How classic is the Ping Anser 2?

[Ogre41]

I've been toying with the idea of a classic bag and I think I have narrowed down to everything but the putter. The driver is a Hogan Speedslot. The fairways are black Hogan laminates. The irons are Hogan Percussion Center blades. And the sand wedge is a Wilson R20. The question is, would a stainless Ping Anser 2 classic enough for this setup? I have other options like a really fat bullseye or my grandfather's old Baron, but the Ping feels the best so far.

[LUMA]

Why not go with a mag-bronze anser? That way you get the patina. I have one from the 70's that makes the bag every once in awhile.

[Ogre41]

[quote name='mLuMaN83' timestamp='1293743401' post='2866506']
Why not go with a mag-bronze anser? That way you get the patina. I have one from the 70's that makes the bag every once in awhile.
[/quote]



That's a solid idea. The only thing is I have the stainless one already. But an old maggy bronze Anser with a nice dark patina is an excellent thought.

[LUMA]

You can find em on ebay for like $60 bucks. I got mine from my dad who got it from his dad. Gonna keep passing it down. Gotta keep golf in the family!

[professor_doom]

Go with a mag bronze ping if you really want a heel-toe weighted putter. I've got a Scottsdale-era Kushin that works great on slow and moderate greens. I commit the unspeakable heresy of polishing it on a regular basis, as I've never really liked the patina look. The Kushins can generally be had dirt cheap, and are unmistakably classic. The steel pings draw a "meh" from me--they don't look too different from something you can pick up at a Golf Galaxy or Sports Authority today.

[Ironmaster Oddities]

I am somewhat of a purist when it comes to defining classic golf clubs. I am a flanged, heel-shafted putter fan; so I admit my opinion might be too conservative. But,
I feel that, in general, Ping golf clubs that weren't made in Scottsdale or Redwood City are definitely not classics. Although some of the earler Phoenix stuff might fit in, any putter in cast stainless or with a sequel # Anser 2)is way too new. Get yourself an earlier Brass/bronze Anser, Cushin, or 1-A and you've got action.
'm sure that a big part of my reactionary opinion is that Karsten Solheim wasa the Copernicus or DaVinci of golf. He rocked that world and it rang the death knell for Classic stuff. While not classics, Pings are Transitiional technological masterpieces. Tran-tech might be a better description. On the flip side, that's also one reason classics are so much fun to collect and play.
Give me the good stuff made before 1960,plus the obvious somewhat newer exceptions: Wilson 8802, 8813, dbAP Putters, Geo. Low Wizard 600 Putter, 1960's Staff Dynapower and MacGregor VIP irons. Wood Brothers and Early Cleveland drivers are beautiful and seem like they were classics the day they were made. But chronologically, they are a bit of a reach for me.
Bob

[Lateisgr8]

[quote name='Ogre41' timestamp='1293741852' post='2866468']
I've been toying with the idea of a classic bag and I think I have narrowed down to everything but the putter. The driver is a Hogan Speedslot. The fairways are black Hogan laminates. The irons are Hogan Percussion Center blades. And the sand wedge is a Wilson R20. The question is, would a stainless Ping Anser 2 classic enough for this setup? I have other options like a really fat bullseye or my grandfather's old Baron, but the Ping feels the best so far.
[/quote]


That's a great set of sticks. I remember when those Hogan PC's first came out and the "rich boy" who worked in the bagroom with me got a shiny new set. I tried to hide it, but maaaaan was I envious.

To address your original question, Yeah, I would get a bronze Ping Anser just because its so iconic. The vast majority of them will never be "rare", but so what? Its a great putter to just have. I've still got one even though I don't use it.

My philosophy is, "Nobody has all the Ansers, but everyone should have one good one ready to go."

[dalehead]

IMHO the Anser 2 qualifies as a classic, as long as it is one of the original stainless steel models and not one of the later generations.

There is a difference between iconic (Scottsdale Anser, 8802) and classic.

Don't look now but the Anser 2 design is sneaking up on 30 years old. Add to that the classic players who have gamed one: Norman, Payne Stewart, Tiger, etc., and I think that strengthens the case.

Finally, anyone who considers Wood Bros. and Cleveland Classic woods of a similar vintage to be classics (and I do) has to give some props to the Anser 2.

[FLOGMR]

You want a Classic Ping putter?? It had better be an "Original" Scottsdale Anser.

