(PHOENIX) – The PLD Limited Zing 2 putter, the third of four precision-milled PING putters celebrating the brand winning all four major championships in 1988, will be available for purchase on pingpld.com, beginning at 2 pm ET on Tuesday, June 13.
Known as the “PING Slam”, the celebration recognizes a historic achievement that had never happened before 1988 and hasn’t happened since for any putter brand. Precision-milled versions of the four winning models (Pal, Pal 2, Zing 2 and Anser), respectively, are available each Tuesday of this year’s four major championship weeks, giving collectors a rare opportunity to own a part of PING’s storied putter history.
The PLD Limited Zing 2 honors Curtis Strange’s 1988 U.S. Open victory at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, where he won an 18-hole playoff by four shots. It was the first of two consecutive U.S. Open titles for Strange using the original PING Zing 2 model.
The “PING Slam” putters are fully machined and custom-built by PING WRX master craftsmen at the company’s headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. Each putter is serialized for authenticity and includes a custom headcover unique to each of the four major events.
Only 88 of each model of the handcrafted putters are being offered via pingpld.com for $990 (limit one per customer) during the corresponding major’s week. On December 5th of this year, collectors will have the opportunity to purchase one of 35 complete sets of the PLD Limited ‘PING Slam’ putters for $4,990 (limit one per customer), which will include a custom-designed display unit.
“We’re really enjoying celebrating the ‘PING Slam’ and reliving some wonderful memories from 1988,” said John A. Solheim, PING’s Executive Chairman. “Curtis’ thrilling win at the U.S. Open was soon followed by the U.S. Women’s Open champion using a Zing 2, giving us wins at both national championships that summer. The next year Curtis won the U.S. Open again with his Zing 2. That was a remarkable run for the Zing 2 and secured its place in PING’s putter history.”
In consultation with Solheim, PING’s engineers and historian scoured the company archives, reviewing old images and carefully measuring putter heads to retain the integrity of the four classic designs during the milling process. They even visited the PING Gold Putter Vault to study and analyze each model’s intricacies to ensure Karsten’s original designs remained intact.
“The ‘PING Slam’ celebration is a great way to pay tribute to Karsten’s success and all he brought to putter designs while celebrating with our loyal PING fans,” said Solheim. “A lot of what we did back then is still critical to our putter designs today, so we went to great lengths to maintain the subtleties of each model while giving them the precise details and strikingly clean, premium appearance made possible through the milling process.”
As part of PING’s Putting Lab Design (PLD) program, the PLD Limited concept offers collectible PING putter designs and celebrates the company’s unmatched putter success and heritage. The PLD Limited Anser Patent 55 putter was introduced last year and acknowledged the 55th anniversary of the granting of the Anser patent. Four versions were made available throughout the year, and each sold out in less than three minutes via pingpld.com.
PING Slam model overviews and release timings:
Zing 2 (U.S. Open): Drops June 13 @ 2 pm ET
Material: 100% Milled, 303 Stainless Steel, Natural Finish
Historical Overview: Inspired by the Zing model (a major winner itself), the original Zing 2 was cast from stainless steel but otherwise shared much of its predecessor’s design characteristics. It arrived on tour in 1984 and quickly became a favorite of pros who preferred a heel-shafted design, with the heel-toe weighting pioneered by PING founder Karsten Solheim. When the Zing 2 was used to win the 1988 U.S. Open, it marked the first of its three major titles – all three at America’s national championship, including a successful repeat the following year. It also was in the hands of the 1988 U.S. Women’s Open champion.
Anser (Open Championship): Drops July 18 @ 2 pm ET
Material: 100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy, Natural Finish
Historical Overview: The history of the famous Anser design is well-chronicled, from it first being sketched by Karsten Solheim on a 78-rpm record sleeve to his wife Louise’s idea to name the putter Anser, cleverly suggesting Karsten leave out the letter “w” in the word answer to ensure the name would fit on the back of the putter. Since revolutionizing putter design in 1966, the iconic Anser has been used to win every major championship – joined by only the Anser 2 as models to enjoy that claim. With 19 majors to its credit, the standard-setting Anser is still prevalent on tours around the world. It’s been used in more than 700 tour wins in its storied history – earning it the title of “Winningest Putter in Golf.” Adding to the authenticity of this 100% milled collector’s item is the iconic floating face (aka sound slot) cut into the sole for a crisper feel and sound.
Pal (Masters): (SOLD)
Material: 100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy, Natural Finish
Historical Overview: A five-time major winner before being used to win at Augusta in 1988, the Pal was introduced in 1971 and was a friend to many. Cast from manganese bronze, the perimeter-weighted head featured a shorter blade length and an Anser hosel. It was used to win more than 100 tour events, including three of the four majors (3 Open Championships, 2 Masters and 1 U.S. Open). In one stretch in the early 1980s, it was used to win the Open Championship three out of four years. It was also in the hands of the first player to shoot 59 in a PGA Tour event, in 1977.
Pal 2 (PGA Championship): (SOLD)
Material: 100% Milled, 303 Stainless Steel, Natural Finish
Historical Overview: The Pal 2 has the distinction of being the putter model that secured the ‘PING Slam’, earning it a unique place in PING’s history. Distinguished by its Zing-style hosel, the Pal 2 was cast in stainless steel and featured a white sightline along the trailing edge, along with other eye-pleasing refinements – making it a favorite on tours around the world. Its first major win came a year earlier at the ’87 Open Championship and it was also in the bag of the ’91 PGA champion.
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