Tag Archives: Ping

PGA Tour, Ping, What's in the bag…

PING – K.J. Choi signs to play with PING golf equipment at PGA Tour

January 11, 2018 – Eight-time PGA Tour winner K.J. Choi, the first Korean to earn a PGA Tour card and to win on tour, has signed an agreement to play PING equipment, PING Chairman & CEO John A. Solheim announced yesterday. Choi will make his debut as a PING Pro at the Sony Open in Hawaii, which begins Thursday.

Asia’s winningest golfer, Choi, 47, has amassed 22 victories worldwide since turning pro in 1994 and he’s spent 40 weeks in the top 10 in the world rankings. His first professional victory was the 1996 Korean Open. Since joining the PGA Tour in 2000, he has earned more than $32 million, his first tour win coming in 2002. His most notable title is the 2011 Players Championship.

“K.J. has played a lot of PING equipment in his career and been a friend to us going back to 2011, and he’s been a consistently strong performer on tour for many years. We’re proud to make him an official member of the PING team,” John A. Solheim said.

“He’s a friendly, highly likeable person and widely respected by his peers. He’s been on four Presidents Cup teams, playing in three and serving as vice captain of the International Team in 2015, so he’s competed at the highest level internationally. He’ll bring the PING brand tremendous exposure and credibility around the world, especially in South Korea, where he’s extremely popular among golfers.” 

A powerlifter in his native South Korea before picking up golf, Choi said he’s had an on going connection with PING in Korea and the U.S. for years and is happy to formalize the relationship. “I have long admired PING equipment for its quality and I feel it’s a true collaboration when I work with the tour-player staff. I can be very particular about what I want from a golf club, and their attention to detail is as keen as mine, so they always find the right solution for me and my game. I’m truly excited to be on board with PING and very much look forward to the season ahead.” 

As part of a multi-year agreement, Choi will play a minimum of 13 PING clubs. This week he’ll rely on a G400 driver and fairway woods, G400 hybrid, G400 irons, Glide 2.0 wedges, and a Sigma G Piper putter. Choi’s headwear and golf bag will feature PING branding. Financial terms and the length of the agreement were not disclosed.

DP World Tour, Golf Apparel, Ping

PING – Andy Sullivan signs as Apparel Ambassador of his golf clubs brand

January 10, 2018 – PING has announced the signing of current staff player Andy Sullivan as an apparel ambassador on a multi-year agreement. The three-time European Tour winner has been playing PING equipment since his amateur days and will extend his long-standing relationship with this agreement.

Sullivan will wear key garments from the new SS18 collection, as he plays a global schedule on the European Tour this year.

One of Britain’s brightest golf stars, Sullivan has become a popular figure on and off the course, thanks to his personality and performances in many high-profile tournaments.

Following his breakout year in 2015, which saw him win three times, Andy has posted a string of impressive performances in the majors and World Golf Championships, as well as playing his way onto the European Ryder Cup team in 2016.

Commenting on the new agreement, Andy Sullivan said: “PING have shown me such loyalty throughout my career, even back to my amateur days, so to be extending my association with them to wear the apparel feels like the perfect fit for me.

 “It’s a family-owned company, so to be wearing the clothing as well as playing the clubs really makes me feel like a genuine part of that family.

“The new SS18 collection is fantastic from both a looks and performance perspective and I can’t wait to start wearing it on tour.”

Ping, Putters, Reviews

Review: Putter PING Vault Oslo

December 4, 2017 – As we have said earlier, the PING Vault Series of putters consists of two blades, the Voss and the Anser 2, and two mallets, the Bergen and the Oslo. Four state of the art golf putters, one of which particularly attracted our attention that day. It was the Oslo, which we recently had the chance to try out on the putting green of Club de Golf Sant Cugat (Barcelona, Spain).

PING Vault putters are inspired by the company’s Gold Putter Vault. Let’s focus now on the mallets. These are built starting from a 6061 T-6 aluminium fully machined precision body, together with the True-Roll face technology, and are completed with a cast 17-4 stainless steel soleplate. They are available with Platinum and Slate PVD finishes.

The Bergen is the deeper of the two and features a raised sight visual line, similar to the PING Cadence TR Kestch, although without the two additional small parallel alignment lines. But as we tried the Oslo, let’s say it has the same total weight of 365g as the Bergen and it looks like a slightly more midsize mallet, with a cavity back where the line of alignment is placed. As it has less mass in its aluminium body, the soleplate weighs 215 grams, compared to the 135 grams of the Bergen, to achieve the same total weight.

