Ping S57 vs Ping S55

Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.

Specification comparison

ClubS57 loftS55 loftS57 lieS55 lieS57 lengthS55 length
218.5—58.5—39.25—
3212159.2559.2538.7538.75
423.7524606038.2538.25
5272760.7560.7537.7537.75
630.53061.561.537.2537.25
734.253362.2562.2536.7536.75
838.2537636336.2536.25
942.54163.7563.7535.7535.75
PW4746646435.535.5

Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.

Lofts compared

  • S57
  • S55
S57 and S55 lofts comparedLine chart of loft in degrees by club for the S57 and the S55. 2: 18.5 and none. 3: 21 and 21. 4: 23.75 and 24. 5: 27 and 27. 6: 30.5 and 30. 7: 34.25 and 33. 8: 38.25 and 37. 9: 42.5 and 41. PW: 47 and 46.10°20°30°40°50°23456789PWS57 2: 18.5°S57 3: 21°S57 4: 23.75°S57 5: 27°S57 6: 30.5°S57 7: 34.25°S57 8: 38.25°S57 9: 42.5°S57 PW: 47°S55 3: 21°S55 4: 24°S55 5: 27°S55 6: 30°S55 7: 33°S55 8: 37°S55 9: 41°S55 PW: 46°Loft
Lofts differ on 6 of the 8 clubs the two sets share. A lower point is a stronger loft.

What the differences mean

At the 7-iron, the S57 is 34.25° and the S55 is 33°, a 1.2° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the S55 should carry roughly 4 to 5 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the S57. Across the 8 clubs both sets share, the S55 averages 0.7° stronger, with the largest gap at the 9-iron (42.5° vs 41°). 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.

The sets are built differently: the S57 runs 2-iron to PW (9 clubs), the S55 3-iron to PW (8 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.

Both heads are listed as investment cast. Both use tungsten weighting to lower the centre of gravity and steady the head on off-centre strikes.

There are 6 years between these sets (2007 and 2013), 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 34.25° to 33°.

Which should you choose?

The S55 is the stronger-lofted set — up to 1.5° stronger than the S57 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 S57 specs and Ping S55 specs.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ping S57 stronger lofted than the S55?

No. The S55 is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 33° against 34.25° for the Ping S57, 1.2° stronger and worth roughly 4 to 5 yards of extra carry.

What is the loft difference between the Ping S57 and S55?

At the 7-iron the difference is 1.2° (34.25° vs 33°). The largest gap on a shared club is 1.5° at the 9-iron, and 6 of the 8 shared clubs differ.

Are the Ping S57 and S55 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 S57 and S55 have the same lie and length?

At the 7-iron, yes: both are 62.25° lie and 36.75 inches long.

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