Equipment
Ping celebrates 50 years of Anser putters with limited-edition release
In June, we covered the planned release of Ping’s 50th Anniversary Anser putters, the original heel-toe weighted blade that’s still the most popular style of putter on the professional tours. Make sure to read Andrew Tursky’s story to catch up on the important details.
Here’s what else you need to know about the putters, which are currently available from authorized Ping golf shops.
- The limited-edition Anser putters ($900) are made from high-tensile manganese bronze, and manufactured in the U.S. using the same vendors Ping used in 1966. Each putter come with a commemorative presentation box, a leather putter cover and a certificate of authenticity signed by Ping Chairman and CEO John Solheim.
- Each putter’s sole is hand ground by John Solheim, who also ground the soles of the original Anser putters for his father Karsten (Ping’s founder) in his family’s garage.
John Solheim grinding a limited-edition Anser putter (photo courtesy of Ping).
“Most people don’t realize the amount of hand work that went into the original Anser putters 50 years ago,” John Solheim said. “The radiuses on both of the hand-machined tools were finished with a file and sandpaper by Karsten. I built most of the original Ansers in the garage, starting with machining and grinding the raw castings and continuing on through final assembly. My brother Allan machined the second mold, which is slightly different and often referred to as the ‘slope-side’ mold. We wanted to bring that hand crafted approach back as part of the Anser’s 50-year celebration and its remarkable contribution to golf.”
- The limited-edition putters are made from the original Anser molds with the same sand-casting process. They are produced by one of two molds (one machined by Karsten, and one machined by Karsten’s son, Allan) at East Bay Brass Foundry in Richmond, California.
- The putters are finished at Ping’s headquarters in Phoenix. Tungsten heel and toe weights are added to give the putters a modern weighting.
- Ping will produce 1,550 right-handed Anser putters, 775 from Karsten’s mold and 775 from Allan’s mold. The putters will be distinguished by a K or an A on the serial number on inside of the hosel. Left-handed models will also be available.
- The shafts are made by True Temper (Emory, Mississippi), and use a high-step design like the original Anser putter shafts. The Ping PP58 grips also maintain the original design, and are made by Golf Pride (Southern Pines, N.C.). Even the grip tape manufacturer is the same: 3M (St. Paul, Minnesota).
Anser history
- Karsten Solheim sketched the original Anser on a 78-rpm record sleeve. The design was patented the next year.
- The putter’s name came from Karsten’s wife, Louise. Karsten was searching for the “answer” to the putting problems of the time. Louise suggested the name Answer, but when it wouldn’t fit on the toe of the putter she suggested that Karsten shorten the name to Anser.
- The Anser’s first win came from Lionel Hebert in 1966 at the Florida Citrus Open (now the Arnold Palmer Invitational). Its first major championship victory came from George Archer at the Masters in 1969.
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- 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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View this post on Instagram
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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We always get some great photos of some phenomenal putters at tour events and love to share them. Here are a few from the 2024 Zurich Classic that caught our eye and seemed interesting. (And as a reminder, you can check out all our photos from New Orleans here)
MJ Daffue’s Scotty Cameron T-11 Prototype
MJ is going with the new Scotty Cameron T-11 Prototype this week. The putter is a multi-piece mallet that puts an emphasis on stability with the wings on the back. Daffue’s putter does have a design that differs from retail with a monotone finish, which eliminates the black paint on the aluminum parts that we see at retail. He also has a half siteline milled into the top and an L-neck welded on for some additional toe hang. The face features a deeper milling that should offer a softer feel and slightly quieter sound.
Scotty Cameron T-7.5 Prototype
We spotted a few different Scotty Cameron Phantom models with modified rear flanges. It looks like the straight black flange was cut into a half circle for a little softer look at address. On this T-7.5, you can still see the raw aluminum from the back view, so this might have been a last-minute job to get them out on tour. The semi-circle also has a white line on it, maybe to frame the ball differently.