This sole lowers its centre of gravity and increases its stability and moment of inertia (MOI). In addition, it is very well balanced, because when you put it down it holds its position without tending to fall back, as happens with other mallets. That means that it is easier to avoid unintentionally adding more loft to its own 3º of loft at address. The 70º lie can be adjusted in +/-2º, and it has a standard shaft of 35″ with double-bend, and is also available with an adjustable shaft (35″-38″).

At the moment of swing we noticed it a little heavier than what we are used to, although the Olso adapts adequately not only to those who putt with a slight arc, but also to those with a straight stroke, from back to front, and who prefer a little more stability.

When you first take hold of the mallet, the first thing you notice is its long and effective alignment signal, through the top surface. This makes it easier for you to square the club each time you place it in front of the golf ball. Its polished finish prevents glare and it looks as if it will last well over time.

In terms of distance control, the Oslo shows excellent behaviour, with repetitive results, and with a similar rollout on strokes across the surface, thanks to the milling of the face. In short distances it is infallible, in half distances very sure, and in long distances of some 10 meters, its forgiveness displays its maximum expression.

Regarding feel, the sound and balance of the Oslo are remarkably satisfactory. It was very easy to tell when we made the perfect contact, just on the sweet spot. Firm and metallic, it offers consistency throughout the face. This is due to the True Roll technology of the face, which has milled grooves in the form of concentric arcs that vary in widths and depths, which intersect each other and help maintain speed on miss-hits, to increase the consistency of speed in your putting.

It feels nicely balanced and weighty, with a clear shape and easy alignment. It comes with a PING Pistol 62 oversize grip, which promotes consistent grip pressure although, for those who are not used to this thickness or have a smaller hands, it can be replaced by the PING Pistol 60.

PUTTER PING VAULT OSLO 

  • Reviewed club: Vault Oslo 365g, Slate PVD, fixed shaft, PING Pistol 62 grip.
DESIGN
DISTANCE CONTROL
ACCURACY
FORGIVENESS
FEELING
OPTIONS
VALUE
FOR… All handicaps.
AVERAGE

 An excellent putter for anyone who prefers mallets to blades. The PING Vault Oslo is a powerful putter in appearance and performance. It has an elegant look and is easy to align, with a different feel and a faithful rolling out of the golf ball. It is worth trying, both for those who putt with a straight movement or a slight arc. It will help to hole more putts.

It is tolerant for slight miss-hits, although the average golfer may prefer more forgiveness. The feel is also slightly firmer for those who are used to the soft inserts, and for others the head will seem too oversized. Everything is a matter of taste, and what you can reach with your budget.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

  • Model: Vault Oslo
  • Head: Loft 3º, lie angle adjustable +/-2º
  • Body: 6061 T-6 aluminium
  • Sole: 17-4 SS sole plate
  • Head weight: 365 grams
  • Head finish: Platinum or Slate PVD
  • Grip: PING Pistol 62
  • Shaft: Double-bend steel, 35″
  • RRP: 355€ (fixed shaft), 390€ (adjustable shaft 35″-38″).
Ping, Putters

PING – Expansion of its popular Sigma G series of putters with two new models

October 5, 2017 – PING has expanded its popular Sigma G series of putters with two new highly forgiving mallets, the Craz-E and Tyne H.

Featuring advancements to PING’s patented True Roll Face Technology, and a multi-piece face engineered with an innovative material commonly used in the soles of high-performance athletic shoes, the Sigma G line offers significant improvements in feel, alignment and overall putting performance.

“By broadening the options for golfers with the Craz-E, an enduring classic, and the eye-catching Tyne H, we’re able to introduce more players of all abilities to the phenomenal feel and full-face forgiveness of the Sigma G putters,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO.

“The uniquely softer feel and satisfying sound come from the combination of high-grade elastomer and fully machined aerospace-grade aluminium over the entire face. With improved ball-speed consistency and forgiveness, golfers will make more putts and gain confidence from any distance, and that’s going to bring down scores.”

The Craz-E and Tyne H Sigma G putters are available at authorised PING golf shops around the world. The Craz-E design has been a favorite of tour pros for several years with more than 70 winning versions showcased in the PING Gold Putter Vault, including three major titles.

Its proven performance relies on a ball-width center sight line, and significant heel-toe and back weighting to achieve a high MOI for maximising stability and balance.

