Ping is one of the most iconic names in golf, especially when it comes to equipment, but one area where they may have fallen short at times compared to other brands is with their wedges.
The Ping S159 wedges bring a blend of modern design and a new personalised fitting system to help golfers improve their short game.
Tested on the Old Course at St. Andrews, the wedges proved to be an excellent tool for navigating the challenging links conditions. With their unique groove patterns, fitting options, and control, they promise to offer something special to golfers seeking precision and consistency. But do they live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details.
The Tech
The standout feature of the Ping S159 wedges is their advanced groove design which has been developed from the previous Glide 4.0 model. The wedges come with two types of grooves depending on the loft.
Lower-lofted wedges feature deeper grooves designed to help with control over long shots, while higher-lofted wedges have additional grooves which are more tightly spaced, to generate more spin and control on short shots around the green.
Another key technology is the elastomer insert placed behind the clubface, which improves both the feel and the sound at impact. The wedges are available in 25 different loft and grind combinations, allowing for a customized fit to match your game.
The wedges feature a carbon steel head, with a straighter leading edge compared to previous Ping wedges to provide better results on full shots.
Ping has also streamlined the fitting process by offering a new WebFit Wedge app, which asks the user a number of questions in order to recommend wedge grinds based on your playing style, lie conditions, and shot preferences.
This helps golfers find wedges that match their game without needing a full custom fitting.
Ping s159 Wedges Review
Looks and Feel
At first glance, the Ping S159 wedges offer a clean, premium appearance. However, the bold Ping logo and the black bar across the back might be a bit aggressive for some golfers' tastes. Despite this, they maintain an overall sleek and professional look.
In terms of feel, the wedges are soft and responsive, thanks to the elastomer insert. Initially, the extra bounce on the 52° wedge was challenging, but after adjusting my technique, the feel became much more comfortable.
These wedges offer a soft, controlled feel on both short and full shots, without feeling too hard at impact.
On-Course Performance
I tested these wedges both on The Old Course at St Andrews and on the short game area at Dumbarnie Golf Links. As I mentioned earlier the high bounce on these wedges did take a bit of getting used to, particularly with the 52° wedge around the green. I am used to lower bounce on my wedges, particularly because I play a lot of my golf in links conditions.
However, after some adjustments, the performance significantly improved, especially from longer distances. The 58° wedge was easier to use right from the start, offering excellent control and spin on short shots.
The wedges excelled in their ability to check the ball quickly on the firm greens, a critical feature when playing links-style golf.
However, when it came to bunker play, there was a bit more roll-out than I would have liked. Even after further testing in different conditions, the wedges didn’t check up as quickly out of the sand as I was perhaps expecting.
Trackman Data Results
We took the Ping S159 wedges onto a Trackman to get a closer look at their spin rates and carry distances. The results showed impressive consistency, with the spin rates staying uniform across different shots. This matched what I observed on the course, with the wedges offering excellent control and stopping power.
For full shots, the 52° wedge showed only a few yards of variation in carry distance, further confirming the wedges' accuracy. This kind of consistency is key for any golfer looking to improve their wedge game.
Ping s159 Wedges Verdict
The Ping s159 wedges are a solid option for golfers looking for control, spin, and consistency in their short game. While the design may be bolder than some might prefer, the performance more than makes up for it, and I appreciate the fact that Ping are doing something a little different with the introduction of WebFit.
The fitting process, though not as personalised as a traditional fitting, offers a good starting point for finding wedges that match your style of play - although if I had the choice again I would probably look at a lower bounce option in the gap wedge which better suits the conditions I play most of my golf in.
With a price tag of £175 per wedge these are right at the top end of the market, more than competitors like the TaylorMade MG4 and Vokey SM10 but the combination of advanced technology and on-course performance could make them worth the investment. Whether you’re looking to dial in your wedge game from distance or control your spin around the greens, the Ping S159 wedges are definitely worth a try.
Ping s159 Wedges Pros & Cons
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