Ping PLD Custom vs Artisan

[TM golf guy]

Has anyone done both? I'm very strongly considering doing one of the two and would love to hear feedback if anyone has done both fittings. I don't have a strong preference between either based on appearances. Would also love to hear more on feel between the two for those that have rolled both.

[Arlin964]

I have done both. The two putters that I got out of the fittings I will never sell. Even if I don’t use them every single round, I will keep them forever because of:

 

1) the sentimentality behind some of the design markings I had them put on

 

2) they are tools made JUST for me, and that’s cool

 

Between the two, I happen to think my Artisan putter is just a bit “cooler.” Many fewer people have an Artisan putter so it’s kind of a talking piece when anyone comments on how neat it is. Also, I could be wrong but I think Artisan has a bigger capability of the designs they can put on the putter with their laser engraving machine if that makes any difference to you. 
 

Im sure you’ve looked at the threads on here for both, so if the aesthetics of them don’t sway you, maybe some other things do. 
 

The Artisan fitting is awesome. The PING fitting is awesome. Customer service from both is awesome. 
 

Artisan putters come with adjustable weights you can replace so you may like that if you tinker with head weight. You have to purchase them, but they’re available. 
 

PING fittings are based on data first, then feel. Artisan fittings are based on a lot of art+science in the respect that John has the experience in his head and uses that to guide the fitting. He may not state the math behind his decisions, but you can be sure he has his methodology. John also tends to make recommendations during the fitting, so it’s almost like a lesson as well. 
 

I’ll grab some photos of my two putters to add here soon. 

[TM golf guy]

I wound up booking an Artisan fitting after I posted this topic. Looking forward to seeing your pics @Arlin964 either way. 

[Arlin964]

You won’t regret it. Fittings at Artisan are some of the coolest golf equipment experiences there are. 

[Arlin964]

Craftsmanship on both is wonderful. You might notice on the Kushin that the alignment lines aren’t exactly flush. That’s because I had them add the perpendicular line after some rework, and that was the best they could do since they already had the short line on there from my original design. Otherwise it wouldn’t look as “incomplete.”

 

[TM golf guy]

21 hours ago, Arlin964 said:

Craftsmanship on both is wonderful. You might notice on the Kushin that the alignment lines aren’t exactly flush. That’s because I had them add the perpendicular line after some rework, and that was the best they could do since they already had the short line on there from my original design. Otherwise it wouldn’t look as “incomplete.”

 

Thanks for sharing. They both look great. I assume the toe hang isn’t the same on those two? Do you putt better with one vs the other? 

[pkshooter]

21 hours ago, Arlin964 said:

Craftsmanship on both is wonderful. You might notice on the Kushin that the alignment lines aren’t exactly flush. That’s because I had them add the perpendicular line after some rework, and that was the best they could do since they already had the short line on there from my original design. Otherwise it wouldn’t look as “incomplete.”

 

 

 

Love the Boiler Up on the toe.

[Arlin964]

40 minutes ago, TM golf guy said:

Thanks for sharing. They both look great. I assume the toe hang isn’t the same on those two? Do you putt better with one vs the other? 

Right, the Kushin is pretty much face balanced and the Artisan has a bit of toe hang. 
 

PING’s stroke capture software had me just barely into the “slight arc” category so both can fit my stroke on any given day. I seem to putt about the same with both. If it means anything, I have made more 12+ footers with the Artisan than I have the PING. 

[robbie91]

Personal choice, both are excellent putters. I'd go Artisan. 

[BYK]

What’s the artisan cost?

[Arlin964]

Artisan fitting was $300, and the cost of the putter can range depending on finishes etc. Mine was right around $1100. 
 

Ping fitting was $200. The balance for the putter is another $1290 I think. But that covers all options. 
 

So it’s possible that either one could be more expensive. But pretty close to the same ballpark.