The Tyne H is distinguished from the original Tyne by an Anser-style hosel to fit a slight-arc stroke and create offset, plus a top-rail sight line that is white on a Black Nickel finish for contrast and easy alignment.

Sigma G face inserts are made of Pebax Elastomer, a lightweight, high-energy-return compound utilised in the soles of athletic shoes for its elasticity which provides the putters a uniquely soft yet responsive feel.

PING’s True Roll Face Technology covers the face to provide confidence and full-face forgiveness. Precision milled from 6061 aerospace-grade aluminium, the face pattern varies in depth and pitch to improve performance and touch on putts of every length.

Impact stability with Sigma G is increased as a result of the larger face-insert cavities that allow weight savings to be re-distributed farther toward the perimeter to increase the MOI. Optimal CG positions help reduce skid and initiate forward roll.

The Craz-E and Tyne H join 16 previously released blades, mid-mallets and mallets available to fit any stroke type, preferred look, and alignment style. All are finished in Platinum or Black Nickel and feature a contrasting face tone to assist in setup and alignment consistency.

Two proprietary PING Pistol tapered grips are offered. The PP60 (midsize, flat front with tapered contour) and PP62 (oversize, more rounded shape) are engineered to fit the contours of the hands.

SIGMA G SPECIFICATIONS 

  • Craz-E (Platinum): Straight Stroke Type, 370g, Lie angle adjustable +-2°
  • Tyne H (Black Nickel): Slight Arc Stroke Type, 370g, Lie angle adjustable +-4°
  • RRP: Craz-E: €215; Tyne H: €215. Adjustable-length shafts are available for an upcharge of €30.
Golf Companies, Ping

PING – Louise Solheim, wife of PING Founder Karsten Solheim, passes away at 99

July 11, 2017 – Louise Solheim, wife of PING Founder Karsten Solheim, has passed away in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 99.

“Today we lost a very special woman who touched and improved the lives of so many,” said John A. Solheim, Karsten and Louise’s youngest son and PING’s Chairman & CEO. “Our mother was a blessing to everyone in so many ways. She had a special quality that gave her the ability to bring a smile to everyone’s face and she handled every situation with grace. We looked to her for guidance in all aspects of our lives and she always took great care to advise us, building our confidence to make decisions ourselves. We will miss her dearly. Our entire family is at peace knowing she’s now in God’s care.”

Louise was a soft-spoken, gracious lady who worked side-by-side with Karsten to build PING into one of the most successful golf equipment companies in the history of the game while raising a family of four children. She chose to remain off stage and left the spotlight to Karsten. She vowed the day she was married to put Karsten’s desires and those of their family ahead of her own. She did it willingly and joyfully without the need for recognition. “I most definitely wanted it this way,” she often said.

“Our mother preferred working behind the scenes,” said Allan D. Solheim, the middle son. “Karsten’s tinkering with putter designs in our garage began as a hobby, but it quickly turned into a thriving business. From the beginning, my mother assumed the administrative side of the business, allowing Karsten to focus on club designs. She was blessed with an incredible memory, which Karsten relied on regularly. Whether it was remembering someone’s name or the specifics of an event, she always had the answer. Together, they made an amazing team that formed the foundation for PING today.”

Despite her desire to maintain a low profile, her countless contributions are widely recognised and deeply engrained in PING’s history. She is credited with naming the most famous putter in golf — the PING ANSER — which has been used to win more than 500 professional golf tournaments around the world. Her role in creating the Solheim Cup in 1990 opened the door to bringing women’s professional team golf to a world-wide stage for the players to show off their shot-making skills while competing for the honour of their countries.

Her numerous honours include an Honorary Doctorate degree from Arizona State University (1992), the LPGA’s Commissioner’s Award (1994), Swedish Golf Federation Distinguished Service Award (2003), Arizona Golf Hall of Fame (2004), Arizona State University Regents Award for Outstanding Service to Higher Education (2004), Honorary LPGA member (2005) and Honorary Ladies European Tour member (2011).

“Louise had a keen business sense that she combined with a generous heart,” said Karsten Louis Solheim, the oldest son. “She was guided by the Bible and wanted every action to be pleasing to God. She believed God had been exceptionally good to us and wanted to make sure as a company we gave back. She was especially thoughtful in her administration of the Solheim Foundation. I worked closely with her over the years and she applied a wise and fair approach to the distribution of the funds, always making sure the beneficiary’s values and missions led to the betterment of people’s lives.” 

