PING marks every iron with a colored dot, and the dot is the lie angle. There are ten colors, from Maroon at 5° upright to Gold at 4° flat. Black sits in the middle as the standard. PING picks your starting color from two measurements: your height and the distance from your wrist to the floor.
The ChartPING color codes and the lie angle each one sets
| Color code | Lie angle |
|---|---|
| Maroon | 5° upright |
| Silver | 4° upright |
| White | 3° upright |
| Green | 2° upright |
| Blue | 1° upright |
| Black | Standard |
| Red | 1° flat |
| Orange | 2° flat |
| Brown | 3° flat |
| Gold | 4° flat |
Source: PING, Fitting Color Code Chart. The chart graphic lists the colors in this order. Black carries no degree label on the chart; PING's iron spec pages list lie angle as "based on Black Color Code."
Upright means the lie angle is increased from standard, so the toe of the club sits higher at address. Flat means it is decreased. PING says its ten color codes run from 5° upright to 4° flat, which is what the table shows.
LengthLength change by height
The same chart also gives a shaft length. It is a change from standard length, and the change depends on your height.
| Height (feet and inches) | Height (cm) | Length vs standard |
|---|---|---|
| 5'0" to 5'1" | 151-155 | -1½" |
| 5'2" to 5'3" | 156-160 | -1" |
| 5'4" to 5'6" | 161-168 | -½" |
| 5'7" to 6'0" | 169-183 | Standard length |
| 6'1" to 6'3" | 184-191 | +½" |
| 6'4" to 6'5" | 192-196 | +1" |
| 6'6" to 6'7" | 197-201 | +1½" |
Source: PING, Fitting Color Code Chart, the length row across the top and the centimeter row across the bottom of the chart graphic. A minus sign means shorter than standard and a plus sign means longer.
How PING picks itHow PING decides your color
PING's chart uses two measurements, your height and your wrist-to-floor distance. You find your height along the top and your wrist-to-floor along the side, and read where the two meet. That point gives a static color code, which is the lie angle, and a recommended length.
The wrist-to-floor scale runs from 29 to 40 inches, with a centimeter scale from 75 to 100 on the other side. The colored bands run diagonally, so the same wrist-to-floor reading gives a different color at a different height. If your meeting point falls outside the highlighted bands, the chart's own note says to slide the point sideways until it reaches the edge of the band, and to use that spot.
PING treats the chart as a starting point. Its fitting page says a fitter then has you hit shots with interchangeable clubheads and works out the best mix of iron model, color code, loft and shaft, watching ball speed, launch angle, spin rate and stopping power. The chart picks where you begin, and the shots can move you to a different color.
StandardWhat Black looks like in degrees
PING lists the lie angle of its irons on Black, and the number is different for each club. The shorter the club, the larger the lie angle. Here are the PING G440 irons as an example.
| PING G440 club | Length | Lie angle on Black |
|---|---|---|
| 4-iron | 39 1/4" | 60.5° |
| 5-iron | 38 1/2" | 61.0° |
| 6-iron | 37 3/4" | 61.5° |
| 7-iron | 37" | 62.0° |
| 8-iron | 36 1/2" | 62.8° |
| 9-iron | 36" | 63.5° |
| PW | 35 1/2" | 64.1° |
| UW | 35 1/2" | 64.1° |
| 52 | 35 1/2" | 64.1° |
| 56 | 35 1/2" | 64.4° |
Source: PING, G440 Irons, specifications. PING notes these are design specifications that may vary with manufacturing tolerances, and that lie angle is based on Black Color Code at standard length.
Using itHow to use this chart
Measure your height and your wrist-to-floor distance. Find your height band in the length table to get your length change. Then plot the two numbers on PING's chart graphic to read the color, and use the color table above to see what that dot means in degrees.
If you already own PING irons, look for the colored dot on the iron head. The table shows how far that set is from standard.
Treat the answer as a starting point and let a fitter check it against your ball flight.
Watch forCommon mix-ups
Black is not zero degrees on the club. It is the standard. A G440 7-iron on Black is listed at 62.0°, and every other color is the chart's number of degrees away from that.
Height alone does not set the color. The chart needs both height and wrist-to-floor, so two golfers of the same height can land on different colors.
The grip chart is a different chart. PING also uses colors for grip sizes, with six sizes each marked by a color. That chart is about hand size, not lie angle.
A few color names are not on the chart. PING's online repair order form lists Maroon+, Maroon++, Yellow, Purple, Gold- and Gold-- alongside the ten on the chart. The chart gives no degrees for them, so ask PING or a fitter before assuming what they mean.
For how lie angle and length are set in an iron fitting more broadly, see the iron fitting chart. For how club lengths run through a set, see the club length chart.
FAQQuick answers
How many PING color codes are there?
Ten. They run from Maroon at 5° upright to Gold at 4° flat, with Black as the standard in the middle.
What is the standard PING color code?
Black. PING's iron spec pages list lie angle based on Black Color Code at standard length. The G440 7-iron is listed at 62.0° on that basis.
What does the colored dot on a PING iron mean?
It shows the iron's color code, which is its lie angle. Maroon is the most upright at 5°, and Gold is the most flat at 4°.
How do I find my PING color code?
Plot your height and your wrist-to-floor measurement on PING's Color Code Chart. The point where they meet gives your static color code and a recommended length. A PING fitter can then refine it with shots.
Does the PING chart also change club length?
Yes. The length row runs from -1½" for golfers 5'0" to 5'1" up to +1½" for golfers 6'6" to 6'7". Standard length covers 5'7" to 6'0".
Is the PING color code chart the same as the grip chart?
No. The grip chart uses your hand size and longest finger to recommend one of six grip sizes, each marked by a color. The color code chart is about lie angle and length.