Ping i59 vs Ping i230
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | i59 loft | i230 loft | i59 lie | i230 lie | i59 length | i230 length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20 | 19 | 59 | 59 | 39 | 39 |
| 4 | 23.5 | 22.5 | 59.8 | 59.8 | 38.5 | 38.5 |
| 5 | 27 | 26 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 38 | 38 |
| 6 | 30.5 | 29.5 | 61.3 | 61.3 | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| 7 | 34 | 33 | 62 | 62 | 37 | 37 |
| 8 | 38 | 37 | 62.8 | 62.8 | 36.5 | 36.5 |
| 9 | 42 | 41 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 36 | 36 |
| PW | 46 | 45 | 64.1 | 64.1 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| UW | — | 50 | — | 64.1 | — | 35.5 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- i59
- i230
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the i59 is 34° and the i230 is 33°, a 1° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the i230 should carry roughly 3 to 4 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the i59. Across the 8 clubs both sets share, the i230 averages 1° stronger, with the largest gap at the 3-iron (20° vs 19°). The pitching wedges are 46° and 45°; the stronger one leaves a 5° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping.
The sets are built differently: the i59 runs 3-iron to PW (8 clubs), the i230 3-iron to UW (9 clubs).
Both are players irons, built for roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. Small-to-mid cavity backs with traditional lofts, modest offset and workable shaping for low-handicap players. Because they target the same golfer, the decision comes down to the specific loft, feel and shaping differences rather than who the sets are made for.
The i59 is listed as forged body with a bonded face and an internal aluminium insert and the i230 as investment cast. Forging, as in the i59, is generally credited with a softer feel; casting, as in the i230, allows more complex cavity and weighting shapes, which is why it dominates forgiving irons. The i230 adds tungsten weighting, which lowers the centre of gravity and raises stability on mis-hits, helping the long irons launch.
The i230 came out 1 year after the i59, 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 i230 is the stronger-lofted set — up to 1° stronger than the i59 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 i59 specs and Ping i230 specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ping i59 stronger lofted than the i230?
No. The i230 is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 33° against 34° for the Ping i59, 1° stronger and worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Ping i59 and i230?
At the 7-iron the difference is 1° (34° vs 33°). The largest gap on a shared club is 1° at the 3-iron, and all 8 shared clubs differ.
Are the Ping i59 and i230 aimed at the same golfer?
Yes. Both are players irons, built for roughly scratch to 10 handicaps. Choose on feel, looks and gapping, ideally after hitting both.
Do the Ping i59 and i230 have the same lie and length?
At the 7-iron, yes: both are 62° lie and 37 inches long.
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