I play golf with 50 YEAR OLD clubs - SURPRISING RESULTS!

I play with VERY RARE 50 YEAR OLD golf clubs!
These clubs are the Ping K1 Karsten 1 irons that were produced in 1969 and are very very rare in this condition!
Thanks to Clitheroe GC for allowing me to us the course for filming.
It was in great condition.
Thanks so much to Richard Travis for allowing me to use these clubs!
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[@RickShielsPGA]

Thanks for watching - *Question* Whats the oldest club in your current bag or that you own? *If you are NEW to my channel SMASH that subscribe button to stay connected!*

[@ryanwalker9735]

Rick Shiels Golf my dads old Callaway X 60° wedge

[@RayGorman2261]

I have SEVERAL clubs from the 20's and 30's built in Scotland and elsewhere with hickory shafts, as well as one of those smooth face spoon shaped sand wedges. As for my oldest IN THE BAG, my Dad's Ping Anser 2 putter that I am using this season in his honor. He passed away last November, so I had it re-gripped and put it into play. It's a putter I used 20-25 years ago that I gave to him around that time. It was a few years old then. It still has his magic touch in it.

[@RickShielsPGA]

That’s awesome!

[@nathanrice8651]

R11 driver, replacing that with m4 this winter

[@demogorgonn]

Titleist 907 driver

[@TXchadTX]

If you gamed that putter and didn't tell your playing partners - they'd all be checking their phones for text messages after you putt.

[@brian6947]

Lol so true. 😂

[@Flamingpins]

I can’t stop laughing

[@johanr8964]

Can’t think of a better weapon in match play, opponent will go mad

[@ryanboothe5208]

Lmao! Nice.

[@JayColucci1]

No joke I loved that putter! If I ever see one for sale i'm going to get it. That "ping" was amazing!

[@51Dss]

every golf club manufacturing and marketing company HATES this video!

[@GRBtutorials]

Except Ping, which now sees an opportunity to relaunch their old designs for twice the price!

[@Spotofgardening]

Haha true, we should all be hitting 500+ yards according to driver adverts, every year they always say our longest driver or gain 15 yards 😂

[@javierperales4432]

Rick is full of it. Ping is paying him.

[@tiaanbotha4186]

I have a set if anyone is interested just needs grips.... 2-SW

[@BrodieSmithGolf]

When we play can you use those clubs to give me a fighting chance

[@mrbokke81]

I absolutely love it when you see people pull up to the first tee box with the latest of everything including clothing and go straight into the shit 🤣

[@jordanchaq]

Yep for the high handicapper, spending a few grand on lessons would go a lot further than spending that money on the latest and greatest equipment.

[@tinhatrancher904]

Four everyone! Ed Shank Tee'ing off..

[@ageary]

50 yrs of tech and they are only 10 yards behind.................lol

[@RickShielsPGA]

That’s only really down to the weaker lofts to be honest

[@arbeckWA]

With an iron like this or a forged one like Rick plays, the length of the shaft and loft of the head are basically going to be all that matters for distance when you hit the sweet spot. I'd wager that this iron probably will lose distance faster on an off center strike than a more modern head.

[@carlkindred6655]

@@RickShielsPGA what about the peak height compared to today's irons

[@jp-xe9hi]

Just shows the bullshit companys are saying about newer technology

[@tylershumaker4242]

its a little misleading because rick plays forged blades with weaker lofts. If you compared these 50 year old pings with a modern distance iron like a Rogue X or a P790 the distance difference would be MUCH greater. Probably more than 30 yards on centered hits. And the distance gap between the two would be even greater on off-center hits. I do fittings all the time where players gain 20 or so yards by going to one of these clubs and theyre switching from clubs that are 3-10 years old. Let alone 50!

[@garybloom7445]

you do always need new gear as it's how guys like me buy really good used gear for dirt cheap.

[@mshafer1021]

Gary Bloom, the best strategy is to buy newly discontinued clubs, in which case you get them for about 50% off!

[@philipcrewe540]

I never buy new 👍

[@speednutsII]

eBay is my friend

[@RileyGossett]

Rick maybe you could do a video comparing a cheap set of clubs for around $100-200 to a set that's maybe a little more premium around $500. As someone who doesn't play a whole lot but loves to play I think it would be interesting to see if it's worth spending a little extra. Love the videos man, always brightens my day!

