Ping Iron Repair

[hg]

Today for the first time I broke a shaft on a Ping iron. The set is 7 years old...maybe its time for a new set since I may be outgrowing the shaft type. My compression and force applied has increased over the last year thanks to TGM and Yoda's Forum. The shaft is the JZ Regular Steel shaft with the Cushin insert. I would like to keep the set intact and replace the shaft with an original. I found out from the local repair shop that Ping irons need to be returned to Ping for repairs...only they have the original replacement shafts.

The Ping website provides a Repair Form and instructions on how to send it back to their Phoenix repair department. Looks like it may be free of charge except for shipping costs...I will call them Monday for details on costs and turn around times.

I was also wondering though if any of the Forum members who are knowledgeable or clubfitters would have any suggestions for replacing the shaft with something that is readily available and nearly identical. I know through a Web search that the original shaft was made by True Temper for Ping so maybe there is a comparable replacement. Not sure though if the Cushin insert can be taken out of the broken shaft and inserted in another one.

Thanks in advance for any advice from Forum members.

[EdStraker]

I was also wondering though if any of the Forum members who are knowledgeable or clubfitters would have any suggestions for replacing the shaft with something that is readily available and nearly identical. I know through a Web search that the original shaft was made by True Temper for Ping so maybe there is a comparable replacement. Not sure though if the Cushin insert can be taken out of the broken shaft and inserted in another one.

Thanks in advance for any advice from Forum members.

The True Temper Dynamic Gold with Sensicore would be a shaft to consider if you decide to go with something other than the Ping Cushin.

[Jim.Cook]

The True Temper Dynamic Gold with Sensicore would be a shaft to consider if you decide to go with something other than the Ping Cushin.

I agree that the Sensicore would be acceptable if you are not going with Ping.

Another thing I would suggest, while you are at it, is to have your whole set measured.

They have obviously taken a beating over the years and it is very possible that one or more might have been bent.

I came across this a couple of week ago. I was fitting a fellow for a new set when I noticed that his six and seven irons had almost the same loft and strangely they were within 1/8 of an inch of each other for length. When I asked him how those two clubs play he stated that "I can't tell the difference between those clubs. I just can't hit them well". Well, we found the reason why and it wasn't his swing.

[RickPinewild]

I think the Ping irons use a .355 taper tip shaft. Be sure that the shaft you want is available in that size, otherwise you'll have to ream out the shaft to .370 parallel tip.

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Thanks all for the expert advice...I did contact a local certified clubmaker this morning and he said he could fix it but really thought the right thing to do is return it to Ping for original shaft replacement and to keep the set intact. I did send it back today..should take 2 weeks..for a nominal charge since it is not a newer version iron. He did suggest I come by with all my irons for alignment check..he said I would be surprised to see that they are probably not per original specs anymore...I may do that...it would be interesting to see.

[hg]

I agree that the Sensicore would be acceptable if you are not going with Ping.

Another thing I would suggest, while you are at it, is to have your whole set measured.

They have obviously taken a beating over the years and it is very possible that one or more might have been bent.

I came across this a couple of week ago. I was fitting a fellow for a new set when I noticed that his six and seven irons had almost the same loft and strangely they were within 1/8 of an inch of each other for length. When I asked him how those two clubs play he stated that "I can't tell the difference between those clubs. I just can't hit them well". Well, we found the reason why and it wasn't his swing.

I often should alignments be checked (loft, lie, length) given normal use by an average player?

[hg]

Thanks for everyone's help...I did return the iron to Ping for replacement with the original shaft...I mailed it last Monday and rec'd it today...that's fast...they even repainted the clubhead number, scoreline and Ping name. The only thing that was peculiar is they did not regrip it with the same size grip...maybe though it was the grip size on the original club and I had since downsized the grips when I replaced them. In any case I am happy with the job and the turnaround time.