We originally spotted Ping’s s159 wedges at last year’s RSM Classic. Today, Ping’s new wedges are heading to retail. The company’s latest tour-inspired wedges are available in 25 loft/grind combinations, which Ping calls its “most extensive and versatile wedge line to date.”

John K. Solheim, Ping CEO & President said s159 wedges, “are already winning on Tour and we’re seeing a lot of players converting to them around the world. They love the clean look, the soft feel and, most importantly, the ability to launch and spin their shots with precise control. With six grinds designed to perform in a variety of playing conditions and techniques, we have a wedge to fit every golfer.”

• Check out more in-hand photos of Ping’s s159 wedges in the forums. 

Ping s159 wedges: Key technology

Ping crafted s159 heads from 8620 carbon steel with a straighter leading edge and refined shape based on player feedback.

• Ping engineers positioned an elastomer insert behind the wedge face to enhance feel.
• Engineers also paid close attention to the hosel transition for better blending with Blueprint S and T irons.
• Ping offers the s159 wedges in two finishes: Hydropearl 2.0 and darker, anti-glare Midnight.

Precision-milled, wheel-cut grooves have been precisely crafted to reduce variations in spin owing to conditions. 54-to-62-degree wedges are configured with tightly spaced MicroMax grooves. Wedges south of 52 degrees have wider grooves with more milling.

“Our R&D team has gained a lot of notoriety for this [“wet and dry”] test, which has revealed remarkable performance results when applied to our last several wedge models,” Solheim said. “A lot of fitters refer to it as the ‘spray-bottle test.’ The s159 consistently leads in the wet testing, out-performing other wedges. Considering it’s rare when a shot doesn’t encounter some level of moisture or loss of friction, this type of control provides a clear and convincing short-game advantage.”

• Check out more in-hand photos of Ping’s s159 wedges in the forums. 

Ping s159 grind details (via Ping)

New “H” or Half-Moon Grind: A shot-saving option for players with steeper angles of attack who like to manipulate the handle and play with versatility. It performs best in softer conditions. Available in 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°

New “B” Grind: For a shallow angle of attack and neutral face delivery. Low-bounce design sits low on the turf on square-face shots, providing forgiveness via the sole width to deliver score-lowering performance in firmer conditions. Available in 58°, 60°

“T” Grind: The most versatile option allows players to manipulate the face for shot-making precision around the greens. Ideal for medium to firm turf conditions, includes a 62-degree option at the request of our tour pros for more versatility. Available in 58°, 60°, 62° (new)

“W” Grind: Maximum forgiveness through the turf. Best fits a steep angle of attack who might also have a lot of handle lean and a player who prefers the look of a specialty wedge but relies on a little more forgiveness in their scoring clubs. Available in 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°

“E” or Eye2 Grind: Continues to be the ultimate bunker club, carrying on a 40-year tradition of helping golfers get up and down from the sand. It plays with relatively low bounce on square or slightly open face shots. Available in 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°

“S” Grind: Fits a wide variety of conditions and techniques. Designed with ample bounce in the mid-section to play full shots and provides greenside versatility due to heel/trail edge relief. New 48-degree option helps in gapping. Available in 46°, 48° (new), 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°

• Check out more in-hand photos of Ping’s s159 wedges in the forums. 

Pricing, specs, availability

Stock shafts: Ping Z-Z115 wedge, Ping Alta CB Black (SR, R, S). *several optional stock shafts are available, including offerings from True Temper and KBS

Stock grip: Ping 360 Dyla-Wedge Lite grip

Price: $197 (steel); $212 (graphite)

At retail: Now

• Check out more in-hand photos of Ping’s s159 wedges in the forums. 

WebFit Wedge app

In conjunction with the s159 wedge launch, Ping also announced its new WebFit Wedge app that allows golfers to quickly and easily select a wedge grind via a series of questions about their short game tendencies and typical playing conditions.

“It’s no secret shopping for wedges can be confusing as golfers try to understand all the nuances of a wedge’s design and what’s best for them,” said Solheim. “With our new WebFit Wedge app, our goal is to simplify the process of finding a wedge that fits the golfer while also educating them why a particular grind is best for them. It was developed in-house by our data scientists and relies on our massive collection of wedge data, much of it mined from our relationship with Arccos, to make very precise recommendations.”

“The app doesn’t require downloading, logging in or signing up for anything. It’s a very simple experience but very rewarding for users. It will be accessible via a QR code in golf shops and on ping.com. We strongly encourage golfers to engage the app in their wedge-buying process.”

• Check out more in-hand photos of Ping’s s159 wedges in the forums.