[@vicgarrison8968]

in all honesty. Its a very good idea to pick up a set of used clubs. You can buy a 2yr old set of irons for 1/3 the cost of new.

[@terrydinsdale1115]

I agree, it would be good to see some Donnay's against say Taylormade's

[@lordcaptain73]

I’m with Vic if you’re an off the rack sized occasional golfer buy 2nd hand brand name clubs. Cheap clubs aren’t worth the metal that they’re made from in scrap

[@Reavix1]

Buy used clubs over cheap clubs, and just have them fitted to you. The quality of the gear is not the alpha omega for golf, getting fitted is, it reduces injuries and doesn't put the same strain on your back. I play 3 times a week in the spring-summer-autum, and having fitted clubs is vital for me, otherwise i start hurting all over.

[@lawr66]

My favourite irons are old irons - e.g. Slazenger TPMs or Silver Scot "986 TOUR". I've never been able to find more of the TPMs but you can buy the Silver Scots on ebay for $100 and absolutely believe they are as good as any irons ever. Put in good shafts and good grips and you have great irons for a fraction of buying new. Woods and hybrids are a different story - as a general rule the later the better performance.

[@marleyman101]

Right, Rick, you've got 20k likes now! We getting a review? 😂

[@Downsouthfishing04]

Douglas Burns that’s what I’m saying

[@dripsa]

@@Downsouthfishing04 it didn't happen??

[@jamesaptt]

Yeah let’s see you hit those old balls as promised.

[@michaelharte9572]

The ping off the putter is addictive

[@Reavix1]

BRING BACK THE PING!

[@aarayle7623]

Thats the reason why I always 4 put??

[@jrfoleyjr]

Its the reason I love my old Ping Anser... that sweet music when you hit the ball.

[@tigercs1]

@@jrfoleyjr What Ping putters make the sound? The 1-A, the N-Ping, Anser has sound slot?

[@lesliecolonello9320]

I bought the putter for the "PING". Can't sink anything but my putter "pings".

[@charlesbadgero4454]

Great video! Played these irons shortly after I started playing and never could get used to the lighter swingweights. When the Eye2 came out I tried Pings again and it became a favorite. I have played most of the newer offerings only to return to my Eye2’s. Sadly sold my last set this past winter after falling for advise given to me by well meaning “experts.” My 86 year old body seems to appreciate the softer graphite shafts. But am I playing any better? My advise....if you like them, play them!!

[@jpquinn91]

'I'm hitting it 10 yards less'. Or just a club with a different number on? 200 yd 4-iron sounds alright to me!

[@verdoemme]

That’s about what I got from my ping eye 2 clubs. As long as it’s consistent and the ball goes in the direction you want it to go it’s fine. You can always use a fairway wood it you need to go further.

[@aidan2353]

me who averages 190 carry distance with driver

[@davemurphy6140]

I received a 2-SW Karsten 1 set for my b’day in 1970. Great clubs. Still play them today.

[@thestandardmanual3446]

The putter sound, legendary.

[@arvidwestin1490]

Haha this is great! 😂👌🏼 My dad still plays the same kind of Karsten 1 set. Still got 1,2 hcp and 62 years old. Qualified for the Swedish senior national team last year but these clubs predates all the official listings of approved clubs @St Andrews

[@Golf-and-Basicstuff]

I am 63 was a golf professional in Phoenix in the 70's-80's was a Ping professional and a friend to the great trick shot artist and long drive champion Wedgy Winchester who was a Ping master fitter at the ping factory. These irons you are using even with the Balata balls of the day would really launch some fliers when you least expected it. What's funny is I was showing another Professional how the original Ping eye irons which came out after the ones your using would also hit extreme fliers. I hit a 9 iron to an up hill par 3 which was 179 yards after setting the ball up on some brushed back grass on the tee and not only flew it onto the green but holed it out for a 1... I knew the Sohlheim family when I was a kid Karsten would come to the course which was in the 60's and would bring stuff to our club pro Jim Moody and have him try them ... At the time no other Golf Pros took him seriously. Boy were they wrong. The golf course at the time which he bought years later was Moon Valley CC in Phx. He was really a fine gentlemen and never changed even when he became extremely successful. I quit playing for numerous reasons 10 years ago and started playing again in Aug of this year...Took me a month and a half to shoot even par again. With your videos which I discovered helped me decide what I pretty much new what I would get for clubs again..Ping G30 irons G30 Driver. My 1959 Wilson Staff pitching wedge as a gap wedge and an 1965 Wilson Sandwedge are still in the bag also. Enjoy you also on D2D. thanks for your work.

