Ping Eye 2's restoration project?

I am looking for input and feedback about an evolving idea. I hate the idea of buying some brand new snazzy irons, to go along with my (what is becoming) snazzy set of clubs.

What is your guys expirience with buying old clubs, reshafting, and gripping... essentially just keeping the ol' beatin up head.

I am thinking about going for the copper heads.. I think it would be classy and timeless...

any input appreciated?

I had a great set of the Copper Eye 2's. You can also get the heads polished and tumbled and they will look amazing.

Here are the keys...

1. make sure you get the square groove model, not the plus (+) model. They will hold their value and are better clubs.

2. get your fitting done and find out what color you are...however, the black dots retain value better.

3. make sure you find the lowest serial number possible. You can call Ping and they will tell you when the club was made and the specs on the set.

Thanks for the feedback. I don't really care about value, I just want a kinda classy set. Know what I mean? Something that looks cool, and is functional.

Square grooves and black dot (that is my fit) are the specs I am looking for.

I primarily play Ping Eye2+ irons with a 1994 build date (when I feel like torturing myself, I play the irons in my avatar). I'll give you the Cliffs Notes version of information available via ebay's buyers' guide and pinggolf.com's knowledge base...along with personal experience from reading, calling Ping's customer service, and with dealing with clubfitters and having conversations with fellow Eye2 owners (friends, playing partners & other owners I've met).

Eye2+ irons built after 1990 can be bent up to 2 degrees. Good clubfitters that know Ping Eye2s understand this factoid about the build date "bendability" differences, but most likely will still make you sign a waiver (a liability waiver for adjusting old clubs is usually standard protocol for clubfitters anyhow). So, what this means is that when you're shopping for a set in the best shape possible, you can widen your options and look for color codes that can be bent to your specs. And maybe the blue dot on the irons you're bending to black-dot specs better matches your bag, headcovers...shirt...or (pun intended) eyes?

For example, mine are black dots bent to blue specs. And I bent the PW to 47.5. Mine will never be sold, so I'm not hurting or misleading any future owners. Not that I ever would anyhow, but I'm sure you get the idea of this "forewarning".

Bendability is a huge advantage with the later + models in case someone slips growth hormone in your nightly martini and you go from 5'9" to 6 feet in height in a matter of months...or (more realistically) you get a proper, professional fitting and/or lesson resulting in a swing change. According to Ping's website and knowledge base, the Eye2s built before 1990 cannot be bent (adjusted for loft and lie) whatsoever. The + models also have less bounce and slightly stronger lofts. Rather than argue what Ping Eye2 version is "better" (which is silly), these comments of mine on bendability, bounce and loft are points to consider if you're putting yours into play rather than into a display case or flipping them for a profit.

The original KT shafts were a disaster if I'm remembering correctly...I've heard of them snapping for no reason. Ping then put KT-M shafts in the Eye2s following the KT flop fiasco. JZ shafts with the red-colored Ping man graphic on the shafts stickers' are stiff flex, the blue are regular flex. Shaft changes are OK, so yes, you can have your clubfitter put in shafts you want.

The BeCu are indeed cool. A playing partner of mine who's got serious game has both the BeCu irons and the traditional Eye2s, and has added lead tape to his BeCu set so the sets "feel" the same. The tape is somewhat unsightly on such a pretty set of irons...but they're still dang pretty. I've read that soaking them overnight in Coca-Cola (or probably Pepsi, to be fair) shines 'em up nicely. Try Googling your butt off for more info...or maybe someone will chime in here in this thread.

Get matching serial numbers on your set, then call Ping to verify build specifications and authenticity (stock swingweight, shaft lengths, etc.). As I mentioned, mine are no longer true black dots, so it's very possible that the set you're considering has been altered by a previous owner. That's why it's a good idea to immediately take them to a respected clubfitter to have your "new to you" set checked for correct loft and lie. In my humble opinion, this is also true of any used clubs you buy. You never know how they've been doctored...or how many times a previous owner has damaged that PW by slamming it into hardpan turf due to a bad shot...and bad temper.

If you're buying the non-BeCu Eye2s, the cavity backs, if dirty and somewhat unsightly, can be brought back to life via scrubbing with a toothbrush and Bar Keepers Friend. It'll take you about the time to finish a six-pack...if you, uh...take your time.

Ping Eye2 owners are a loyal, passionate group, akin to owners of classic cars of a certain make and model. You may only see a 57 Chevy at a Sunday car show, yet you'll see Ping Eye2 irons on many of your local golf courses on that same Sunday...and on tour. No need to change irons when your handicap goes from 20 to 2 with PingEye2s.

Check out Ping's website under "classics" and ebay's buyers' guide for better and further information. Hope I helped...and have fun with your search.

Hey everyone, I'm a brand new user and can't start a thread yet, but wanted to introduce myself.

My name is John and I'm an avid golfer ever since I played my first round the day Tiger Woods won his first Masters. I'm 23 and about to start working at an accounting firm in DC.

The reason I am posting under this thread is because I, too, have a set of Ping Eye 2's. They were left to me by my grandfather after he passed away (he introduced me to the game). I recently did a little research on them in an attempt to figure out about reshafting them and I was amazed to see how popular the club is and how well it has retained its value.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me about my set, because it is a little unusual. I have a 1-PW blue dot set. They appear standard length next to my friend's clubs and the shafts look to be original steel (with some really old PING shaft bands on them...very tattered). The weird thing about these clubs is that on the back they have a "Pat. Pending" and "Karsten Manufacturing" logo is upside down relative to the rest of the type face. I knew it was weird when I saw a great company like PING with a Pat. Pending on the back of its club. I did more research and noticed how these clubs have retained their value remarkably well, but I also saw a lot of other things like "Square grooves", the dangers of reshafting, etc.

