Equipment
Ping launches “PLD1” custom-putter program
Attention, putter collectors, creative minds and golfers with deep pockets: Ping has a new custom-putter program called PLD1 (stands for Putting Lab Design) that may be right up your alley.
PLD1 allows golfers to customize a milled Ping putter, a concept that’s “inspired by the one-off, milled putters that Bubba and several of our tour players use,” according to the company.
On the PLD1 microsite, golfers have their say over the following design aspects:
- Dexterity (right- or left-handed)
- Alignment Aids (line vs. dot)
- Heel/toe bumper engravings (max 6 characters each bumper)
- “Ping” cavity color
- “Ping” hosel color
- Eyemark logo color
- Length (28-38 inches, standard is 35 inches)
- Loft (standard is 3 degrees, adjustable +/- 2 degrees)
- Lie (standard is 70 degrees, adjustable +/- 4 degrees)
- Grip (30+ options, including Ping, SuperStroke and Salty)
The putters, which will be handcrafted by Ping machinists, will sell for $600 plus tax, regardless of your custom selections. Each putter also comes with a PLD1 box and putter cover, as pictured above.
Visit puttinglab.ping.com to learn more.
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Equipment
Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.
However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.
“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”
Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.
Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.
Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.
One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play one degree upright to help dial in his desired launch.
We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!
- Check out the rest of our pictures from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
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Whats in the Bag
Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)
- Zac Blair what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X
Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X
Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X
Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
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Whats in the Bag
Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)
- Martin Trainer what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX
3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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Bert
Jan 15, 2017 at 8:32 am
Marketing gone crazy? Guess it will work if golfers buy them; after all they buy other Ping replicas for big bucks; just add milling!
booya cornflakes
Jan 13, 2017 at 12:38 pm
So…400 bucks for stamping? It feels like all of the other options can be had off the rack, other than the paintfill color which takes all of what, 25 minutes to change? This seems badly planned, especially when $600 buys a LOT of putter fro anyone number of boutique brands that are actually, you know, custom.
MuskieCy
Jan 13, 2017 at 12:31 am
I get one of these, PXG irons and stupid expensive JDM titanium.
Viola, the first GOLFWRX $10K bag championship.
I win and am a total loser at the same time.
Blake
Jan 12, 2017 at 2:41 pm
Go to edel instead and get a completely custom putter. $600 is ridic
tlmck
Jan 12, 2017 at 11:25 am
Hopefully there is something different about these otehr than the paint job of grip choice. If it is like the milled ones I hit at the store, mu 1990 stainless with no grooves walks all over those turds.
Cwolfs
Jan 11, 2017 at 7:03 pm
You lost me at the price tag. Never
John
Jan 11, 2017 at 4:37 pm
A $600 Ping Anser?! Kingston Putters about to get PAY-EDDD
Anthony Polakov
Jan 11, 2017 at 1:29 pm
A big waste of money. But what else do golf equipment company’s have to do but try every way to get more of our money!
Shanks for the Memories
Jan 11, 2017 at 12:42 pm
I was hoping there would be more options or models or something. Basically a milled anser with stamped bumpers and your choice of siteline… oh, and colors. Your choice of colors.
rymail00
Jan 11, 2017 at 8:43 pm
Agree. $600 for your choice of paintfill, bumper stamping and alignent choice is not what I’d consider a custom putter worth that price point JMO.
Maybe if other options like carbon, different finishes, and choice of head weights with adding tunsten or whatever. Might be asking a lot though.
Rich
Jan 11, 2017 at 12:38 pm
Literally a Rife Vault 001 Iconic Putter
John
Jan 11, 2017 at 1:16 pm
RIFE doesn’t have an iconic putter. Nobody thinks RIFE is iconic.
Smith
Jan 11, 2017 at 4:43 pm
Rekt.