[@simmonsfoursome]

Agree, great story and thanks for sharing.

[@richardargent2304]

Keep playing great story

[@crazybarryfam]

Nice story

[@tommyh5540]

Former Ping Eye owner here. I do remember they sometimes really flew on me too. :-) Great story, thanks for submitting.

[@petermcelroy8652]

Derek, excellent story. Glad you're back playing and enjoy lying your golf.

[@718Gilbert]

Those are my clubs! Thanks Rick, it's soo cool seeing them on yt! I played these irons (they were my grandfathers) since my early teens, and I'm about to turn 24. I always felt i wasn't giving much to modern equipment except some forgiveness but i know it made a better player. As my best round with them was a 76 on a 6800 yard course in marine park Brooklyn.

[@TacoStacks]

So I guess my thrift store clubs aren't too bad haha

[@CB-rv2lj]

ay my friend bought a full set from P-3 for .25 cents a club and they do the job.

[@DavidS19551]

Best irons I ever had.

[@bobbybeasley61]

What the heck is a thrift store do you mean a charity shop

[@evankolar8957]

Bobby Beasley yes, in America we call them thrift stores. I guess you call them charity shops

[@evankolar8957]

Can you buy more old golf clubs?

[@garyoshiro9874]

Rick, I own a set of these Ping Karsten I, red-dot (3~SW) irons that my wife's uncle gave me over 25 years ago. They belonged to his father inlaw who bought/played them in Maui for many many years. 3, 4 sets of grips later, now my son is playing them.

[@PatMcCarthy420]

I still have a TaylorMade 360 6 iron that I "accidentally" put in my bag from when I played Wailea back in 2005. I wish I could afford to go back

[@jonbull7363]

I still use my 1983 Hogan Radials to this day. I have had almost every brand, but these always end up in my bag. Less distance, but it doesn’t matter. Just use one more club. I liked your video. It shows that new isn’t always needed.

[@FredCDobbs-er4qd]

Hogan Radials....one of the best designs ever....I loved those.

[@larrywebb8323]

I have a set of Hogan Radials as well, they were given to me, free....2 iron thru Sand wedge...like you say they are short, but just go up 1 club

[@jamescaldwell2616]

I still play with a set of Hogan radials from the 60s. Don’t use the persimmon woods anymore, scared I’ll break them

[@jmth1974]

almost 300K views and no 20K likes for Dunlop ball review :(

[@2Pi100]

The oldest club in my bag? LOL! I game Ping Eye 2's and I play off a 7.

[@dhit6277]

Nothing wrong with 50 year olds. I play golf every round with this 50+ old body and I can still handle myself quite well against much younger golfers!! Lol!!

[@BigRed334]

I had a set of Ping Eye2 irons I wish I never sold them they where one of my favourite irons I have used

[@garysmith2137]

Same here. Big mistake.

[@jeffbecker8716]

Prices have really dropped on used ones, so now is the perfect time to replace them. flEbay is your friend.

[@pattimmins3777]

Big mistake they are for life

[@Sabogey]

Almost a year later and he still doesn't have enough likes to review those 1965 Dunlop balls lol. 5:50

[@ncdozer3103]

Jared Sabovitch yeah lol

[@Sabogey]

Oh come on! I didn’t mean it like that. Rick seems like a pretty decent dude.

[@mal2ksc]

I'd love to see him play these clubs with balls representative of that time. (Faithful replicas should be fine.)

[@marleyman101]

He has 20k now

[@TheSoonerSam]

I play a set of 1976 Hogan Apex irons 2-SW with a Ping BeCu B61 putter usually. I have a Hogan Riviera 60 degree lob wedge. I also have a set of 1990 Tommy Armour Silver Scot 845s, 1-SW and a Ping Anser putter. I have had these clubs since the 90s and I keep them in good condition. I am in my 60s now and am about 2 clubs shorter than when I first started hitting these clubs but I can still get around the course off the men's tees in the low 80's. And they do get noticed by my playing partners at times! Spoiler alert...My driver and 3 metal are M2 TaylorMades! Sorry Old Schoolers.

[@aclefler]

Forget the irons! I want that putter!!!

[@bobbymcglathery4468]

Ping is producing the putter again.

