PING adjusts to today's changing world of equipment
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PING has built its reputation for innovation and performance. The family owned company relies on its engineering intelligence to enhance what its previously built but also what it competes against in the market. Today the Phoenix-based business has introduced to its sales force several new products including the Anser adjustable driver, which is offered in four high-performance shafts, the new Tour wedge with Gorge Groove Technology, and the Serene family, specifically engineered for women golfers. All the new products will be available in golf shops later this summer and fall.
“Our newest products continue our emphasis on custom-engineering -- designing technology that meets the needs of distinct player profiles,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “Through extensive research and analysis, which includes player testing of every skill level, both men and women, we’ve advanced performance in several categories. For example, in the Anser driver, we added an adjustable hosel without adversely affecting the weighting properties that are so critical to overall performance. Our new Serene driver features a high-balance-point shaft, which allowed us to lengthen the shaft ½ inch while maintaining the same overall weight so women can swing a longer club to generate more distance. It’s these types of improvements that continually lead to lower scores and more enjoyment for golfers.”
The Anser adjustable driver focuses on optimizing trajectory through a combination of loft adjustment and shaft selections. Players 
can add or subtract ½ degree of loft and also choose one of four high-performance shafts to fit their swing -- a process PING calls Trajectory Tuning Technology. The shafts are the PING TFC 800D, Aldila Phenom, Fujikura Blur Red, and the Mitsubishi Diamana ‘ahina. They vary in weight, stiffness profile, and the trajectory they deliver.
“Shaft fitting is a very important step in optimizing trajectory so golfers can benefit from greater distance and accuracy,” Solheim said. “It was important that we have a range of high- performance shafts to match distinct player profiles. When combined with the loft adjustability, golfers will see significant improvement in their performance by adjusting their driver to suit the weather, course conditions or changes in their swings. A PING Certified Clubfitter will help determine the best shaft option based on how a player loads the club, their timing, and swing speed.”
Solheim said PING also advanced adjustability in its Anser driver and fairway woods by engineering its adjustable-hosel technology to be lightweight and sleek so it wouldn’t compromise performance. “Most adjustable hosels are large and heavy, which takes weight away from more important areas of the clubhead,” he explained. “Our adjustable hosel is the same diameter and mass as our traditional fixed hosel. We saved weight through its sleek design and by using a lightweight titanium screw and an aluminum hosel sleeve. Looking down at the club from the address position, there’s a seamless transition from the shaft to the head.”
The Anser driver (U.S. MSRP: $440.00 per club) is available in pre-set 8.5º, 9.5º, 10.5º and 12º lofts, which then can be adjusted plus or minus ½ degree of loft to optimize performance. The Anser fairway woods (U.S. MSRP: $275.00 per club) are offered in a 3-wood (14.5º), 4-wood (16.5º), and 5-wood (18.5º). Each is adjusted using a PING torque wrench, which loosens the clubhead so golfers can set the loft to the desired position. In addition to changing loft, adjusting the hosel position allows a player to adjust the set-up face angle to his or her preference. Adjusting the hosel to the (+) position adds loft and closes the face, while the (–) position decreases loft and opens the face.
PING’s new Tour wedge features Gorge Groove Technology, designed to maximize spin and control. The grooves are precision-milled at the company’s Phoenix plant, allowing the company’s machinists to hold very tight tolerances, it said, and to monitor every groove variable: top-edge radius, width, depth, spacing, and wall angle. “We believe this to be the best-performing groove design in the industry. By taking the unprecedented step of bringing the groove milling process entirely in-house, we’re able to ensure the highest quality and performance. Players are going to be excited when they see how much control and consistency they have with the Tour wedge,” Solheim said.
Tour wedges (U.S. MSRP: $140.00 per club w/steel shaft; $167.50 per club w/graphite shaft) are available in three sole widths to 
accommodate different swing styles and playing conditions: the WS (Wide Sole); the TS (Thin Sole), and the SS (Standard Sole). “This is another opportunity to help the golfer find the wedge that fits their game based on their angle of attack and the course conditions they play most often. Each of the options allows the golfer to open up the face and play any type of shot they want in a given situation.”
Adjustability isn’t limited to the Anser driver and fairway woods. Earlier this year, PING became the first major golf company to introduce a USGA/R&A-conforming adjustable-length belly shaft with the Nome 405 putter. Since then, it has added an adjustable-length long putter shaft with the Nome 500 putter. “We saw an opportunity to expand on adjustability into the belly and long putter categories because getting the proper length in those types of putters varies greatly. The technology is easy to use and golfers can quickly modify the length of their putter to fit their body type, posture, and putting stroke,” said Solheim.
