Ping i3 O-Size vs Ping i5
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | i3 O-Size loft | i5 loft | i3 O-Size lie | i5 lie | i3 O-Size length | i5 length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | — | 18 | — | 58.67 | — | 39.25 |
| 3 | 20.5 | 21 | 59.5 | 59.32 | 38.75 | 38.75 |
| 4 | 24 | 24 | 60 | 60.02 | 38.25 | 38.25 |
| 5 | 27 | 27 | 61 | 60.75 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 30.5 | 30.5 | 61.5 | 61.5 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 34.5 | 34 | 62.5 | 62.28 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 38.5 | 38 | 63 | 63.1 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 42.5 | 42 | 64 | 63.95 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| PW | 47 | 46 | 64.5 | 64.38 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| UW | 52 | 50 | 64.5 | 64.38 | 35.25 | 35.5 |
| SW | 56 | 54 | 64.5 | 64.7 | 35.25 | 35.25 |
| LW | 60 | 58 | 64.5 | 65.11 | 35 | 35 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- i3 O-Size
- i5
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the i3 O-Size is 34.5° and the i5 is 34°, a 0.5° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the i5 should carry about 2 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the i3 O-Size. Across the 11 clubs both sets share, the i5 averages 0.7° stronger, with the largest gap at the UW (52° vs 50°). The pitching wedges are 47° and 46°; the stronger one leaves a 4° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the i5 7-iron sits 0.2° flatter (62.5° vs 62.28°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander.
The sets are built differently: the i3 O-Size runs 3-iron to LW (11 clubs), the i5 2-iron to LW (12 clubs).
The i3 O-Size is a game improvement iron and the i5 a players iron, so they sit 2 steps apart on the forgiveness scale. The i3 O-Size is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The i5 trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
Both heads are listed as investment cast. With the build method this similar, differences in feel come down to head size, sole width, topline and offset rather than how the heads are made.
There are 6 years between these sets (1999 and 2005), more than one design generation. Over that time irons moved toward stronger lofts, thinner and faster faces, hollow and multi-material heads and wider use of tungsten, so the newer set is not simply a better version of the older one: it may launch and spin quite differently. Here the 7-iron loft moved from 34.5° to 34°.
Which should you choose?
The i5 is the stronger-lofted set — up to 2° stronger than the i3 O-Size on matching clubs. Expect longer carry per numbered iron but a flatter descent angle; gapping at the wedge end is where that shows up.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Ping i3 O-Size specs and Ping i5 specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ping i3 O-Size stronger lofted than the i5?
No. The i5 is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 34° against 34.5° for the Ping i3 O-Size, 0.5° stronger and worth about 2 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Ping i3 O-Size and i5?
At the 7-iron the difference is 0.5° (34.5° vs 34°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the UW, and 8 of the 11 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Ping i3 O-Size or the i5?
The Ping i3 O-Size. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The i5 is a players iron, better suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
Do the Ping i3 O-Size and i5 have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Ping i3 O-Size is 62.5° lie and 36.75 inches, the i5 62.28° and 36.75 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
Shop both models
Compare prices for new and used sets on eBay:
We may earn a commission from purchases made through links on this page at no extra cost to you.