Ping Eye2 questions

[G22inSC]

I have decided to try and pick up the game again (at the age of 36) after not swinging a club in over 20 years.  I never really was any good years ago and more or less played for fun with family and on vacations.  My grandfather was an avid golfer and I remember when I was very young going out with him while he played.  He recently passed away and I was given his clubs (that I secretly wanted but never mentioned).  All I remembered about them were that they were Ping Eye2s.

I found the serial number on the matching irons and sent that to Ping for their specs.  The following is what I received back:

Serial Number:xxx76
Model:EYE2
Club(s):1-9PWSW
Color Code:BLACK
Swing Weight:B9
Shaft:NZ+
Length:STD
Grip:D-B/W
Status:STAMPED
Manufacturing Date:2/23/1985

I was able to determine by looking at the actual clubs that they are black dots with a "red color banded" EZ Lite shaft.  I have not been able to find any information online about that shaft.  Apparently they should have come with a NZ+ shaft.  The head does have the Patent Pending mark with KARSTEN PHOENIX AZ 85068 U.S.A. right-side-up on back of top rail.

Can anyone provide specifics on exactly what these clubs are (V groove, U groove, Lite version, etc.) and what the shafts are?  I have no idea what the swing weight and grip is referring to.

The set is also missing the 1 Iron and the SW.  Is it possible to order replacements from Ping as I have seen somewhere (can't find now) or are these clubs just too old?

Thanks so much for shining any light on what I have in my bag.

[eugkim]

As far as I know, you have the original Eye2 with U grooves. They should come with the ZZ lite shaft, which is a heavy, stiff shaft.

You probably can't get any replacement clubs from Ping, as the Eye2s are too old. Your best bet, if you need them, is to search the internet for the clubs. You could probably do without the 1 iron anyway.

[lawrosa]

Ping eye 2 came out in 1982... These were a super game improvment club and real easy to hit... If black dot and you are standard and they fit you I would play them...

They have a MPF ( maltby playability factor of 724.. Means big sweet spot...)

Here is the info you want I belive..

1982-1984
Original. The first Eye2 iron. Made from 1982-1984. This patent pending design featured "V" grooves.


1984-1985
U Groove. The second Eye2 iron featuring "U" grooves. The result of the 1984 USGA ruling allowing square grooves. Made from the middle of 1984 to the fall of 1985. US Patent D276644. Other patents pending.


1984-1985
EZ Lite. A version of the "U Groove" featuring a lighter swingweight, the result of a slightly smaller head. The shaft featured an "EZ-Lite" band. Made from the middle of 1984 to the fall of 1985.


1985-1990
Square Groove Design is identical to the "U Groove" with the only change ocurring in the grooves. The change involed modifying the groove by creating a slight radius at the top of the groove. This new model is referred to as the "Square Groove". This change reduced the amount of surface area between the groove but did not change the distance between the inside edges of the grooves. Made from the fall of 1985 to the spring of 1990. US Patents D4512577 and D276644.


1986
Eye2 Beryllium Copper. Patent pending design identical to the stainless steel "Square Groove" but made from Beryllium Copper.


1987
Eye2 Beryllium Copper Patented design identical to the "Square Groove" design but made from Beryllium Copper. US Patents D4512577 and D276644.


1989-1990
Eye2+ No+ (Plus No Plus). New head design featuring a "scalloped" sole. The scalloped refered to the design process where metal was removed from the center of the sole and redistributed in the inside of the cavity near the toe. Additional design features included a more rediused sole, a modified bounce and grind, a slightly thinner topline, a slight increase in clubhead size, a little higher and more rounded toe, and slightly stronger lofts. The grooves were the same as the "Square Groove" model. Made from the fall of 1989 to the spring of 1990.


1990-present
Eye2 Dot. Same design as the "Square Groove" model but with increased groove width as a result of the agrrement reached between Ping and the USGA regarding grooves. Distinguished by the raise dot or drill mark within eye in cavity. Made from spring 1990 to present.


1990-present
Eye2+ Same design features as the "+ No +" model but with increased groove width. Available in stainless steel and copper. Made from spring of 1990 to present. Distinguished by the "+" in the cavity underneath the patent numbers. US Patents 4512577 and 4621813. Ping ceased production of the beryllium copper model in 1999 due to environmental regulations.

[G22inSC]

Originally Posted by lawrosa

1984-1985

U Groove. The second Eye2 iron featuring "U" grooves. The result of the 1984 USGA ruling allowing square grooves. Made from the middle of 1984 to the fall of 1985. US Patent D276644. Other patents pending.

1984-1985

EZ Lite. A version of the "U Groove" featuring a lighter swingweight, the result of a slightly smaller head. The shaft featured an "EZ-Lite" band. Made from the middle of 1984 to the fall of 1985.

Any way to figure out which one of these I have?  The band is badly worn but I can make out "EZ-Lite" on a few of them.  I was told the factory original shaft was a NZ+.  Would the swing weight code (B9) give any indication?  Does the first group above show the US Patent D276644 on the club or just "Patent Pending"?

Sorry for all the questions.

[lawrosa]

You have this from what your post says... U grroves and easy lite... Lighter swing weight, smaller head... Its all written in black and white....

1984-1985
EZ Lite. A version of the "U Groove" featuring a lighter swingweight, the result of a slightly smaller head. The shaft featured an "EZ-Lite" band. Made from the middle of 1984 to the fall of 1985.

[Squarek Rhombus]

Hello , I just purchased a sweet set of becu’s  They are  from the 1st two years of producing the Coppers. Serial #s are D4512577 and D276644.  Anyway if you look closely to the left side, just outside the oval region of the eye inset (right above the U.S.) , you would notice a small number 4 oddly placed.  Now, my set is a complete with matching serial numbers.  Only 4 of 8 clubs have the 4 and it’s pretty random as to which clubs.   Does anyone know what this means? I’ll try to include a pic