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.
“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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Whats in the Bag
Matthieu Pavon WITB 2024 (May)
- Pavon’s WITB accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G430 Max (9 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 6 X
3-wood: Ping G430 LST (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X
Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 10 X
Irons: Ping i230 (3-PW)
Shafts: Nippon Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: Ping Si59 (52-12S, 58-8B)
Shafts: Nippon Modus3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Ping Cadence TR Tomcat C
Grip: SuperStroke Claw 1.0P
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Check out more in-hand photos of Pavon’s gear here.
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Equipment
Spotted: Tommy Fleetwood’s TaylorMade Spider Tour X Prototype putter
Tommy Fleetwood has been attached to his Odyssey White Hot Pro #3 putter for years now. However, this week at the Wells Fargo Championship, we did spot him testing a new putter that is very different, yet somewhat similar, to his current gamer.
This new putter is a TaylorMade Spider Tour X head but with a brand new neck we haven’t seen on a Spider before. A flow neck is attached to the Spider head and gives the putter about a 1/2 shaft offset. This style neck will usually increase the toe hang of the putter and we can guess it gets the putter close to his White Hot Pro #3.
Another interesting design is that lack of TaylorMade’s True Path alignment on the top of the putter. Instead of the large white center stripe, Tommy’s Spider just has a very short white site line milled into it. As with his Odyssey, Tommy seems to be a fan of soft inserts and this Spider prototype looks to have the TPU Pure Roll insert with 45° grooves for immediate topspin and less hopping and skidding.
The sole is interesting as well in that the rear weights don’t look to be interchangeable and are recessed deep into the ports. This setup could be used to push the CG forward in the putter for a more blade-like feel during the stroke, like TaylorMade did with the Spider X Proto Scottie Scheffler tested out.
Tommy’s putter is finished off with an older Super Stroke Mid Slim 2.0 grip in blue and white. The Mid Slim was designed to fit in between the Ultra Slim 1.0 and the Slim 3.0 that was a popular grip on tour.
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
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Equipment
Club Junkie WITB, league night week 4: Some old, some new
We enter week 4 of Thursday night men’s league feeling a little more confident in the game. BK is hoping to go a little lower and reduce the mistakes out there with these clubs in the bag. Watch the video for the full breakdown of why these clubs are getting the starting nod this week!
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, neutral setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 63 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: UST Mamiya Lin-Q M40X TSPX Blue 7F5
7-wood: Ping G430 Max (-1 degree, flat Ssetting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 S
Iron: Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi 4
Shaft: Aerotech Steelfiber hls880 S
Irons: PXG 0317 Tour (5-PW)
Shaft: LA Golf A-Series 105 Low (4)
Wedge: Titleist Vokey SM10 (50-08F)
Shaft: UST Mamiya Dart V 105 F4 Wedge
Wedge: Ping S159 (56-10H)
Shaft: Ping Z-Z115
Wedge: Ping S159 (60-08B)
Shaft: Ping Z-Z115
Putter: PXG Battle Ready II Brandon
Shaft: BGT Stability Tour Spec One
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour X
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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.