PING G20 Irons Have Extreme Perimeter Weighting

The G20 Irons from PING are designed to offer forgiveness and distance control.

Extreme perimeter weighting in the deep, multi-cavity design in the 17-4 stainless steel heads offer the forgiveness, while a multi-material cavity badge is made with soft elastomer heel and toe sections for better feel and sound.

The cavity’s floating CTP structure stabilizes the thin face for faster ball speeds leading to more distance. Combined with PING’s new CGS (Control, Feel, Stability) steel shaft, the G20 is designed to improve feel, trajectory and distance gaps. The TFC 169i graphite shaft is also available, each in various flexes.

Innocent People Felt 9/11 Impact From A Distance

The sky was blue with not a cloud in the sky, seemingly an idyllic day as I wheeled down Islington Ave. in Toronto to one of this country’s finest golf facilities where PING was gathering key accounts and the media for a product launch the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

The readership of GNN doesn’t need me to continue on about how the events of that day turned out to be anything but idyllic. The fact that the 10^th anniversary of 9/11 is upon us hardly seems possible, but neither did the events of that day.

So etched in our minds is that day that we all remember where we were and in my case, it was the St. George’s Golf and Country Club, where we were sipping a morning coffee in the clubhouse when Dave Wilson of PING Canada informed us that a plane had hit the World Trade Center in New York. Read more

PING Sydney Goes For High MOI

The new Sydney is one of PING’s highest moment of inertia models.

Its frame is milled from high-grade aluminum and has three, eight-gram tungsten weights for balance and forgiveness.

A bold, red aligment bar is to provide easy aim and, to eliminate twisting and keep putts on line, the Sydney has a symmetrical shape for a square set-up. Extreme perimeter weighting helps to elevate MOI.

The Sydney is finished with a durable nano nickel coating.

Feel’s The Deal With PING Anser Wedges

The Anser Wedges are formed from soft 8620 steel to provide better feel.

The high-density tungsten toe weight helps optimize the centre of gravity and elevate moment of inertia for more penetrating, high-spin trajectories.

A thicker hitting area, stabilizing bar and hourglass-shaped, reinforced back cavity are consistency features, while the machined face and grooves are designed to maximize spin and control.

The Anser wedges are available in lofts of 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 degrees with steel Dynamic Gold Spinner W and CFS, as well as graphite TFC 169i shafts in various flexes.

PING Putter App Adds More Versatility

After introducing the iPING putter app in June, PING has added an “iPING Fit” application that is geared towards the industry and focused on putter fitting.

You can read about the original iPING app by clicking here and here.

The latest addition is a free app available through the App Store that quickly offers stroke type, the type of PING putter best suited to the golfer, dynamic lie, dynamic loft and length recommendations and has an advanced fit section.

The iPING fitting tool also offers the ability to share putter specs via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter.

Using the iPING app, a few quick steps will offer the fitter and golfer information that will better fit the client into the proper putter, based on stroke type, which now is clearly identified on PING putters through the use of stickers.

Below is the easy step-by-step process through the use of iPING:

Step 1

Take five 10 foot putts, then proceed to stroke type results page..

• Change player dexterity, if needed.
• Delete last putt or false positive, if needed.
• See stroke type results.

 Step 2

View Stroke type results. From here, a fitter can show the player PING putters in the corral with the corresponding stroke type sticker, or proceed to the putter recommendation screen for a slightly more in-depth fitting.

• Stroke Type sticker based on five measured putts.
• Closing angle and stroke type for five putts.
• Press “Recommend Putter” to look at suggested putter models.

Step 3 (Optional)

The recommend putter screen displays the putters corresponding to the player’s stroke type. On this screen, the fitter may designate a miss tendency on pressure putts and an alignment aid preference

• Slide finger across to show different putter families.
• Tap to display the displayed putter’s specs.
• Select miss tendency on pressure putts to adjust putter model recommendations.
• Select alignment aid preference to narrow putter model recommendation.
• Press “Advanced Fit” to obtain a recommended length, loft, and lie (Optional).

Step 4 (Optional)

Input static measurements (height, wrist-to-floor, etc.) and green speed to obtain length, loft and lie recommendation

• Tap to enter player height, wrist-to-floor, gender and stance style to obtain an accurate length.
• Tap to select typical green speed. This will affect the loft recommendation by adding one degree of loft for slow greens, and subtracting one degree for fast greens.
• Tap to e-mail final fit screen
• Press to take another five putts with the recommended putter and obtain updated loft and lie numbers

Anser Milled Series Adds Seven More Putters

PING has introduced seven new models in the Anser Milled Series of putters to fit more stroke types and style preferences.