[Ironmaster Oddities]

Absolutely, RM! Scottsdale Anser was made famous by the likes of Tom Watson (when he was the best on tour) and the late Seve Ballesteros, among others.
That club was Karsten Solheim's launching pad to fame and fortune. A few other styles came first; but the Anser really got him off and running. It would still be a few years later before Ping irons and woods got recognition and acceptance as something other than just "game Improvement" clubs for high handicappers.
As a collectable putter, the Anser was originally overlooked until the mid 1980's.
Cool Tool

Bob

[FLOGMR]

I've had this one for years....Love it, but can't putt a lick with it. I bought it out of a barrel of used clubs at a sports consignment shop for $40.........BTW I turned down $1000 for it a month ago...maybe the guy will sweeten his offer a bit??

[drewspin]

I think there are classics of different eras, and your bag would be perfectly classic in the early 1980s...

Get a Jones bag and some bad clothes and you'll look like you just busted out of a time capsule.

[golfbum9]

[quote name='Ogre41' timestamp='1293744036' post='2866519']
[quote name='mLuMaN83' timestamp='1293743401' post='2866506']
Why not go with a mag-bronze anser? That way you get the patina. I have one from the 70's that makes the bag every once in awhile.
[/quote]



That's a solid idea. The only thing is I have the stainless one already. But an old maggy bronze Anser with a nice dark patina is an excellent thought.
[/quote]
+1

[golfbum9]

You want a Classic Ping putter?? It had better be an "Original" Scottsdale Anser.

:clapping:

[golfbum9]

Don't agree with other than Redwood City or Scottdale not being "classic enough".
My 020 is from 1969 and a classic - just as good as/ if not the same head with a different print.

Tom Watson played a Pal not an Anser.

[Pinsplitter59]

edit:
ooopsss.... very sorry.
it is an A Blade not an Anser.
is an A Blade collectable?
****************************************

that's interesting about the Answer.
didnt know they had any collector value.
i still have mine i bought after Lee Trevino won the Open Championship (1971 or 72 not sure which),
because it was reported he said his win was due to his Ping Answer putter,
I ran out and bought one real quick.

[FLOGMR]

To have any real collectible value they have to be one of the "Original" made in Scottsdale models....1966...Like the one in the picture....................................Copied from the Pongman website. .

It is estimated that 4,000 Anser putters were produced with the Scottsdale moniker. The toe and heel weights of the "Dale Heads" are sloped rather than squared and there are no "'s" on the Scottsdale Anser. The first step on the original True Temper shafts is generally either 7-3/4" or 9-1/2" from the top of the hosel (other length steps have also been noted) and the steps are 3-1/4" apart. The original grips are either black pistol types which were hand ground by Karsten, black Golf Pride pistol type Pro Only grips with Traction Action or Ping Putter on the butt, Golf Prides with a square grip surface on the front (very rare) or Golf Prides with the man putting on the front. The shaft label is a 1-5/8" wide black band with silver lettering and reads as follows:

 

TUNED

BALLNAMIC

PING GOLF CLUBS

BY KARSTEN CO.

P.O. BOX 1345

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. 85252

Values range from $1500 rough condition to $4000 mint.

[golfbum9]

That was a while ago. Unfortunately worth a mere portion of that today. The one I have used to be worth something back then too...

The Redwood City putters still hold a fair amount in value, but not nearly as much they used to either.

[rex235]

If your Anser 2 says "Pat Pend" then it's close...

....but with both Tiger ('94 US Am) and O'Meara ('98 Masters and Open Championship) using it, it doesn't quite fit the period....

with all those Hogan clubs, where's your MacGregor Ben Hogan putter?

[richard t]

I'd love the Anser,but what about an 8802 original, or as said, the bullseye, or the MacGregor like Hogan used? Nice set up to have. I have an old Hogan Speed Slot Driver and 4 wood courtesy of my late uncle. The shafts look and feel like aluminum rather than steel. Also some old Hogan irons. Never let those babies go.

[FLOGMR]

I still use my Anser occasionally on "Classic Days" along with my old blades and persimmons.......good fun watching the "Kids' trying to figure out what I am doing.

[super20dan]

i am excluding all pings from my vintage league-just too far ahead of the times .

