One of the most interesting gear stories this week at Oakmont is the showing of Ping’s limited edition 50th Anniversary Anser putter.
Based on the original that changed the putting game and putter design forever, the limited-edition models, which will be officially launched shortly, are sand cast from the original molds in Northern California just like they were 50 years ago. The 50th Anniversary Anser also features same True Temper high-step shaft as the original as well as the same PP58 grip as the original, plus all the putters will be built at Ping’s plant in Phoenix, AZ.
The original Ansers were made from two slightly different molds, one of which was made by Karsten Solheim himself and the other by his son Allan, and the limited edition models will also be made from both molds and be sold separately. The only significant difference between the new models and the original is the addition of tungsten weights in the heel and toe areas, which bring the overall weight up to current standards.
Only 1550 total limited edition models will be available (775 from each mold), each of which will contain a unique serial number for collector’s purposes. John Solheim himself will personally grind the sole of each putter in the same way he did in the family’s garage in 1966 when the original Anser’s were made.