Born June 6, 1918, in Spokane, Wash., Louise was the only child of John Louis Crozier, a teacher and inventor, and his wife, Nellie, who died of scarlet fever a month after giving birth to Louise. She and Karsten met in 1936 in church and were married that same year. Both devout Christians, they remained active in church throughout their lives. At the time of her passing, Louise was a member of Bethany Bible Church in Phoenix.

An honour student in high school, Louise worked various jobs over the years as she and Karsten moved around the country while he continued his engineering career. In the early 1950s, she worked for Convair (now General Dynamics) in its wind tunnels, calculating and plotting test results for the aerospace engineers. Her title was “Computer.” Shortly after moving to Syracuse in 1954, she took a position with the Eastern Milk Producers Dairy Cooperative, where her job included editing the company newsletter. It turned out to be her favourite job of all. Her last position before PING became a full-time pursuit for her family was assisting John Conlan, a two-term State Senator from Arizona who later became a U.S. Congressman.

Louise was preceded in death by Karsten (February, 2000) and their daughter, Sandra Solheim Aiken (December, 2013). She is survived by her three sons: John A. Solheim, Karsten Manufacturing Corporation Chairman, President & CEO; Allan D. Solheim, retired Karsten Manufacturing Executive Vice President and current board member; and Karsten Louis Solheim, retired Karsten Manufacturing Executive Vice President and current board member.

Louise was blessed with 14 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren and 14 great, great grandchildren.

Drivers, Fairway Woods, Hybrids / Rescues, Irons, Ping

PING – Introduction of G400 Series with the fastest and more forgiving driver to date and an iron tour-level

July 10, 2017 – PING’s fastest and most forgiving driver to date and an iron that delivers tour-level distance and ball flight highlight the new G400 Series. The full line of custom-fit, custom-built drivers, irons, fairway woods, hybrids and crossovers is engineered to help golfers lower their scores and increase their enjoyment of the game. The new equipment is available for pre-order and custom fitting at authorised PING golf shops around the world beginning today.

“The G400 driver is a prime example of how our engineering team looks at every single detail of a club to ensure we are optimising each design variable so golfers can improve performance,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO.

“In this case, we’ve gone slightly smaller in volume (445cc) to improve aerodynamics for faster clubhead speeds while actually raising the MOI higher than any previous PING driver. We also employed a thinner, forged face to deliver increased ball speeds. This commitment to performance enabled impressive distance gains and tighter dispersion, the ultimate driving combination. We’ve also engineered an incredibly pleasing sound in the driver through computer simulation that will turn heads on the tee box when golfers get it in their hands. It even has a shaft that changes colour at address to improve the player’s focus.”

PING’s tour staff, including Lee Westwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Mackenzie Hughes, David Lingmerth and Daniel Summerhays, have been quick to switch to the new G400 driver with more than 45 currently in play around the world.

“We’ve never seen faster conversion to a new product than we did at last month’s U.S. Open with 13 drivers in play the first week it was available,” John A. Solheim added. “The players immediately loved the look of the driver and became enamoured with the powerful sound and feel. At the end of the week, the statistics proved that both the longest and most accurate players off the tee at the U.S. Open relied on a G400 driver.”

The unique forging process and T9S+ face powers a thinner, hotter impact area that is precision machined to elevate ball speed across the entire face for 16% more flexing and when paired with the aerodynamic gains, results in ball-speed gains of nearly 2 mph. By making the face 6% thinner and 9% lighter than its predecessor, extra weight was placed strategically to tighten dispersion even further through higher MOI. The forged face was also instrumental in producing the powerful feel of the driver.

The G400 driver’s high-density tungsten back weight and Dragonfly Technology help bring the combined MOI (heel/toe and high/low) over 9,000 gram cm2 for the first time and position the CG lower and farther back than any current driver on the market – making it the most forgiving driver in golf. In testing, the G400 outperformed the leading drivers in the marketplace, most notably when comparing dispersion results.

“We pay very close attention to the dispersion data when we analyse and compare product results,” said John K. Solheim, PING President. “Dispersion is an overall performance measurement that reveals just how consistent your distance and accuracy results will be on the golf course. We encourage all golfers to get fit and look closely at their dispersion, not just their one best shot on a launch monitor. We know they’ll be much more satisfied over the long term. They’ll not only hit it farther more consistently, they’ll find the fairway more often and their scores will go down.”

The streamlined shaping harmonises with new, bolder turbulators and Vortec Technology to reduce drag by 40% mid-downswing and 15% overall to increase clubhead speed. The Dragonfly crown technology extends to the skirt section on the sole, providing additional weight savings and creating an “infinity edge” effect that adds to the inspiring look at address.

