Ping i3+ vs Ping i5
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | i3+ loft | i5 loft | i3+ lie | i5 lie | i3+ length | i5 length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 17.9 | 18 | 58.7 | 58.67 | 39.25 | 39.25 |
| 3 | 20.7 | 21 | 59.4 | 59.32 | 38.75 | 38.75 |
| 4 | 23.8 | 24 | 60 | 60.02 | 38.25 | 38.25 |
| 5 | 27 | 27 | 60.8 | 60.75 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 6 | 30.6 | 30.5 | 61.5 | 61.5 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 7 | 34.4 | 34 | 62.3 | 62.28 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 38.4 | 38 | 63 | 63.1 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 42.7 | 42 | 63.8 | 63.95 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| PW | 47.2 | 46 | 64.4 | 64.38 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| UW | 52 | 50 | 64.7 | 64.38 | 35.25 | 35.5 |
| SW | 56 | 54 | 64.7 | 64.7 | 35.25 | 35.25 |
| LW | 60 | 58 | 65.2 | 65.11 | 35 | 35 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- i3+
- i5
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the i3+ is 34.4° and the i5 is 34°, a 0.4° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the i5 should carry roughly 1 to 2 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the i3+. Across the 12 clubs both sets share, the i5 averages 0.7° stronger, with the largest gap at the UW (52° vs 50°). The pitching wedges are 47.2° 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° flatter (62.3° vs 62.28°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander.
The i3+ is a game improvement iron and the i5 a players iron, so they sit 2 steps apart on the forgiveness scale. The i3+ 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.
The i5 arrived 3 years after the i3+, a typical one-generation refresh. Changes over that span are usually incremental: refined face thickness, revised weighting, updated looks and small loft tweaks rather than a new concept. Here the 7-iron loft moved from 34.4° to 34°.
Which should you choose?
The i5 is the stronger-lofted set — up to 2° stronger than the i3+ 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+ specs and Ping i5 specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ping i3+ stronger lofted than the i5?
No. The i5 is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 34° against 34.4° for the Ping i3+, 0.4° stronger and worth roughly 1 to 2 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Ping i3+ and i5?
At the 7-iron the difference is 0.4° (34.4° vs 34°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the UW, and 11 of the 12 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Ping i3+ or the i5?
The Ping i3+. 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+ and i5 have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Ping i3+ is 62.3° 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.