Best Ping Putters 2024
We check out the best Ping putters that are currently available on the market
Ping is an iconic name in the world of golf, with the company producing world-renowned designs like the Anser putter which is still prominent today and has spawned countless imitations from other brands. The brand is well respected in the golf community for making some of the best putters and they currently have several ranges on offer, including the PLD Milled, Heppler and the G Le3 ranges.
The PLD Milled range is Ping's flagship offering, with each putter taking over four hours to be precision-milled in Ping's factories. There is also the PLD Plus which allows you to customize your putter as well, including color changes, custom alignment markings and engravement options. Within each range of Ping putters there are a ton of options available to cover every type of stroke, personal taste as well as the type of greens you tend to play on. We have tested an awful lot of them, so let's take a look at the best Ping putters out right now.
Alternatively, if Ping is not for you, then we have also created guides on other brands, such as the best Scotty Cameron putters, the best TaylorMade putters, and even the best Odyssey putters.
The Quick List
Top pick
A stylish and classy looking version of the timeless Anser head that has been milled from forged steel. Combines an excellent feel with a graphite shaft for putting purists who prefer the clean look.
Most forgiving
The Ping 2022 Tomcat 14 is ideal for those wanting a large putter footprint. It's a well-made and very forgiving high MOI putter that delivers solid performance.
Best feel
The Ping PLD DS 72 face balanced mallet putter is an excellent option that offers good forgiveness plus a great feel from the milled forged steel head.
Best looking
The deeper profile of the Anser D gives golfers alignment help and forgiveness of a mallet, only in a blade shape, making this one of our favorite looking putters anywhere.
Best for alignment
Combining a premium aesthetic with a forgiving and easy to align head, the 2024 Ping Ketsch G putter also has a very soft feel to it thanks to the face insert.
Best armlock
Ping has combined the DS72 head with longer shaft to create this armlock putter. It won't be for everyone, but for skilled armlock players it will offer precision feel and is a great option.
Best Ping Putters
Why you can trust Golf Monthly
Top pick
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Ping Anser is the father of the modern blade putter and no range of Ping putters would be complete without one. In their 2022 PLD raneg of putters, Ping has included not one, but two Ansers! An original Anser as well as the Anser 2, a design that has a history of winning Majors going back to the 1980s.
A deep AMP aggressive milling pattern provides a cool and swirly finish on the clubface, while also reducing the number of contact points with the ball at impact. This giving the PLD Anser a much softer feel than some previous Anser designs. The plum neck offset hosel and long head that is counterbalanced with heel and toe weights means the Anser suits players with a slight arc in their stroke.
Aesthetically the PLD range really pops and in our view these are some of the coolest lookest putters on the market currently. The PLD Anser comes in an all-black matte finish and features a black graphite shaft that does not feel any different from the steel shaft you will find on the PLD Anser 2 model. Whilst we love the sleek-look of this putter, we have to mention that it doesn't feature an alignment tool. If that's a problem for you then the PLD Anser 2 model is very similar in design but comes in a brushed steel finish that has a center alignment line on its back to help improve your accuracy.
Both the Anser and Answer 2 models performed really well for us in testing and if you enjoy a traditional style blade then you'll love both of these modern takes on classic designs.
- Read our full Ping PLD Anser Putter Review
Most forgiving
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Tomcat 14 builds on the success of the Ping Heppler Tomcat putter and is an extremely forgiving high MOI putter that performed excellently on the greens during our testing. Visually it is very appealing, as the silver 304 stainless steel sole plate sits below a black aluminum body, continuing the sleek black and silver look which we love.
We noted that this is quite a heavy putter with a low center of gravity which pushes the weight of the club back to the corners of the clubhead. This really helps to maximize the MOI of the club by reducing twist through impact, helping you to strike the ball in the center of the face. This helps to make it one of the most forgiving putters on this list as it delivers consistent ball speeds off the face.
At address, the ball is framed very nicely by two aluminum bars on the back of the clubhead which feature two cool dotted alignment lines that we found really helped us visualize the ball's direction. While this is a subjective issue and won't bother everybody, the one slight negative we found with the Tomcat 14 was that it gave off a slightly tinny sound at impact thanks to the aluminum top on the club. This was only a minor complaint and overall we found this to be a very forgiving club that should be perfect for anyone who struggles on the greens.
- Read our full Ping 2022 Tomcat 14 Putter Review
Best feel
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Combining the style of classic Ping putters with a modern shape, the PLD DS 72 putter is a high-performance model that offers enough forgiveness that all golfers can benefit from using it. A premium forged 303 stainless steel head and a face that features an aggressive milling pattern really ensures a responsive feel and softer sound at impact.
We did not expect a forged head putter to feel this sweet off the clubface so that was a pleasant surprise, while we also found this putter gives great feedback. The rounded mallet shape has a very crisp finish to it and we were drawn to the subtly colored Ping logo on its back. We also liked the sleek steel design which features a handy alignment tool on its trailing edge that sits in a slot that is about the same width as the golf ball to help you line up your putts better.