Extensive research and computer simulation coupled with music theory allowed the engineers to design internal architecture that fine-tuned the frequencies to produce a deeper, more muted sound. One tour professional compared it to “the satisfaction of puring a persimmon driver with the modern technology of the G400.”

Adding to the appeal of the G400 driver is the innovative paint-shifting paint technology of the Alta CB shaft. This premium copper shaft paint transitions to nearly black to reduce distractions as golfers address the ball. The counter-balanced design of the Alta CB allows for more mass in the head to increase energy transfer.

Three head options are available to match a G400 driver to a golfer’s desired ball flight. The Standard version is engineered to fit most golfers. The SFT (Straight Flight) is designed to correct a left-to-right ball flight (for right-handed golfers) and features heel-side tungsten weighting and a lighter swing weight to help square the face. The LST (Low Spin) version positions the tungsten weight closer to the face to reduce spin approximately 300 rpm for a stronger ball flight.

The new G400 iron is engineered to give golfers tour-level distance and towering height combined with the forgiveness and control they need to hit more greens. Its COR-Eye Technology combines with a new top rail undercut to increase face flexing in a catapult-like fashion for faster ball speeds that launch shots higher and farther with low spin for a strong flight. A unique heat-treating process produces Hyper 17-4 stainless steel, which makes the face 40% stronger than traditional 17-4 stainless steel and allows for a thinner face and 18% more face flexing.

“The G400 iron delivers phenomenal performance,” said John K. Solheim. “We like to call it our ‘game enjoyment’ iron because it’s so much fun to play. It provides tour-level performance while being very easy to hit and extremely forgiving with an amazing feel. Some golfers are seeing distance improvements as much as 15 yards, yet it is launching much higher and landing softer to give them more control. One of our tour players said it best during testing: ‘This G400 7-iron has turned into my 6-iron but in an 8-iron window.’ He got it exactly right. Golfers can expect one less club to the green with the height of two less clubs. That’s a powerful combination.”

A composite back-cavity badge made of aluminium and elastomer provides an enriched impact response that creates a powerful sound and feel. The Hydropearl Chrome finish reduces friction to improve turf interaction while giving it a premium look.

To maximise distance in the fairway woods and hybrids, PING has employed C300 maraging steel as the face material. One of the strongest alloys in the world, maraging steel is commonly used in the aerospace industry, where strength and flexibility are necessities. It’s those properties that also make it an ideal face material to deliver more flexing for faster ball speeds that launch shots farther and higher.

“Our main goal in the G400 fairway woods and hybrids was to introduce significant distance gains while maintaining other performance benefits such as forgiveness and the ability to launch the ball easily,” said John A. Solheim. “With maraging steel, we have a material that allows us to go extremely thin with the face to give us the faster ball-speed gains we’re seeking for more distance and higher launch. The results have been amazing as we’re seeing face flexing equal to the thickness of the face.”

The G400 fairway wood has expanded fitting options with the addition of a 9-wood and three SFT (Straight Flight) choices (3, 5, 7) to help golfers bring their shots back on line. The Stretch 3-wood is also available as a high-performance option off the tee to deliver distance and accuracy or when going for par-5s in two.

Progressive CG locations in the G400 hybrid offer versatility in helping golfers properly gap their sets. The 2- and 3-hybrids are engineered with a CG more toe side to minimise a left bias while the 4-, 5-, and 6-hybrids are designed help golfers launch the ball higher with added forgiveness.

The second generation of the G400 crossover, which combines the precision and control of an iron with the ball speed and forgiveness of a hybrid, has been improved to make it a versatile option for golfers of all skill levels. It also relies on a maraging steel face, which improves the sound and delivers higher launch, producing 30% more stopping power. The addition of a 20-gram tungsten toe weight increases forgiveness, resulting in 17% tighter dispersion. The turf interaction is greatly improved with a thinner sole and Hydropearl Chrome finish, which reduces friction 40%.

The popular Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip (irons, hybrids and crossovers) and Tour Velvet 360 (driver and fairway woods) are the stock grips on the G400 Series and are offered in six colour-coded sizes (Blue -1/16″, Red -1/32″, Green -1/64″, White std., Gold +1/32″, Orange +1/16″) to fit golfers’ hand sizes. The Tour Velvet Cord is available in standard and +1/32” sizes for an upcharge.

