Company Overview
PING has established itself as one of the top-selling club manufacturers in golf, with an equipment focus ranging from drivers to putters. The company’s journey began in 1959 when Karsten Solheim, a General Electric engineer, sought to create a better putter than what was available on the market. What started as a one-man operation in Karsten’s garage has grown into a global golf equipment powerhouse, while remaining true to its family-owned roots.
“Our commitment to innovation and engineering excellence remains as strong today as it was when my grandfather started PING in his garage,” said John K. Solheim, President and CEO. “We continue to push the boundaries of golf equipment technology while maintaining the quality and attention to detail that have been hallmarks of the PING brand for over 60 years.”
Business Innovation
The company’s innovative spirit began with the iconic PING 1A putter, which earned its name from the distinctive “ping” sound it made at impact. This innovation led to the development of the legendary Anser putter in 1966, which has become one of the most successful and imitated putter designs in golf history, with over 500 professional victories to its credit.
PING operates as a subsidiary of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation and continues to design, engineer, and assemble its products at its headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. The company’s portfolio encompasses a complete line of high-quality men’s, women’s, and juniors golf clubs, as well as bags, headwear, gloves, and on-course gear.
Professional Partnerships
PING maintains strong relationships with professional golfers across all major tours. Notable brand ambassadors include Tony Finau, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Sahith Theegala, Cameron Champ, and LPGA stars Brooke Henderson, Leona Maguire, and Jennifer Kupcho.
Industry Impact
PING’s contributions to golf equipment technology have been revolutionary. The company pioneered several industry-changing innovations, including:
- Introduction of investment cast clubheads
- Development of the heel-toe weighting system
- Implementation of custom fitting programs
- Creation of the iconic Anser putter design
The process of investment casting that Karsten Solheim championed helped pave the way for many of today’s innovations, enabling club designers to precisely control weight distribution in club heads. This technical advancement, combined with PING’s custom fitting approach, has become an industry standard.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
PING continues to thrive as a family-owned business while maintaining its position as an industry innovator. The company’s commitment to engineering excellence, custom fitting, and quality manufacturing has established it as a leader in the golf equipment industry. The legacy of Karsten Solheim, a World Golf Hall of Fame member, lives on through the company’s continued focus on innovation and quality, setting standards that have helped shape the modern golf equipment industry.
