Ping S58-S56: Something Wrong or Just the Bubba Factor?

[cardoustie]

The 55's are better than the 56's ... but not by a lot

 

Little better feel, slight improvements thru the turf and a little more forgiving

 

The 58's are a unique animal ... bigger, the old finish that is indestructible, the weights that do come loose (as they also did in 56's) ... the lack of a toe weight makes them not as great on toe misses

[granata10]

I have played a lot of Ping irons, including the S59 and S56, the S56 is probably my favorite. I didn't hit the S55 but remember it was at least 3 years between the S56 and S55. Rumor was Ping was having a hard time improving on the design and the S55 was more of a tweak than a redesign. Before the S56 I believe Ping was on a 2 year cycle with the S series just like everything else in their line at the time.

 

Bottom line S56 or S55 you will have a great set of irons

[dmeeksDC]

I just want to say how much I am enjoying this thread. No obsessing over non-conforming grooves, just solid reviews on an iconic line of golf clubs. Could play these heads a long time and miss nothing.

 

I’ve got the S55’s in play but I also really like the looks of the S57 and S58. Stripping the paintfill from the S57 makes it a sharper-looking iron and the only really negative I read on it — high spin — can be addressed by strengthening the lofts. And the larger profile of the S58 is intriguing for the longer irons.

 

And now we need a movement to make them legal beyond 2024! If hollow-headed irons and injected faces are allowed, why not the Ping grooves?

[braincramp52]

> @dmeeksDC said:

> I just want to say how much I am enjoying this thread. No obsessing over non-conforming grooves, just solid reviews on an iconic line of golf clubs. Could play these heads a long time and miss nothing.

>

> I’ve got the S55’s in play but I also really like the looks of the S57 and S58. Stripping the paintfill from the S57 makes it a sharper-looking iron and the only really negative I read on it — high spin — can be addressed by strengthening the lofts. And the larger profile of the S58 is intriguing for the longer irons.

>

> And now we need a movement to make them legal beyond 2024! If hollow-headed irons and injected faces are allowed, why not the Ping grooves?

 

Aren't the old Eye 2's with square grooves the only ones that are non conforming? All the later Pings should be fine. I'm sure someone that knows a lot more than I do will chime in.

[granata10]

> @lawsonman said:

> > @dmeeksDC said:

> > I just want to say how much I am enjoying this thread. No obsessing over non-conforming grooves, just solid reviews on an iconic line of golf clubs. Could play these heads a long time and miss nothing.

> >

> > I’ve got the S55’s in play but I also really like the looks of the S57 and S58. Stripping the paintfill from the S57 makes it a sharper-looking iron and the only really negative I read on it — high spin — can be addressed by strengthening the lofts. And the larger profile of the S58 is intriguing for the longer irons.

> >

> > And now we need a movement to make them legal beyond 2024! If hollow-headed irons and injected faces are allowed, why not the Ping grooves?

>

> Aren't the old Eye 2's with square grooves the only ones that are non conforming? All the later Pings should be fine. I'm sure someone that knows a lot more than I do will chime in.

 

in 2010 the groove rule was changed and most clubs made before 2010 were non conforming, because of a lawsuit the 80s the Eye 2's were still conforming. As it relates to this thread the S59, S58 and I believe the S57 were all non conforming because of the 2010 groove rule.

[braincramp52]

> @granata10 said:

> > @lawsonman said:

> > > @dmeeksDC said:

> > > I just want to say how much I am enjoying this thread. No obsessing over non-conforming grooves, just solid reviews on an iconic line of golf clubs. Could play these heads a long time and miss nothing.

> > >

> > > I’ve got the S55’s in play but I also really like the looks of the S57 and S58. Stripping the paintfill from the S57 makes it a sharper-looking iron and the only really negative I read on it — high spin — can be addressed by strengthening the lofts. And the larger profile of the S58 is intriguing for the longer irons.

> > >

> > > And now we need a movement to make them legal beyond 2024! If hollow-headed irons and injected faces are allowed, why not the Ping grooves?

> >

> > Aren't the old Eye 2's with square grooves the only ones that are non conforming? All the later Pings should be fine. I'm sure someone that knows a lot more than I do will chime in.

>

> in 2010 the groove rule was changed and most clubs made before 2010 were non conforming, because of a lawsuit the 80s the Eye 2's were still conforming. As it relates to this thread the S59, S58 and I believe the S57 were all non conforming because of the 2010 groove rule.

 

I believe you're right. S56's are legal

[granata10]

> @lawsonman said:

> > @granata10 said:

> > > @lawsonman said:

> > > > @dmeeksDC said:

> > > > I just want to say how much I am enjoying this thread. No obsessing over non-conforming grooves, just solid reviews on an iconic line of golf clubs. Could play these heads a long time and miss nothing.