PING G400 TECHNOLOGY AND SPECIFICATIONS:

PING G400 DRIVERS

  • Multi-material construction: Cast Ti 8-1-1 body, forged T9S+ face, high-density tungsten back weight, lightweight aluminium/thermoplastic adjustable hosel
  • Loft options: 9⁰ & 10.5⁰ (std.), 8.5⁰ & 10⁰ (LST), 10⁰ & 12⁰ (SFT)
  • Head weight: Std. (206g), LST (208g), SFT (203g)
  • Head volume: 445 cc
  • Std. length: 45 3/4″ (Alta CB); 45 1/4” (PING Tour and aftermarkets)
  • Loft adjustability: Up to +-1⁰
  • Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 in six sizes (Blue/-1/16″, Red/-1/32″, Green/-1/64″, White/Std., Gold/+1/32″, Orange/+1/16″)
  • Shaft options: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) 55 (SR, R, S, X), PING Tour 65, 75 (upcharge) (R, S, X)
  • Aftermarket shaft options (RRP: €70 upcharge): Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Silver Dual-Core TiNi 60 (R, S, X), Project X HZRDUS Yellow 75 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5), Aldila X-Torsion Copper (50R, 60S)
  • RRP €469

PING G400 IRONS

  • Multi-material construction: Hyper 17-stainless steel head, HydroPearl finish, aluminium/elastomer composite badge and CTP weight
  • Available 4-9, PW, UW, SW, LW in 10 colour codes (lie angle). Black is standard.
  • Std. grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet in six sizes six sizes (Blue/-1/16″, Red/-1/32″, Green/-1/64″, White/Std., Gold/+1/32″, Orange/+1/16″)
  • Shaft options: PING AWT 2.0 (R, S, X), Alta CB (counter-balanced) powered by AWT
  • Aftermarket shaft options (no upcharge): True Temper Dynamic Gold (S300, X100), Project X (5.0, 5.5, 6.0), True Temper XP95 (R, S,), Nippon NS Pro Modus 105 (R, S, X), KBS Tour (R, S, X)
  • RRP €136 per iron w/steel shaft; €148 per iron w/graphite shaft

PING G400 FAIRWAY WOODS

  • Multi-material construction: 17-4 stainless steel body, C300 Maraging Steel face, lightweight aluminium/thermoplastic adjustable hosel
  • Head sizes: 3W (181cc), 5W (169cc), 7W (155cc), 9W (152cc), 3 SFT (187cc), 5 SFT (178cc), 7 SFT (171cc), Stretch 3W (193cc)
  • Lofts (adjustable up to +-1⁰): 3W (14.5⁰), 5W (17.5⁰), 7W (20.5⁰), 9W (23.5⁰), 3 SFT (16⁰), 5 SFT (19⁰), 7 SFT (22⁰), Stretch 3W (13⁰)
  • Std. lengths: 3W (43″), 5W (42 1/2″), 7W (42″), 9W (41 1/2″), 3 SFT (43″), 5 SFT (42 1/2″), 7 SFT (42″), Stretch 3W (43″)
  • Std. grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 six sizes (Blue/-1/16″, Red/-1/32″, Green/-1/64″, White/Std., Gold/+1/32″, Orange/+1/16″)
  • Shaft options: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) 65 (SR, R, S, X), PING Tour 75 (upcharge) (R, S, X)
  • Aftermarket shaft options (RRP: €70 upcharge): Mitsubishi Kuro Kage 60, 70 (R, S, X), Project X HZRDUS Yellow 75 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5), Aldila X-Torsion Copper (50R, 60S, 70X)
  • RRP €289

PING G400 HYBRIDS

  • Multi-material construction: 17-4 stainless steel head, C300 Maraging Steel face
  • Lofts: 2H (17⁰), 3H (19⁰), 4H (22⁰), 5H (26⁰), 6H (30⁰)
  • Lie angles available +-2⁰ from standard
  • Std. lengths: 2H (40 3/4″), 3H (40 1/4″), 4H (39 3/4″), 5H (39 1/4″), 6H (38 3/4″)
  • Std. grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue/-1/16″, Red/-1/32″, Green/-1/64″, White/Std., Gold/+1/32″, Orange/+1/16″)
  • Shaft options: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) 70 (SR, R, S, X), PING Tour 85 (upcharge) (R, S, X)
  • RRP €240