Alex Fitzpatrick’s Bettinardi SS16 DASS
Alex’s SS16 is made from Bettinardi’s famous D.A.S.S., or double-aged stainless steel, for a softer and more responsive feel. The face has a unique diamond pattern milling and features a logo that I feel like I have seen before, but can’t put a name to. The putter is a classic mid-mallet style with a simple, single white siteline on the top. The sole is clean with just the SS16, DASS, and a green triangle logo on it.
Steve Stricker’s Odyssey White Hot No. 2
This putter has made some amazing putts in its long career! Stricker’s White Hot No. 2 might be in the top 10 of most famous putters in golf. When you see all the dents and lead tape, you know the heel will be up and it will be sinking putts! The soft White Hot insert looks to be in good shape and has less wear on it than the rest of the putter. We don’t know how much lead tape is on the sole, but it has to be multiple layers compacted down over the years.
Doug Ghim’s Scotty Cameron T-7 Prototype
This T-7 should win the award for “best color finish” in this list with its deep chromatic bronze. It looks like Scotty added a cherry bomb dot to the heel of the deep-milled face and filled it with a very dark blue paint. The rest of the putter looks pretty stock with its single site line on the topline and twin site lines down the “fangs” of the putter. Twin 5-gram weights are installed in the sole and the putter is finished off with a gloss black double bend shaft with a fill shaft offset.
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic
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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...
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
View this post on Instagram A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx) Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)...
Daniel Berger WITB 2024 (April)
Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Rasmus Højgaard WITB 2024 (April)
Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)...
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Pingback: Limited Edition PING Anser Putter – Ted & Dave Custom Golf
Darryl
Nov 17, 2016 at 8:00 am
The close up picture at the top of the page doesnt speak well to the quality of finish. Imperfection at the base of the hosel and a quite rough looking finish elsewhere. I love all things Ping but this just looks like bandwagon jumping, especially with the price tag.
Tom
Nov 9, 2016 at 9:20 pm
I like that made in U S A .
Mike
Nov 9, 2016 at 4:53 pm
A really cool putter that I’m sure many would love to own, but they definitely missed their target when pricing at $900/ea. Also, making 1500 pcs doesn’t make this all that rare. As many have pointed out you can get an original for a small fraction of the price. Unfortunately, I don’t see many justifying the price tag on this one.
mka
Nov 9, 2016 at 4:31 pm
I have their Scottsdale Anser limited that was launched several years ago…same mold I believe. So glad I already have one because $900 is beyond my price range.
Dennis
Nov 8, 2016 at 10:07 pm
Took my old Anser and stuck it in the fireplace. Saved 900 bucks.
Philip
Nov 8, 2016 at 7:53 pm
Can pick up a used one for under $30 … best part – it looks the same!
Dude
Nov 8, 2016 at 5:15 pm
For $900 they better come with a circle T.
Dave
Nov 8, 2016 at 8:17 pm
Why do you want a Ping copy?
Tom
Nov 8, 2016 at 4:23 pm
I haven’t seen anything that black since my first wife burnt the thanks giving turkey
Mark
Nov 8, 2016 at 1:43 pm
I was interested until I saw the price.
Feel the Bern
Nov 8, 2016 at 11:55 am
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PING-ANSER-PUTTER-zipe-code-85029-Left-Handed-/391614639323?hash=item5b2e0d2cdb:g:sXAAAOSw-CpYB9AN
20 bucks…
Jamie
Nov 8, 2016 at 11:41 am
If taylormade did this, there would be a revolt.
Rors
Nov 8, 2016 at 10:41 am
Scotty who???
BrentF
Nov 8, 2016 at 10:35 am
$900 for a Ping Anser? What a chunk of change!
Desmond
Nov 8, 2016 at 9:08 am
Nice, but if the Ansers of the ’90s are any indication, they were pretty light in headweight. Looks as if they added tungsten weights to the heel and toe of the face. A bit pricey, but it’s history.