S56 vs S57 whats the big difference

[Turbs]

Hi guys, I am trying to decide which set to go with. I have tried to find a post that details the major changes but have not been able to locate it. I am asking due to the fact that, I can get new S57's(DG S300 shaft) for $400. but if the S56's are that much better than I will just wait till our club opens and order to my shaft preference (I think I would like to get a stiff shaft soft stepped once to increase ball height). Thank you for your help. Turbs!

[Mizgoodie]

i know they added lenght to the hosel to make them even more forgiving than the s57 .. and the grooves which could be a good thing

[williamo]

The S56 is a fantastic iron. Great feel and surprisingly forgiving. I hit them with the S300 and they flew pretty high IMO. Don't know what is so much better but obviously they are good if you count their tour wins and compare to the S57...

[Turbs]

I was hoping that one of the PING reps would chime in on the "spec's" ie. blade length sole width head weight etc....

[marshvegas]

Well if you compare the two side by side, there are some differences in the cavity and CTP. The s56 definitely feels softer and flies higher. The s56 are more workable, they are not your typical point and shoot game improvement club. If you leave the face open a tad they fade and if you close the face a tad they draw. To my great surprise the 3 & 4 iron are very easy to hit. PING has a huge winner on their hands with this one.

[Pete Dye Rules]

Think the S56's are more forgiving and much softer. Liked them so much I just ordered a set today!

[CameronPrototype]

I got a set of S57's (3-PW, AWT Shafts, +1/2) brand new for $310 shipped. Huge improvement from my I3+ Blades. Have not hit the S56's yet, but for over $500 less I can deal with forgiveness issues. I like to hit it sideways sometimes anyway, haha!!

[mbs_paddy]

the difference between 56 and 57 is 1... and $300

[acpar72]

2 differences and I think most Ping afficionados will agree. #1 is distance. S57 were short in major way. #2 is feel. The s56 feel alot better.

[msd71]

[quote name='mbs_paddy' timestamp='1296185067' post='2931175']
the difference between 56 and 57 is 1... and $300
[/quote]

Even if this isn't true, I got a chuckle out of it.

[sodak77]

Other than price the biggest difference will be that the S-56 have conforming grooves where as the S-57s do not. Not a big deal if you don't play professionaly or plan on playing in any of the bigger amateur events coming up in a few years.

[Turbs]

Thanks for your reply, If the 56's fly higher, should I avoid soft stepping the stiff shaft?

turbs

[quote name='Pings2Win' timestamp='1296173537' post='2930584']
Well if you compare the two side by side, there are some differences in the cavity and CTP. The s56 definitely feels softer and flies higher. The s56 are more workable, they are not your typical point and shoot game improvement club. If you leave the face open a tad they fade and if you close the face a tad they draw. To my great surprise the 3 & 4 iron are very easy to hit. PING has a huge winner on their hands with this one.
[/quote]

[marshvegas]

I don't see a need to soft step unless you need to for fitting purposes. I have dynamic gold s300 in mine and they get airborn with no problem.

As others have mentioned, the 57's feel harsher and fly shorter. The difference in feel is due to the redesign of the CTP in the s56.

Once you get a chance to hit them, you will see what everyone has been talking about and you will have an "aha" moment too.

[sandiegonative]

[quote name='williamo' timestamp='1295988868' post='2923933']
The S56 is a fantastic iron. Great feel and surprisingly forgiving. I hit them with the S300 and they flew pretty high IMO. Don't know what is so much better [b]but obviously they are good if you count their tour wins and compare to the S57...[/b][u][/u][/quote]

Bubba Watson won at Torrey using the S59 Irons. Are those now better then the S57 and S56 Irons??? Tour wins meet nothing.

http://blogs.golf.com/equipment/2011/01/winners-bag-bubba-watson-at-the-farmers-insurance-open.html

[setter02]

[quote name='acpar72' timestamp='1296185674' post='2931203']
2 differences and I think most Ping afficionados will agree. #1 is distance. S57 were short in major way. #2 is feel. The s56 feel alot better.
[/quote]

I feel the opposite on the "feel" aspect. Hit both with X100's and disliked the S56's so much they were promptly taken off my list for irons this season.

[tonster]

I would demo both sets if possible before making a decision.

I have a set of S57s in the backup bag and demoed the S56s numerous times. Distance wise they were identical for me and feel wise the S57s feel clickier and are noticeably harsher on mishits (which is not necessarily a bad thing imo). The lower flight and turf interaction from the S57s were much better for me which is why I never made the switch.

[erikdavis]

Ping rep at the PGA show in Orlando told me they designed the s56's to be more workable than the point and shoot s57's, that they were geared towards players like Bubba Watson(again his words), that prefer to work the ball more, take it for what its worth, but I asked that specific question and got the above answer.

[Dizz]

[quote name='erikdavis' timestamp='1296528124' post='2941509']
Ping rep at the PGA show in Orlando told me they designed the s56's to be more workable than the point and shoot s57's, that they were geared towards players like Bubba Watson(again his words), that prefer to work the ball more, take it for what its worth, but I asked that specific question and got the above answer.
[/quote]

How'd that work out for PING? Turns out Gerry likes his S-59's better...notching another win with them too.

[marshvegas]

[quote name='erikdavis' timestamp='1296528124' post='2941509']
Ping rep at the PGA show in Orlando told me they designed the s56's to be more workable than the point and shoot s57's, that they were geared towards players like Bubba Watson(again his words), that prefer to work the ball more, take it for what its worth, but I asked that specific question and got the above answer.
[/quote]

I would agree with that statement. It is very easy to move them in either direction if you are not square at impact but it makes you work on your swing so I love it.

[blev2]

I have some s59's that i was getting ready to get rid of, but I might just hold on to them for a while.