Ping fan 4 life

[dachtor]

I loved Ping and so did many other members of my club. My entire bag was Ping and I'd say so where 75% of the members. That said, Ping pulled our account after a secret shopper found last years wedge priced "incorrectly".

Ping lost a large and loyal following with that one.... The only ping club left in my bag is a G10 3 wood that was a demo.

Oh well....

[HitEmTrue]

[quote name='cleary21191' timestamp='1282611061' post='2657895']
Seriously, I was just expressing an opinion, but I do feel like a hypocrite as that's all the original post intended to do. For that, I must apologize. I must rephrase what I was trying to say; I dislike Ping because....
[/quote]

For what it's worth, you didn't go off the tracks by offering your opinion on Ping. It was the following:

[quote name='cleary21191']but is it necessary to create a whole thread on it? No one cares if your a Ping fan for life[/quote]

[Guest]

[quote name='HitEmTrue' timestamp='1282667078' post='2658948']
[quote name='cleary21191' timestamp='1282611061' post='2657895']
Seriously, I was just expressing an opinion, but I do feel like a hypocrite as that's all the original post intended to do. For that, I must apologize. I must rephrase what I was trying to say; I dislike Ping because....
[/quote]

For what it's worth, you didn't go off the tracks by offering your opinion on Ping. It was the following:

[quote name='cleary21191']but is it necessary to create a whole thread on it? No one cares if your a Ping fan for life[/quote]
[/quote]


Yes I understand, I was definitely being a hypocrite and down right an a******, and I do apologize. I should have phrased my comment in a manner that wasn't off topic and not too offensive.

[bluedot]

[quote name='dachtor' timestamp='1282663188' post='2658853']
I loved Ping and so did many other members of my club. My entire bag was Ping and I'd say so where 75% of the members. That said, Ping pulled our account after a secret shopper found last years wedge priced "incorrectly".

Ping lost a large and loyal following with that one.... The only ping club left in my bag is a G10 3 wood that was a demo.

Oh well....
[/quote]

Ping does this to protect their retailers and their brand, always have. FWIW, Titleiest/Footjoy have done the same thing to the PGA Superstore; none of their products in the biggest golf stores in the country for months now. Every single retailer knows this going in; if they violate, Ping and Titleist only do what they said they would do.

It shouldn't cause you to flee the brand; on the contrary. You can buy from any Ping retailer in the country and know that you are getting the best price because it is THE price. You won't find it later a couple of hundred bucks cheaper just down the street.

The other option is what TM and Callaway do; new clubs every few months, retailers left with out of date stock that they can't sell, and customers who are afraid/pissed that they no longer have "the latest".

[Daniel46]

I've tried numerous iron sets, but now I'm a Ping lifer.

Been playing a Ping putter and wedges for 20 years. I have the Eye 2 + wedges in my bag along with my G15 irons. ( I've also played the M/B wedges, i3 irons and G2 driver in the past) I'm no elite player so I can play the more aggressive grooved wedges for a while. That said, I was really happy to learn that Ping will come out with Eye 2 wedges with the new, less aggressive grooves. Its great to see that a classic wedge will continue to be offered.

Cheers!

D.

[dachtor]

[quote name='bluedot' timestamp='1282690812' post='2659756']
[quote name='dachtor' timestamp='1282663188' post='2658853']
I loved Ping and so did many other members of my club. My entire bag was Ping and I'd say so where 75% of the members. That said, Ping pulled our account after a secret shopper found last years wedge priced "incorrectly".

Ping lost a large and loyal following with that one.... The only ping club left in my bag is a G10 3 wood that was a demo.

Oh well....
[/quote]

Ping does this to protect their retailers and their brand, always have. FWIW, Titleiest/Footjoy have done the same thing to the PGA Superstore; none of their products in the biggest golf stores in the country for months now. Every single retailer knows this going in; if they violate, Ping and Titleist only do what they said they would do.

It shouldn't cause you to flee the brand; on the contrary. You can buy from any Ping retailer in the country and know that you are getting the best price because it is THE price. You won't find it later a couple of hundred bucks cheaper just down the street.

The other option is what TM and Callaway do; new clubs every few months, retailers left with out of date stock that they can't sell, and customers who are afraid/pissed that they no longer have "the latest".
[/quote]

I understand the reasons why Ping and Titleist say they have these programs in place. However, I don't feel the punishment fits the crime. In my opinion, they are punishing the end customer more than the retailer. Even in a big city like Atlanta, golf shops aren't exactly on every street corner. Typically, I shop where I have relationships. First and foremost, that is the pro shop at my home club. After that, I shop at the PGA Superstore due a few relationships I have there. A lot of people at my club don't shop beyond the pro shop, which means Ping lost a lot of customers as a result of the "punishment" for a mistake.

