Equipment
Ping adds 5 new models to its PLD Milled putter series for 2024
Five new models and the ability to personalize each design through an on-line customizer tool represent the newest additions to the Putting Lab Design (PLD) program, Ping CEO & President John K. Solheim announced today.
The 2024 PLD Milled Anser, Anser 2D, Oslo 3, DS72 and Ally Blue 4 are available at Ping authorized retailers, with an on-line customizer tool available on ping.com.
The five new PLD Milled models (U.S. MSRP: $485) represent a combination of standard-setting favorites like the Anser and newer, tour-proven models like the DS72, the choice of 2023 FedExCup Champion Viktor Hovland.
The Anser 2D and Oslo 3 are tour-influenced, high-MOI designs and the Ally Blue 4 is a new, multi-material mallet that is designed to deliver exceptional forgiveness with alignment features.
Four of the new models (Anser, Anser 2D, DS72 and Oslo 3) are fully machined from forged, 303 stainless steel and each is distinguished by a gunmetal finish. Per Ping, more than four hours of milling time are required for every model, precisely shaping every surface and radius to achieve the high quality and premium look expected in a precision-milled putter.
The Ally Blue 4 is a fully machined, three-piece design differentiated by its square footprint and full-length top alignment aid. The strong-arc design consists of an aluminum body, stainless steel soleplate and aluminum hosel to create an extremely high-MOI, easy-to-align mallet. The gunmetal finish contrasts with a matte black body and hosel in a bid to offer a confidence-inspiring design.
2024 Model Descriptions & Specifications
Ally Blue 4
All-new fully machined, three-piece design. The aluminum body, aluminum hosel and stainless-steel soleplate create a high-MOI, easy-to-align mallet.
Specs:
- Weight: 370g
- Strong Arc
- Loft: 3° (+3°/-2°)
- Lie Angle: 20° (+-4°)
- Std. Grip: PP58 Tour L
- Std. Shaft: Matte-black Stepless Steel
- PLD Milled Plus options: Paint fill, custom graphics, paint-filled grip
Anser
The winningest putter in golf history gets a new white sight line in the cavity and the gunmetal finish. The new Ping Composite putter shaft is standard in this slight arc model.
Specs:
- Weight: 350g
- Slight Arc
- Loft: 3° (+3°/-2°)
- Lie Angle: 20° (+-4°)
- Std. Grip: PP58 Tour M
- Std. Shaft: PING Composite
- PLD Milled Plus options: Custom sightlines, paint fill, custom graphics, paint-filled grip
Anser 2D
The Anser 2D model gained notoriety with Tony Finau’s success. The slightly deeper, perimeter-weighted design features clean heel-toe ballasts to aid in alignment, and a sightline in the cavity.
Specs:
- Weight: 365g
- Slight Arc
- Loft: 3° (+3°/-2°)
- Lie Angle: 20° (+-4°)
- Std. Grip: PP58 Tour L
- Std. Shaft: PING Composite
- PLD Milled Plus options: Custom sightlines, paint fill, custom graphics, paint-filled grip
DS72
The DS72, preferred design of Viktor Hovland, fits into the mid-mallet category, a face-balanced model distinguished by a wide top rail and ball-width cavity created by its clean heel and toe ballasts.
Specs:
- Weight: 365g
- Straight stroke
- Loft: 3° (+3°/-2°)
- Lie Angle: 20° (+-2°)
- Std. Grip: PP58 Tour M
- Std. Shaft: Black Chrome Stepless Steel
- PLD Milled Plus options: Custom sightlines, paint fill, custom graphics, paint-filled grip
Oslo 3
Shares the attributes of the Tyrrell Hatton-influenced mallet but with an Anser 3-style hosel that makes it a slight arc putter. Its light aluminum hosel helps position weight low to optimize the center of gravity for improved consistency and accuracy.
Specs:
- Weight: 375g
- Slight Arc
- Loft: 3° (+3°/-2°)
- Lie Angle: 20° (+-4°)
- Std. Grip: PP58 Tour L
- Std. Shaft: PING Composite
- PLD Milled Plus options: Custom sightlines, paint fill, custom graphics, paint-filled grip
PLD Milled Plus: Make It Personal
In addition, the 2024 models can be further distinguished with preferred alignment aids, paint fill, custom graphics and paint-filled grips. Known as PLD Milled Plus (U.S. MSRP:$585), golfers utilize a customizer tool on ping.com to design their one-of-a-kind putter.
During the process, golfers can choose multiple, single or no alignment feature on four of the models (except Ally Blue 4). The top rail can be customized with either a dot or line while the cavity floor offers full-length alignment line assistance. They can be painted the same color,
different colors or left unpainted. Same goes for the Ping and PLD logos on all the models.
Multiple laser-etched graphics on all five models let golfers show their allegiance to Ping (dancing or single Mr. Ping logos) or the United States (Stars and Stripes). For those who have supreme confidence in their putting, the money sign is an option.
A painted-filled Pinf logo on the grip further differentiates the putter from the others. Blue, gold, green, orange, red, pink, yellow, purple, white and blackout are available to complete the design.
At the end of the process, golfers take their unique design specifications to an authorized Ping PLD Milled Plus retailer who places the order with Ping’s customization specialists at company headquarters in Phoenix, where the design is brought to life.
“The launch of PLD Milled Plus is an exciting program that allows golfers to further personalize their putters in fun and statement-making ways. It’s a great conversation starter and brings them one step closer to that tour-player experience so many golfers desire.” – Ping CEO & President John K. Solheim
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Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
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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Whats in the Bag
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 @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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Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
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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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