PING G400 CROSSOVERS

  • Multi-material construction: 17-4 stainless steel head, C300 Maraging Steel face, tungsten toe weight
  • Lofts: 3 (19⁰), 4 (22⁰), 5 (25⁰)
  • Available White, Green, Blue, Black & Red colour codes
  • Std. lengths: 3 (39 3/4″), 4 (39 1/8″), 5 (38 1/2″)
  • Std. grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue/-1/16″, Red/-1/32″, Green/-1/64″, White/Std., Gold/+1/32″, Orange/+1/16″)
  • Shaft options: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) 70 (SR, R, S, X), PING Tour 85 (upcharge) (R, S, X), AWT 2.0 (R, S, X)
  • RRP €240
DP World Tour, Ping, What's in the bag…

PING – Signing of talented amateur golfer Matthias Schwab

June 7, 2017 – PING has announced the signing of talented amateur Matthias Schwab on a multi-year deal as he prepares for his professional debut this week at the European Tour.

The Vanderbilt University graduate will play with PING equipment as he looks to forge a successful pro career having reached number four in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

The 22-year-old turns professional following an outstanding amateur career that saw him make history at Royal Troon in 2012 when he became the first Austrian to reach the final of the Amateur Championship.

Matthias was a three-time PING All-American and finished third in the season ending NCAA Championship in both his junior and senior season. He played 104 rounds of competition at Vanderbilt with a stroke average of 70.82 and three wins.

He helped Europe to win the Palmer Cup in 2016, before finishing sixth in the World Amateur Team Championship where he played a big part in Austria’s third-place finish.

“Having trusted PING equipment during my amateur career, I look forward to continuing to work with the brand going forward as a professional,” commented Matthias Schwab.

“I’m really excited about the future and can’t wait to test myself against some of the best players in the world,” he added.

As part of the agreement, Schwab will play with PING equipment, PING bag and wear PING co-branded headwear with Red Bull, with his contract beginning at the Lyoness Open in Austria on June 8th.

“Matthias is one of the most exciting young talents in men’s golf and we’re delighted that he will represent PING,” said PING Chairman & CEO John A. Solheim. “Having competed around the world at the very highest level as an amateur, we look forward to supporting him as a professional and wish him continued success.”

Golf Apparel, Juniors, Ping, Solheim Cup

PING – European Junior Solheim Cup Team to Showcase PING 2017 Apparel Collection

April 27, 2017 – PING has announced that it will continue as the official apparel supplier to the 2017 European PING Junior Solheim Cup Team. The team will wear key designs from the new ladies collection that have been designed exclusively with the lady golfer in mind.

Engineered to play through the brand’s Sensor platform, the new collection combines state-of-the art performance fabrics with unrivalled attention to detail, to deliver long-lasting comfort on the course and an elegant, feminine feel off the course. Each garment carries the PING ladies logo, which can also be found on the new G Le range of clubs, bags and accessories.

The PING Junior Solheim Cup is to be played 15-16 August 2017 at Des Moines Golf and Country Club, Iowa, USA. The competition is held immediately ahead of The Solheim Cup, which is being staged at the same venue.

Established by PING Chairman and CEO John Solheim back in 2002, the PING Junior Solheim Cup has earned a deserved reputation as the leading competition for talented European girl golfers to compete against their peers from across the Atlantic.

The likes of Azahara Munoz and Caroline Masson played in the PING Junior Solheim Cup, before graduating to The Solheim Cup.

The 2017 Spring-Summer women’s apparel collection is available to purchase in store and online at www.pingcollection.co.uk.

Golf & Books, Ping

Books – And The Putter Went… a must have book from PING

April 25, 2017 – PING‘s new book, ‘And The Putter Went… PING’, an inspiring and comprehensive look inside the family owned company that revolutionized the way golf equipment was designed and manufactured, will be available for purchase beginning May 1.

The book chronicles PING’s heritage and its on-going efforts to advance golf technology for the benefit of golfers of all skill levels. It takes readers behind the scenes of a genuine American success story that began in the family garage of Karsten Solheim, a Norwegian immigrant and mechanical engineer who invented the PING putter in 1959.

And The Putter Went… PING will be available at authorized PING retailers and through ping-shop.com. Visitors to PING’s headquarters in Phoenix will also be able to purchase the book. U.S. MSRP is $100. A limited edition with padded leather binding and gilded edges will be available for a U.S. MSRP of $300.

It is written by Jeffery B. Ellis, the author of numerous golf books, including the critically acclaimed ‘The Clubmaker’s Art: Antique Golf Clubs and Their History’. Nearly 1,000 pictures, many never-before published, provide a visual history of the brand and Ellis’ insightful writing reveals several heart-warming and humorous stories for the first time. More than 70 people were interviewed and thousands of hours were spent researching the company archives and industry periodicals to help illustrate the rich and influential history of the brand named for the sound made by its first product – the PING 1A putter.