That alignment is also aided by a straight double-bend hosel design that allows the golfer a clear view of the ball. It's a face-balanced putter that will suit golfers with a straighter putting stroke rather than an arced one. While it doesn't come cheap, thanks mostly due to this being a milled all-metal putter, it is one of the best putters for forgiveness on this list and provides an excellent feel through impact.
- Read our full Ping PLD DS 72 Putter Review
Best looking
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
We love the look, feel and performance of this new offering from Ping for 2024. It features a slightly different head design to the traditional Anser, while retaining the classic look that makes it so iconic. The Anser D is one of our favorite looking putters on the market currently as it ticks every box when it comes to aesthetics. From the classic looking leather head cover to the traditional grip and everything in between, we loved everything on offer here.
The 'D' in the name is because of the slightly deeper profile to the standard Anser, but not as deep as the 'Double Wide' models offered by some other brands. The Anser D has been designed to offer the stability and forgiveness of a mallet but in the stylish shape of a blade. Based on our testing we feel that the extra depth certainly adds a touch more forgiveness than you would expect from a typical blade.
We noted that it feels a little heavier than a standard blade which is to be expected given the extra real estate behind the ball. It is designed for a slight arc stroke so that added weight helps to keep the face steady on the takeaway and through impact. Overall the performance in testing was nothing short of sensational.
- Read our full Ping 2024 Anser D putter review
Best for alignment
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
As with the Anser D above, when it comes to looks the Ketsch really hit every box for us. The black and white contrasts very well from an aesthetic point of view, but it also really aided us when it came to lining up putts too. The overall footprint of the putter is quite large so that will heighten confidence for those who feel reassured by a larger head. The simple but premium headcover and grip also added to the great overall visuals on offer too.
When it came to actually hitting putts we noted that it felt very forgiving, as you might expect from such a large head. Despite its size there is nothing cumbersome about the Ketsch and we noted that it sat well behind the ball and felt very stable through impact. In terms of the feel, it was immediately evident how beneficial the PEBAX face insert was as we really enjoyed the softer feel and pleasing sound on offer.
Overall we would say that this putter brings a lot to the table. Aesthetically it looks great both on the green as well as in the bag, while it provides high levels of forgiveness and excellent alignment. We feel the Ketsch will definitely help golfers who need help getting the ball on line, so beginner golfers in particular will benefit although it may also appeal to the better player who needs a little bit more reassurance on the greens.
- Read our full Ping 2024 Ketsch G Putter review
Best armlock
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
A little bit more of a niche option now. By combining the DS72 clubhead with a longer shaft Ping have created this fantastic armlock putter that delivers excellent stability and control for those who enjoy using armlock putters. Armlock puters are becoming more and more popular and the most famous exponent of the armlock putter is Bryson DeChambeau who has used one to great effect in recent years.
If you are unfamiliar with how they work, the 41.5" steel shaft rises high up to your midriff and can be locked against your leading arm to deliver a high level of control and stability over your putts.
The extra length means it is quite heavy to wield, but when used correctly that greatly adds to the stability on offer. In testing we really enjoyed the feel it delivered from the face, with a solid connection and nice ball roll yielding good results.
While we think this is a fantastic putter, we feel that Ping should perhaps have put a larger mallet head on it, much like many of the flatsticks that feature on our best armlock putters guide. Perhaps they didn't feel it necessary due to the excellent customisation options offered by Ping's custom-fitting service. One final thing we really liked about this putter was that it comes with a very clear alignment tool on the head, so that is ideal for any golfer looking to improve their accuracy around the greens.
- Read our full Ping 2022 DS72 Armlock Putter Review
How we test
When it comes to product testing, our reviews and buyers' guides are built upon a rigorous testing procedure as well as the knowledge and experience of the test team. We test the putters outdoors on real greens with premium golf balls to get a thorough understanding of design features, feel, sound and looks.
Ultimately, we aim to be as insightful and honest as possible in our reviews so it is important to acknowledge that no manufacturer can buy a good review. This is because our team tells it how it is. To learn more about testing methodology, see how Golf Monthly tests products in our guide. Putter testing is also headed up by Golf Monthly's Joel Tadman as well as David Usher, who are ably assisted by other members of the team.
How to choose your putter
While the driver might be the more exciting club, when you consider that the greens are where golfers gain the most shots, the putter is arguably the most important club in your bag. It's certainly the one you reach for the most during the course of a round. Therefore we cannot stress enough the importance of having a good putter. One that gives you confidence when you address the golf ball and helps you sink the putts to get your handicap down. Ping is one of the best putter manufacturers in golf and offer something for golfers of all skill levels and putting styles, but there are a number of things every golfer needs to look out for when looking to purchase a new putter.
Head Design
Putters come in three head styles: blade, mid-mallet or mallet. All three styles have positives and negatives to them for every player but all three are packed with technology and innovations to help the golfer, so whatever you require there will be a top quality option for you.
