This is our comparison of the Ping i525 irons vs Ping i59 irons

I’m an avid golfer, a 9.2 handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6) and frequent tester of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.

I tested the Ping i59 and i525 irons on the range using my Swing Caddie launch monitor over the course of 3 days. I didn’t have my best stuff, but I hit a number of good shots with both iron sets. I figure I hit about 6 buckets of balls between the two sets. 

Summary: The i525s are 1/2 club (wedge & short irons) to a club (mid & long irons) longer than the i59s. Feel & sound are similar, as well as trajectory. The i525s are more forgiving on minor mishits than the i59s.

Ping i59 irons were released in 2021 and are the company’s premium player blade irons. And, they look the part. Compact clubheads. Thin topline and sole. Minimum offset. Legit lofts (not jacked for distance). Though, Ping does offer a “Power Spec Loft” option if you want stronger lofts. 

The Ping i59s look awesome behind the ball and I’m a fan of the mat or flat (not shiny) finish. They are a low single digit handicaps dream.

Ping i525 irons were released this year and are player performance (distance) irons for those of us in the mid to low handicap range. The clubheads are compact, though not as compact as the i59s. The topline and sole are noticeably thicker but not thick. The blade is longer. Again, not by much. They appear to have more grooves (I refuse to count them). And, the offset is near identical for both irons. 

The i525s look great behind the ball (nearly identical to the i59s) and have the same Hydropearl 2.0 finish. 

Ping i59 Irons Specs

Ping i59 wedge at the range

Shaft: Project X LS Steel 6.5 Flex

Ping i59 Irons Specs

Ping i525 Irons Specs

Ping i525 iron

Shaft: Project X IO Steel 6.0 Flex

Ping i525 Irons Specs

Looks

The 59s and 525s are seriously good-looking clubs in the bag. Say what you want,  but golfers like good-looking clubs, and both of these are that. 

They both frame the ball well and are hard to tell apart at address. Offset is minimal in both sets. 

Distinguishing factors

  • Thicker topline (though not much) in the i525s
  • Slightly larger clubhead (not much) in the i525s
  • Thicker sole in the i525s
  • Iron numeral is bigger, with a different design in the i525s

I prefer compact clubheads so…

Winner – i59s

Sound & Feel

The i59s and i525s sound and feel the same to me. The clubfaces on my Hogans are soft carbon steel, so these felt harsh in comparison.  

Winner – Draw

Shaping & Flighting

I hit tight draws all day long. Ball flight for both was medium, to medium-high. 

Winner – Draw

Forgiveness

I got more out of my mishits with the i525s. Though, the i59s weren’t overly punishing.

As I mentioned above, I wasn’t exactly peppering the sweet spot on either of these irons during my testing. But, when I got close, I got good distance and performance and not as much punishment as I deserved.  

Winner – i525s

Distance

The i525s have stronger lofts across the board. Less so in the short irons, and up to 3 degrees in the long and mid irons. They are longer than the i59s, especially with marginal contact.

Winner – i525s

Our Verdict on the Ping i525 irons vs Ping i59 irons comparison

Choose the i59s if you have to have compact clubheads and/or you play off the sweet spot on the regular.

Choose the i525s if you don’t mind a little larger clubheads and appreciate a little help on mishits.

My #1 suggestion is to test before you buy whenever possible. Either at your local golf store or take advantage of Global Golf’s Utry trial program. I use it and recommend it.

Thanks for checking out our Ping i525 irons vs Ping i59 irons comparison.

Golfer Geeks Approved
Excellent Player Distance Irons
5.0
5.0
  • Exceptional looks
  • Long
  • Great looking
  • Long & forgiving
  • Harsh sound and feel
  • Price
  • Harsh sound and feel
  • Price

Looking for traditional player irons with traditional specs and looks? Gotta go with the i59s.

New & Used clubs available

Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek



Want the looks of player irons, but need a little more help with forgiveness and distance? Gotta go with the i525s. 

New & Used clubs available

Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek

Golfer Geeks Approved
5.0
  • Exceptional looks
  • Long
  • Harsh sound and feel
  • Price

Looking for traditional player irons with traditional specs and looks? Gotta go with the i59s.

New & Used clubs available

Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek



Excellent Player Distance Irons
5.0
  • Great looking
  • Long & forgiving
  • Harsh sound and feel
  • Price

Want the looks of player irons, but need a little more help with forgiveness and distance? Gotta go with the i525s. 

New & Used clubs available

Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek