Ping Golf Clubs

by Gregg A. Johnson ~ Last Updated:

For over forty years, the Ping Company has been manufacturing golf equipment that is both innovative and practical for both the casual and professional golfer. Since 1959, Ping Golf has been dedicated to one idea: innovation and design can produce a set of golf clubs that maximize the enjoyment of the game for all.

Karsten Solheim invented his 1-A putter, manufactured in his garage. He named it Ping for the sound it makes when it hits the ball. Thus, a company was born. Solheim was frustrated with his putting game as the putters of the era didn't give him what he felt he needed in his short game. Once the 1-A putter hit the general market, they became so popular, Solheim quit his job at General Electric and began Ping Golf.

Solheim decided not to stop at putters and developed a set of irons dubbed "69" which he considered to be a good golf score. Solheim continued to experiment with the effects of good heel-toe weighting in his irons and also milled a cavity into the steel back of the irons for added forgiveness. Ping golf was growing by leaps and bound in the golf industry.

In 1966, Ping golf experienced possibly the greatest even of their company's history. Solheim had an idea for a new putter. After he finalized the design - originally sketched on the dust cover of a 78 rpm record, he needed a name for the club. His wife suggested "answer" since it would give golfers an answer to their putting problems. It was shortened to "Anser" to fit on the club itself.

The Ping Anser would go on to be the most influential putter in golf while setting the standard for what is considered to be the conventional putter. It has racked up 500 professional golf wins making it the "winningest" putter in golf history. The Anser had a cavity back low center of gravity that provided superior feel for golfers of all abilities.

Ping golf faced a major obstacle at the end of 1966 as the USGA outlawed all Ping putters other than the Answer for tournament and handicapped play. This decision was made because the USGA felt the other Ping models had a special bend in the shaft under the grip that was thought to give players a special advantage in the putting stroke.

Of course, Ping survived and went on to become a premier manufacturer of golf equipment that is widely used on the professional tours as well as by amateurs all over the world. Ping golf has proven to be one of the powerhouses when it comes to golf equipment and it will probably remain so for a long time.

Ping Golf In The News


 Ping ends one of golf's controversies - Examiner

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:22:00 GMT

PING Chairman and CEO John Solheim announced today that PING will waive its rights that prevent the PGA TOUR from prohibiting the use of pre-April 1990 PING EYE2 irons and wedges that do not meet the 2010 Condition of Competition from being played at PGA TOUR professional competitions. The waiver


 PGA Tour set to ban clubs after Ping waives rights Golf - KSTP

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:20:00 GMT

... announced Monday, means Ping´s controversial Eye2 clubs will no longer be exempted from the new PGA Tour ... at Torrey Pines in January, prompting tour veteran Scott McCarron to accuse him of cheating. Other players, including John Daly, have ...


 Golf: Ping, PGA Tour resolve Ping Eye2 iron, wedge issue - Naples Daily News

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:34:00 GMT

Ping chairman and CEO John Solheim announced today that Ping will waive its rights that prevent the PGA Tour from prohibiting the use of pre-April 1990 Ping Eye2 irons and wedges that do not meet the 2010 Condition of Competition from being played at ...


 Golf: Ping waives settlement on square grooves - Honolulu Advertiser

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:31:00 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The 20-year-old Ping wedges with square-shaped grooves will no longer be allowed on the PGA Tour starting March 29 under an agreement reached Tuesday with Ping executives. John Solheim, the chairman and CEO of Ping, said the ...


 Ping waives settlement on square-grooved wedges | Golf - Seattle Times

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:35:00 GMT

Ping wedges with square grooves will no longer be allowed on the PGA Tour starting March 29, under an agreement reached Monday with Ping executives. Ping waives settlement on square-grooved wedges: Ping wedges with square grooves will no longer be ...