Since Karsten Solheim founded Ping in 1959, the company has been making some of the game’s most forgiving “player-friendly” products. When you consider innovations like the Anser putter, perimeter weighting, the Eye2 wedge and full club lines that feature high MOI tech, it’s easy to draw a straight line from Ping to the improved play of weekend warriors.
In my many years as a brand-agnostic club-fitter, I’ve detected common trends that connect companies’ product releases from one year to the next. Among my clients, Ping has earned the reputation as the “go-straight company.”
In 2022, Ping released the ChipR, which, just as it sounds, combines features of a wedge and putter. While some players may scoff at the idea of such a mashup, this short-game weapon is a struggling duffer’s dream.
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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore | Ping
When I took out the ChipR for a few rounds of testing, I benched the wedges I typically would use around the green (other than the occasional bunker shot) and used the ChipR for every shot inside 50 yards. I found it to be not only easy to control distance on a variety of approach shots but also much easier to play from tight lies around the green, which is boon for a player like me who has struggled with touch on pitch and chip shots.
The ChipR’s ease of use also gets high marks: It works great with a simple putting stroke. With a heavier swing weight and 38.5 degrees of loft, the ball pops off the face and starts rolling quickly. I found this kind of shot to be more consistent than flying a high lofted wedge to the hole and hoping it had the correct spin to stop inside my putting “comfort zone.” If your short game is a mix of bladed shots, chunked chips and prayers to the golf gods, the ChipR is a fantastic option.
Fast forward to 2025 and Ping’s latest entry to the “short-game saviors” category: the BunkR, which makes even the deepest greenside bunker shots manageable. With 64 degrees of loft, 14.5 degrees of bounce and a full wide sole, this club is a short-game cheat code.
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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore | Ping
Ping engineered the BunkR to be played with a square face and from a more neutral setup position. While it took a few reps on the practice green to get comfortable with the club — and a few undercut “air balls” from the sand — I soon found the BunkR’s sweet spot.
The club really came to life when I stopped trying to make it do more than it was designed to do. Fitter tip: This is not the club for you if you want to lay the face open and hit high, soft flop shots. Secret is, keep it simple. Square the face and let the loft do its job. With all the club’s stability, you’ll see solid results even if you miss the center of the face.
Ping’s creative specialty clubs aren’t for everyone, but they do provide significant performance benefits for GIN’s (golfers in need). If you struggle with chipping consistency, the ChipR delivers. If bunker shots keep you at night, the BunkR will help you rest easy.
And if both shots give you trouble? No shame in putting both clubs in your bag.
To dial in the perfect wedges for your game, consult a fitter at your local True Spec Golf.
