The Ping Vault 2.0 putters are an update on the original Ping Vault putter, but they are still based on the same premise of being milled from a single block of 303 Stainless Steel.
However now they have two weight ports in the sole that come as standard with steel weights, but through custom fitting these can be changed to 15g heavier tungsten weights or 15g lighter aluminium weights.
This not only creates a stylish look but enables Ping to get the weight of the head right if they alter the length of the shaft or if you just prefer a heavier or lighter head.
The faces still feature the same TR or True Roll faces that have a variable depth pattern of grooves across the face to ensure that the ball speed is maintained wherever you hit it on the face.
The grooves are deeper in the middle and then shallower as you move out towards the edges so that there is more material to make contact with the ball to make up for the loss of speed from hitting off centre.
It does create a more hollow sound than most all metal putters as a result of the grooves, but the feel is still excellent and gives you plenty of sound and vibration feedback at impact.
There is quite a lot of customisation available as the length can be 34 to 36 inches and the lie can also be varied +/- 4° from the standard 70°.
Each of the 5 models that form part of the initial range come in three different finishes of Platinum, Stealth or Copper which are available either as standard or as a custom order.
All of them look good and it is great to see a copper option back as that brings back memories of the manganese bronze and beryllium coppers heads Ping used to do.
There is the same choice of Ping PP60, PP61 and PP62 oversize grip as before, but in a new design that I am not quite sure about. It is quite a large grip but I like the feel of it and the non-taper design is very in vogue these days.
Ping Vault 2.0 Dale Anser Putter Review
The Dale Anser is the only model that comes in all three finishes as standard and recreates one of the classic shapes from the Ping archive.
It is a little known fact that there were two original Anser models, the most famous was done by Karsten Solheim but a second version was created by his son Allan Dale Solheim. This has a slightly thicker top line, a more rounded trailing edge and weight pads on the back.
You will have to look closely to spot these as for most it will look like a normal Anser unless you put them side by side and as classic shapes go, the Ping Vault 2.0 Dale Anser putter is hard to beat.
Ping Vault 2.0 Piper Putter Review
The Piper is another classic in a mallet shape and in the standard Stealth finish makes the long white site line really stand out at address.
It has quite a thick top line at address if you can make it out and the relatively tall face has a more oval look from the front.
Like all the Vault 2.0 putters, the Piper gives a little 'tock' sound at impact from the grooved face and as you would expect from Ping, this is a very balanced putter.
Summary
Overall the Ping Vault 2.0 putter range is a good upgrade to the first model as the addition of the sole weights gives option of custom fitting the head better for shaft length and also grip weight if you put a third party grip on it.
The simple colour and styling of all the models looks very classy and goes a long way to justifying a pretty premium price tag.
Combining classic styles with modern face grooves in a putter that feels great means that the Ping Vault 2.0 is exactly what a milled metal putter should be.