Ping 2023 Putter Review

Name: Ping 2023 Putter Review
Brand: Ping
Price: 280 GBP

By Simon Daddow, Today's Golfer Equipment Editor

Published: 13 September 2022 Last updated: 06 September 2023

At a glance
TG Rating 5 out of 5
Owner Rating Not yet rated
Pros
- Excellent feel and alignment aid options.
- Forgiving multi-material constructions.
- Three excellent grip choices.
Cons
- It's not really a downside but there are only three new putter shapes within the family. The 2023 line up are predominantly already trusted models.
RRP £280.00

What we say...

The ten-model Ping 2023 putter family has different multi-material constructions to boost forgiveness and give golfers additional choice.

Ping drivers and irons have been right at the top of the game for years, but the brand’s flat sticks haven’t always shone in the same way against the best putters available.

Ping recognise they haven’t quite hit the heights they desire, and they’re now investing greater effort, time and money in understanding how their research first approach can help create better performing and more appealing putters to help golfers hole out more often.

What they’ve come up with is a brand new 10 model 2023 family, which their crack team of engineers believes offers golfers performance-enhancing choices that haven’t been available before.

What you need to know about the Ping 2023 putter family

Multiple materials for high MOI and a low centre of gravity

Multi-material putters are nothing new in golf, but what’s different with Ping’s approach in the 2023 models is using the idea in different ways to optimise each individual putter across the family.

It means across the 10 models there are three different head constructions. Each combines either 304 stainless steel, heavy tungsten or lightweight aluminium in a different set-up to optimise launch, feel and forgiveness.

Where do you need help?

Too many golfers buy putters based purely on how they perceive the weight and balance feels. Ping are much more into their stockists fitting you for a putter that compliments your stroke, so you get the model you love.

The brand ensure each stockist is decked out with a iPing 2.0 app (and cradle to attach an iPhone to your putter) to analyse your putting stroke, which in turn will identify which models are most beneficial to your technique.

As a general rule Ping say if your typical miss is a pull (left of the hole for a right-handed golfer), look at using a putter that’s aimed at more arcing strokes. Where if you regularly push putts (right of the hole for a right-handed golfer) look at models designed for slight arc and straighter strokes.

When it comes to distance if you feel your game could benefit from extra help and stability on shorter putts, look at a slightly heavier model. Where those looking for better distance control on longer-range putts will often boost their performance by exploring the brand’s lighter models.

Four faces

When brands launch new putters each model within the family will typically come with the same insert. Engineering teams will argue they’ve specifically tuned the insert to give just the right levels of feel, feedback and sound, Ping aren’t taking this approach this time around.

Instead, the ten 2023 putter models come with four different faces, all of which are optimised to give either a softer or firmer feel. Whilst it’s not possible to choose which insert or CNC Milled pattern is on your new putter, it does mean golfers get a decent choice in feel from within the very same putter family.

The four different Ping 2023 putter faces

Ping say the smooth milled aluminum TomCat 14 face gives the firmest feel. Then there’s a step down to the shallow milled Anser, Kushin 4, Shea DS 72 (& DS 72 C) and Prime Tyne 4. While the softest feel can be found in the Anser 2D, Tyne G and Mundy models.

Choose your alignment aid

Ping research everything to do with golf, their idea is that by better understanding golfers they’re in a better place to help them. The brand have even conducted extensive research into how golfers use and respond to different alignment aids on putters. It’s little surprise then the new 2023 putters come with a range of alignment aid options.

Ping’s VP of Engineering Dr Paul Wood told us the company create four different alignment aid types, which tend to cover off the look most golfers require.

The clean top rail

Clean top rail putters (where there’s no alignment feature on the top rail) often tend to be blades, and they regularly fall into the hands of golfers who like a simpler look and use the top edge to square up to their target.

The 2023 putter models with a clean top rail are: Anser, Anser 2D, Shea, DS 72, Prime Tyne 4

A golf ball width feature

Golfers like this style of alignment aid as they enjoy framing the ball whilst lining up at address. Some golf ball width features are subtle (just two lines) whereas others are much more explicit. Golfers comment on liking an indication of where the outer edges of the ball should be in relation to the putter body.

Ping 2023 putters with a golf ball width alignment feature

The 2023 putter models with a golf ball width feature are: Tyne G, Prime Tyne 4, Mundy, Tomcat 14,

A sightline that runs to the ball

This style of sightline runs the eye all the way through to the back of the ball, and here at TG we’ve always felt it gives the impression of knocking a nail in with a hammer when putting.

