Written by: Dave Wolfe (@Golfspy Dave)

So did anyone happen to picket The Masters?  I know, I know, we all watched The Masters.  Ane of the interesting things to remember near though is the dissimilar ways that we watched information technology.  I'm non talking about how we watched it: on the computer, the phone, HDTV, tedious regular TV, or uber cool Google Glass specs.  Instead, I am talking about what we paid attention to during the coverage.  Some of you zeroed in on the beauty of Augusta National, while some of you marveled at the beauty of Adam Scott.  The more gear-headed tried to see details nearly the clubs the pros were bagging, because evidently those specs would piece of work for Joe-average likewise.  I'm giving the gear guys grief, that's what I usually check out during the tournament (sorry Mr. Scott).  My putter-philia really takes over during the majors.  I desire to know what the best players in the world are rolling during such an important tournament.

In that location were a couple of existent doodle standouts in the coverage.  Jason Solar day's Taylormade Ghost Spider S Slant helped him to get close, over again.  Nosotros all saw Adam Scott bleed the winner with his supposedly unanchored long Cameron Futura X prototype.  I ordinarily don't pay as much attention to the custom tour putters  though because I know that I don't fiscally stand a chance of bagging anything with a Circle T on information technology.  Why I'm barely able to fund java at Circle K.  Rather than drool over putters I can't have, I always look for putters that we all accept admission to, no tour van required.  In my opinion, the putter that made the largest off-the-rack splash at The Masters was Angel Cabrera'due south Ping Scottsdale TR Shea H.  Mr. Cabrera came awfully close to chipping in on that offset playoff hole, possibly sending Australia dorsum with a 2d place, once again.  I think for 2nd you win the green boxers.  Anyway, Cabrera did putt lights out with the Scottsdale TR Shea H, but he was not the but Ping pro who performed well with one during the tournament.  Lee Westwood also bagged a Shea and finished T-eight.  Nothing bout-only almost either putter.  You lot tin can likely discover  an identical one in your local shop right at present.  That definitely warrants taking a closer await at a few of the models from the Ping Scottsdale TR putter line.

General Specs: Ping Scottsdale TR

  • Black PVD Finish
  • Variable-depth-groove technology insert
  • Fixed-length and Adjustable-length shafts
  • Multiple Shaft Options for Stroke-Type Plumbing fixtures (mallets)
  • Oversize Winn grip
  • Twelve Caput Shapes (Anser ii, Anser 2B, B60, Carefree L, Greyhawk, Piper C, Senita, Shea, Shea H, Tatum, Tomcat Due south, & ZB S)

Anser 2


Nosotros will showtime with the classic Ping head; the Anser 2 is truly iconic in the putter earth.  This version of the Anser 2 has a single sight line, full-shaft first plumbers neck, and fits a slight-arc putting stroke.  If you accept bagged an Anser two in the by, y'all volition immediately experience comfortable with this one at address, and then pleasantly surprised with the feel of the insert when it rolls the ball.

Piper C


It has been a couple of model runs since nosotros have seen a heart-shafted Piper C from Ping.  I think the last ane came effectually in the G2 line, and even that one was a bit different from this one.  The Piper C features 2 widely spaced alignment lines, a central white potato neck, and fits a direct putting stroke.  Non much start with this one, but that is what center-shafted players commonly expect for anyway.  The insert is wide across the face up and actually provides a great deal of forgiveness for off-heart strikes.

Senita

TheSenita is one of the ii big mallets in the line, with the other being theGrayhawk.  The Senita was also present in final years Scottsdale line, and I retrieve that comparing the 2012 to the 2013 Senita actually demonstrates the less-is-more comeback in terms of finish.  I plant the maroon color and white circle on the previous Senita to exist distracting, and definitely visually inferior to the new, simpler black and white scheme.  Additionally, both of the mallets in the Scottsdale TR line also characteristic the ability to customize the shaft to fit a players stroke like nosotros saw with last year's Ping Nome.  That means that you tin play the Senita with a straight, slight arc, or strong arc putting stroke.  Simply order it with the advisable shaft.  I tin't even think of whatever other company that is making a strong arc big mallet right now.

Tatum


The Tatum is a bit of an off-shoot in its head shape.  It'south a blade that plays like a mallet.  We are back to the blallet head shape.  I call back that this is the starting time appearance of the Tatum, but I am not 100% certain equally all of my research online seems to lead me back to Channing Tatum and I don't retrieve that his MOI conforms to the rules of golf game.  Unlike Channing, thisTatum has a expert deal of mallet-similar perimeter weighting, paired with a blade-like slanted neck.  The angle of the neck and the neck's position give the Tatum confront-balanced toe hang, perfect for straight "arc" players.

