Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another tech deep dive. Today, we’re gonna talk about something that I recently messed around with – the Ping S159 wedges. I know, I know, it sounds a bit dry, but trust me, it got pretty interesting. So, let’s jump right in, shall we?
I got my hands on these Ping S159 wedges a few weeks back. I heard they were supposed to be pretty good, but I had to see for myself. First off, I went to the store and saw that they are priced at $197 each with steel and $212 with graphite. That’s a lot of money! I just wanted to test them out and see what all the fuss was about. The first thing I did was go to the shop. They looked pretty slick, not gonna lie. The design is clean, and they felt good in my hands. I spent a good amount of time just swinging them around, getting a feel for the weight and balance.
After getting comfortable with them, I took them out for a spin. I started with some basic shots, you know, just to see how they performed in general. Right off the bat, I noticed something interesting. Compared to my Vokey SM10 wedges, the ball flight was a bit higher. It wasn’t a bad thing, though. I actually liked it because it gave me more control, especially when I wanted to land the ball softly on the green.
Here’s what I did next:
- Basic Shots: Just like I mentioned, I started with some standard shots. I wanted to see how the S159s compared to what I was used to. The higher ball flight was noticeable, and I found it pretty easy to control.
- Flighting the Ball: Next, I tried to flight the ball down. I wanted to see if I could get that penetrating shot with a lot of spin. And guess what? These wedges delivered. It was surprisingly easy to manipulate the ball flight.
- Forgiveness Test: I’m not the most consistent golfer, so I wanted to see how forgiving these wedges were. I intentionally hit some off-center shots, and I was pleasantly surprised. They still performed well, even when I didn’t hit them perfectly.
I also looked into this WebFit Wedge app that Ping has. It’s supposed to help you figure out which grind and loft combo is best for you. I played around with it a bit, and it seemed pretty handy. I didn’t rely on it completely, but it was a good starting point. I found that there are six grinds, including two new PING Wrx-inspired options, and 25 loft/grind combinations in Hydropearl Chrome and Midnight finishes. I think this is a great way to provide some good forgiveness for players of all abilities.
After spending a few days with these wedges, I started to understand why people were raving about them. They weren’t just hype. These things actually performed. I even tried some trickier shots, like those you see the pros do on TV. I won’t say I nailed them all, but the S159s definitely made it easier.
My Final Thoughts
So, what’s the verdict? Are the Ping S159 wedges worth the buzz? In my opinion, yeah, they are. They look good, they feel good, and they perform exceptionally well. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a weekend warrior like me, these wedges can definitely up your game. They’re a bit pricey, but if you’re serious about your golf, they’re worth considering.
That’s it for today’s little experiment. I hope you found it useful. As always, I’m just sharing my experience, and your mileage may vary. But if you get a chance, give the Ping S159 wedges a try. You might be surprised at how much they can improve your short game. Until next time, keep swinging and stay curious!