Mallet putters tend to be much larger than blades and they usually come in various shapes and sizes. This helps in a number of ways. Usually most of the weight in a mallet putter can be found in the clubface, but because of its design weight can also be redistributed to other parts of the head which can help stabilize your stroke. This extra weight in the perimeter of the club-head offers better balance than what can be offered from a blade putter.
Mallet putters also usually have a larger sweet spot which is good for the player who struggles to consistently strike putts out of the middle of the face. The weight in the clubhead also helps here because it reduces twisting of the putter throughout the stroke.
Additionally, if you struggle with alignment, a mallet or mid-mallet putter will help as the extra depth in the head means they usually have longer alignment lines. Alignment plays a crucial part in putting because it is all about accuracy and a mallet putter can certainly assist when you line up the putt.
A blade putter on the other hand is a lot simpler in terms of design and will suit the traditionalists among you. Blade putters tend to suit players with an arc in their putting stroke because of the toe-weighted nature of the club-head, and they are usually preferred by golfers who rely a lot on feel when putting.
Feel
When we talk about feel, it's not just about the feel and sound the ball makes coming off the face, but also how the putter feels in your hands.
A quieter sound contributes to a softer feel, whereas a louder sound usually translates into a firmer feel. A firmer feel is often the product of shallow grooves or no grooves at all on the face, where sound can't be dissipated as effectively. They work better with softer feeling golf balls, whereas soft-feeling putters work best with firmer golf balls.
Feel can be altered to suit and you can get putters with adjustable weights in the sole that will alter the feel of the putter. So if your stroke is quite smooth and slow, a heavier putter will encourage that more. Jerky putters may prefer a lighter putter, although opting for more weight may reduce it, depending on what your goals are.
The putter grip plays a huge roll in the confidence you feel with a putter. Get one that feels right and sits in your hands comfortably while allowing you to return the putter back to the ball squarely and consistently.
Looks
You should get a putter that you like the look of as the aesthetics can play a role in inspiring or diminishing confidence on the greens. Blades won't offer as much alignment assistance but are still popular because of how they feel and the levels of forgiveness are increasing every year.
Mallet putters have more real estate, and can therefore provide more help to set the face squarely. Mid mallets are somewhere in the middle, offering a decent level of assistance without looking too cumbersome.
Value
Our final tip is to think about price because while there are some premium designs out there, there are also some models which offer excellent value. All putters will propel the ball towards the hole, but they do it in different ways. If performance is more important than looks or feel, there are lots of cut-price options out there that will do a good job and you can spend more money on other areas of your bag.
For more examples of some of the best putters on the market, take a look at our buyers guides on the best putters for high handicappers, our list of the most forgiving putters.
FAQs
Who uses Ping putters on the PGA Tour?
As Ping are renowned for producing high-performance putters, many PGA Tour Pros use their putters on tour. For example, Cameron Champ,
Corey Conners, Tony Finau, Tyrrell Hatton and Viktor Hovland.
What is the difference between a Ping Anser and a Ping Anser 2?
The Ping Anser 2 has a slightly longer and narrower profile than the Ping Anser. It has slightly sharper edges, but overall shares the same center alignment and geometrics as its namesake.
How do I choose the right Ping putter for my stroke style?
Ping models are designed for different strokes depending on the balance of the face. If you have a straight stroke, you'll want to try one of their face-balanced putters. If you have a slight arc, then try a mid-hang putter and if you have a strong arc, try a toe down putter.
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Dave is a distinctly average golfer with (fading) aspirations to be so much more than that. An avid collector of vintage Ping putters and the world's biggest Payne Stewart fan, in 2021 Dave turned his front garden into a giant putting green to work on the weakest area of his game. Progress has been slow but steady! In addition to his work reviewing golf gear and writing features for Golf Monthly and T3, Dave is the founder of the Bang Average Golf website.
Dave’s lowest round is a one over par 73 around Kirkby Valley Golf Club in 2018, which included a bogey on the 18th to ruin the one and only chance he’ll ever have of shooting an even par or better score. That errant tee shot on 18 does not still haunt him to this day though, in fact he hardly ever thinks about it. No, honestly, he doesn’t. Not at all. Never.
Dave splits most of his golf between Hurlston Hall Golf Club in Ormskirk, Lancs, and Berrington Hall Golf Club in St Helens and has a handicap that fluctuates between 9 and 12, largely depending on how poor his putting is.
Dave’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Wilson Staff Dynapower Titanium, 9.5°
3 wood: Cobra Speedzone, 15°
5 wood: Tour Edge Exotics 722, 18°
7 wood: Callaway Mavrik Max, 21°
Irons: Cobra Darkspeed, 6-PW
Wedges: Cleveland CBX ZipCore (graphite), 48°, 52°, 56°
Putter: Ping PLD Oslo 3
Ball: Wilson Staff Triad
- Sam TremlettE-commerce Editor
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