“And The Putter Went… PING represents a 4½ -year effort with contributions by several current and former PING employees, friends of the company, golf professionals and industry leaders who shared their memories and insights into what has made PING such a special company with millions of loyal customers all over the world,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO.

“We’ve shared a lot of personal stories and recalled many special memories dating back to the early days in our garage and leading up to the company we are today,” Solheim continued. “Our family and employees have been very fortunate to be part of the golf industry for nearly 60 years. The book is a reflection of our never-ending commitment to making golf more enjoyable, and a tribute to all the golfers who have relied on PING products to play their best. We wouldn’t have a story like this without their belief in our products and processes.”

The 530-page, 16-chapter book captures Karsten’s pioneering spirit and his amazing ability to solve problems through innovative solutions that set industry standards still in effect today. You’ll learn about the early obstacles the company faced and the Solheims’ determination to overcome them while staying true to the principles that still guide the family owned company today. Two chapters are devoted to the highly publicized and vigorously debated “square groove” controversy of the late 1980s, in more depth than ever reported.

For fans of PING’s extensive product line, the book documents the evolution of PING’s innovative and game-changing products and the inspiration behind them, including the story of the legendary PING EYE2 iron and its impact on golfers around the world. The unmatched success of the Anser putter and its continued influence on putter design more than 50 years after its invention is covered in detail.

Karsten’s pioneering role in custom fitting and the impact of tour professionals on his fitting process is documented in a chapter that takes readers inside the logic of the iconic PING Colour Code Chart and the science behind the company’s top-rated fitting systems.

John A. Solheim, the youngest child of Karsten and Louise, wrote the foreword. The afterword is authored by John K. Solheim, John A.’s oldest son, who was recently named PING president. The book is published by Zephyr Productions, Inc.

Ping, Putters

PING – Introduction of Limited-Edition Camo design PLD2 putters

April 10, 2017 – Merging an innovative graphic application process with high-performance heads precision-milled at PING, the company has introduced two visually striking PLD2 putters – the Camo Ketsch Realtree Xtra, and the Camo Ketsch Muddy Girl. Both limited-edition models are PING Putting Lab Design (PLD) originals and part of the lab’s efforts to advance new putter design, technology and engineering concepts.

“The first thing that grabs you is the incredible detail of the camo design that makes these putters distinctive in the marketplace,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO.

“We chose the award-winning Ketsch for this project because of its popularity with golfers and its unique geometry. Using a proprietary Permodize anodized sealing process, we apply the multi-colored camo graphic to the milled 6061 aluminum head. The graphic permeates the material with vibrant and rich detail while creating an extremely hard, durable shell. The results are two putters that look amazing, perform great, and showcase our commitment to manufacturing innovations.” 

Contrasting sightlines make the Ketsch easy to aim, and 17-4 stainless steel sole weights yield a low centre of gravity for faster forward roll and exceptional stability. The patented TR face technology ensures speed control across the face. Both the Realtree Xtra and Muddy Girl models are milled from 6061 aluminum at PING in Phoenix to ensure the precise engineering detail of the Ketsch design.

The stainless steel sole plate undergoes a nitriding finishing process, commonly used in the aerospace industry, which diffuses nitrogen onto the surface of the metal to harden the surface. The stepless shaft has a brushed, non-glare finish that eliminates reflections and further distinguishes the look of both putters.

“The complex geometry of the Ketsch model really challenged us to execute the process to its fullest extent,”John A. Solheim said. “We achieved unmatched image quality that would be impossible to replicate with other manufacturing methods. This type of technology has functional and decorative applications that we look forward to utilizing in the future.”

PLD2 PUTTERS SPECIFICATIONS

  • Authentic Realtree Xtra Camo Pattern; Authentic Moon Shine Muddy Girl Camo Pattern.
  • Precision-Milled From 6061 Aluminum at PING in Phoenix
  • Patented True-Roll Face Technology Improves Ball-Speed Control.
  • 17-4 Stainless Steel Sole Weights Create Low CG and High MOI.
  • Brushed Stepless Non-Reflective Shaft.
  • PP58 Grip with Color Accents (Orange on Realtree Xtra Model, Pink on Muddy Girl Model).
  • Matching Camo Design Putter Covers.
  • Limited Edition.