Precision-milled from 303 stainless steel, each Anser Milled putter features subtle variations to the top lines, heel-toe length and toe radius, while a satin nickel provides a non-glare finish.

Models available (with putting styles in parentheses) include:

• Anser Milled (slight arc)
• Answer Milled 1 (slight arc)
• Anser Milled 2 (slight arc)
• Anser Milled 3 (slight arc)
• Anser Milled 4 (strong arc >)
• Anser Milled 5 (straight)
• Anser Milled 6 (strong arc)

PING G20 Fairways Go For Launch, Length

External weighting and low, deep centre of gravity in the G20 Fairway Woods from PING are designed to offer easy launch and additional yardage.

The large 17-4 stainless steel head and face increase moment of inertia for consistent ball speed across the entire hitting surface.

Golfers can choose their ball flights with their choice of either the higher-launching TFC 169F or lower trajectory TFC 169F Tour shaft.

PING G20 Hybrids Built For High Launch, Low Spin

An offset hosel in the G20 Hybrids from PING is designed to produce shots with high launch, low spin and a straight, boring trajectory.

Meanwhile, a shorter heel-to-toe length is for playability from all lies and to provide a flatter lie angle with a softer crown shape for improved appearance at address.

Additional bounce and camber creates improved ground impact and ensures a smooth transition through grass, especially when the ball is sitting down. A large internal weight insidethe 17-4 stainless steel head is to provide forgiveness and distance.

The G20 hybrids are available in 17, 20, 23, 27 and 31 degrees, with TFC 169H and TFC 169H Tour shafts in various flexes.

PING Refreshes Its Scottsdale Series of Putters

PING has refreshed its Scottsdale Series of putters with seven new models to fit more style preferences and stroke types.

The new models feature the same insert made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) with a face appliqué for soft, yet solid, feel and crisp sound.

High-contrast alignment aids and long sightlines are designed to make aiming easier, while a dark charcoal PVD finish and polished sole offers improved appearance.

The following models (with stroke type in parentheses) comprise the new offerings:

• D66 (strong arc)
• ZB S (strong arc)
• Shea (slight arc)
• Tomcat S (slight arc)
• Carefree (slight arc)
• Mesquite (strong arc)
• Senita (straight)

PING G20 Promotes High Launch, Low Spin

The external weighting in the large G20 driver helps launch the ball high with low spin in the pursuit of maximum distance and accuracy through optimized centre of gravity location.

The proprietary, high-balance-point TFC 169D shaft is part of the package to enable golfers to swing a clubhead with more mass at the same speed to create a higher moment of inertia to generate faster ball speeds for longer, straighter drives.

Meanwhile, a large variable-thickness face is designed to generate faster ball speed and increase MOI across the entire hitting surface for greater forgiveness and power.

The 460 c.c. clubhead is made from Ti 8-1-1, a lighter, lower-density alloy with a high strength-to-weight ration that allows additional weight to be strategically placed to increase MOI on both the vertical and horizontal axis.

G20 drivers are available in 8.5, 9.5, 10.5 and 12 degree lofts with TFC 169D and TFC 169D Tour shafts in various flexes.

G20, Anser Milled Putters Highlight PING Introductions

It’s G20 family and Anser Milled putters highlight new products unveiled by PING this week.

Also included in the new products are Anser forged wedges, the Sydney putter and seven new Scottsdale Series putter models.

“It is very satisfying to witness tour players’ excitement for the G20 family and the Anser Milled putters,” said PING chairman and chief executive officer John A. Solheim.

“Tour validation is an important seal of approval and the G20 products and Anser Milled models are in high demand by the game’s best players,” he added.

“At the recent Open Championship, the G20 driver was our most popular model, with nine being used. We also had several Anser Milled putters in play,” he said, pointing out the new technology in the G20 family.

“Our engineers optimized the clubs to fit and benefit golfers of all skill levels. In the driver, we’re using, for the first time, a titanium alloy called Ti 8-1-1, which allows us to improve the weighting to better optimize the entire clubhead,” said Solheim.

