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Equipment

PING

PING began in Karsten Solheim’s garage in Redwood City, California. In 1959, his 1A putter made a distinctive ring when it struck a ball. The sound supplied the name.1

PING logoPING Mark unavailable
Archive-held mark. Date of introduction unverified. Logo source

Solheim placed weight toward the heel and toe, the two ends of the putter head. The purpose was to help the head resist twisting. PING’s early story is rooted in that practical problem: how to make a putter behave more steadily through impact.1

In 1966, Solheim sketched the Anser on a record sleeve, then made a detailed graph-paper drawing dated January 13. According to PING’s history, Louise Solheim suggested dropping the “w” from “Answer” so the name would fit on the head.1

The drawing shown here comes from Solheim’s 1967 design patent. It records the shape of a putter in precise views, giving us a dated object to study alongside the company’s own account.2

Karsten Solheim's Golf putter design patent, D207227, granted March 21, 1967. Three views of the design. Karsten Solheim Golf putter · D207227 View patent sheet
U.S. design patent D207227. The commercial model is unconfirmed.

At a glance

Early putter
1A, 19591
Anser drawing
January 13, 1966, in PING’s account1
Patent shown
US D207,227; granted March 21, 19672

Sources

  1. PING PLD, official company history

    History, Heritage and Legacy

    The original page is currently unavailable. Related PING references:

    PING putter history and designAnser 50th-anniversary release (2016, Japanese PDF)
  2. United States Patent Office, March 21, 1967; Google PatentsGolf putter, US design patent D207,227
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