ping.com
Here’s a detailed look at PING (commonly referred to as ping.com in its web address), the golf-equipment company:
Overview
PING is an American golf equipment manufacturer based in Phoenix, Arizona. (Wikipedia) They produce a full range of clubs (drivers, irons, putters, hybrids, wedges), bags, accessories, apparel and fitting services. On their website they list drivers, irons, fairways, hybrids, crossovers, putters, women’s and juniors alongside bags, accessories, apparel. (ping.com)
History & Key Milestones
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The company was founded by Karsten Solheim in 1959. He’d previously worked at General Electric and started making putters in his garage due to frustration with available equipment. (Wikipedia)
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The brand name “PING” is said to come from the sound the club head made when striking the ball. (Wikipedia)
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A key innovation was the “Anser” putter model; and later perimeter-weighted irons (which spread mass around the club head to increase forgiveness). These became influential in the industry. (Wikipedia)
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Over time PING developed strong custom-fitting capabilities (e.g., offering different lies, offsets, bendable clubheads) and built a reputation for quality and innovation. (Wikipedia)
Products & Services
Clubs
Their club line includes multiple categories:
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Drivers: For example their G440 family (G440 MAX, LST, SFT). (ping.com)
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Wedges & putters: e.g., s159 wedges; Scottsdale and PLD putters. (ping.com)
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Hybrids, fairways, crossovers: They cover the full set for many golfers.
Bags, apparel, accessories
They offer carry bags, cart bags, travel bags; accessories like headcovers, towels, gloves; apparel items like polos, mid-layers, belts, headwear. (ping.com)
Fitting services
PING places strong emphasis on fitting: “Find a Fitter”, “WebFit Online Fitting” are part of their site. The idea being you match the club to your swing, body type, needs. (ping.com)
Brand Value & Reputation
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PING has a reputation for engineering-driven design rather than simply styling. The origin story (engineer in a garage) supports this.
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Their clubs are considered premium—targeting golfers who care about performance, durability, and good fitting rather than the bargain-basement end.
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They also emphasise “forgiving” designs (i.e., clubs that help recover from off-centre hits) especially for game-improvement irons and drivers. For example: the G440 driver is described as “the most forgiving” in their lineup. (ping.com)
Business Practices & Culture
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They offer trade-in and “move-up” programs (suggesting PING values customer loyalty and upgrade paths). (ping.com)
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They list environmental and supply-chain transparency commitments (the site footer mentions “Environmental” and “Transparency in Supply Chains Act”). (ping.com)
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Customization and personalization are part of their proposition (e.g., different models, custom colours, fitting, etc).
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They support women’s and junior product lines (e.g., G Le3 for women, Prodi G for juniors). (ping.com)
Strengths & Differentiators
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Engineering heritage: PING stands out because they emphasise design, materials, manufacturing innovations (e.g., investment casting for irons) rather than just branding. (Wikipedia)
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Custom fitting: Many players value being fitted to their clubs. PING makes that a key part of their offering.
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Full product ecosystem: Clubs + bags + apparel + accessories, so they cover much of a golfer’s gear needs.
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Reputation in premium market: If you’re seeking durable, high-quality gear and are willing to invest, PING is a strong choice.
Weaknesses / Considerations
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Price: Premium gear usually comes at a higher cost. If budget is tight, PING may be less accessible than value brands.
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Fit-dependence: Because they emphasize fitting, if you don’t get a proper fitting you may not extract full benefit of the gear.
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Less mass-market hype than some other brands: PING is perhaps less flashy in marketing compared to some of the bigger “lifestyle” golf brands, which may matter to some buyers.
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Availability in certain markets: Depending on your location, finding the full range or local fitting may be more challenging (especially in smaller golf markets).
For Whom It’s Suitable
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Mid to advanced golfers who appreciate equipment engineering and custom fit.
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Golfers who want clubs that help forgiveness and consistent performance rather than just “looks”.
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Buyers who plan to invest in gear for the long term (durable build, upgrade path).
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Occasional players can benefit, but may not justify the investment unless they value the fitting and premium features.
How to Get Started / What to Look For
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Visit a PING-authorized fitter: Having your swing analysed, lie angle measured, shaft flex and length matched is key.
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Review your needs: Do you need more forgiveness? More distance? Better short-game control? Choose club families accordingly (e.g., G series for forgiveness, Blueprint or i series for more player-type).
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Consider whole set: Since PING offers full club sets and bags, you might coordinate across driver, irons, wedges to match.
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Budget accordingly: Premium gear often comes with premium price. Include the cost of fitting, if any.
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Check local availability: In Indonesia (or your region) check authorised dealers/importers, warranty, etc.
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Trade-in / upgrade path: If you think you’ll upgrade later, look into PING’s trade-in or move-up programs (which they explicitly mention).
Key Takeaways
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PING has built its brand on engineering, innovation, and fitting rather than just marketing hype.
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Their product range is broad and covers all major categories for golfers: clubs, bags, apparel, accessories.
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Fitting is a major part of the value proposition. Without proper fitting you may not fully benefit.
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They sit in the premium equipment space—so cost and access deserve thought.
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For golfers who prioritise performance, custom fit and high quality, PING is a strong choice.
FAQ
Q: Is PING suitable for beginners?
A: Yes — but the value may depend on how much you’ll benefit from the premium features and fitting. A beginner who plans to play regularly could absolutely invest in PING, especially if they can get fitted and commit to improving. But if you’re just going to play casually a few times, a more value-oriented brand might suffice.
Q: What does “fitting” mean here?
A: It means being matched to the right shaft length, flex, club head type, lie angle, offset etc for your swing. PING emphasises this. If you just pick off-the-rack without fit, you might not optimise the club’s benefits.
Q: Are their irons more forgiving than other brands?
A: In many of their “game-improvement” series they emphasise forgiveness (e.g., perimeter weighted irons). PING was a pioneer in these design concepts. (Wikipedia) But forgiveness will always vary by model and by how well you’re fitted.
Q: How about bags and apparel — are they that good?
A: Yes, they offer carry bags, cart bags, travel bags designed with organisation and features (for example their “Traverse” cart bag with a 14-way top). And apparel is golf-specific, designed for style and function (polos, mid-layers, belts). (ping.com) So if you want your gear to match your clubs in brand/style, it’s all available.
Q: Can I buy PING gear from Indonesia / internationally?
A: Likely yes via authorised dealers or import. But check warranty, shipping, local support and fitting availability. If there’s a local PING fitter that’s ideal. Also check duty/taxes if importing.
Q: How often do they release new models?
A: They appear to update product lines regularly. For example their media/news section lists new i240 irons, iDi driving iron, s159 wedge, G440 driver family with dates in 2024-25. (ping.com) So expect periodic updates.
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