Ping i59 Irons Review
As we mentioned in the opening, Ping is known for making some of the most forgiving clubs in the game. They’re all about maximizing MOI, even to the point where some of their previous clubs have sacrificed distance.
With that said, the i59s are considered an advanced player’s club. Their sleek profile and small heads don’t have as big a sweet spot as some of their game improvement irons.
If you’ve been playing the game for a while however, and want feel, control, and workability more than distance and forgiveness, the Ping i59s are a great choice.
Go to ...
For more decades than I’ve been alive, Ping has delivered on their promise of helping players like you Play Your Best. The company was founded by the Solheim family in the spirit engineering quality golf clubs that help golfers of all playing abilities get the most out of their game and have fun.
When it comes to irons, Ping’s history dates all the way back to the Pin Eye and Ping Eye 2 irons which were the first perimeter weighted irons of any significance to hit the market. The Eye 2s were even made with copper beryllium and had square grooves to provide extra spin.
More recently, I remember playing the first generation of the i59 irons, the s58s in the mid-2000s. They were Ping’s player’s club at the time and to this day are considered some of the best irons I ever owned.
The i59 line has only continued to get better since then. The latest iteration has the look of a classic player’s club, but more than enough modern technology to provide players all the forgiveness they need.
Key Features
- AlumiCore Technology allows weight to be redistributed to the toe and shaft tip to increase MOI and offer more forgiveness.
- MicroMax Milled grooves are close together and allow for increased interaction with the ball at impact for more spin and control.
- Hydropearl 2.0 finish repels water and reduces glare ensuring consistent contact.
Who Should Buy the Ping i-59 Irons?
As we mentioned in the opening, Ping is known for making some of the most forgiving clubs in the game. They’re all about maximizing MOI, even to the point where some of their previous clubs have sacrificed distance.
With that said, the i59s are considered an advanced player’s club. Their sleek profile and small heads don’t have as big a sweet spot as some of their game improvement irons.
If you’ve been playing the game for a while however, and want feel, control, and workability more than distance and forgiveness, the Ping i59s are a great choice.
Design and Technology
We’ll say it again, Ping has always been about forgiveness. In club tech parlance, we’re talking about extremely high MOI. That’s mostly realized in their game improvement irons.
However, they also cater to players that appreciate a more traditional look, like a smaller clubhead profile, yet still want plenty of forgiveness. Hence the i59 irons.
Are there clubs on the market with perceived “cooler” tech than the i59s? Sure. All you have to do is jump on the websites of TaylorMade or Callaway to read all the fancy terms marketing teams have come up with to sell their product. But the i59s have plenty of their own tech and design features too.
To start, AlumiCore Technology moves some 30 grams of weight from the club’s center to its perimeter, specifically the toe and shaft tip. This not only provides increased stability through impact, it increases MOI to match that of the larger i210 irons. In both robotic and human testing, heel and toe mishits performed much better than previous generations.
While grooves often go overlooked when it comes to club design, they’re all too important in terms of providing spin and control. Ping realized this and engineered the i59’s MicroMax Milled Grooves to be both sharper and closer together. This increases contact points with the golf ball at impact. The end result is more spin and not as many “fliers” out of the rough.
The i59’s head profile and finish were inspired by feedback from the Tour. Ping went to great lengths to gather feedback from the game’s best players. That’s reflected in a compact head with a thin top line that inspires confidence at address. Ping went a step further and employed their Hydroseal 2.0 finish that repels both water and glare.
In short, the i59 Irons have plenty of modern tech that’s designed to maximize performance, but not so much that it detracts from your experience in any way.
As we mentioned in the opening, Ping is known for making some of the most forgiving clubs in the game. They’re all about maximizing MOI, even to the point where some of their previous clubs have sacrificed distance.
With that said, the i59s are considered an advanced player’s club. Their sleek profile and small heads don’t have as big a sweet spot as some of their game improvement irons.
If you’ve been playing the game for a while however, and want feel, control, and workability more than distance and forgiveness, the Ping i59s are a great choice.
- Sleek profile and thin top line inspire confidence when the club is behind the ball.
- Ample stock shaft options give golfers plenty of choices.
- AlumiCore Technology distributes weight toward the toe for increased forgiveness and added stability through impact.
- Irons may be difficult for beginners and high handicappers to hit consistently.
- Price point is higher than other irons on the market.
- Some golfers say these irons aren’t as technologically advanced as similar irons from other manufacturers.
Specs
Three-iron through pitching is the set makeup in the i59 Irons. Swing weight D1 in every club except the pitching wedge which is D2.
Stock shaft options are numerous:
- Project X LS in regular and stiff flex.
- UST Recoil ES SmacWrap in senior, regular, and stiff flex.
- Ping AWT 2.0 in regular, stiff, and extra stiff flex.
- Ping Alta CB Slate in soft regular, regular, and stiff flex.
- True Temper Dynamic Golf in regular, stiff, and extra stiff flex.
- True Temper Dynamic Golf 105 in regular flex.
- True Temper Dynamic Golf 120 in stiff and extra stiff flex.
- True Temper Elevate 95 in regular and stiff flex.
- Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 105 in regular, stiff, and extra stiff flex.
- KBS Tour in regular, stiff, and extra stiff flex.
Stock grips are the Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet and Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet Cord.
Our Experience
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the Ping i59 irons when they first came out. Just like when I put the s58s in my bag so many years ago, I was more than impressed with the performance and feel of the i59s.
Just like I expected, the feel of the i59s was superior. Solid shots felt like I was hitting a forged club. At the same time, mishits were surprisingly forgiving.
I also think the i59s are some of the best looking irons Ping has ever made. While Ping is known for thicker top lines and a lot of offset in their irons, the i59s look much more traditional.
Just like Ping suggests, the added grooves on the i59s seemed to increase spin on the short irons and wedges too.
On the whole, my experience with the i59s was nothing but positive.
Conclusion
More than any other company I’m a fan of Ping’s slogan – Play your best. It’s simple, unassuming, and to the point.
Ever since the company was founded by Karsten Solheim, it’s stuck to that principle and golfers of all different backgrounds, abilities, shapes, and sizes have reaped the benefits and enjoyed the game of golf thanks to the company’s equipment.
The s59 irons are just one of many shining examples. While they might not be the best option for rank beginners or high handicaps, they stand to benefit experienced players in ways they can’t imagine. We encourage you to see for yourself. We think you’ll like what you find.
Ping i59 Irons Video Review
Specification: Ping i59 Irons Review
|
