Ping i3+ vs Ping S59
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | i3+ loft | S59 loft | i3+ lie | S59 lie | i3+ length | S59 length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 17.9 | 18.5 | 58.7 | 58.67 | 39.25 | 39.25 |
| 3 | 20.7 | 21 | 59.4 | 59.32 | 38.75 | 38.75 |
| 4 | 23.8 | 23.8 | 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 | 34.3 | 62.3 | 62.28 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 8 | 38.4 | 38.3 | 63 | 63.1 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| 9 | 42.7 | 42.5 | 63.8 | 63.95 | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| PW | 47.2 | 47 | 64.4 | 64.38 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| UW | 52 | — | 64.7 | — | 35.25 | — |
| SW | 56 | — | 64.7 | — | 35.25 | — |
| LW | 60 | — | 65.2 | — | 35 | — |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- i3+
- S59
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the i3+ is 34.4° and the S59 is 34.3°, a 0.1° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the S59 should carry a yard or so further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the i3+. Across the 9 clubs both sets share, the differences roughly cancel out, with the largest gap at the 2-iron (17.9° vs 18.5°). The pitching wedges are 47.2° and 47°; the stronger one leaves a 3° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the S59 7-iron sits 0° flatter (62.3° vs 62.28°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander.
The sets are built differently: the i3+ runs 2-iron to LW (12 clubs), the S59 2-iron to PW (9 clubs).
The i3+ is a game improvement iron and the S59 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 S59 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 S59 came out 1 year after the i3+, but it is a different line rather than a direct replacement, so the two were designed for different golfers as well as different seasons.
Which should you choose?
The S59 is the stronger-lofted set — up to 0.6° 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 S59 specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ping i3+ stronger lofted than the S59?
No. The S59 is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 34.3° against 34.4° for the Ping i3+, 0.1° stronger and worth a yard or so of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Ping i3+ and S59?
At the 7-iron the difference is 0.1° (34.4° vs 34.3°). The largest gap on a shared club is 0.6° at the 2-iron, and 7 of the 9 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Ping i3+ or the S59?
The Ping i3+. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The S59 is a players iron, better suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
Do the Ping i3+ and S59 have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Ping i3+ is 62.3° lie and 36.75 inches, the S59 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.