Ah, the intoxicating aroma of freshly cut bentgrass, the whispering pines, the strategic dance of bunkers and green complexes – these are the hallmarks of a truly memorable golf course. As a golf architecture enthusiast who has chased the dimpled sphere across 200+ courses worldwide, I’ve developed an affinity for designs that possess a certain soul, a philosophical core that transcends mere yardage and par. Today, however, my focus isn’t on the hallowed grounds of a legendary course, but rather on the legendary tools that have shaped countless rounds on those very courses, and the profound impact a single company has had on the game: Ping.
My journey with golf clubs has been a winding one, a progression of “first loves” that ultimately led me to a deeply personal connection. Like many, my early days were spent with what one might call the “crown prince of elite irons” in their era, Wilson Staff Dynapowers. Later, I dabbled with the sleek, space-age PRGRs, a testament to the allure of cutting-edge technology. But then, something shifted, much like a well-placed bunker in a Tom Doak masterpiece – the strategic element of Ping entered my life.
It wasn’t an immediate infatuation. The relationship with Ping, much like a complex C.B. Macdonald template hole, revealed its genius over time. It began in the early ‘90s, an era when Pan Am still flew, Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” filled the air, and my wife and I embarked on a European adventure. It was during a caddie tryout on the European Tour in Saint-Raphaël, France, for a Yale-educated journeyman named Peter Teravainen, that Ping truly entered my orbit. Peter’s bag was a testament to the brand: Ping irons, a Ping putter, and a white staff bag emblazoned with his name and, of course, “Ping.”
“Somewhere in those weeks I started leaving my toothbrush in the House of Ping. Part of the appeal was seeing Peter use his Ping clubs so effectively. (He was making cuts.) I’ve been playing Ping Eye2s, the model Peter played, pretty much since then.”
This early exposure wasn’t just about the professional game; it was about understanding a design philosophy that was, at its heart, revolutionary. Karsten Solheim, the visionary behind Ping, prioritized function above all else. His irons featured wide soles, high toes, and a distinct offset – elements that, at the time, must have looked as radical as a Pete Dye railway sleeper bunker to the traditionalists. The putters, the very first Ping product, were equally groundbreaking. The Anser, the Pal – these designs, initially considered “freakishly different,” became iconic. Tom Watson’s triumph with the Ping Pal and Tiger Woods’ early success with the Anser 2 solidified their place in golf history, proving that utility and innovation could indeed lead to beauty through performance.
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Courtesy Ping
I had the rare privilege of meeting Karsten Solheim once, during a factory tour in Phoenix three decades ago. He was 84, bent over a drafting table much like a sculptor contemplating his next masterpiece. I confessed my affection for the Eye2s, to which he famously responded, “We never made a better iron.” While others might have bristled at the statement, it spoke volumes about his singular focus. For Karsten, a man motivated not primarily by wealth but by the relentless pursuit of better tools for golf, the Eye2 was a pinnacle of functional design.
“I mentioned to Karsten my affection for the Eye2 and he said, ‘We never made a better iron.’ The others were less than thrilled but that’s what he said.”
Yet, even for a visionary like Karsten, the evolution of design is inevitable. Robin McCool, a retired Ping sales rep, offered a fascinating addendum to Karsten’s Eye2 sentiment: “But he also said this: ‘We’ve just started to scratch the surface.’” And scratch they have, through succeeding generations of Solheims. John A. Solheim, Karsten’s son, has stewarded the company for 30 years, evolving philosophies while retaining the core values. Whereas Karsten famously shunned “pay-to-play” for professional endorsements, John recognized the need to adapt, keeping top players like Bubba Watson and Louis Oosthuizen in the Ping fold. Now, John K. Solheim, the third generation, leads with a profound understanding that “Visual and tactile elements of club design — the feel of it, its finish — does in fact influence performance.” This is a sentiment I, as a golf architect enthusiast, deeply appreciate. A beautiful layout, a challenging green complex – these elements resonate not just technically, but aesthetically and emotionally, much like a well-designed club.
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Getty Images (2); Mark Peterman; Courtesy Ping
My Eye2s are my trusted companions on the course. They work because I understand their capabilities, much like I understand the strategic intent behind an Alister MacKenzie bunker. Their “throwback Thursday” aesthetic isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s a tangible link to a pivotal period in my life – the nascent days of my marriage, the discovery of Europe beyond the tourist traps, and the intricate dynamics of professional golf. I have multiple sets, steel and beryllium copper, all with black dots – a testament to the Ping fitting system. They are more than just clubs; they are vessels carrying memories of decent shots, appreciative playing partners, and the countless courses where they’ve helped me navigate the challenges.
The footprint of Ping extends far beyond my golf bag. From the Solheim Cup in women’s professional golf to the Karsten course at Oklahoma State, from their unwavering commitment to left-handed golfers to the perimeter-weighted designs that make launching the ball easier for seniors – Ping’s impact is immense. It’s a testament to a family business whose ROI, as beautifully put, “is commingled with our joy.”
“I have seen John A. Solheim, representing the second generation, dozens of times over the past 30 years, at Ryder Cups, British Opens, LPGA events, merchandise shows, in restaurants and hotel lobbies and at World Golf Hall of Fame inductions. (Karsten is a member.) He’s more fit at 80 than he was at 50. He’s out on the course at these events, strolling, watching carefully, typically with a friend or a family member or an employee. He’s always soft-spoken, unrushed, warm in his own austere way. On one occasion, I asked John if he was optimistic about the future of golf and he offered an unqualified yes. ‘Golf is such a wonderful game,’ he said. ‘It teaches you so much about life. There’s no game like it. To be able to play with friends, in beautiful conditions — this game has to grow.'”
John A. Solheim, at 80, embodies the enduring spirit of Ping. His unwavering optimism for golf, his belief in its life lessons, and the simple joy of playing with friends in beautiful conditions – these sentiments echo the very reasons I, and so many others, are drawn to this magnificent game. Ping isn’t just a manufacturer; it’s a legacy that continues to shape our experience of golf, from the tools in our hands to the very courses we play.
