The Ping i3 is an iron line Ping released in 2000, and it was the first Ping iron built with the Custom Tuning Port, a feature that shows up on many of the Ping irons that came after it. It was sold in two head shapes, the i3 Blade and the i3 O-Size, and Ping updated it about two years later as the i3+. Plenty of these irons are still in circulation, and we have several dozen i3 single irons listed right now.
What the Custom Tuning Port does
The Custom Tuning Port is the port in the back of the clubhead. Ping used it to control head weight precisely, and the walls of the port were designed to reduce face vibration so the club felt better at impact. A thermoplastic insert sits in that area, which let Ping hold the tight weight tolerances needed for custom fit sets without grinding the heads. The i3 also used a notched hosel, hidden at address, that made loft and lie adjustments easier during fitting.
i3 Blade, i3 O-Size and i3+
The i3 was the first Ping series to offer a smaller players version and a game improvement version under one name. The i3 Blade has a smaller head, a thin topline and less offset, though it is still a cavity back with perimeter weighting behind the face. The i3 O-Size has a larger head with more perimeter weighting and a rounded toe, made for golfers who want more forgiveness. When the i3+ came out, Ping kept the overall design and mainly changed the sole.
Common questions
What year did the Ping i3 irons come out?
The original i3 Blade and i3 O-Size came out in 2000. The i3+ followed about two years later.
Is the Ping i3 Blade a true blade?
No. Despite the name, the i3 Blade is a compact cavity back. It looks cleaner at address than the O-Size, but it still has perimeter weighting.
You can shop our used Ping i3 Blade irons here, and each listing title shows the flex and length of that club. For more on how iron designs like this developed, read our post on the history of the golf iron.
