PING signs short-game expert Stan Utley to represent company

(PHOENIX) – Stan Utley, a renowned short-game instructor and author, has contracted with PING to represent the club maker in various capacities, beginning with an appearance in PING’s exclusive custom-fitting area at this week’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla.

“We’ve known Stan since his college days at the University of Missouri,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “He played and won with PING equipment on tour and we’ve since watched him evolve into one of the most trusted short-game instructors in golf. We’re excited to have Stan back as part of the PING family as we share the same goals. We both want to help golfers play better and enjoy the game more. He’ll be a great asset to PING in a number of ways.”

Utley, who teaches out of Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., played PING equipment during his years competing on the PGA Tour. In the time since, he’s been coaching tour players, conducting short-game clinics worldwide, giving private lessons and entertaining corporate clients. He’s also on the instruction staff at Golf Digest magazine.  

“I’ve had great admiration for PING clubs ever since I played my first set in college,” Utley said. “In particular, PING’s fitting systems are the most thorough and precise in golf. As an instructor, it makes my job much easier because students improve faster when they’re properly fitted for their clubs. Their advancements in putter fitting with the iPING putting app and adjustable-length putters not only improve performance, but they open tremendous opportunities from a teaching and practice perspective. That’s especially exciting for me because helping golfers improve their putting is one of my passions.”

Utley, 51, was a two-time All-American at the University of Missouri and turned professional in 1984. He won the PGA Tour’s 1989 Chattanooga Classic, and three times on what is today the Web.com Tour. He still holds the PGA Tour record for fewest putts in nine holes with six at the 2002 Air Canada Championship. Utley is the author of four instructional books, “The Art of Putting,” “The Art of the Short Game,” “The Art of Scoring” and “The Art of the Swing.”

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