel is subjective.
-Matt
Matt, how do they compare to the Mizuno JPX919 Tours?
Jeff,
For me, it’s not close. The Blueprint feels better and is more forgiving.
Best,
Matt
Matt – better than the Cobra blades / combo set? You were a huge fan of those. From a looks perspective, hard to beat the gunmetal look. I play blades now, but want to move to a something a little more forgiving in the players category (cobra cb/mb, titleist cb, mizuno 919 tour, srixon combo). Cobra, Mizzy scored well in MGS tests, but the test did not include “blades” or combo sets.
Bill,
Yeah, I prefer the Blueprint, but that’s not a slight to the Cobras. That MB/CB set is really really good.
Best,
Matt
will this iron work for slow swing speeds between 60 to 70 with a ust mamiya recoil 760 es smacwrap graphite iron shaft f2. senior golfer age 75,played blade in my heydays of golfing. currently 10 handicap.
Matt,
You gave the Miura CB1008 irons a really positive review and put them in your bag, only to switch to the Blueprints. I currently play the Miura MB001 irons but am now 66 and looking for forged irons with a bit more forgiveness but with minimal offset. I would be interested in your thoughts on comparing the forgiveness between the Blueprints and the CB1008 and what made you switch.
Colin,
I still don’t have anything negative to say about the CB1008. I switch between the PING iBlades – which are substantially more forgiving than Miuras – and the Blueprints – which are my aesthetic ideal. Between the Blueprint and CB1008, I don’t think there’s much of a forgiveness gap, but if forced to pick, I’d favor the Blueprint.
Best,
Matt
Thoughts on forgiveness between X Forged (2018 model) and the blueprint irons? These have really caught my eye!
Zach,
I would guess they’re pretty similar, but I say that without any head to head testing to confirm.
Best,
Matt
Hey Matt, I’m looking at doing a combo set with the blueprint in the 7-pw and the I500 in the 4-6. I was thinking of doing the power spec lofts for the blueprint to close the gap between them and the i500. Do you think these can blend with the I500 or would you think being a players distance iron the I500 would still be too long to blend with the blueprint ?
Laban,
I think you can find a way to blend those sets, you just may need to do some tweaking of the lofts once you get them. As always, a good club fitter/builder can make the process easier.
Best,
Matt
Blueprint to titliest CB IRONS
FEEL ?
FORGIVENESS ?
CONTROL?
BALLFLIGHT?
Curtis,
They’re both in the same ballpark. I prefer the feel of the Blueprints, but that’s subjective and the difference isn’t huge. Both have a small amount of forgiveness and plenty of control.
There will be a full Titleist CB review at the end of the month.
Best,
Matt
I have Callaway apex mb and really love them. I feel like they are pretty forgiving for the profile and I love the way they look. How does the blueprint compare to them?
Thanks
Sean
Sean,
We have a full review of the Apex MB here: https://pluggedingolf.com/callaway-apex-mb-irons-review/
Unfortunately, I did not write it so I can’t speak to the Apex MB.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
If you would, can you compare the Ping Blueprints to the Mizuno MP 20 mb blades? I value your opinion as I’m trying to decide between the two.
Thanks,
Jim
James,
I think the Blueprint is objectively easier to hit, but beyond that it’s just preference. I prefer everything about the Blueprints, which is why they’re in my bag, but I can understand why others like the Mizunos.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt! Have you hit the Srixon Z Forged? I’m curious on the comparison to the BPs. I know blade length is much longer on the Z Forged but I know you commented on the forgiveness of the BPs. Any comparison thoughts, of you can, would be appreciated! Thank you!
Brian,
I have a full review of the Srixon Z-Forged that will be out soon. To me, the Blueprint is a better iron, but the Z-Forged is fine. There’s no single metric on which I prefer the Z-Forged, but if that was the iron I had to play, I wouldn’t be heartbroken.
Best,
Matt
Matt, I currently game the i500s. They r terrific. im heavily considering making a switch to the blueprints OR the Callaway apex pros.
Have tried the apex pros. Loved them. Didn’t try blueprints. The fitter didn’t even bring them up. The Callaway were great and improved on the pattern w i500s… very tight distance dispersion. And left right was about same. My only complaint w i500s is sometimes u just absolutely nuc the ball. Like 15-20 yards longer than intended… and thus there was a deeper distance dispersion. Whereas the Callaway (and I would expect the blueprints) seem to have better distance consistency shot to shot swing to swing.
Is that your impression? Is this a reason not many pros play the i500s. See mostly iblade n blueprint w ping staff. A few have older irons like bubba. Thx
Bill,
The issue of that occasional knuckleball that goes forever is common to many distance irons and is much less common in players irons. You’ll give up something in terms of forgiveness on mishits with a players iron, but you’re less likely to have a bad result from a good swing.
