50 year old putter.

[jslane57]

I've been using a Ping My Day from the 1967 range. 50 years old! When I put a good stroke on the ball, it goes as well as any of them. And it's pretty forgiving too. Anyone else currently using a club that is half a decade old without sacrificing playability?

[Sumbuba]

I've been using a Ping My Day from the 1967 range. 50 years old! When I put a good stroke on the ball, it goes as well as any of them. And it's pretty forgiving too. Anyone else currently using a club that is half a decade old without sacrificing playability?

 

I have a Ping Anser I first put in my bag around around 1974 and just recently put back in my bag. Not yet 50 years but fully suspect I will be celebrating that anniversary with that putter. Still with the original grip that is starting to dry rot though. How do I keep it "original" with a new grip ?

[Jack Pearsall]

In the end, you are hitting a ball into a hole while probably wearing ugly clothes.

 

[Kingcat990]

In the end, you are hitting a ball into a hole while probably wearing ugly clothes.

 

I have yet to see a 50+ year old golfer with a flat brim hat on. So ugly clothes is questionable.

[jslane57]

I've been using a Ping My Day from the 1967 range. 50 years old! When I put a good stroke on the ball, it goes as well as any of them. And it's pretty forgiving too. Anyone else currently using a club that is half a decade old without sacrificing playability?

 

I have a Ping Anser I first put in my bag around around 1974 and just recently put back in my bag. Not yet 50 years but fully suspect I will be celebrating that anniversary with that putter. Still with the original grip that is starting to dry rot though. How do I keep it "original" with a new grip ?

Nice putter! You can buy a Ping grip or a Pro Only grip and it stays close. If you really don't want to change the grip, you can get a thin over grip for a tennis racket. To me it depends on the shaft label. If the shaft label is perfect, it seems worth putting a Ping grip on it, or using an overgrip to protect the original. I've got an Anser like yours and I put a standard/thin Pro Only grip on it and it is great. My My Day has a knock off grip on it , the label is worn off, and I just enjoy using the club. While nice clubs and maybe even collectible, if you like the club, you may as well use it!

[Munich77]

I have a beat up Ram Zebra putter that I bought in the 1990s. I am guessing circa 1995 or 1996. It still works like a charm

[vartanick]

pics?

[danattherock]

Yep, pics needed.

 

 

Mine aren't that old, but I bought 4-5 older highly polished Ping BECU putters from Heinen Kugels here. Amazing putters. Great feel.

 

 

Dan

[jslane57]

 

A pic of a few of my Pings. The My Day is the oldest. Then the Anser. I probably putt the best with the Zing and the My Day. The Pal was one I really wanted to like, but it is just kind of blah...

[kwcsports]

I've got a Ping Zing from the late 60's to early 70's

[danattherock]

Awesome collection. If desired, you could get a sight dot milled on top, rather than paint. Or even a refinish, or copper plate. Skies the limit.

 

 

Dan

[smellysell]

Got me looking at Zings on ebay now. Is there an easy way to tell which are the BeCu? Not often listed on them.

[ColinKelvin]

Got me looking at Zings on ebay now. Is there an easy way to tell which are the BeCu? Not often listed on them.

 

Ping only made the original Zing in manganese bronze. The becu model was the Zing 2 (or Zing 5, with a long hosel), which also came in stainless and nickel.

[danattherock]

Was on EBay the other day. Lots of Ping BECU putters, pal 2, anser 2, and zing 2 among my favorite, of the 4-5 I bought a few years back. Heinen Kuegels, or similar, is our resident expert on these. He restores them, sells them at times, and collects. Emailed him the other day, looking for a BECU B60. If you search threads about Ping BECU here, you'll find him. He highly polished, think looking brand new, all the Ping BECU putters I bought. Nice work.

 

Pics here....

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/579453-my-new-pair-of-polished-ping-becus-pics/

 

 

Dan

[smellysell]

Got me looking at Zings on ebay now. Is there an easy way to tell which are the BeCu? Not often listed on them.

 

Ping only made the original Zing in manganese bronze. The becu model was the Zing 2 (or Zing 5, with a long hosel), which also came in stainless and nickel.

 

Good to know, thanks. Original Zing is the one I'm interested in, so perfect! No health concerns with sanding the bronze I'm assuming?

[augustgolf]

I still game an original John Reuter Acushnet Bullseye LaFemme that I've had since the early 60's. It was pretty old then, still has the original leather wrap grip, now secured at the bottom with a little packing tape. Also has the pencil thin shaft, that could be found in the Spalding "Cash In" putters and also some TP Mills putters, of which I also have a few, but don't play with them.

 

Pics to come.

[super20dan]

the ping putters were so far ahead of the game back then . they stand the test of time even today. i putt well with an old my day also. also i never could get on well with the pal either . i wanted too as tom watson was my golf hero

[Sporting chance]

A 'modern' MyDay in black polymer and black shaft. Turns heads!!

 

[Dave D]

A 'modern' MyDay in black polymer and black shaft. Turns heads!!

 

that looks badass, shame there's not an easy way of getting the headweights up to 350 gram area because I love my old my day, just too light in the head for me

[danattherock]

Two of mine...

 

 

[ColinKelvin]

Got me looking at Zings on ebay now. Is there an easy way to tell which are the BeCu? Not often listed on them.

