John Solheim machines an Anser 50th Anniversary putter - Photo: DR

Limited Edition High Strength Manganese Bronze Putters are available at PING Authorized Golf Stores worldwide. Each putter comes in a commemorative display box with a leather putter cover and a certificate of authenticity personally signed by John Solheim. The sale price is 999 €.

Photo: DR

"It was a fun project and being able to do it entirely in the United States is very special"said Solheim. “It brought back many great memories from the days in our garage near Scottsdale. The Anser is the most successful putter design ever and its place in history is undisputed. Who could have imagined 50 years after its invention that it would still be the dominant design on towers? It seems that golfers of all abilities have used an Anser putter at some point. This limited edition version is a tribute to that success and a look to the future with some of the technology we've added in the form of tungsten in the heel and front of the putter for perfect balance and weight. conforms to current standards. "

The original concept for the Anser putter was sketched out on a 78 rpm record cover by PING founder Karsten Solheim in early 1966. It was patented the following year. The name was inspired by his desire to find an "answer" to the putter popular at the time. His wife, Louise, suggested he call it “answer” but Karsten was concerned it was too long to fit on the toe. She told him to leave the "w" aside and the rest is history. He has become the most successful (and copied) putter model in golf, with over 500 touring titles to his name, including 19 major men's championships. His first victory came in 1966 at the Florida Citrus Open. Anser's first big win was at the 1969 Masters.

Photo: DR

Following the manufacturing process from 1966, the limited edition model is covered in sand using the two original tools (one machined by Karsten and the other by his son, Allan) at East Bay Brass Foundry, in Richmond, California. Who also sandblasted the original Anser. True Temper supplied the high pitch shaft, and Golf Pride (now a division of Eaton Corp.) cast the PING PP58 grip, both were models used in the original model. 3M, who supplied the grip tape in 1966, is the manufacturer of the grip tape in the new model.

The Anser Limited Edition is finished and assembled at PING's headquarters in Phoenix. The Tungsten heel and toe weights are inserted and precision machined with other key surfaces in the company's machine shop. Solheim personally chiseled the sole of each head before they were slightly aged before assembly.

"Most people don't realize the amount of handcrafted work it took to make the original Anser putters 50 years ago"added Solheim. “The spokes on both hand-machined tools were finished with sandpaper by Karsten. I made most of the original Ansers in the garage, starting with machining and engraving the raw castings through to final assembly. My brother Allan machined the second mold, which is slightly different and often called the “slope-side mold”. We wanted to bring this artisanal approach to the celebration of Anser's 50th anniversary and its remarkable contribution to golf. "

PING will produce and serialize 1.550 50th Anniversary Ansers for Right Handers, 775 of each mold. Putters are distinguished by a "K" (Karsten mold) or "A" (Allan mold) in the serial number inside the hosel. Left-handed models will also be available.

To know more : www.ping.com