Research shows there’s a good match between people who say a putter suits their eye, and aiming consistently better, so it’s well worth seeking out a model you feel super comfortable with.

Ping 2023 putters with a alignment line that runs all the way to the ball

The 2023 putter models with a sightline that runs to the ball are: Mundy, Kushin 4, Tyne G

A long sightllne

Typically long sightlines are only found on bigger mallet and MOI style putters. It’s not a hard and fast rule but often longer sightline putters fall into the hands of less proficient golfers. Which sort of makes sense, as the better you are the less help you need at lining up.

Less confident golfers will often go for wider body, more stable mallet and MOI style putters because of the additional forgiveness, they then also get additional help aiming correctly.

Ping 2023 putters with long alignment lines

The 2023 putter models with a long sightline are: Tomcat 14, Mundy

Take your pick (there are 10 models)

Ping have worked for years to perfect a whole host of tour-proven putter models, so it’s no surprise to see the new 2023 family reinvent the Anser, DS 72, Prime Tyne 4 and Tomcat 14, all of which are proven tour winners.

The wide body Anser 2D, Tyne G and Mundy are new arrivals, whereas the DS 72 C, Kushin 4 and Shea are essential to give fitting options across a variety of strokes.

The family as a whole has at least one model for every single golfer on the planet.

Get a grip

We mentioned choice and options at the top of this review and they don’t stop at head shape and the feel you’re after. To ensure golfers get the exact set-up they want the new 2023 putter models also come with three grip choices.

The PP58 is a pistol-shaped midsize version of the iconic grip used by Tiger Woods throughout his career. In Europe this model comes as standard on all models, and Ping say it encourages squaring the putter face at impact.

There’s also the option of the brilliant Lamkin-produced PP60 (with an upcharge), this midsize grip has larger flat surfaces for increased face awareness. A straight taper PP58 S, which has pronounced flat surfaces is available as a no-upcharge custom order.

WATCH: Best 2022 Putter video

PING 2023 PUTTER MODELS

Ping Anser 2023 putter

RRP: £280

Body type / construction: Blade / 304 SS body with tungsten toe-heel weights

Weight: 345g

Stroke type: Slight Arc

Feel: Firmer

The Anser is a traditional toe and heel weighted blade, but thanks to new tungsten face weights golfers can expect additional MOI forgiveness performance. Very much the base profile for plenty of modern 100% CNC Milled putter models. A good fit for slight arc strokes.

Ping Anser 2D 2023 putter

RRP: £280

Body type / construction: Wide body blade / 304 SS body with tungsten toe-heel weights

Weight: 365g

Stroke type: Slight Arc

Feel: Softer

Wide body blade putters are a modern take on the classic flatstick designs that lots of golfers aspire to use. The wider body ups both confidence and boosts forgiveness.

Expect the 2D to be slightly more forgiving than competitor models that don’t have tungsten weighting. Ping say you can expect a slightly softer feel from the shallow CNC Milling around the insert, where the smoother mill on the Mundy will be ever so slightly firmer.

Ping Kushin 4 2023 putter

RRP: £280

Body Type / construction: Blade / 304 SS body with tungsten toe-heel weights

Weight: 355g

Stroke type: Strong Arc

Feel: Firmer

The Kushin has a more angular straighter edge look and the sightline’s moved from the cavity back to the top rail. A short slant hosel gives plenty of toe hang so the model is a good fit for stronger arc players.

Expect a firmer feel from the CNC Milled steel face, unlike the Anser 2B there is no face insert.

Ping Shea 2023 Putter

RRP: £280

Body type / construction: Compact mallet / 304 SS body with tungsten toe-heel weights

Weight: 360g

Stroke type: Slight Arc

Feel: Firmer

The compact shape of the Shea isn’t a brand new profile from Ping, but it’s one we haven’t seen too much of before. Very much a smaller, rounded back mallet, where the two DS 72 models have blunt straight backs which can help with alignment. A solid choice for slight arc strokes.