The Nome 500-gram Long Putter features an adjustable shaft that allows the golfer to modify the length from 44.5” to 54.5” using a PING wrench. The USGA/R&A-conforming telescoping shaft consists of a steel lower portion, a graphite grip portion and lightweight stainless steel locking ring. By unlocking the shaft, golfers can optimize length to fit their body characteristics, stroke type, and posture. A black alignment bar and white contrasting sightline on the head are intended to make aiming easy. The Nome putter is face-balanced and fits golfers who have a Straight putting stroke. It is precision-milled from high-grade aircraft aluminum and finished with a durable nano-nickel coating. The lightweight frame features tungsten sole weighting to optimize the CG and elevate the MOI. It carries a U.S. MSRP of $380.00
Anser Hybrids (17°, 20°, 23°, and 27°) feature a progressive center of gravity (CG) location, which PING said promote high launch and improved accuracy to gain added distance and control. Through internal and external weighting, CG positions vary in the four loft options to produce the desired trajectory for extra distance and improved accuracy, the company said. In the lower-lofted hybrids, the CG is slightly lower and farther back for higher launch and optimal spin. The higher-lofted hybrids have a more forward CG position to optimize launch conditions. The traditionally shaped head is larger to increase moment of inertia (MOI) and inspire confidence. The Anser hybrids (MSRP: $255.00 per club) have a dark, non-glare, matte finish to eliminate distractions.
The Anser Forged Irons (U.S. MSRP: $200.00 per club, steel or graphite shaft) employ an 8620 steel body and combines with a dense tungsten weight and internal cavity above the sole positioned close to the face to optimize the CG and elevate MOI, the company said. Predictable ball flights are achieved through progressive stabilizing bar technology. In the long irons, the bars angle out wider and are thinner, lowering the CG to launch the ball high. The bars get increasingly vertical and thicker through the shorter irons for more controlled, penetrating trajectories with high spin. A progressive set design makes it easy to launch the ball higher with the long irons and lower with the short irons for consistent shot making.
The Serene women’s driver (U.S. MSRP: $310.00 per club) employs an ultra-thin-crown technology in the wide-profile 460cc head that utilizes Ti 3-1-1-1 to create discretionary weight that was used to optimize the CG and elevate forgiveness. The lowest portion of the clubface is wide to ensure solid contact and maintain distance and accuracy, even on mis-hits. Two PING ULT 210D high-balance-point shafts, a Lite and Ultra Lite, have a CG closer to the grip end, PING said, allowing the golfer to swing a clubhead with more mass at the same speed, generating faster ball speeds for longer tee shots. Using a high-balance-point shaft allowed the shaft to be lengthened, without increasing swing weight, for added distance. It is being offered in 10.5°, 12° and 14° lofts.
The Serene women’s fairway woods (U.S. MSRP: $220.00 per club) feature an external weight pad that positions the CG back and slightly lower to produce high launch and increase the MOI. Keeping the CG from being too low helps produce moderate spin, which increases carry distance and roll for slower swing speeds. The clubface is slightly shallower to inspire confidence at address, and additional hitting surface low in the face ensures the ball will launch cleanly from a variety of lies. The fairway wood options are 3-wood (18°), 5-wood (22°), and 7-wood (26°).
In the Serene iron/hybrid sets, women can blend 4H (22°), 5H (26°) and 6H (30°) hybrids (U.S. MSRP: $117.50 per club) with perimeter-weighted 17-4 stainless steel irons to help launch the ball higher. In the irons, a deep CG and perimeter weighting increase the launch angle, according to PING and elevate the MOI. The irons have a camber and sole relief ensure playability from all lies. The Irons/hybrids (U.S. MSRP: $185 per club) are available: 5-9, PW, SW & LW wit
The Serene line also features putters with variable-depth groove technology. PING’s extensive studies showed a significant increase in ball-speed consistency when measured at nine points across the face insert. The grooves are deepest in the center and get gradually shallower out to the perimeter of the insert to ensure predictable distances and accuracy, even when the ball is struck toward the heel or toe. The insert is made of 6061-T6 aluminum to provide a crisp feel and sound similar to a traditional steel face. Perimeter weighting in the 17-4 stainless steel heads and a well-balanced geometry add to forgiveness.
Available in Anser 2 (Slight Arc), B60 (Slight Arc), Shea (Slight Arc) and Craz-E Too (Straight) models. The Anser 2, B60, Shea carry a U.S. MSRP: $162.50 while the Craze-E Too has an MSRP of $192.50