Equipment

Ping Vault Putters: What you need to know

Published

8 years ago

Aug 15, 2016

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.

Vault Anser 2 in Slate (left) and Voss in Platinum.

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 Oslo’s sole plate weighs 215 grams, accounting for more than 58 percent of the putter’s head weight.

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.”

The Vault Bergen.

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

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

9 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

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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