Ping DS 72 2023 putter

RRP: £280

Body type / construction: Mallet / 304 SS body

Weight: 365g

Stroke type: Slight Arc or Straight

Feel: Firmer

The archetypal mid-mallet putter. For golfers who hate distracting shapes, bright colours, too many lines and fancy graphics, the DS 72 is as simple and straightforward as mallet putters come. Viktor Hovland is a huge fan of the DS 72 shape, thanks to having a slight toe hang it’s a cracking option for slight arc strokes. It’s also worth noting this model is 20g heavier than the Anser 23.

Ping DS72 C 2023 putter

RRP: £280

Body type / construction: Mallet / 304 SS body with tungsten toe-heel weights

Weight: 370g

Stroke type: Straight

Feel: Firmer

Centre shafted putters are a love-hate relationship for lots of golfers. Fans will swear putting with a shaft protruding from the middle of the head is the simplest way to play the game, where opponents will say the set-up is super punishing on off-centre hits.

A great option for straight-stroke golfers looking for super simplicity when putting.

Ping Tyne G 2023 putter

RRP: £280 | VIEW UK OFFER | VIEW US OFFER

Body type / construction: Mallet – MOI / 304 SS body

Weight: 360g

Stroke type: Slight Arc or Straight

Feel: Softer

The Tyne G maybe a brand-new Ping model, but its design isn’t too dissimilar to the excellent Fetch model which has been an award winner here at TG. We like the slightly straighter edge design, where the Fetch is a very circular shape head.

The hole in the back acts both as an alignment feature (it’s the same size as a golf ball) and the games most discrete ball scoop.

Ping Prime Tyne 4 2023 putter

RRP: £280

Body type / construction: Mallet – MOI / 304 SS body

Weight: 365g

Stroke type: Strong Arc

Feel: Firmer

A modern fanged design that positions mass to the sides of the putter for additional stability. Having used one for years world No.15 Billy Horschel is a massive fan of the Tyne shape.

A short slant neck means the model has plenty of toe hang, which makes it a good fit for stronger arc strokes.

Ping Mundy 2023 putter

RRP: £280

Body type/construction: Oversized mallet / Aluminium body with 304 SS sole plate

Weight: 355g

Stroke type: Slight Arc or Straight

Feel: Softer

A brand new modern chunky full-body mallet shape that can’t fail to boost confidence sat behind the ball on the dancefloor. Three sightlines give both golf ball width indication, as well as a long centre line to aid with aiming squarely.

A great option for golfers who like using alignment lines on a golf ball. A good fit for straight and slight arc strokes.

Ping Tomcat 14 2023 putter

RRP: £280

Body Type/construction: MOI / Aluminium body with 304 SS sole plate

Weight: 380g

Stroke type: Slight Arc or Straight

Feel: Firmest (expect slightly more ball speed)

Big MOI putters that come laden with back wings are trending up right now. The new Tomcat 14 model builds on the success of its award-winning predecessor, the Heppler Tomcat 14. The 14-dot alignment system was inspired by the lights on airport runways, the dots get closer together the nearer they are to the face, which Ping say helps with eye tracking and framing the ball at address.

A lightweight aluminum body and heavier stainless steel sole mean this is the highest MOI (most forgiving) putter in the family. A great fit for straight and slight arc strokes.

Ping CEO & President John K. Solheim on the 2023 putters

“What’s most exciting about our new Ping 2023 putters is how different they are from each other. Rather than applying one common technology to every model, our engineers took a more singular approach, applying proven innovations to different head styles to improve the performance of our most popular designs while introducing some brand-new models.”

A ‘W’ in Detroit and another win for #PLD.
@tonyfinaugolf’s #Anser 2D was among the following PING clubs in play for his record-setting performance at the @RocketClassic: #G425 LST driver (9º), #Blueprint irons (4-PW), #Glide4 wedges (50/SS, 56/SS) #PlayYourBest pic.twitter.com/hULt8psOUv
— PING GOLF (@PingTour) July 31, 2022

“For example, several of the new models offer milled faces for a firmer feel and others provide a softer feeling insert. With all our putters, we put a high priority on delivering high MOI, clean-looking blade models with tungsten weighting in the heel and toe, including the new Anser 2D design inspired by multiple winner Tony Finau.”

“The use of aluminum and stainless steel in the larger mallet designs has resulted in some our most forgiving models to date, led by the Tomcat 14. Each model also provides confidence inspiring alignment cues, from single lines to multi-line alignment aids. It’s a very diverse offering but the one thing they all have in common is they offer precision performance on putts of every length.”