[@100davidcote]

You can still buy them new. Via Hong Kong distributor. Singapore has them in every golf shop.

[@samiam619]

@@100davidcote So what web site would I go to to get one? Please and thanks.

[@100davidcote]

@@samiam619 www.singaporefastcashpersonalloan.com/top-golf-equipment-shops-singapore/

[@ImpalamansGarage]

I have a full set: 1 through 9, W and S. This is my only set of clubs and I've played with them for the last 40 years. The were used when I got them. They are nearly indestructible.

[@MrWkendwarrior]

“You don’t always need new gear...” well said. OMG those are the SAME (my son who is also a big fan of yours...says mine might...be...a version slightly newer than yours, but look identical?)...Ping Irons I bought at a thrift store for $10 .....with full bag full of golf balls, tees, non-Ping putter,woods and driver for $20. Gentleman running the shop was a retired executive In His 80’s...”u got a good deal,Ping makes good irons!”....I had no idea, I had never golfed before....That was 8 years ago, and I still have them! In fact last week I buffed them to a beautiful finish, and polished, waxed, and put a coat of Turtle Wax Ceramic spray wax on them...no wax on the faces, but cleaned, already regrouped them, now want to recut/sharpen the grooves....they are in pristine condition, and I enjoy them! First 5 years I rarely played any course but a par 3-4 , never used the irons u til last year, until watching my son use his irons well, decided to use mine....now I use them more than my woods or Rescue or hybrids...just a great set of irons to hit consistently with. Not looking to max out distance...will be using these Ping irons for a long time. I truly enjoyed this video, kind of validates many old clubs till have cachet, charm and solid feel and performance!

[@Superutubeking]

Its because Rick has a Professional Golf Swing. He is a top player/coach. I will say this again Your Golf Swing Technique is 90 percent of your game the other 10 percent is the club. People who keep buying more forgiving clubs to improve but don’t improve their swing ability are Wasting Money!!

[@darrinlygrisse5287]

“Ping came into the industry making pootahs

[@MonsterERB]

As far as the newest gear is concerned... just remember the old saying. "A good archer never blames his bow." Meaning - if you have a lousy swing, you're going to be a lousy golfer. Newer gear might turn you from a lousy golfer, into a slightly less lousy golfer. If you want to become a better golfer, improve your swing, improve your putting, and practice your 50-yards-and-in game like your life depends on it.

[@loophiker]

You’re awesome!!! Great influence for golf!!!

[@RickShielsPGA]

Thanks very much.

[@aamerson10]

This is the exact clubs I have used since 1978 at 13 years old when my father gave them to me. I play normally 2 - 3 times a week and average par. Mostly it's not the club used it is the Golfer's ability.

[@chrislum8282]

I can’t get that PING out of my head now. Crazy to hear it. Great video rick!

[@wmillar2005]

Chris Lum i am exactly the same... ebay time 😂

[@chrislum8282]

Will millar I know right??? Would love to see how many heads turn after they hear that on the course.

[@MrWkendwarrior]

Yes..just checked I have the same 1969 era Ping Karsten 1 irons...😎🏌🏻‍♂️⛳️

[@imjstew1623]

I still play ping eye 2 copper irons. 30 years old or so. I see no reason to upgrade. Still some of the finest clubs ever made. Sure, my buddies hit delofted 9 irons the distance I hit a 7. Who cares?

[@TheTaygan]

Exactly, the scorecard doesn't have a place for what irons you used.

[@LidlUK381]

I used to play with the karsten 3 irons until I upgraded. Only coz my grandad wanted them back.

[@stephenhaegele2297]

I have the copper Zings, absolutely love them.

[@murraywestenskow2896]

I had a set of Ping Eye back in 1982. Then Ping Eye II.... have had about ten different sets since then. Ping Eye II's are still great clubs.

[@BLYFACTOR]

ping sounding like my microwave finished cooking

[@paulh7589]

I'm over 50, Dad gave me his hammer that his Dad gave him. It's not some family heirloom, it's just a hammer. I can drive nails into a board as well as anybody with it. My ping irons are the same. They are just tools. If every year a hammer manufacturer came out and promised an extra thousandth of an inch of depth into the board per strike would you buy it?

[@thinkcivil1627]

A college roommate had a similar set back in the 1970s and I often borrowed them. The best set of irons I had played with at that time.

