The Physics Of Forgiveness: Inside Ping’s Multi-Material Mallet Construction

Everyone knows and understands the importance of squaring the clubface when putting, it’s a key skill if you want to hole out more frequently from close range. But the forgiveness of your putter is arguably just as important when trying to eliminate three putts and shoot lower scores.

Forgiveness on putters actually comes in many forms. It starts with the design, and how different materials are used to drive up the Moment of Inertia (MOI) through perimeter weighting to increase the head’s resistance to twisting on off-center hits. Then there’s the role of the insert on delivering consistent energy return to the ball. Finally, we have the center of gravity (CG) position relative to the shaft axis and how this can create a more stable clubface.

TL;DR: The Ping Scottsdale TEC putters combine a multi-material construction with a weight-saving PEBAX insert to protect the face from twisting on mis-hits, maximising forgiveness which produces better distance control.

How does Ping's multi-material construction improve forgiveness?

Each head in the Ping Scottsdale TEC putter range comprises a lightweight aluminum body with a stainless steel sole plate that is three times the density to position mass low and to the perimeter. This creates extreme MOI or resistance to twisting as well as optimal CG for high levels of forgiveness and a consistent roll.

It does this by reducing the amount of energy lost when a putter head twists open or closed on off-center hits. The more stable the putter face can be, the more energy can be transferred to the ball. On a long range putt, it’s the difference between leaving yourself a nervy four-footer or a tap in.

A low CG also helps with launch. When combined with optimum loft, which on the Ping Scottsdale TEC putters sits at 3°, it creates the perfect launch conditions to minimise skid on the ball and achieve true roll earlier on its journey, helping putts stay on line.

The other thing that helps create forgiveness is the fact that every putter in the Ping Scottsdale TEC range is a mallet. Mallet putters by their very nature are larger and therefore have a deeper CG. This makes it possible to spread the mass further away from the CG, creating a much larger sweet spot and drastically reducing distance penalty when you don't catch the ball properly.

The Ally Blue H putter actually has the heaviest head weight in the range, providing maximum stability for those golfers prone to inconsistent strikes. On the Scottsdale TEC Hayden, the longer profile from front-to-back draws the CG back and minimise unwanted twisting at the point of impact. For golfers that prefer the all-white look and have a strong arc to their stroke, the Ketsch 4 is the perfect alternative.

How does the PEBAX insert improve distance control?

Don’t underestimate the role of the insert on putters when it comes to forgiveness and distance control either. The PEBAX insert on the Ping Scottsdale TEC putters saves valuable weight that can then be redistributed to the perimeter to provide even more off-center stability.

Much thought has gone into the material the PEBAX insert is made of too, specifically the durometer or hardness of it. Ping discovered a 40 durometer provides the perfect balance of speed and energy return with a soft and responsive feel, helping with forgiveness.

How does PING Scottsdale TEC reduce three-putts?

As with all Ping putters, the center of gravity in every Scottsdale TEC model is positioned behind the shaft axis to ensure it is pulled through the stroke for stability and less twisting. This should equal better pace control from long range and more holed putts from close to the hole, a potent combination when trying to eliminate three putts.

By pulling the CG during the stroke, it is more in alignment with the direction of movement, and that positioning tends to cause it to actually want to be more stable and aligned with the direction the head is moving in during the stroke.

To find the right Ping Scottsdale TEC putter for your game and benefit from the forgiveness on offer, head over to the Ping WebFit tool, where in a couple of minutes you’ll know which model will complement your stroke the best.