[dalehead]

[quote name='Pinsplitter59' timestamp='1311103173' post='3405037']
edit:
ooopsss.... very sorry.
it is an A Blade not an Anser.
is an A Blade collectable?
****************************************

that's interesting about the Answer.
didnt know they had any collector value.
i still have mine i bought after Lee Trevino won the Open Championship (1971 or 72 not sure which),
because it was reported he said his win was due to his Ping Answer putter,
I ran out and bought one real quick.
[/quote]

Trevino did give credit to his putter for this win, but I don't believe he identified it as an Anser, considering it was an A blade.

Other significant A blade wins include Tony Jacklin's 1970 US Open and one of Tom Watson's Opens. I forget which year.

[rex235]

[quote name='RM Golf' timestamp='1311293809' post='3412612']
I still use my Anser occasionally on "Classic Days" along with my old blades and persimmons.......good fun watching the "Kids' trying to figure out what I am doing.
[/quote]


RM-

If memory serves me correctly, you have a friend who is an unabashed "Walter Hagen fan"...

"Hagenista" ....if you will.

I may have found a few items he would consider to add to his "Gotta Have List"...

Will send you photos...

And here are some rare items from "The Haig"

[attachment=933045:100_9732.JPG]

[attachment=933031:100_9792.JPG]

There aren't very many of these around.....

[Shambles]

[quote name='drewspin' timestamp='1311094713' post='3404580']
I think there are classics of different eras, and your bag would be perfectly classic in the early 1980s...

Get a Jones bag and some bad clothes and you'll look like you just busted out of a time capsule.
[/quote]

I agree that classics are a matter of what era is being looked at. There used to be a club of Japanese golfers who had a thing for 50's clubs and would assemble them with more modern shafts. I heard they were pretty good with them too, but I never had the chance to actually see them in action.

For the sake of my own memories I've been quietly picking up clubs that had an impact on me in the past, either because I once owned and played with such a set or wanted them but didn't have the money for them when they were new. I doubt there is any value in the old sets except to an owner who has a memory tied to them. I only buy my old stuff for small change but will not part with them now.


Shambles

[stixman]

Karsten Solheim, when he first produced his Ping putter, the prototype, announced to the world 'I have designed a putter for players who can't putt!'

For that reason alone I can't put a Ping or it's multi-faceted commercialised progeny anywhere near my classic bag.

When I run my hickory days players do not even recognise the blade putter in the bag. They have to be told which one is the putter. Different matter when they return after the round, the feel and simplicity of alignment have them raving about it's merits, and I've sold loads as a consequence..

[square]

The current Anser 2 putter is approximately 30 grams too heavy to be considered "Classic Ping" or "Classic anything".
Ping is making putter heads way too heavy these days.

[quote name='Ogre41' timestamp='1293741852' post='2866468']
I've been toying with the idea of a classic bag and I think I have narrowed down to everything but the putter. The driver is a Hogan Speedslot. The fairways are black Hogan laminates. The irons are Hogan Percussion Center blades. And the sand wedge is a Wilson R20. The question is, would a stainless Ping Anser 2 classic enough for this setup? I have other options like a really fat bullseye or my grandfather's old Baron, but the Ping feels the best so far.
[/quote]

[Ogre41]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. I really appreciate it.

[Seve0992]

[quote name='Ogre41' timestamp='1293741852' post='2866468']
I've been toying with the idea of a classic bag and I think I have narrowed down to everything but the putter. The driver is a Hogan Speedslot. The fairways are black Hogan laminates. The irons are Hogan Percussion Center blades. And the sand wedge is a Wilson R20. The question is, would a stainless Ping Anser 2 classic enough for this setup? I have other options like a really fat bullseye or my grandfather's old Baron, but the Ping feels the best so far.
[/quote]

Go with it. The Anser is the putter on which all other putters are based. In my opinion... the Anser 2 was simply better. Many greats used the Anser 2 at different points in time and most were in play 20+ years ago. It's certainly "not as classic" as some of the others mentioned but I would not hesitate to put it in a retro bag. ENJOY!

[dbuck47]

The Anser 2 in stainless definitely overlapped with at least the last part of the persimmon and blades era--as long as it is not one of the current with milled or insert faces. Witness the giant MacGregor used by Nicklaus to win the 86 Masters and his driver and 3 wood were still persimmon. Personally, I prefer my 1980 vintage Wilson copy of Nicklaus's Geo Low, heel shafted flanged blade, but I do consider the older PINGs classic.