[@Akrawczyk95]

I’m rocking some original Ping Eyes from 1978. Got them from a family friend as my first full adult set of clubs

[@Mackattack585]

Rick is the best! He needs his own show on the Golf Channel. I’d love to spend a day on the course with Rick learning the ropes. As a kid I always wanted to learn how to golf and never out grew that desire. Well two years ago I had the opportunity to finally go out with a friend and found golf was better than I could have ever imagined. I gotta say Rick’s videos have helped guide me along. On a side note, I recently found my biological father through DNA found that golfing is truly in my genes. My father is an excellent golfer, he has 11 hole in ones and his father and uncles were golf pro’s from way back cutting their teeth at Oak Hill. One of his uncles played Walter Hagan and Horton Smith (I have pics) Another uncle was the youngest to qualify for a PGA tournament at the time and I was told my grandfather played a round with a young Jack Nicklaus.

[@furlonggg1]

Oak Hill in Rochester?

[@ryanschultz4119]

I still play with my set of Ping Zing originals! Have yet to find a modern set of irons. That I hit as well as my classic Ping's!💯🙌

[@77rehenderson]

Arguably the best iron they made, to me the eye 2 was best.

[@pattimmins3777]

I agree I still use Eye 2 irons I am never tempted to change them I found an Eye 2 1 iron in a junk shop works a treat.

[@411caj]

Pings are Pings, as long as they are in good serviceable condition, they are good clubs, well engineered and built with quality. For most of us, a nice used set will out perform our abilities.

[@barryquinn5840]

Ping have always been underrated by the masses who are always impressed by the latest shiny things, it was great to see a set of 50 year old clubs playing so well. Ping’s marketing focus has changed over the years, it’s sometimes hard to figure out what’s what they have such a huge range these days but they are still Ping at the core, similar to how Saab always retained something special even when GM’s accountants were making cuts and dumping GM parts into Sweden. I don’t think I’ll ever change my G5 Irons or my 30 year old Anser, they are perfect clubs. I might possibly see could I get an old set of Dunlop Maxfli DP30 Australian Blades if I ever got to single figures, they were the nicest clubs I ever played with.

[@petercavellini3232]

What you’ve discovered is.....it’s the man not the equipment that wins the match, the tournament.....!😎

[@geezeer123]

Right then, no PXG's for me I'm off to the charity shops. Great vlog Rick - oldest club is an Adams Nick Faldo 60 degree.

[@fly1327]

Why do you think we have "Gap" wedges today? Amusing when I see folks bragging how far they can hit their new 7 irons. When I look, it's usually the same, or even slightly stronger loft than my old 6 iron. Imagine this: I could have taken those old irons, ground off the numbers, and inscribed higher numbers than were there originally. Now my 7 iron goes further! Golf technology!

Awesome production value and content, Rick! Love those drone sweeps and colours.

[@crazybarryfam]

I play old irons with modern shafts. No noticeable difference once you figure out your distances. Not the tools, the mechanic.

[@andreaslossius7920]

When I want new clubs I get new grips on my current clubs and they feel like new clubs.

[@aidan2353]

bruh

[@pattimmins3777]

Yes at a fraction of the cost of buying new clubs there are some good budget grips around you can re-grip your clubs every Spring.

[@murduk88]

Ping doesn't make bad irons, so no surprise ... next we need to see some 50-year-old Hogan blades in your bag! 😀

[@jrfoleyjr]

I love it! I play an old set of Ping Zing 2 irons and love them. I am a LONG way from hitting like Rick does, but I feel confident with these clubs so I stay with them. I am 70 now and definitely do not hit the ball as far as I used to but I still love the game. I even have the really old Ping Anser cast bronze putter with the slot. Still a putting machine with a new superstroke grip. ;)

[@RickShielsPGA]

Thanks so much for watching! Please be sure to subscribe!

[@deniswatts4574]

Only bought one new set in my 40 yrs playing, played them for about a month, went back to my old ping eye 2's

[@TheHitman6421]

I started like many with my grandfather's clubs and I feel like it made me a better player

[@Buddycoop1]

When we were young we were fooled into thinking new is always better. If you're good you can play with almost any equipment or ball.

[@Tobby4063]

I can't believe it. When you said "you'll never guess what I found in the bag..." I said "Dunlop 65's"!!! And then...HEY PRESTO!!! Wasn't expecting a whole box though. BTW Dunlop 65's - used by James Bond. Great video.

