Equipment
Ping Vault Putters: What you need to know
There’s a vault at Ping’s headquarters in Phoenix that holds what’s arguably the most valuable putter collection in the world. Since the 1970s, the company has been commemorating wins with Ping putters by creating two gold-plated replicas — one for the vault, one for the player. The collection now holds more than 2,800 putters.
Ping’s new line of Vault putters ($325 each) includes four models that will appeal to the best golfers in the world, as well as those who aspire to be the best. The collection is split into two blades and two mallets, each of which is available in either Ping’s platinum or slate finish.
“The PING Vault Series recognizes our unequalled putter success on tour since 1959 and continues our focus to advance the design and process of making putters,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO.
The two blades are fully machined from 303 stainless steel, and have head weights of 350 grams. While both use Anser-style hosels, the new Voss model has a narrow, golf-ball-sized cavity and scalloped back bumpers that give the putter a clean, refined look. The Anser 2 is a more angular variation of Ping’s classic Anser putter, using a wider cavity and stepped bumpers to create what Ping calls a “modern square silhouette.”
The mallets also use a machined construction; their bodies are milled from 6061 T6 aluminum, and cast 17-4 stainless steel soleplates are added to the putters to improve consistency. The Oslo is the smaller mallet, with a deep cavity and low-sitting sightline that helps frame the ball at address. The Bergen has a sightline that extends all the way from the front to the back of the putter, reminiscent of Ping’s popular Ketch putter.
“The Oslo and Bergen are high-performance designs in the mallet category where we’ve enjoyed great success in recent years with models like the Ketsch,” Solheim said. “They are easy to align and offer tremendous stability due to the extremely high MOI. In addition to a primary sight line, the precise milling lines provide subtle reminders to improve alignment.”
Not to be overlooked with the Vault putters is Ping’s new Precision-Milled TR Face Technology, which uses variable depth grooves to offer golfers better speed control on the greens. The design includes shallower grooves on the perimeter of the putter face, which are said to speed up mis-hit putts so they roll at the same speed as putts hit on the center of the putter face.
The Vault putters also debut a new putter grip from Ping, the PP62, which weighs 68 grams and has an oversized pistol shape that is designed to fit naturally into a golfer’s palm and finger tips. It’s made from a soft, tacky polymer, and includes a UV coating that will resist fading.
“Since launching the Ping Vault putters on tour in June we’ve had considerable interest, which has put our delivery schedule a little behind,” Solheim said. “These putters require a lot of time and precision in the manufacturing process. The higher demand means golfers may have to wait a couple of extra weeks to get one in their bag. It will be well worth the wait.”
The Vault putters are currently available for pre-order, and will be released in limited quantities starting Aug. 25. Enjoy our in-hand photos of each Vault putter below.
Anser 2
- Head Weight: 350 grams
- Lie Adjustable: +/- 4 degrees
- Stroke Type: Slight Arc
Voss
- Head Weight: 350 grams
- Lie Adjustable: +/- 4 degrees
- Stroke Type: Slight Arc
Oslo
- Head Weight: 365 grams
- Lie Adjustable: +/- 2 degrees
- Stroke Type: Available for Straight or Slight Arc
Bergen
- Head Weight: 365 grams
- Lie Adjustable: +/- 2 degrees
- Stroke Type: Available for Straight or Slight Arc
Grip and Headcovers
Related: See what GolfWRX Members are saying about the new Vault putters in our forum.
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Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
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Whats in the Bag
Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
- Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 80 TX
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue (22 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 6.5 100
Irons: Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID, 58-10 MID, 60-06 LOW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
Check out more in-hand photos of Alejandro Tosti’s WITB in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
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Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
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Jim O'Brien
Dec 20, 2016 at 3:46 pm
I just like the grip – it even has a cool name Ping Pistol 62- but can’t seem to get just a grip – what a RIP!!! Maybe someday.
Adizero
Aug 21, 2016 at 11:55 pm
I have an Anser and an Anser 2 from the 1990’s that I rotate. Nothing new to see here! Staying with what works and save the Three Benjamin’s and a Grant!
tom
Aug 16, 2016 at 11:49 pm
The Bergen looks almost exactly like the Seemore SB1.
Bob
Aug 16, 2016 at 12:00 pm
Does this mean Ping has given up on TRUE ROLL technology?
gunmetal
Aug 16, 2016 at 2:19 pm
Nope. As indicated in the article, instead of using an insert, the variable depth grooves (TR tech) is milled into the face.
Pub
Aug 16, 2016 at 9:49 am
Hate the names. How about some local Arizona names instead? Or just invented names like what Japanese cars have
Uncle Buck
Aug 16, 2016 at 1:42 am
These 3 hundy putters, I mean, how much longer can this over valuing go on? Buck 99 tops yuh axe me! Have these companies not learned anything
from Taylormade, Golfsmith, and Nike?
4puttfor90
Aug 15, 2016 at 11:37 pm
Actually milled and cheaper than Scotty Cameroon? I might have to put my Spalding TP Mills TPM 5 in my Sunday bag.
Lester Diamond
Aug 15, 2016 at 6:20 pm
If the Ketsch is the bomb diggity in terms of feel and stroke repeatability, why change putters?
To each their own I guess.
golfraven
Aug 15, 2016 at 4:31 pm
Still a fan of the Anser 2. Like the new face and finish.
Justin
Aug 15, 2016 at 1:43 pm
I’m glad everyone hates them… means I’ll be able to get one quicker! If the Oslo is anything like the Ketsch in terms of feel and stroke repeatability, I’ll bag one immediately. I think they look awesome and have been patiently waiting for them to be released. But… to each their own I guess
Clemson Sucks
Aug 15, 2016 at 11:03 am
Swing and a miss
alexdub
Aug 15, 2016 at 10:52 am
I’m a Ping homer and want to like these, but don’t.
snowexcuse
Aug 15, 2016 at 11:38 am
Me too. Too many unnecessary random milling lines on that anser, especially around the bumpers. I didn’t think it was possible to make an ugly anser putter.
Flip
Aug 15, 2016 at 10:37 am
Fugly waste of money