“When combined with our new, proprietary, high-balance-point shaft, our testing shows significant improvements in energy transfer, which leads to longer, straighter drives,” he said.

“The irons are more forgiving and feature a cavity design that includes an elastomer badge for improved feel. The fairway woods and hybrids offer golfers high-launching, forgiving options from all conditions,” said Solheim.

Various Anser Milled putters, seven models in all, are in the bags of Hunter Mahan, Angel Cabrera, Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen, Heath Slocum and others.

With the Anser Milled Series, PING updates the original Anser design of company founder Karsten Solheim. The new designs are precision milled from 303 stainless steel, offer various hosel configurations to match specific stroke types and feature intricate design details.

Ansers have accumulated than 500 tour wins and 26 major victories since 1966.

“The Anser Milled Series is special,” Solheim said. “The original Anser design created by my father has dominated the tours for more than 45 years. Few products in any industry can make that claim.

“With its design influence found in putters of most every make, the Anser has long been the standard by which other putters are measured,” he added.

“Our goal with the new Anser is to raise that standard by offering golfers a fully machined putter of the highest quality that fits their eye like no other.”

With the new Anser Milled models, PING introduces its Fit for Stroke putter-fitting concept.

Every PING putter is balanced to fit a stroke type – straight, slight arc or strong arc. Each putter will include a shaft label indicating its matching stroke type.

“Fitting is integral to everything we do,” said Solheim. “Our Fit for Stroke approach helps the golfer make an informed decision about which putter best matches their stroke,” said Solheim.

When used in conjunction with the iPING putter app, choosing the correct putter is made easier and, more importantly, it leads to improved consistency on the greens and lower scores,” he said.

The Anser forged wedges are designed to complement the high-performance Anser forged irons.

Forged from 8620 steel to ensure a soft, yet solid, feel, the Anser wedges feature a tungsten toe weight to optimize the centre of gravity position and elevate moment of inertia for higher-spinning, lower-trajectory shots that maximize control and workability.

The Sydney model features a striking red alignment bar and maximum perimeter weighting for easy aiming and forgiveness.

Seven new Scottsdale putter models offer new head shapes and benefit from a thermoplastic insert and face applique to deliver a soft, yet solid, feel for improving distance control.

Hard To Define Versatile iPING App

Conflict management was necessary as I took strokes in the PING Canada office on the border between Mississauga and Oakville, Ont., last week under the watchful eye of Bob Elliot, who had attached his iPhone to the shaft for a demo of the new iPING putter app.

That download, which you can read about by clicking here or see more here, indicated that I had a strong arc with a greater degree of face rotation than other stroke types, so the idea was to deal with that through proper putter selection and fitting.

Bob and I were dealing with that, but at the same time, it became a bit of a personal putting contest with each shot dedicated to beating the previous one on the practice putting green in various categories inside the PING office in Canada. Read more

Analyze Putting With New PING App

The new iPING putter app from PING is a free, wireless putting improvement tool that can be taken anywhere to identify a player’s stroke type, analyze impact angle and measure tempo.

After a series of putts, the iPING app records consistency in each area and establishes a putting handicap (PHcp), which gets lower as players improve their consistency.

The iPING app is a free download from the iTunes App Store for iPhone 4 and the smaller iPod touch (fourth generation). The iPING app also works in conjunction with a PING cradle ($30 MSRP), which holds the mobile device and clips on to the putter shaft just below the grip.

Cradles are also available for either the iPhone 4 or iPod touch (fourth generation) due to the different sizes of the devices.

The iPING app will be on iTunes on June 20. PING cradles will be available on the same date through key golf retailers’ websites. Other PING retailers will offer the cradles in early July.

The iPhone 4 and iPod touch (fourth generation) are the only mobile devices that contain both accelerometers and gyroscopes, the key technology features that allow iPING to measure and record data. The accelerometers measure linear acceleration, while the gyroscopes detect rotational speed.

“Innovation takes many forms,” said PING chairman and CEO John A. Solheim.

“My father, Karsten Solheim, started PING with a single putter design. The engineering principles of that design and subsequent models ignited a revolution in golf club design and putter fitting,” he added.

The Anser putter, which he designed in 1966, still dominates the tours today more than 45 years later. The iPING app continues in our long tradition of innovation by allowing golfers to analyze their putting strokes more closely than ever,” said Solheim.

