When looking at the loft comparison in the table above, it’s important to note that loft is not the only reason the i500’s will travel further than the i210’s.
Designed For Distance: The other major reason the i500’s are longer is explained by the hollow head design. This effectively means that each clubhead in the i500 set has a ‘hot’ face. Ping isn’t exaggerating when the company describes it as ‘metal wood technology’.In other words, the stronger lofts, hollow head design, and hot maraging steel face all combine to create a seriously powerful iron, assuming that distance is one of your main concerns.
That Pure Buttery Feel: In contrast, the end-goal of the i210’s isn’t purely based around distance, although it should also be clear that the lofts are considerably stronger than ‘traditional lofts’. You simply need to cast your eye to the 9 iron, pitching wedge and gap wedge lofts, which are basically exactly the same as the i500’s (except for the 9 iron having 1 more degree of loft).
Instead, the i210’s are built to offer a more classic combination of feel, shot shaping and precision, without lagging in the distance department. If you want irons that feel exceptionally pure, look great at address, and provide more precise distance control, the i210’s are probably the better bet.