[@jorgedaher3992]

I still use my Ping Eye 2 + Irons and would not change them for any new set of irons. They are not as old as this ones but I don’t thing technology has made it worth replacing them yet.

[@dougnbodie]

pretty sure the grips are from the 80's

[@QuikSeps-UltraSeps]

I have a set of those irons. Re shafted years ago and every once in a while play a round with them. I must have a dozen set of irons from old to new, and my favorites (by far) are the original King Cobra's from the early 90's. Needing to buy and use the latest, greatest and most expensive new irons is a load of garbage.

[@zefolantar]

Awesome video once again, Rick! Classic PING irons are still the best. I still have a “pristine” set of Beryllium Copper PING Eye 2’s that I pull out on a warm summer day. Love ‘em! 👍

[@johnbarlow7615]

Rick, those Ping’s were awesome I currently play wit a set of Cobra’s, Greg Norman signature blades which is now 28 years old Still think it is one of the best sets ever!

[@Ho3n3r]

Geez I would really like to see those old balls in action!

[@Loganwacht]

Sexual harassment... he's only like 30 anyways.

[@jaredcarr3670]

Thats what she said

[@paulsandercombe6171]

@@jaredcarr3670 ejsj5utututuuru4uryRYruRuruhnajshh4hhheuduejajakakwlkqķjejsjajh3iDML f÷•☆fX♤djdjfjpopsSfQQwaaqqw4q42w424234keudhdhxhxhmz 🕋🚴🚴🎧🔈🎧

[@michaelguthrie2723]

Still love to play with my old Haig Ultra blades. Awesome clubs.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

I really enjoyed that. The combination of the clubs, your upbeat attitude and the music was just nice. Charming video mate, love your stuff!

[@overachiever431]

I have a set of original Ping Eye 2 green dots. I’d say they are just as good as modern clubs

[@johnnyberglund841]

Hi Rick! Can we killed myth irons getting better new every year?

[@thebrucechannel8061]

Ping also made some two-tone golf balls that were the weirdest things to see in flight...not one of their successful products but different.

[@pattimmins3777]

I have a few of those two tone balls I found them in a skip never used they came out around 1983/4 I remember seeing them in the golf magazines.

[@SonomaCountyLiving]

I still play with ping eye 2. They still rip

[@johnallentexas]

Me too.. I've also got a set of the square groove brand new in the closet.

[@newmanfertig886]

@@johnallentexas illegal.LOL!!!

[@verdoemme]

When I started playing in 1987 I bought a really shitty half set of some unknown brand. Played 18 over par on my first ever tournament and they set me from rabbit to hcp 28. Some time later I had a chance of buying a used ping eye 2 set with stiff shafts because I used to get a lot of speed in my swing. I practiced for hours every day after work and a few years later I started teaching. I got tired of teaching and took up my old IT job after 7 years. Ten years later I’m married and my wife wants to play golf… I thought her how to play with blades and then gave her a set of ping zing irons and big bertha drivers before I set her loose on tournaments. She won almost everything that year including a four day all-in golftrip to Portugal. I only played one tournament myself due to bad health, 4bbb no hcp with my wife in her first year of golfing. I still played my ping eye 2’s and Big Bertha’s. After fourteen holes we were 4 under par (my ping zing 2 putter was on fire) when my wife’s back gave out and she had to give up. Worried about her my concentration was gone and I bogeyed three of the last four holes. We finished second to a team of a scratch player and an 8 handicapper who played 2 under par… ( my wife’s handicap was 28) This is 9 years ago and neither of us are playing because of our bad backs (we both suffered broken vertebrae’s) but if we ever start again the ping clubs are still waiting in the hallway of our house. I wouldn’t even switch to another set if they gave me money on top.

[@mariois626]

That just goes to show you if you know how to play golf it doesn't matter how new the equipment is

[@danmyers9372]

I actually have a friend who still plays regularly with a set of these Ping irons. He is 64 and has playing them since he played competitively in high school!

[@spikebaduccino6613]

👍👍👍

[@tyrantrex734]

I use these irons and I'm 31. They were given to me by my dad a few months ago because they had just been gathering dust for a couple decades in the attic. I absolutely LOVE these irons!

[@kevinreynolds3246]

I play with the set Ping Eye 2 black dots which is standard lie I'm a 4...... one of the best clubs ever made

[@JamesExcell-InterJex]

I have to admit, that putter is quite Charming.

