The PLD Limited Anser putter, the fourth 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, July 18.
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. Starting at this year’s Masters, PING began offering precision-milled versions of the putter models that won the four major titles that year (Pal, Pal 2, Zing 2 and Anser), with each being available on Tuesday of the event, giving collectors a rare opportunity to own a part of PING’s storied putter history.
The PLD Limited Anser honors Seve Ballesteros’ 1988 Open Championship victory at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club and marked the third Open Championship win for Ballesteros with the game-changing design. The Anser’s place in putter design history and record of winning is unrivaled, earning 19 major championship titles, the first coming at the 1969 Masters.
The 100%-milled collector’s item features a stunning antique finish reminiscent of the tarnished manganese bronze of the original Anser. Adding to the authenticity is the iconic floating face (aka sound slot) cut into the sole for a crisper feel and sound.
“Even though at the time it was the third major of the season, it’s fitting to complete this part of the ‘PING Slam’ celebration by recognizing Seve’s win at the Open Championship that year,” said John A. Solheim, PING’s Executive Chairman. “Seve was our most loyal and accomplished Anser user, earning 47 wins with it, including all five of his major championships. His victories are represented in more than three rows on a rack in the PING Gold Putter Vault and have helped make the Anser the winningest putter of all time.”
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 have been 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.
“Celebrating this achievement has brought back some wonderful memories from 1988,” Solheim said. “I’ve really enjoyed working with our team to ensure Karsten’s original designs remained intact while giving them the precise details and strikingly clean, premium appearance made possible through the milling process. The response of our loyal customers has been tremendous as each of the models has sold out very quickly. It’s been a great way to pay tribute to Karsten’s success and celebrate an accomplishment that remains unmatched.”
PING Slam model overviews and release timings:
Anser (Open Championship): Drops July 18 @ 2 pm ET
Material: 100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g), Antique 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.”
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.
Zing 2 (U.S. Open): (SOLD)
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.
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