Best,
Matt
Hi I’m a 15 hcp are the blueprint pings anygood for me
Allan,
15 is probably a little ambitious, but you could make it work. The best thing to do is go give them a try and see what happens.
Best,
Matt
I’ve been playing with PING eye 2+ blue dots for 20 years, and I was curious if it would be a quick transition to the blueprints blue dots or should I consider another color? Thanks for all the input! Great name btw!
Matt,
If you’re asking purely about lie angles, assuming you’re happy with your current clubs, I would think staying in blue makes sense.
-Matt
Thank you for the quick reply! Oh and sorry one more question, would the soft feel be compromised a little bit if I were to go with a KBS x-stiff shaft. I know you mentioned the c-taper lites, but was unsure which flex you tried with the blueprints.
Matt,
I play the C-Taper Lite in X and still enjoy the feel of the Blueprints.
-Matt
Do you use the BluePrint 4-pw? Would these combo up nicely with the iBlade or do you recommend something else?
Jeff,
I play them 4-PW, but a combo with iBlades would be great, too.
-Matt
Hi Matt,
I currently play the i200s, but was thinking about moving to more of a blade. Since you gamed the iblade would that be a food fit for Forgiveness in a Blade that would be close to the i200? My HC is 14.
Aaron,
The iBlade is a great step from the i200. You’ll give up a little forgiveness, but not a lot.
-Matt
What are the main reasons that these kept the PXG Ts out of your bag? Are the blueprints more traditional feeling than the hollow PXG or was that not a factor?
Luke,
Feel isn’t the issue, I love the feel of the PXGs. For the amount I’m playing right now, I prefer the distances I get with the Blueprints, they’re closer to what I’ve always played.
-Matt
are the blueprints taper tip or parallel?Do the use shaft centering ferrules?
Will,
I believe it’s a taper tip with a standard ferrule, but I’m a 30 handicap as a club builder. :)
Best,
Matt
How would you compare the blueprint irons for feel distance and forgiveness to the apex 21 mb irons
Ken,
I have a full review of the Apex MB here: https://pluggedingolf.com/2020-callaway-apex-mb-irons-review-2/
With regard to distance, both have very traditional lofts and construction. I expect most players will hit them very similar distances.
-Matt
Are they similar to i59 in feel and forgiveness?
Simon,
I haven’t tested the i59 yet, but all indications are that the i59 should be much more forgiving.
-Matt
Hi Matt, I really love Plugged in Golf Reviews and the Pod Casts….As I am a licensed psychologist and use to play music professionally and a former English teacher, I LOVE the point of view you and your fellow writers bring. I am 71 y/o and started playing golf at age 65. I started with Mizuno 850’s, went to Titleist AP1’s, and now have 3 sets of irons! PXG 0311 P, Callaway Apex 21 combo (Apex 21/Apex Pro) and Ping Blueprints I bought all of my clubs used and have been fitted 3 times…Golf is a total head trip and I love it! I use 3 different shafts…2 are Stiff and 1 is Regular. As I age I’m hitting the ball further and straighter and have gone from a senior flex to Stiff. I’ve discovered that breathing and not thinking is key. I think a lot when I’m practicing, but very little during my stroke I do try to focus and think clearly when I am planning a shot.
My conclusion is that much of the joy of golf comes from 1. a shared experience, 2 the pleasure of being in the moment, 3 self control, 4 the sheer joy and pleasure of doing something well, 5 enjoying other players success.
I simply wanted to thank you for so much pleasure I’ve gotten from reading your reviews and listening to your podcasts.
Many, many thanks!
David,
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoy our work.
-Matt
Hi Matt, sorry resurrect an old thread, but I’ve been gaming the i210s for a few seasons and really can’t seem to work them. I hit a blueprint recently and was blown away. I don’t want to do the ego thing, but do you think a combo between the two for 4 hc is reasonable? Although I’m tempted to make the full switch. Love the page mate!
Drew,
I’m glad you’re enjoying the site!
Check this out: https://pluggedingolf.com/should-you-play-blades/
Best,
Matt
Thanks so much for this, Matt! I am one of those weird combinations where I spin it low and launch it super high. I get crazy fliers from anything hollow at all and was recently fit into Taylormade MCs at a TM fitting day at our club. Think I’ll take the plunge on the blueprints – haha! Thanks for your awesome reviews! I always read them
Drew,
I hope you enjoy them! Thanks for the kind words.
-Matt
I have Ping Blueprint Irons and Titleist AP2 Irons, sometime I feel enjoy with blueprint sometime with AP2. But I have plan to focus to 1 iron sets only. Which one do you think is better I choose?
Sumaro,
What is your objective? If it’s scoring better, I’d take the added forgiveness of the AP2.
-Matt
Matt,
Are these still in the bag? And if you had to choose between these and the 2023 Taylormade P7MB, which way are you going?
Garrett,
Yes: https://pluggedingolf.com/matt-saternus-whats-in-the-bag-2023/
-Matt