[@jamesclark7630]

I just bought a set of original ping eye irons (cat eye) made between 1978-1982 before the ping eye 2. They look to be a cross between the eye 2 and Karsten’s gamed here. Can’t wait to play them. From what I can tell Iron, wedge, and putter technology hasn’t changed much the past 50 years. It’s drivers and woods that have made the greatest leaps.

[@ryanthomason7912]

Next time Rick, match it up with a 50 year old golf ball to really play a simulation of golf back then ;)

[@indyjoe36ify]

50 year old woods too

[@SoftSpeakin6]

50 year old shoes too.. and film with a 1970's video recorder

[@TheMotownPhilly]

What about the course? A 50 year old municiple course probably had fairways closer to todays second cut and greens that rolled at like an 8. Totally diffrent game these days

[@ryanthomason7912]

You gentlemen almost made me spit out my coffee on my screen this morning. Well played.

[@Caesarean736]

Wife has just started playing and is a leftie so I was really struggling to find her some good quality clubs without dropping a fortune (she'll probably quit after 4 or 5 lessons). Went for a set of pristine Ping Zing 2 with Karsten Aldila graphite shafts for £120! Amazing clubs and I'll be going down the classic Ping route myself. Currently playing Honma LB 280 New H&F 4star, so no stranger to how wonderful older clubs can be if you can find the right set up. My Honma cost less than £40 yet they are unused 15 year old clubs which cost around £550 per club when new! My instructor thinks they are the best irons he has ever hit and they would go straight in his bag... every lesson I have to tell him they aren't for sale as I've never hit my irons so far or had so much feedback from a shot. And these are meant to be a mid to high handicapper club! I'll always go for old classics now

[@pattimmins3777]

A good lesson learnt,old is gold.

[@melvinsacromentoe]

Only “technology” has been stronger lofts on the irons. But prices have gone up by a million

[@jazznazijr]

I think if you are a good ball striker, the club makes less real difference. If you are a duffer or slightly better, modern technology seems to help consistency...did for me. I can't hit blades for instance.

[@ohyeahyeah3859]

Rick your videos are class lad keep it up. Do cheap clubs against expensive clubs

[@davidstruthers5206]

Your bag would match up with my 1979 Maxfli Australian Blade clubs with stiff shafts. I still use today.

[@JOB1925pk]

I've got a set of Maxfli FX2 forged irons that play fantastic...great irons...very unknown by most golfers today. The Aussie blades are great looking irons, though I've never had the chance to hit them.

[@davidstruthers5206]

@@JOB1925pk I am sure my game would be better with new clubs and a regular shaft, but just love the look of my clubs. Classic.

[@pattimmins3777]

Classic irons I remember them well

[@dudefood825]

Those are nice enough looking to be in a museum. Still look nicer than the P760 irons lol.

[@RickShielsPGA]

I might put them in my own museum. Ha

[@johnmiller7682]

It's not that you don't always need new equipment, it's that you NEVER need it. That is, unless it's damaged in some way.

[@RayGorman2261]

Players may not NEED the latest gear, but if you gave an 18 hdcp'r a set of 50 year old blades... Well, let's just say he wouldn't be an 18 with the blades and the newer tech certainly helps,

[@wallacedavidg]

Ray - My first set of clubs were the Wilson Staff Tour Blades. Sweet spot about the size of a dime. They were great teaching clubs ... they taught me never to play golf with them.

[@RayGorman2261]

@@wallacedavidg Yes, those of us at a 'certain age' learned on blades. In my case the Northwestern "Chi-Chi Rodriguez" model. I played them for 10-12 years and learned how to hit every shot... more or less. When I moved to GI clubs, All that happened was a few extra yards and less loss of distance on mishits. No 'stingers' to speak of. But i would never have a new player learn on blades exclusively. New clubs are easier to hit and make the game less intimidating. IMHO, of course...

[@praetorian7861]

1974 Hogan Director blades is what I learned on. I hit them occasionally and it quickly reminds me why they stay in the garage...

[@cliftonmanley3882]

Best round I EVER shot 5 under par with 1972 Woollies special clubs. The whole set bag and buggy cost $70 Keith Knox 3, 5, 7 irons. (blades) Plastic (resin) head 2 wood, lefty righty putter. and I added a 1 wood, 4 wood pw, sw, 8i 9i all blades. I chucked them out when I started playing again in the 90s. Wish I hadn't ...

