Is new always better, or can a set of irons from a few years back still get the job done?
That's the question we set out to answer with the Ping i59. So we sent a set of i59s (and their newer sibling, the Ping i240) over to Ryan from Independent Golf Reviews and asked him to put both through a real head-to-head test with range sessions, rotation drills, fatigue testing, and full launch monitor data.
Ryan didn't just hit a bucket of balls and call it a day. He rotated between clubs, tracked numbers with a Flightscope MEVO Gen2, and spent extra time on the 8-iron to get a clear read on how the i59 actually performs against a set that's roughly five years newer. Here's what he found.
Product Overview
This comparison came down to two Ping iron sets, about five years apart:
- Ping i59 (4-PW, Nippon Pro Modus 3 stiff, black dot) — the slightly older, more compact head
- Ping i240 (4-PW, same shaft spec) — the newer model, with 1° stronger lofts and a thicker sole
Both sets were tested with identical shafts, so this was as close to an apples-to-apples comparison as you can get.
Key Differences at a Glance:
- Age Gap: ~5 years
- Price Gap: ~$750
- Head Design: i59 is more compact; i240 has stronger lofts and a thicker sole
- Design Philosophy: Ping's signature year-over-year consistency in sound, look, and feel
Right away, Ryan noticed the two sets felt more alike than different at address, which says something about how much (or how little) iron design really shifts over a few product cycles.
Key Benefits and Real-World Use
So how did the Ping i59 actually hold up on the range?
Where the Ping i59 Held Its Own
This is really the headline: the i59 wasn't just competitive, it was more accurate.
- Dispersion: 4.0 yds, essentially even with the i240's 3.9 yds
- Club head speed and ball speed: both came in higher than the i240 in this test
- Smash factor: 1.25, edging out the i240's 1.24
- Feel and consistency: right in line with what you'd expect from Ping
Where the Newer i240 Pulled Ahead
The i240 didn't blow the i59 out of the water, but it does have a stronger loft build (1° stronger, plus a thicker sole), and Ryan noted it holds ball speed better on mishits — which is where "newer" iron tech tends to show up most:
- Loft/design: stronger lofts built for more launch and carry over time
- Forgiveness: retains more ball speed on off-center strikes
- Spin: slightly higher spin (6,936 rpm vs. 6,521 rpm), which can help with stopping power on greens
The Numbers (Simplified)
Here's what the launch monitor showed for the 8-iron, averaged across dozens of swings:
| Metric | Ping i240 | Ping i59 |
|---|---|---|
| Spin | 6,936 rpm | 6,521 rpm |
| Launch Angle | 24.5° | 23.2° |
| Dispersion | 3.9 yds | 4.0 yds |
| Club Head Speed | 80.8 mph | 83.5 mph |
| Ball Speed | 100.4 mph | 104.7 mph |
| Smash Factor | 1.24 | 1.25 |
| Carry Distance | 144.3 yds | 149.8 yds |
| Total Distance | 147.6 yds | 153.1 yds |
The i59 actually posted a slightly higher smash factor and more ball speed in this test — proof that a well-struck older iron can still outperform expectations.
Who the Ping i59 Is Best For
So, should you buy the Ping i59, or spend more on something newer like the i240?
The Ping i59 might be right for you if:
- You want serious value for money
- You're a fairly consistent ball striker
- You don't feel the need to upgrade every product cycle
- You love the classic Ping feel and sound
A newer iron (like the i240) might make more sense if:
- You want maximum forgiveness on mishits
- You're chasing every extra yard of distance
- Budget isn't the deciding factor
Ryan's takeaway was clear: the Ping i59 is far from outdated. It's still a genuinely strong performer, especially for golfers who prioritize accuracy over raw speed.
Final Verdict: Is the Ping i59 Still Worth It?
Here's the honest answer — the gap between these two sets is much smaller than the $750 price difference would suggest. The Ping i59 held its own against a set five years newer, and on this test day, it actually matched or beat the i240 on speed, smash factor, and dispersion.
If you already have a set of i59s, there's no urgent reason to upgrade. And if you're shopping for a used set, the Ping i59 remains one of the smarter values on the market.
Ryan's testing backs it up: you don't need to chase the newest release to play great golf.
Looking for a set of Ping i59 irons at a fraction of retail price? Browse our Ping irons collection at Next Round Golf.
