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Ping adds 5 new models to its PLD Milled putter series for 2024

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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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Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected].

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Spotted: Custom Scotty Cameron putters at the Cognizant Classic

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Each week on the PGA Tour, we spot some pretty amazing Scotty Cameron Circle T putters that players are using or testing. This week is no exception as we have some great flatsticks that were built for players at the Congnizant Classic. Here are a few of the ones that stood out to us!

Jacob Bridgeman: Circle T Masterful+

The matte copper finish is something you don’t see a ton from Scotty Cameron, but it looks great on this putter. The Masterful+ is a version of the retail Newport+ with a slightly wider shape from face to back. A Teryllium face insert should offer a softer feel and sound, especially with the deeper milling on it.

Tom Kim: Circle T 5s

Kim’s putter might be the most unique here because of the center shaft, shaft alignment aid, and a sanded-down sole. When you look at the top of the putter, down near the heel, you can see an alignment aid that works with the shaft to make sure the putter face is square to the target. The sole also looks to have the center of it sanded down and that could be to ensure that the putter sits a certain way when it is resting on the turf.

Alejandro Tosti: Circle T Timeless+

This Timeless+ is a take on the retail Newport 2 Plus with a wider shape and a sole plate that moves more mass to the perimeter for added stability. Tosti went with a single site line on the topline of the putter, leaving the flange naked. We see another Teryllium face insert here for dialing in the sound and feel, but this time with shallower milling.

Ryo Hisatsune: Circle T F-3

We haven’t seen too many heel-shafted putters in the past couple of years, but recently they have made a slight comeback. Ryo’s F3 is based off the legendary Del Mar head shape with the larger shoulders surrounding the flange. This putter also has a unique “T” shaped alignment with a white line running from heel to toe on the top of the putter and a half line running from front to back on the flange. The face looks to have a pretty aggressive deep milling for a softer, quieter impact.

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Whats in the Bag

Shane Lowry WITB 2024 (March)

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  • Shane Lowry what’s in the bag accurate as of the Cognizant Classic.

Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II (8.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ White 70 TX

5-wood: TaylorMade M5 (19 degrees @ 18.25 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 X

Irons: Srixon ZX Utility (3, 20 degrees), Srixon ZX5 Mk II (4, 5), Srixon ZX7 Mk II (6-PW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X (3), KBS Tour 130 X (4-PW)

Wedges: Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID), Cleveland RTX Full Face (58-8)
Shafts: KBS Tour Wedge X Black

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG 2-Ball
Grip: SuperStroke Pistol

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Srixon Z-Star XV

 

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Tua Tagovailoa’s WITB + 9 interesting equipment photos from the Cognizant Classic

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Welcome to the 2024 Cognizant Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, where the Florida Swing officially gets underway

Not to oversell the story below, but we spotted a surprising amount of interesting gear this week.

We got our first look at Maverick McNealy’s updated set (he’s mostly a free agent now, aside from the putter), Jake Knapp’s two-driver setup, Chris Kirk’s show-stopping new black irons, Tom Kim’s “new” custom Scotty Cameron, an oddly high-tech prototype driver headcover, and we even got a look at Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s set during the Wednesday Pro-Am.

There’s a lot to cover, and no time to waste. Let’s get right into the 9 interesting equipment photos below!

See all of our photos from the 2024 Cognizant Classic here

1) Our first look at Maverick McNealy’s setup in 2024

Now as an Odyssey putter staffer, McNealy is free to play any 13 full-shot clubs that he desires. McNealy has always preferred a blade iron style with a longer blade length – ala Tiger Woods – so it’s no shocker to see him switch into the TaylorMade P-7TW iron head, co-designed by Tiger himself. What’s cool about the photo above is you can see that he originally had lead tape across the top portion of the head, but removed it and added weight to the bottom portion; in all likelihood, he still wanted the extra head weight, but also wanted a bit of extra launch and height. After all, it is a thin blade 3-iron we’re talking about, so it makes sense.

As for the rest of McNealy’s bag, he’s using a TaylorMade Qi10 driver, two Stealth 2 fairway woods (3HL and 7), a set of P-7TW irons (3-9), Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges (46, 50, 54 and 58 degrees), and he’s testing between his longtime Odyssey Toulon “Stanford MM” putter, and a new Odyssey Ai-One Milled “Stanford” black-and-gold putter.

He’s also using a Titleist Pro V1x golf ball, where he uses the “dot” while putting for visual focus, and the line for alignment on his tee shot.

McNealy is the type of gearhead that GolfWRX.com is all about; attention to detail, with a flair for style. He’s a pilot, too, which explains the Top Gun-inspired “Maverick” headcovers, and “remove before flight” headcover tag.

Check out McNealy’s full 2024 WITB here from the Cognizant Classic

2) Shane Lowry’s two heartwarming headcovers

Shane Lowry has two daughters.

One is named Ivy…

And the other is named Iris…

See what golf clubs are underneath Lowry’s family-oriented headcovers here.

