Ping is known for both bringing a number of disruptive technologies to golf – such as perimeter weighting and an emphasis on clubfitting – while proving remarkably stable as a family-owned business. Company President and CEO John K. Solheim grew up in the business founded by his grandfather, Karsten Solheim, and took the reins as President from his father, John A. Solheim, who is now the company’s Executive Chairman. PGA Magazine recently talked with John K. about new products, the importance of PGA of America Golf Professionals on Ping’s business and what might be next from the company.
PGA Magazine: Ping started with a putter, and the company is now bringing a new style of putter to market. What can you tell us about it?
John K. Solheim: The putter category is very interesting right now. We’re excited to bring the new Scottsdale TEC putters (pictured) to golfers this spring. It has several advancements, including a new alignment technology. It’s called EYE-Q and is inspired by Quiet Eye research, which is used in several sports, to help athletes improve their focus in pressure situations. The mallets also feature a striking white finish which combines with the EYE-Q technology to aid in alignment.
How does Ping’s emphasis on fitting and technology amplify the opportunities for PGA of America Pro-fessionals to make sure they’re getting their members and customers into the best equipment for them?
Our commitment to custom fitting provides the PGA of America Golf Professional a tremendous advantage for several reasons. It starts with our equipment, which is engineered with custom fitting as a priority. We support that with fitting tools, technologies and training to help the PGA Professional earn the trust of their customers when it comes to equipment recommendations. Our Co-Pilot fitting software is an example of our goal to simplify the fitting process while making it even more precise. PGA of America Golf Professionals who become part of our fitting program understand the difference fitting can make in helping golfers get better and enjoy the game more.
With walking golf becoming more popular in recent years, how are Ping’s carry bags like the Hoofer evolving and helping walking golfers enjoy the game?
Our carry bag legacy dates to the early 1980s, so it’s been a key part of our business for a long time. Golfers have been extremely loyal to our bags, and we’ve been fortunate to enjoy the leadership position with junior and collegiate players. The Hoofer franchise offers a variety of features to best fit the needs of golfers. With the growth of the game and more golfers walking, we’ve expanded our carry bag options, including adding the ultra-lightweight Moonlander. I really enjoy walking and it’s the bag I prefer. For golfers looking for a “lux-style” bag, we introduced the Ping Reserve this year.
Ping has made significant investments in its manufacturing and back-office operations in recent years. How does that help PGA Professionals in the U.S. in terms of efficiency and turnaround time on orders?
We’ve invested significantly in our people and our processes in the last several years to ensure we can provide PGA Professionals with the highest level of service for their customers. We’ve improved our operations while adding more specialists throughout the facility to make us more efficient in our commitment to rapid and accurate delivery of custom-built products. It’s a key point of differentiation for us and one we’re always looking to improve upon.
Without spilling any secrets, do you see any advances in new materials or technologies coming that could be game-changers in terms of golf clubs?
As an engineering-focused company, we’re continually researching ways to improve golf equipment and fitting techniques. We see opportunities in several areas, especially custom fitting. The performance advancements we make in our equipment are amplified when someone gets custom fit. The PGA of America Golf Professional plays an important role in that process and part of our job is to bring greater awareness to the benefits of custom fitting.
