There’s another expensive putter range for you all to love, or perhaps to think "that's too expensive for me". Entering the tour preferred market is Ping's Putting Lab Design, which the brand hopes will rival the likes of Scotty Cameron in quality and feel.
The new milled PLD putters come with tour validation as Ping has chosen four of their most successful models to finally bring to market.
There's a combination of classics like the Anser, and newer models like the DS72, used by Viktor Hovland to great success so far in his professional career.
The Tech
When these putters look as simple and clean as they do, it probably comes as no surprise to hear that they aren't jam-packed with loads of different technology and fancy names. It's pretty much a case of what you see is what you get.
Ping have introduced models that are 'tour proven' and made an effort to include four putters of different sizes and shapes, aimed at finding a model which can fit the preferences of every golfer out there.
The putters are forged from a solid block of 303 stainless steel which requires more than four hours of milling time, precisely shaping the surface and radius of each head to produce the high quality, premium look you'd expect for your £399.
A deep Aggressive Milling Pattern (AMP) on the face is inspired by tour player feedback and is said to give golfers the feel and speed control necessary to achieve consistent results on the greens.
The four different heads are available in two finishes, Satin Steel or Matte Black.
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Ping PLD Milled Putters Review
Anser
The most famous putter of all. This timeless blade shape comes in a matte black finish, with rounded corners and no alignment aids. There is nothing to distract you from the natural look of an Anser head. It is designed to suit those golfers with a slight arc in their stroke.
Anser 2
Slightly longer and narrower that the Anser's profile, with sharper edges and a centre alignment line making aiming easier. It has a matte silver finish and suits a slight arc to the stroke.
DS72
This mid-mallet shape is inspired by Viktor Hovland, it's the Ping version of a Scotty Cameron Fastback head with an alignment line and head design which frames the ball in the middle of the face. There is also a double-bend shaft which suits more of a straight-back, straight-through stroke.
Prime Tyne 4
The most stable head in the PLD range, this distinctive fang design provides a balanced look at address and more stability for increased MOI and forgiveness. This head comes in a matte black finish and has a "flow neck" hosel to suit a strong arcing stroke.
Not only do the putters look sleek, premium and intricately designed, Ping have matched the shaft colour to the head colour depending on the model to provide an easy transition when looking down at the putter, as well as pairing them with a classic Ping Blackout putter grip.
Performance
The stability and forgiveness of these heads progresses from the bladed Anser to the mallet shaped Tyne.
I spent a lot of time on the putting green with the Anser just rolling putts as I loved the feel. It was cushioned at the strike and very consistent in its feedback through the head, shaft and into my hands. It’s gorgeous to look at and took me back to what putting used to be like when I was growing up.
There's no big alignment aids, no spaceship-like heads and the most beautiful thin and luxurious grip. The feedback from each strike flows up through the putter and the putter therefore feels like part of you.
I could have honestly putted balls all day long with the Anser. What a brilliant performing putter.
Ok, my direction was a little off as it is harder to line up due to the fact that there is no alignment aid, but if you have good eyes and a classy touch with the short stick then this is just spectacular.
I was fitted at Ping's European Fitting Centre for the DS72 head due to my mid mallet bias and because I only have a slight arc to my stroke. And it paid off when I actually tried to make putts, it was more stable and a lot easier to line up than the Anser.
Despite this, the slightly bigger head still produced a very nice feel from the face and the whole head felt perfectly weighted to help keep my putter on line during the stroke, which was a big confidence boost.
Ping PLD Milled Putters Verdict
Many people can’t justify spending as much money on a putter as they do a driver but I have to say that I'm not one of them. A putter can be in the bag for a golfing lifetime and hits nearly half of your shots per round.
If you love it, then it’s an investment for years, putt after putt.
Making friends with your putter by practicing more equals less putts out on the course, and this range made me want to practice.
I really enjoyed the feel off the face. It was silky and consistent, and in many ways it justified that rather large price tag.
From the grip to the headcover everything about these putters is high end and I believe they can truly rival Scotty Cameron in terms of quality, albeit they have a bit of catching up to do when it comes to the name and marketing. Is there any putter on the market as desirable as a Scotty?
It is the first generation of PLD Putters and this, coupled with the fact that they are presumably expensive to make, probably explains why there are only four models to choose from to begin with.
It's a shame because I would have liked to try a version of the Oslo H shape that Tyrrell Hatton has used to such great effect - maybe that's one for next time!
Who are they aimed at?
You'll see plenty of these luxurious putters on your television screens this year. Ping are encouraging the likes of Viktor Hovland and Tony Finau to use them, and make the brand a Tour Preferred range which can rival Scotty Cameron or Odyssey's Toulon line.
They are high end putters but they can still be used by golfers of any ability, from the traditionalist Anser look to the high-MOI fang shape. At £399 they can also be aimed at people who collect putters.
Would I Use Them?
Yes. I loved the feel but I’d like a few more head shapes and neck options to choose from. The DS72 was best suited to me in the fitting, but it isn't a head shape I have played before.
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