General Impressions

Looks

Ping has put together a great looking line of putters with the 2013 Scottsdale TR line. I think that that statement is pregnant, because their "looks" track record has been a little suspect in years past.  The 2012 Scottsdale line had way too much maroon and white.  The holes in the iN line prior to that were an optical miss.  The Anser Milled line is gorgeous, as was the, too higher-stop Redwood line.  Ping's entry line of putters has lacked visual pop, until this year.  Whoever decided to go matte black with elementary alignment graphics made the correct decision.  These putters expect great in play, on Goggle box, and seeing 20+ all lined up side-by-side in the pro shop is very impressive.  Fifty-fifty the large-headed mallets await SR-71 sleek with the blackness finish.

Feel

I love the feel of the Ping Scottsdale TR insert, and I really didn't similar the one in concluding year'southward Scottsdale.  This insert feels far livelier to me, really putting a nice gyre on the brawl.  Information technology's got some popular, and yet retains the soft feel that makes people look to inserts in the first identify.  That's only part of the story though.  Ping has done something novel with this insert; they have deadened the sweetness spot.  That'south correct, if you striking it in the sweet spot, it rolls less than it could without the deadening.  The result of this madness is that at present the edges of the insert are hotter than the centre.  With most putters, off eye hits volition outcome in a loss of distance when compared to the sweet spot hits.  By making the middle less responsive, Ping has really created an insert that should produce similar scroll distances, regardless of where you hit the insert. More consequent altitude, no matter where you hit the face up, seems like a bang-up recipe for the amateur and pro golfer akin.

Alignment

Alignment schemes are simple with the Scottsdale TR, and that's a great affair.  I call back that the simple black and white colour scheme combined with single sight lines on most models makes for putters that most players will experience comfortable aiming.  Even the Senita, with its complex head geometry, just sits on the turf and points its line at the hole.  These are very easy to aim as a result.

FIT FOR STROKE™

Don't alter your stroke. Modify your putter.

The Ping Scottsdale TR line features putters that will fit all 3 of the strokes identified by the iPing app: Straight, Slight Arc, and Potent Arc. A quick jaunt to the Scottsdale TR production page will let you lot know which of the other models in the line may exist right for y'all.  Remember, you can get the mallets with different shafts that volition allow fifty-fifty a strong arc histrion to roll a mallet.  No longer must the strong arc-ers be stranded in the state of heel-shafted one-half mallets.

Ping has also included adjustable shafts every bit an option in this year's line.  You lot tin can yet order your putter from Ping with a standard shaft, only the adjustable shaft lets y'all customize length all on your own.  There is a collar below the grip that releases the grip section from the shaft with the aid of the threaded tool (included).  Traditional models adapt from 31" to 38", belly models go from 37.5" to 46.5", and brooms can be adjusted between 44.5" and 55.v".  That's a pretty huge variation of lengths.  No longer exercise you need to promise that a shop has your correct length.  Now the shop doesn't even need to have multiple lengths in inventory.   Rather you can now just customize the length to fit the customer. That's pretty win-win on both sides of the purchasing equation.

Adjustment Note

The grip volition come all the manner off if yous open the collar all the mode.  To avoid  ugly drop-induced dings go on the caput on the ground when you loosen the grip.  Also, exist enlightened that the grip can also rotate open and airtight when you conform the length.  This will take the grip out of foursquare with the face up.  Some people will love this, as they at present can hands adjust their putter slightly open or closed without re-gripping the doodle.  If you want to become it back to foursquare though, it definitely takes some practice to re-square the face after adjusting the length.  What I found to work is to slowly loosen the squeeze until the shaft just turns.  The added tension from the just-loose clasp will hold the shaft in place a bit improve while y'all square the grip.  Only practice a fleck and you will get information technology.

The One For Me

Senita, no question.  I had fully expected to bond with the Tatum, as it has the square body shape that I seem to be leaning toward these days.  The Senita was way more consequent for me.  Honestly, I was amazed.  This may come as a daze to yous but I really didn't care for final year's Scottsdale Senita.  It was too big, busy, didn't feel that bully, and was overall uninspiring.  Yes, you read that right.  In that location is a putter out there that I don't like.  100% in the other direction we accept the Scottsdale TR Senita, one of my favorites to play on the course with this year.  The insert feels great, it'southward easy to aim, and playing to my golf game handbag vanity, the Senita looks amazing.  Information technology was painful to move on to other putters.  All for you faithful readers…

In Conclusion

Directly to the point, Ping has really nailed it with the Scottsdale TR line this year. There is swell variety in the line, both in caput shapes and shaft options.  The adjustable shaft may be a short-run novelty, or it may exist something that changes the putter market place, we volition need to lookout man and see on that one.  Huge kudos to the Scottsdale TR's insert though.  Information technology almost bagged one major victory already this yr.  I would not exist surprised if a Scottsdale TR gets ane (come on Westy).  The price is right on these likewise.  The non-adjustable shaft models can be had for near $150, with the adjustable shaft setting you back a couple of actress Hamiltons.It's a bang-up looking, great rolling putter at a solid toll point. Well washed Ping.