[@indyjoe36ify]

Rubbish

[@AWealthyWaiter]

Great video! This is the first video I have ever commented on. Just for fun this season I pulled out my old 1980s irons, Wilson Bernard Langer blades, to practice with. The sweet spot is much smaller and they really let you know it when you miss the sweet spot. They forced me to put a better swing on them. My game started improving, shooting my best ever score last month. I have had them, 9I thru 4I, in my bag for most of the season. They are my swing improvement clubs. If you really want to improve your swing try practicing with old blades.

[@golfingmadeeasy]

A local clubmaker recently told me to trash my Ping Eye 2's. I've had them reshafted with True Temper TT Lite shafts R flex and love the looks and feel. Getting older has caused a decrease in distance, but it would with anything else I think. I'm thinking about R or SR flex graphite shafts in my Eye 2's. Also liked the reviews of the Ping G irons.

[@pattimmins3777]

Yes regular Graphite will give you more power that's what I did the club maker wants you to have a new set off him it is easy job to change the shafts and grips .

[@stickyb05]

My favorite set of irons ever were ping eye 2’s black dot

[@jbshark5941]

Still use a 30 year old ping putter. Love ping.

[@neildavies473]

I think it goes without saying that if your clubs are relatively well fitted to your play style, you'll gain a lot more from a few lessons and some practice than a new set of clubs. Although it would be much less shiny!

[@pattimmins3777]

Don't worry about them being shiny if you play well with them that's all that matters.

[@mainzman7239]

Lovely set of clubs Rick, where on Earth did you find them? Are they borrowed from GolfBidder? And that putter, wow. I knew where the Ping name came from but this is the first time I've actually heard it. Really sweet. As for them hitting shorter, well yeah, it really shows the number on the club head is just an indication of how it will hit the ball. Like those mad Callaway irons, there is no correlation between the iron number and the amount of loft compared to a "normal" modern iron set. I have an old set of Cally X-14 Pro Series irons. I bought them used a few years ago, put fresh grips on and they play beautifully. Having the latest and greatest set of clubs in your bag sure doesn't lead to playing better. It's not the head of the club that counts, it's what's holding onto the other end of the shaft that makes the biggest difference : )

[@robertbrown9912]

Rick, love these reviews of old equipment. Please keep them coming. I have four sets of irons and two of them are Ping i3s (love the spin) and a set of Top-Flite Tour Titanium irons, about 25 years old. Shorter by about a club compared to my G25s, but so easy to hit and pretty accurate. I rotate irons just for fun.

[@noeldavis618]

I’m just getting back into golf in my mid-30s, for the first time since high school. I’m playing my late grandfather’s Ping Karsten IIIs and I can’t find an excuse to upgrade to something newer. This video seems to confirm my experience...

[@100davidcote]

I had ping eye 2 with square grooves. Best clubs i have ever owned. My brother wanted them so I traded for hogen apex tour blades. Both iron sets were great. Later I wanted the pings back but he sold them...aaaahhhh. and never asked me if I wanted them back..:(

[@TedBear89]

I just got new grips on the clubs my dad gave me. Ping Eye Blue Dot’s from the 80’s, can’t wait to play my first 9 holes with them tomorrow. Still in great shape and feels good to have something that my dad use to play golf with.

[@raymomull2258]

By the way I have an Australian blade SW with the original grip. And it's not one of the later models either. I use it all the time.

[@pattimmins3777]

Nice club

[@roxss6538]

I have the 2 iron of those! I had no clue it was so old

[@MakaiMauka]

Ping has always made great clubs

[@Pctallies13]

I learned how to play golf with these irons. I have a full set from the 1 iron to the sand wedge, as well as a few woods from the same date/era. Excellent clubs and I'm considering putting a driving iron shaft in the 1 iron

[@pattimmins3777]

Yes putting a modern shaft in should give you a little extra kick it will make the club feel lighter.

[@JamesCWR]

Amazing to see this video! This is the same set of clubs my grandpa handed over to me! ❤️

[@pattimmins3777]

He gave you quality irons take good care of them never part with them keep the grooves clean keep them polished change the grips when they are worn should last you forever.

[@jasondeklerk373]

It's October 2021 and I am watching this video for the first time. There are 29K 'thumbs up' but why are there 205 'thumbs down'!? Great video Rick. Awesome to see a comparison with the old.