Ping's Hovland Edition putter is milled from 1018 carbon steel and comes in a handcrafted patina finish.
Jonathan Wall/GOLF
Limited releases have grown in popularity over the last few years. In many cases, demand has outpaced supply and golfers who really wanted a putter or iron set were left out in the cold.
This exact scenario played out late last year when Ping released an exact replica of Viktor Hovland’s Ping PLD DS72 limited to 100 pieces. The putters went fast, even with a $990 price tag.
Realizing not everyone had the opportunity to score a Hovland putter, Ping opted to create another version of the “Hovi” for a wider audience.
Even better? The putter will be offered through authorized Ping retailers, not sold direct like the Hovland Limited from last year. And with a larger quantity to go around, there’s a good chance you won’t strike out this time.
Each special edition putter is precision milled, finished and custom built through PING’s Wrx department. The head is milled from 1018 carbon steel and handcrafted in a patina finish that was only been available through the PLD custom program in the past.
The 360-gram head weight is identical to Hovland’s gamer. So, too, is the single top-rail sightline and ball-width back-cavity alignment feature. A smooth-milled face on the mid-mallet DS72 profile should appeal to golfers who prefer a firmer feel at impact.
In a nod to Hovland’s love for all things Oklahoma State — he still lives in Stillwater, Oklahoma — the putter is outfitted with a black-and-orange Ping putter grip and protected by a, you guessed it, custom putter cover in the same colorway.
The 35-inch chrome stepless steel shaft features a double-bend that’s geared for those with a straight stroke type. Ping’s PLD Milled SE DS72 Hovland Edition putter is offered through Ping authorized retailers (Fairway Jockey included) for $485.
Jonathan Wall is GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com’s Managing Editor for Equipment. Prior to joining the staff at the end of 2018, he spent 6 years covering equipment for the PGA Tour. He can be reached at jonathan.wall@golf.com.