 

Ping only made the original Zing in manganese bronze. The becu model was the Zing 2 (or Zing 5, with a long hosel), which also came in stainless and nickel.

 

Good to know, thanks. Original Zing is the one I'm interested in, so perfect! No health concerns with sanding the bronze I'm assuming?

 

I'm not an expert on refurbs (Heinenkugels, as mentioned above, is definitely your man re: restoring classic Pings) but as far as I know, it's only becu dust (and, I guess, maybe beni?) which is dangerous. I have never heard of MgBrz sanding having associated health risks.

 

The Zing is a great putter design. The only other difference between it and the Zing 2 is that the latter has a slightly slimmer and longer (from heel to toe) head shape, and white/black/gold paintfill depending on material. The Zing is a bit wider, and has no paintfill unless added later.

[smellysell]

Got me looking at Zings on ebay now. Is there an easy way to tell which are the BeCu? Not often listed on them.

 

Ping only made the original Zing in manganese bronze. The becu model was the Zing 2 (or Zing 5, with a long hosel), which also came in stainless and nickel.

 

Good to know, thanks. Original Zing is the one I'm interested in, so perfect! No health concerns with sanding the bronze I'm assuming?

 

I'm not an expert on refurbs (Heinenkugels, as mentioned above, is definitely your man re: restoring classic Pings) but as far as I know, it's only becu dust (and, I guess, maybe beni?) which is dangerous. I have never heard of MgBrz sanding having associated health risks.

 

The Zing is a great putter design. The only other difference between it and the Zing 2 is that the latter has a slightly slimmer and longer (from heel to toe) head shape, and white/black/gold paintfill depending on material. The Zing is a bit wider, and has no paintfill unless added later.

 

I thought it had a different neck too, but could definitely be wrong.

[danattherock]

Beryllium copper is dangerous in manufacturing process as I recall. Nothing dangerous about the finished product.

[brew4eagle]

Beryllium is toxic, so whether BeCu or BeNi, it's the Be to beware of. However, it's unlikely to be a concern when working on 1 BeCu or BeNi putter for a personal project. From OSHA site:

 

Why is beryllium a hazard to workers?

Workers in industries where beryllium is processed may be exposed to beryllium by inhaling or contacting beryllium in the air or on surfaces. Inhaling or contacting beryllium can cause an immune response that results in an individual becoming sensitized to beryllium. Individuals with beryllium sensitization can develop a debilitating disease of the lungs called chronic beryllium disease (CBD) if they inhale airborne beryllium after becoming sensitized. Beryllium-exposed workers may also develop other adverse health effects such as acute beryllium disease, and lung cancer. See the Health Effects section of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for beryllium for more information.

[brew4eagle]

I recently bought a new Wilson 8802 Milled putter that obviously isn't 50+ years old. However, it doesn't have any tech advances that would affect performance vs. a 50+ year old 8802, except maybe the milled face (?). And it definitely gets the job done based on my initial testing. Loving this putter so far. I always end up back with a heel-shafted blade after going in search of a 'better' putter.

[danattherock]

If you ever want something special, try to buy a Yamada Razor with burning copper finish. I own two Yamadas, they are my favorite putters. Amazing feel. Just special. Must be the carbon he uses, not sure. But hot butter.

 

John Muir or Joe Kwok would be who to contact.

 

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/331536-yamada-razor/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dan

[brew4eagle]

^Assume this was directed to me- I appreciate the recommendation, but there is nothing I'd improve/change on the 8802 Milled. It's perfect, so far at least.

[DLBullseye]

I play a 1950's Bullseye 5A Original with the brass head and fluted shaft. I own about a dozen various John Reuter Jr. Brass Bullseyes and a couple of recent day Mizuno copies.

[onafriday]

In the end, you are hitting a ball into a hole while probably wearing ugly clothes.

 

I have yet to see a 50+ year old golfer with a flat brim hat on. So ugly clothes is questionable.

 

 

[augustgolf]

I recently bought a new Wilson 8802 Milled putter that obviously isn't 50+ years old. However, it doesn't have any tech advances that would affect performance vs. a 50+ year old 8802, except maybe the milled face (?). And it definitely gets the job done based on my initial testing. Loving this putter so far. I always end up back with a heel-shafted blade after going in search of a 'better' putter.

 

You are correct in stating that it doesn't have any tech advances that would affect performance vs the 50+ year old 8802, except maybe the milled face.

 

What people today fail to take into account is the metal from which the old putter heads were made. This is back in the day when steel was made in America, and it's quality was unquestioned, especially when it came to what went into golf clubs.

 

This whole "insert" thing in putters came about as the ball became harder. Softer inserts were necessary to make up for the lack of feel.

 

Another is the height of the putter face. For those unfamiliar, one way to tell the original 8802's was the nickel test. When a nickel was placed on the face of the putter, it fit exactly so that no part of it extended above or below the face.

 

 

 

 

 

This combination of "soft" iron and a center of gravity of the flange designed to work with the face height created an instrument capable of exceptional feel and roll.

 

Bullseye putters were another example. Their soft brass construction meant that the faces dinged up pretty easily, which did nothing to affect the roll of the ball, but putting a true balata ball with an old Bullseye putter was (and still is) an experience in softness.

 

Growing up on bent greens, I can attest to the fact that it became difficult to control the speed of putts when using the harder Ping putters and surlyn covered balls, such as Top-Flites, Pinnacles, or even the relatively soft Wilson LD.