Ping S59 opinions

[AtomicJoe]

looking at getting a set of these classic irons as my range/practice set. I would like to know everyone's opinion on them as I've never personally hit them. I'm interested because they look to have a pretty durable classic "ping" finish, which I think would be good because I practice on a grass range that can be sandy, and also look like a more modern iron, thinner with less offset and a less pronounced "cavity." am I correct about this? I'm also open to other suggestions. thanks!

[Duffman57]

53 minutes ago, AtomicJoe said:

looking at getting a set of these classic irons as my range/practice set. I would like to know everyone's opinion on them as I've never personally hit them. I'm interested because they look to have a pretty durable classic "ping" finish, which I think would be good because I practice on a grass range that can be sandy, and also look like a more modern iron, thinner with less offset and a less pronounced "cavity." am I correct about this? I'm also open to other suggestions. thanks!

If you’re going to go with the s59s they’re old enough just go to the s55s. Just as indestructible but one of the all time best irons. And they’ll only run you about 200

[J-Blade]

I played S59s for several years and only gave them up in the last year or so because I am at an age now where I need more of a GI iron. The S59s were great irons. Bubba Watson played them for many years and even kept them in his bag after the S57s were released. That said, the S57s or S55s might be a better choice as they are newer. 

[buckI]

I played them for years.  Really liked them but moved to the I series.   As others have said, the S56/55 are also great.   I really liked the S59 short irons with the more compact head.

[AtomicJoe]

Thanks everyone for the replies. What is the most up to date iron I can get that’s made with the same material? 

[NRJyzr]

On 7/9/2025 at 4:17 PM, AtomicJoe said:

Thanks everyone for the replies. What is the most up to date iron I can get that’s made with the same material? 

 

Ping i25 or G30 might be the answer.  17-4 stainless, similar finish.

 

In the component world, the Maltby KE4 Max is made of the same 17-4 stainless.  The finish is different, however.  Instead of the tumbled Ping look, they have a polished mirror finish.

 

[AzRoger]

I'll bite. Why would you want to use a set of clubs for the range/practice that are different than the clubs you play with?

[eagle2838]

I played S59's (original non-ferrule) 2004-2012. I loved them, but they were never very popular clubs and that is probably because they were a bit of an odd duck. Small or very small clubhead, shaping very reminiscent of other Ping clubs. Odd in that they have quite a bit of offset compared with comparable blades or players' CBs, and in my experience they launch very low. Feel is very solid but clearly a cast feel, lots in common with other Pings of that era but a bit different than other brands and definitely different than what is popular today.

 

Looking at the attributes you listed:

• Indestructible? Yep
• Looks like a more modern iron? Not to me
• Thinner? Yep
• Less offset? No way
• Less pronounced cavity? OK, but this isn't unique

 

Ping addressed some of these quirks in the later models in the series, and they gradually got closer to other modern compact blades. As others have said, if you really want to go down this route, why not go with an S55? Or, why not go with something closer to a modern club, say an older Mizuno or Titleist CB?

 

Or this: 

On 7/11/2025 at 7:16 AM, AzRoger said:

I'll bite. Why would you want to use a set of clubs for the range/practice that are different than the clubs you play with?

 

[Drivingrangehero]

I practice or play with my gamers on the weekends, but during the week I may hit clubs that will never go in my bag, some are nostalgic, some were just irons I purchased to test shafts. 
 

The reason I do this…… I don’t leave my gamers in my trunk, but I always keep a few loose clubs in my trunk, incase I get out of work in time to hit the range on the way home.

 

One of the loose trunk clubs happens to be a minty Ping s59 that I just bought about 2 weeks ago. I  bought it because I saw a minty set on eBay with the same shaft (CS Lite)  the problem is, the grip is the original grip, and I live in hot/humid Florida, so I’ve only hit it about 3 times since my hand slipped on the grip after impact on the first shot, so I haven’t hit it since.
 

I flushed the first shot with the terrible grip, and it felt great, the flight was normal for me, and distance was inline with my Maltby TS-1 with a DG 105 s300 that I hit along side it, but the CS Lite Stiff shaft is not my cup of tea, the next 2 swings were timid and terrible due to fear about the club coming out of my hands..,…… I will say this, if miss hit, there is plenty of feedback from the S59’s 😝 

 

I regripped it last night, and will test it out this weekend, I feel like it didn’t get a proper test due to the grip. 

 

I don’t feel that it will perform any better or worse than comparable irons in the same loft. 
 

It does have a game improvement looking amount of offset, but it’s not on a huge shovel head, so it’s not as off putting as some modern game improvement irons. 
 

 

 

 

[Nessism]

S59 are before Ping started chrome plating their heads.  While the chrome increases durability overall, some people freak when they start to see the chrome wear though, and the base metal show through.

 

One nice thing with Ping's, is you can buy a set, and sell them later and not lose a whole lot of $ if you don't like them.  

[cz13X4]

Had a set of s59 from 2005 to last year. Basically looked new after those years of use, unless a deep gouge from a rock. Really enjoyed them. Have used tons of different irons, but those were the most durable hands down.

[Ivyguy]

If you want less offset, you should look for S59 Tours.  They will have a farrel on them. 

[Drivingrangehero]

15 hours ago, Ivyguy said:

If you want less offset, you should look for S59 Tours.  They will have a farrel on them. 

Dang, I have the S59 Tour and it’s got plenty of offset….. I thought the only difference between the tour and non-tour was a ferrule and finish ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

I hit it yesterday with a new grip and it felt great. 
 

The S59 I have is 1/2” shorter than my i200, but seemed to fly about the same distance. I have different shafts in both (S59 CS Lite stiff, i200 Modus 105R) the S59 flew noticeably lower, in a good way for me, I’m a high ball hitter, hovering around 125ft peak height with my irons. 
 

I don’t often miss toe side, but there is plenty of feedback when I do with the S59 compared to my i200’s 

 

[Ivyguy]

12 hours ago, Drivingrangehero said:

Dang, I have the S59 Tour and it’s got plenty of offset….. I thought the only difference between the tour and non-tour was a ferrule and finish ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

I hit it yesterday with a new grip and it felt great. 
 

The S59 I have is 1/2” shorter than my i200, but seemed to fly about the same distance. I have different shafts in both (S59 CS Lite stiff, i200 Modus 105R) the S59 flew noticeably lower, in a good way for me, I’m a high ball hitter, hovering around 125ft peak height with my irons. 
 

I don’t often miss toe side, but there is plenty of feedback when I do with the S59 compared to my i200’s 

 

Ok I have to correct myself. 
 

I have both tour and standard. I just looked at them from above and made the statement. 
 

My fault. 
 

Spec wise, they are identical. The tours look different from above. It has to be the ferrel. 
 

My apologies folks.  They look vastly different, but apparently, they are the same. 

[AtomicJoe]

On 7/11/2025 at 7:16 AM, AzRoger said:

I'll bite. Why would you want to use a set of clubs for the range/practice that are different than the clubs you play with?

 

a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that I am a bit of a club-ho. 

 

mostly because I don't always have my gamers with me, and the range closest to my work is grass and a bit on the sandy side.  I wanted something a little harder and more durable than my gaming set that I didn't mind beating range balls with and keeping in my office,  but similar enough to what I have now that the feel change to my gamers would be minimal. 

 

I do like the looks of the S series clubs though and knowing how I am I will probably end up putting them in play anyway.  the more the merrier I guess.