So...does anyone care to give me a brief primer on the Ping Eye 2's? I would love to get them reshafted (I'm 6'4" and think I need longer shafts) and regripped, but will this be as gauche as putting a CD player in a classic car? The clubs are in remarkably good condition and still hit great...I just want to maintain them in honor of the game, the "classic" element of the Ping Eye 2's, and the memory of the man who introduced me to this great game of golf.

Any insight is greatly appreciated,

John

You can get an extension for each club for pretty cheap at a Golfsmith, or something. While you're at it you can get them re-gripped as well. Extensions are pretty simple - although you'll need new grips since they have to cut the old ones off to get to the end of the shaft.

bump...

Wow,
My dad has an old set of Eye2's, black dot. I didn't realize they were this popular. He doesn't play anymore, and since they were my grandfather's clubs (strange coincidence) I don't think he's too inclined to let me hit them. He's kinda trying to "preserve" them.

I hate to change the subject of this topic, but are they a good game improving set of clubs? Should I try to get him to pass the torch and let me hit them, or just update what i have with newer technology? I'm just wondering if anyone has some insight on how these clubs would help and EXTREMELY high handicap golfer.
Thanks in advance,

Flux

Hey flux,

That is a weird coincidence with both our grandfathers sharing similar golf club preferences!

Yeah, I never realized how popular the Eye2's were until my friend was researching Callaway X-16's and found the PGA.com site for used club trade in values. It listed the top used club search as Ping Eye 2's...that's when I started looking into them.

To answer your question, I think the Eye 2's were viewed as the first game improvement style iron. I hit them as well as I've hit any other club. My friend (he's a solid, but not great golfer...shoots low 90's) hits my Ping's as well if not better than his Callaway X-16's, which are a very good game improvement club for the high handicapper.

Thus, I think you might be surprised at how well you can hit Ping's even though they are almost 25 years old. Work on the old man and see if he'll let you take them out. They were meant to be played with, and short of you throwing them around or hitting off a tree root, I can't imagine you'd do too much damage to them. The only way I could understand your dad not using them is if he hopes to resell them one day. If not...why would you want to have clubs sit around unused?

-John

I found a set of black dot Eye 2 in a yard sale the other day for $20. I thought I had hit a jack pot as a back up set. I regripped them (golf pride tour velvet) and I think my Nike Pro-combos are in danger of being replaced, by these older, classic, pings.

Thats the deal I am waiting for... $200ish is the max I am looking at.

I have a set of original v-groove black dot Eye 2s, zz-lite shafts, c-9 swing weight, built on 05/31/83. All this courtesy of registering my set with Ping and then inquiring about them. Had 'em regripped and they play nicely, though I'm looking for a Ping hybrid/g2 hl combo to retire the longer irons from play.

So what about cleaning stains/etc from them. The cavities are somewhat dingy, and the some of the paint in the cavities has what looks like rust spots.

Rick

My Irons are pretty old and dulled. I got some Mother's metal polish one night and buffed them up to a nice shine a few weeks ago, but it only lasted about 2 rounds worth of play.

I have a rare set of Ping Eye 2 irons with the K shafts.  I'm not talking the KT or KT-M shafts.  These just have the letter K with light blue bands on the shaft band.  The steps go pretty low down toward the club and I've been told they are a stiff shaft.  However, I've seen them on Ebay and they are said to be regular shafts.  Does anyone know the flex of the Ping K shaft?  I believe they came out in 1984.

Yes, the Ping Eye 2s you own are the originals during the first year of production.  The patent was pending at the time so they could not imprint the patent number.  Your model has V grooves and was before Karsten came out with the square groove model in 1984.  The head itself in your set is also a litte different.  The soles are a little thinner and there is just the slightest difference in the cavity.  It's tough to see it but if you put them side by side you can tell.  In regard to Ping Eye 2 plus irons (that I've read in other threads) I think it's inferior to the Ping Eye 2 square groove model.  The heads are bulkier (especailly in the sand and lob wedges) and I don't think they have as good playability.  I just love the way the square groove model looks at address.

Check out this Listing on EBAY....http://cgi.ebay.com/PING-RESTORE-REFINISH-YOUR-IRONS-ONLY-12-/270552165434?_trksid=p3286.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D540510666575555614#ht_3258wt_1136

Clubmaker that only restores PING Equipment......Looks pretty Snazzy.   Crazy coincidence I ran across this earlier tonight prior to logging on to Sandtrap.....I'm not a currently a Ping man, although I did own a set of copper Eye-2's in the late 80's.   Shoulda kept them.  Good luck with your project.

I just bought a set of Ping Eye 2's with a blue dot from a guy at work.  The upright lie and extra length is exactly the right fit for me.  The set is a 3-PW with all matching serial numbers.  I paid $100 for them so I am very pleased with the deal.  Some of the shafts have a little rust on them...but the shafts on the 4 iron and the wedge are pretty bad.  Is it worth it to send them back to get done now or should I wait until winter and send the whole set back to Ping to be reshafted this winter?I like the clubs and the main issue is the cosmetics of the shafts....they seem to be fine for use.  I have read that Ping does outstanding work and the club will be like new when they come back.  Has anyone had a recent experience with having this kind of work done?

Dude, just use a scotchbrite pad and wipe off the rust.  They should be good as new.  No need to reshaft.