“It works like a launch monitor for putters by measuring key aspects of your stroke.  It will help every level of golfer see better results by adding more consistency on the putting green. Besides that, it’s a lot of fun to use and has several other features.”

The iPING app analyzes and displays a golfer’s consistency onscreen using three criteria:

Stroke Type

Stroke type is the classification of a player’s closing angle, the amount of rotation of the putter face during the forward stroke. PING’s research found that golfers can be categorized as one of three stroke types — straight, slight arc, or strong arc. Measured  in degrees of face rotation, straight has very little or no rotation; strong arc has the most. The research shows that players tend to be most consistent with a putter that matches their stroke types. Face-balanced putters work best for straight strokes while toe-down putters are most effective for a strong arc.

Impact Angle

Impact angle is the putter’s face angle at impact, relative to address, measured in degrees. PING’s data shows that even the best players in the world do not necessarily have a 0 impact angle average, but all are highly consistent.

Tempo

Tempo is a measure of the duration of the backswing relative to the forward swing and is expressed in a ratio of two-to-one, for example. The average tempo will vary among players, but the best putters have extremely high consistency in tempo.

Measure Mode

In Measure mode, the golfer hits five putts and their stroke type, impact angle and tempo are displayed for every putt in that session and stored. The iPING app calculates a consistency score and then averages the scores over time to build a Putting Handicap (PHcp). As the player improves in consistency, they’ll watch their PHcp come down.

Practice Mode

In Practice mode, the user can isolate one aspect of the putting that’s lacking in consistency – tempo, for example – for extra attention. Stroke type, impact angle, and tempo are displayed for individual putts.

Compare Mode

In Compare mode the player can compare their results with previous sessions or with those of their friends. They can even do side-by-side comparisons with several PING tour pros, whose results are pre-loaded into the iPING app.

Users can also share and compare their results through social media, Solheim said.

“The social aspect and the ability to form a community around it is another exciting feature of iPING,” he said. “Golfers can share their results by emailing friends and posting sessions on Facebook or Twitter.

“We expect golfers to fully embrace these features as they develop fun and friendly competitions using iPING and their mobile devices.”

From The Golf Ball Backwards In Club Design

PHOENIX, Az. – One of the major pieces of equipment at PING’s testing and analysis facilities is the Slingman, which tests the flight of golf balls, an important consideration in the design of the clubs that launch them, according to senior design engineer Marty Jertson.

With the evolution in cores and covers, it’s prudent for a golf club company to stay on top of what’s new in the ball market because both products are going to play important roles in how the ball flies.

“We’re able to study the ball better and work backwards because, at the end of the day, you want to work backwards from the trajectory of the ball,” said Jertson.

“In order to optimize the club design, you’ve got to start with what ball flight do you want first and work backwards into what does the club design need to do to produce that ball flight?” added Jertson, who spoke in the previous Hutch’s Blog about the importance of trajectory and loft. Read more

Tour Play Offered Engineer A Closer Look

PHOENIX, Az. – This is difficult to verify, but Marty Jertson may have a unique distinction as the only person to tee it up in a PGA Tour event, using a product he played a major role in designing, at least for one of the major manufacturers.

At the age of 30, Jertson is an accomplished guy. He started as an intern at PING seven years ago and has since earned the title of senior design engineer.

He’s also a member of the PGA of America and his zone had a spot available in the Justin Timberlake event played in Las Vegas last fall. After shooting a 65 in a one-round qualifier, that one spot went to Jertson, who had also planned to play in the Monday qualifier.

Armed with the Ping Anser irons that he played a big role in designing, Jertson shot 74-75 and missed the cut, more the result of some bad swings, he admits. Read more

Tour Success Communicates Product Message

PHOENIX, Az. – It was a banner year at the majors for PING tour players in 2010 with Lee Westwood (Masters), Gregory Havret (U.S. Open) and Bubba Watson (PGA Championship) finishing as runners-up and Louis Oosthuizen putting the finishing touches on with his British Open victory.

Having Westwood soar to No. 1 in the world was pretty cool from a company perspective as was Mark Wilson’s victories at this year’s Sony Open in Hawai and Waste Management Phoenix Open.

In this age of hyped-up tour counts and big name signings, that’s enough to make any company marketing machine shift into overdrive, but Chance Cozby of PING’s tour department says tour success is just one aspect, albeit an important one, of a manufacturer’s success. Read more

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