3) Brandt Snedeker still has the Odyssey White Hot Rossie XG putter in the bag

He’s still got it!

But, let’s not get too excited, because on Wednesday, we also spotted Sneds with a Bridgestone TD-02 putter in the bag, which looks quite similar to his longtime gamer Rossie XG.

Snedeker certainly has a type when it comes to how his putter looks, doesn’t he?

Check out the rest of Snedeker’s 2024 WITB here

4) A prototype Swag Golf headcover

 

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It’s rare that “prototype headcover testing” happens on the PGA Tour, but that exactly what’s happening with Nick Hardy this week.

According to Swag Golf founder and CEO Nick Venson, Swag Golf is in the creation process of what the company is calling “Headcover 3.0,” which uses TPU welding and a support structure to create a three-dimensional look, and greater durability.

The new age of headcovers could be developing right in front of our eyes.

5) Tom Kim’s custom putter

I wrote in-depth about Tom Kim’s new custom putter over on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report this week, but below is a few snippets of what he had to say about the customized Scotty Cameron Tour-Only T5S mallet that he switched to recently at the 2024 Genesis Invitational:

“No, [it’s not worn down], they actually milled it out (the black paint) to make me feel like there’s less loft on it. Because it was black, the color change was stronger. I told them my center shafts all look too lofty. They look too behind [the face]. So what they did was – I had no idea they did it – but they shaved off the color so I could see less loft on it. It’s the same thing, it’s just a different color. It doesn’t make me feel like there’s a lot of loft on it.

“It’s a very, very unique putter. The head has been used before, but there’s a lot of details that people don’t really know. It’s a cool putter they made for me. The team did a great job back at home.

“Right now, it’s just helping me feel more connected with my upper body. I’ve always used a blade. I went to the center shaft a little bit before, but I’ve putted my best with a hosel in the back, and I just feel like it started to feel like I just couldn’t really feel it through the release itself.

“And, the start lines were a little shaky, so that kind of made me feel like everything was in front of me. [The center shaft] helps me just feel like the ball was starting straight on my line.”

See what GolfWRX members are saying about the putter in our GolfWRX Forums

6) Chris Kirk’s black Callaway Apex CB irons

We saw Kirk switch into Callaway’s Apex CB irons – which were the stock silver/chrome color – at the 2023 FedEx St. Jude Classic last year, but, we also know that Kirk prefers the look of black irons because they make the head look slightly smaller.

Well, it looks like Kirk is testing out some new black-colored Apex CB irons, which combine the forgiveness of the Apex CB iron head, with the “smaller looking” black colorway that Kirk prefers. He still had his old chrome versions in the bag on Wednesday, to go along with the new black models, so we’ll keep an eye on what irons Kirk decides to put in the bag come competition time.

Don’t be surprised if he switches this week, or sometime in the near future.

See what GolfWRX members are saying Kirk’s new black Apex CB irons here

7) Knapp wins with two drivers in the bag

We already covered Knapp’s two-driver setup on GolfWRX.com and PGATOUR.com, but I wanted to re-emphasize how popular it’s becoming that PGA Tour players are using both a driver and a mini driver, rather than a driver and a 3-wood. Adam Scott and Tommy Fleetwood also come to mind.

I’m not saying you should switch to a setup like this for yourself, but even Knapp says that the BRNR Mini driver is significantly easier to hit than a three wood. When pros say things like that, it’s a cue to amateurs to at least test out its merits for themselves.

8) Make the forums go crazy, Jake!

We’ve already covered a few putters in this story, but still, the Custom Putter of the Week Award goes to Jacob Bridgeman, who showed off his Scotty Cameron putter with a “commando” finish and three white alignment lines.

GolfWRX Forums members weren’t ready for this type of heat, and some even slapped the “NSFW” tag on the putter photos.

Don’t hurt ’em, Jake!

See what else the forum members are saying about Bridgeman’s custom Scotty here

9) Left-handed NFL quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s right-handed golf clubs

Tua isn’t the first person ever to throw a football left-handed and play golf right-handed. Jordan Spieth is the same way. But, admittedly, it did throw me for a spiral when I first saw Tua swinging righty.

Too bad Tua can’t throw a spiral himself!

Sorry, that was a mean attempt at a pun. I’m a Giants fan, though, we can’t help it.

In terms of Tua’s WITB, he was gaming mostly PXG clubs, including a driver, fairway wood, irons, wedges, and a putter. He also had a Callaway Jaws lob wedge in the bag during the Wednesday Pro-Am, just to keep things interesting.

Something tells me the next time we see Tua on the golf course, he’ll be using a custom Miami Dolphins SuperStroke grip on his PXG putter.

And, with that cross-sport connection, we say goodbye to Palm Beach Gardens. We’ll see you next week in Orlando at Arnie’s Place for the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational. See you there!

Check out all of our photos from the 2024 Cognizant Classic here

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