Reviewed by: UncleKirk ,  Shoots in the 70s

Model Reviewed:
Ping S58 with ZZ65 shaft

Summary:
I recently bought a set of used S58s for a very good price. I generally play smaller sized forged cavity backs, but wanted to try something different. I played the famous square grooved Eye2s many years ago but haven't played ping irons since. The S58s have been a pleasant surprise. The iron sets up well, with a compact head size and thin topline. There is some offset to these, but I haven't yet found it to be a problem or distracting. The offset is certainly far less than what is found in most Ping irons. These irons produce a soft feel and soft sound. Distance is normal by modern club standards and the trajectory for me is what I would call medium. The sole is relatively thin, which is very important for me. It cuts through the turf smoothly and doesn't have that clunky feel that many wide-soled irons have.

In terms of performance, the clubs are accurate and controllable. You can hit cuts and draws and can control trajectory. Don't expect them to work like a true small-headed blade, but they can easily outperform my swing ability. I have found these irons to be more forgiving than say Miura 201s, Taylormade X300 FCI, Titleist 735s and similar clubs. For me at least, these irons have been easier to hit than one would think just looking down at them, so don't judge these things on looks alone.

Ping's website says something about the long irons launching higher and the short irons lower - I would agree that the long irons do launch higher than many player's irons I have used. For me, the short irons launch about like they do with any other set of player's club, medium, but I have not yet had them balloon on me when hitting into a wind, which is good.

To sum up, these irons play like a typical player's iron. The one thing that stands out for me, and differentiates these clubs a little, is that they seem to be more forgiving than the many player's irons currently out there. For that reason, they are worth a try. In terms of forged versus cast, don't get overly hung up on that. These irons are pretty soft feeling for cast.

Similar Products Used:
Titleist 735, Mizuno MP 32, MP 67, Taylormade X300 FCI, Forged TP, X Forged, etc.

Reviewed by: bagel12 ,  Shoots in the 70s

Model Reviewed:
Ping S58

Summary:
I played a set of cobras for years and just but always carried a Ping I3 blade 2 iron. I was looking for a new set of irons this year and was just about set to get the Titleist 695 MB when I decided to take these to the range. I knew immediately that these were the clubs I wanted. Unlike the blades I wanted, mis-hits with these only resulted in a loss of distance instead of a loss of distance and accuracy. I am very consistent with my ball striking, but knowing that the occasional bad swing will only leave a chip and a putt rather than going god knows where is a confidence builder. Great set of players irons that is a good alternative to a true blade.

Customer Service:
NA

Similar Products Used:
I3 blades

Reviewed by: chrsub8rt ,  Shoots in the 80s

Model Reviewed:
ping s58 irons

Summary:
Just picked up a set of briefly used ping s58 irons to replace some game improvement cleveland TA-6s. My previous cavity backs were tough in shaping shots with any consistancy and even though I usually shoot in the low 80s at our local courses I thought I might be ready for a step up. Man was that a good decision. Got a set of black dot, neutral lie angle S58s. Played a few rounds with them so far and haven't lost a beat. These clubs are as forgiving as my Clevelands but with much more feedback, slowly training better ball stiking by forcing one to focus a bit more on each shot. Bending balls aroud trees is a snap, just have to dial in the setup of these shots, but very workable versus the deep cavity backs which always seemed to resist a draw or power fade swing. As a result I'm now way to strong in my approach to these shots but already improving. A well struck ball feels beutiful and my little 8 iron chips and the like have been impeccible. I can only guess because the smaller head again causes for more focus on these shots. I'm glad I bucked the recommendations that these were "players" clubs, mid-high handicaps beware. I think a lot more golfers can hit this stuff, improve their games and enjoy the sport more with this sort of equipment. I will note that on my fourth round of the weekend, as I was fatigued and my swing started to break down, I did start to hit fat a bit more than usual. The blade-like design definately will dig a bit more on fat strikes, but hell, by then I should've been home with the kids, I was tired and sloppy and deserved the fatness I achieved. Try these clubs and clubs like them. Don't let the hadicap snobs keep you in the dark.

Similar Products Used:
Calaway Big Bertha Irons, Cleveland TA-6, tried Ping I3+Blades first hit these better.