> > > >

> > > > I’ve got the S55’s in play but I also really like the looks of the S57 and S58. Stripping the paintfill from the S57 makes it a sharper-looking iron and the only really negative I read on it — high spin — can be addressed by strengthening the lofts. And the larger profile of the S58 is intriguing for the longer irons.

> > > >

> > > > And now we need a movement to make them legal beyond 2024! If hollow-headed irons and injected faces are allowed, why not the Ping grooves?

> > >

> > > Aren't the old Eye 2's with square grooves the only ones that are non conforming? All the later Pings should be fine. I'm sure someone that knows a lot more than I do will chime in.

> >

> > in 2010 the groove rule was changed and most clubs made before 2010 were non conforming, because of a lawsuit the 80s the Eye 2's were still conforming. As it relates to this thread the S59, S58 and I believe the S57 were all non conforming because of the 2010 groove rule.

>

> I believe you're right. S56's are legal

 

I know S56 is legal not sure about S57

 

[Bad9]

They are all legal, save for high level competitions, until 2024.

[jholz]

Thanks once again everyone for the responses. I am certainly learning a lot.

 

As far as the groove legality issue is concerned, I am really not that worried. My tournament days are behind me and I play just for myself anymore. Perhaps [insert deity of choice] will descend from heaven someday and give me a game that would be worthy of high level competition - but I'm not holding my breath.

 

 

[nitram]

To me, trying to describe the difference between the 55/56 is like comparing the Eye 2 vs Eye 2 Berilium Copper. I "borrowed" a set of 56's and played a dozen rounds with them over a 2 week period while deciding on what irons to replace my i3+'s. This was when PING was about to introduce the 55's so I waited a few weeks. The 56's were great irons and a worthy successor but something told me to hold out until I could try the 55's as I'd been told by a college coach (and PING staffer) I'd love them. He let me hit his set and I was SOLD on the spot. Sad thing is I had to wait another 2 months to have them built and shipped (about the time they were released to the public). Anyway, to me the difference between the two is feel & a scosche more useable bounce/playability. As mentioned in other posts, the 55 impact feels more "soft" and sounds as good as any iron in golf. I've tried all of the newest PING irons and after 4 years, the 55's are still ahead of the pack. But IMHO, you can't go wrong with either choice. And for the record, Bubba had ZERO influence on the decision.

[AdamStoutjesdyk]

I adored my s56's i had 2 sets and felt they were the best players iron that ping has ever released

[alexdub]

> @cardoustie said:

> I have played them all

>

> Of the s the 55 is the best, 56 and 58 very close

>

> Cardy Ratings

>

> Blueprints> s55 > s56 > s58 > s59 > s57 > iblades

 

 

@cardoustie — curious to get your thoughts on why the s57 ranks so low on your list. The shape & sole of the 55, 56, and 57 and pretty darn close. Was it a feel thing for you? Performance?

 

I played the 57, 56, and 55 for a few years each. 55s are my favorite, but they were all pretty close to me.

[easylittle5wood]

For whatever reason the 56s are what put them on the map. That’s when more non Ping guys started using those irons, then continued with the 55s which is a perfected s series iron.

[jholz]

> @easylittle5wood said:

> For whatever reason the 56s are what put them on the map. That’s when more non Ping guys started using those irons, then continued with the 55s which is a perfected s series iron.

 

Right now, it's a toss up between the 56s and 55s. I've located a few sets of both for comparable prices, so we will see how the gods move me when it comes time to lay down some cash.

 

On a slightly separate note, I've never fooled around with Ping irons before, but I know that they often do some funky stuff with their shaft/hosel set-ups. Does anyone know if the 56s or 55s come with any special issues when it comes to reshafting?

 

If not, I'm sure I can look it up.

[BCULAW]

The s56s were the best of the bunch, IMO. Had a set with s400 Tour Issue and they were darn near perfect. Such an underrated iron that received a lot of play with great success on tour. Couldn't recommend more highly.

[BCULAW]

I should add that I've owned them all except the s58s. The 56s were the best overall, IMO.

[MtlJeff]

S58 got a lot of love around here back in the day. They were I believe a bit bigger than the other models so fit a pretty wide group of players while still looking like a real players club

 

The S57 if I recall came out during the "10 series" run, which I dont think was as successful for ping but maybe I am wrong. People didn't like the i10, and the g10 weren't iconic. Maybe the s57 was dragged down

[Peanut191]

I had the S56 for years, probably the longest any one set has stayed in my bag. Really great irons and lasted well. I found the earlier models a little harsher in feel than the 56’s.

 

When I tried the S55, the only real difference I could tell between these and the S56, were that the S55 felt a little softer. I believe that the longer irons seemed a little more forgiving on the 55’s as well, but this was a long time ago when I compared them, so my memory is a little fuzzy on the subject. I do remember keeping the S56 over the S55 at the time because the performance difference didn’t justify the cost of the new set over what I had.

[dpb5031]

S56 may be the best for out of the rough of any irons I've had.