Equipment
For its 50th Anniversary, Ping is recreating the original Anser putters
In 1966, Karsten Solheim invented the Ping Anser putter, which has became so popular that when golfers see an imitator — and there’s a lot of them — they’re often dubbed “Anser-style.” Fifty years later, Ping has gone to great lengths to create a limited-edition line of Anser putters that are as much like the originals as possible.
The limited-edition putters are made from the original Anser molds, using the original parts and metals, and created in the same foundry that produced the first Anser putters. So for golf history buffs, this release is something special.
Making the story better is that Karsten’s son and current Ping CEO John Solheim will have his hands on every single putter released. Ping plans on releasing 1,550 right-handed versions, and 150 left-handed models. Solheim is grinding the soles of each putter, just as he used to do with the original Ansers in his father’s garage.
What’s “modernized” about the new putters are the toe and heel bumpers, which used to be shaped by hand using sandpaper. The 2016 versions had that shaping already built into the molds.
Speaking of those molds, there’s either a “K,” which stands for Karsten, or an “A,” which stands for “Allan,” John’s brother, engraved on the hosel of the putters, which indicate which of the two original molds were used to cast each putter. According to John Solheim, the putters produced by the different molds will not be identical because the Karsten, or “K” mold, had the radius on its heel slightly nicked. So the heel on the “K” putters have what John calls the “slope side.”
While the putters are made from the same high-strength, manganese-bronze metal, the hosels are applied with epoxy, while the originals were not. Without the epoxy, the original Anser putters sometimes cracked at the hosel, according to Solheim.
You will also notice inserts in the toe and heel, which are tungsten weights used to bring the heads “up to weight.” The putter heads weigh 350 grams, which is significantly heavier than the originals, but standard these days.
The putters have no release date at this point, but sometime before the 51st Anniversary would be a safe bet. Remember, John Solheim is grinding each of the putters, which he says takes roughly 4-5 minutes each. There is no set price, either, but according to Solheim, “They won’t be cheap.”
See what WRXers are saying about the putters in our forum.
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Whats in the Bag
Kris Kim WITB 2024 (May)
- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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Equipment
Welcome to the family: TaylorMade launches PUDI and PDHY utility irons
TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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cgasucks
Jun 20, 2016 at 2:38 pm
If Mr. Solheim himself is going to grind the putters like his dad did you know its not gonna be cheap…
MisawaGol4
Jun 16, 2016 at 6:23 am
So these are exactly like the originals, same metal, same molds, and from the same garage. Minus the fact that now they have added weight plugs and the hosels are attached differently, but John Solheim will be guaranteed to have touched these for at least 4 whole minutes! Who can put a price tag on that? Apparently Ping can. There is a reason the originals value will increase and these will start high but never really amount to much. I never buy a limited or collectors edition of anything. You are guaranteed that they will be anything but that.
jimmy snodgrass
Jun 15, 2016 at 11:04 am
maybe i should’nt give my secrets away but i could never afford pro shop prices for clubs or clothing, i play golf at public courses because of the mostly private club restrictions on attire. i wear golf polo shirts, with whatever nice club logo i know, have a dozen masters shirts, several congressionals, and even a bob hope chrysler classic, most of them bought for 2 to 3 dollars. i wear levi’s , not holed up because they fit me best. i had a fairly nice, pleated pair of pants with the pockets cut down the sides, hopped into a golf cart, and lost most of the items in my pockets, because, when sitting, the pockets were parallel, coins and a swiss army knife were lost somewhere on the course, and i still have 2 pairs of leather footjoy classics with steel spikes, in great shape, just waiting for the day when they are re-allowed.
Ryan morris
Jun 16, 2016 at 4:46 am
I missed the secret.
The MailMan
Jun 19, 2016 at 3:30 am
Not true. I am actually doing your husband.
Anser 4
Jun 15, 2016 at 12:58 am
If this came in Anser 4 I would be over it like a rash.
Weekend Duffer
Jun 14, 2016 at 11:13 pm
You can buy the actual originals for $35 on eBay, yet they will likely charge $350 for the remake.
Joey
Jun 15, 2016 at 8:58 am
Less than that. You can get Zings and My Days for around $10 bucks (shipping not included).
Joe Duffer
Jun 15, 2016 at 12:08 pm
Wrong… a nice original Scottsdale Anser will still bring north of $1000