PING gives its criminally underrated wedges a big update with the S259 series

PING still aren't especially well-known for their wedges among average hackers, but those who get it, get it. PING make some of the best wedges around – it's just taking the world a little longer to find out.

Admittedly, former models struggled to make major inroads against major players like Titleist, Cleveland and Callaway. However that all changed with the introduction of the Glide series, and PING consolidated its wedge presence on tour even further with the release of the S159: a wedge series that garnered critical acclaim and, importantly, sold itself instantly to the brand's roster of staff players. 

Most PING staffers now play majority PING wedges, which isn't something a lot of the other major brands can boast. Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton and Joaquin Niemann are chief among them, while Bryson DeChambeau, perhaps the game's most discerning gear nerd, has also been a longtime PING wedge user. A set of S159s, along with a Glide Lob Wedge, was in the bag when he captured the 2024 US Open.

A revamp of the range was always on the way for 2026, however, and here it is. The S259 is certainly a refinement rather than a complete overhaul, but when you're already on to a winner, it makes very little sense to completely change track.

The subtle visual tweaks are perhaps the biggest giveaway that PING are sticking true to the formula that made the S159 so beloved. The black strip on the back of the head remains, while it has a slightly larger elastomer insert to generate a bigger sweet spot, reworked MicroMax grooves for more consistent spin rates throughout the set, and a more aggressive face blast for better check. 

The lower lofted wedges have a slightly straighter leading edge and a lower centre of gravity for more reliable performance on fuller shots, with a new 20° sidewall that's milled to maximise groove volume. The higher-lofts have closer grooves with a full-length bottom groove to maximise grab, a higher CG to aid distance control, and a smaller hosel to inspire more confidence when working a range of shots around the green.

The biggest overhaul with the S259 range is to do with the grinds, the choice of which PING have invested a lot of time and research expanding over the last couple of generations. The E and T grinds, designed for the most lofted clubs designed primarily for finesse shots around the green and from bunkers, have had the most work done to them, with more heel-side relief to enhance playability on tighter shots. 

The former shape of the E grind wedge, known as Eye 2, has also been reworked to look more approachable at address.

PING have also their proprietary Dylagrip wedge grip a bit of a rework for the new series. The Dylagrip is three quarters of an inch longer, with lower markings encouraging gripping down for trajectory control and added versatility on finesse shots.

Available in both a chrome steel and a darker grey finish, PING's S259 wedges will hit store shelves in late January at an RRP of £189. Pre-orders are available now.

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PING s259 Golf Wedge Chrome Steelfrom £189.00 at Scottsdale Golf