[bluedot]

[quote name='dachtor' timestamp='1282703487' post='2660203']
[quote name='bluedot' timestamp='1282690812' post='2659756']
[quote name='dachtor' timestamp='1282663188' post='2658853']
I loved Ping and so did many other members of my club. My entire bag was Ping and I'd say so where 75% of the members. That said, Ping pulled our account after a secret shopper found last years wedge priced "incorrectly".

Ping lost a large and loyal following with that one.... The only ping club left in my bag is a G10 3 wood that was a demo.

Oh well....
[/quote]

Ping does this to protect their retailers and their brand, always have. FWIW, Titleiest/Footjoy have done the same thing to the PGA Superstore; none of their products in the biggest golf stores in the country for months now. Every single retailer knows this going in; if they violate, Ping and Titleist only do what they said they would do.

It shouldn't cause you to flee the brand; on the contrary. You can buy from any Ping retailer in the country and know that you are getting the best price because it is THE price. You won't find it later a couple of hundred bucks cheaper just down the street.

The other option is what TM and Callaway do; new clubs every few months, retailers left with out of date stock that they can't sell, and customers who are afraid/pissed that they no longer have "the latest".
[/quote]

I understand the reasons why Ping and Titleist say they have these programs in place. However, I don't feel the punishment fits the crime. In my opinion, they are punishing the end customer more than the retailer. Even in a big city like Atlanta, golf shops aren't exactly on every street corner. Typically, I shop where I have relationships. First and foremost, that is the pro shop at my home club. After that, I shop at the PGA Superstore due a few relationships I have there. A lot of people at my club don't shop beyond the pro shop, which means Ping lost a lot of customers as a result of the "punishment" for a mistake.
[/quote]

I understand your frustration, but you should be upset with your club, not with Ping. Both the club I belong to now as well as my previous club had buying programs; both clubs made it perfectly clear that Ping (and several other manufacturers) would NOT be included in the discounts offered by the program.

ANY Ping retailer (or Titleist/Foot Joy) knows going in exactly what the deal is, and what the results will be if they discount. If the retailer does this and gets caught, they have only themselves to blame, and other retailers thank them for it, I assure you.

[mozgolf]

Never owned a Ping club but would like to. I always liked the look of them, well most of them anyway and like the durable finishes etc. Just have never been able to pull the trigger on them when it gets to buying time because of the price. At the moment current model irons are $700 to $1000 (or more dependent on what price the Ansers are going for).

Admittedly I am not easily parted with my $$$ but my a7s with two hybrids cost just over $400 and sure they probably wont hold up as well over time, but its a considerable difference given that models are updated/ replaced every year or near, even for Ping its about 2 years at a max.

One day, when I win the lottery, I will get me a set of them Pings.

[wrmiller]

Only played three pings: i3blades that I gamed for over 3 years, my S57s (I really screwed up in getting rid of those), and my current love, some i10s. (no practice and 100 deg temps makes the mizzys too hard right now, as I get tired easily in this heat)

I got these used, in VG condition, for 400. After spending 1K on Mizunos I thought they were a bargain.

Not going to compare, as they are completely different irons, but I will say that the i10s are dead simple to hit compared to my blades. (offset is messing with me, but I'll get over it) I have always liked and appreciated the fitting system Ping has, as I don't play a off-the-shelf irons.

The Mizzys may come back out when it cools off, or maybe not. I'm beginning to remember again why I like Ping clubs...

[dachtor]

[quote name='bluedot' timestamp='1282732728' post='2660594']
[quote name='dachtor' timestamp='1282703487' post='2660203']
[quote name='bluedot' timestamp='1282690812' post='2659756']
[quote name='dachtor' timestamp='1282663188' post='2658853']
I loved Ping and so did many other members of my club. My entire bag was Ping and I'd say so where 75% of the members. That said, Ping pulled our account after a secret shopper found last years wedge priced "incorrectly".

Ping lost a large and loyal following with that one.... The only ping club left in my bag is a G10 3 wood that was a demo.

Oh well....
[/quote]

Ping does this to protect their retailers and their brand, always have. FWIW, Titleiest/Footjoy have done the same thing to the PGA Superstore; none of their products in the biggest golf stores in the country for months now. Every single retailer knows this going in; if they violate, Ping and Titleist only do what they said they would do.

It shouldn't cause you to flee the brand; on the contrary. You can buy from any Ping retailer in the country and know that you are getting the best price because it is THE price. You won't find it later a couple of hundred bucks cheaper just down the street.

The other option is what TM and Callaway do; new clubs every few months, retailers left with out of date stock that they can't sell, and customers who are afraid/pissed that they no longer have "the latest".
[/quote]

I understand the reasons why Ping and Titleist say they have these programs in place. However, I don't feel the punishment fits the crime. In my opinion, they are punishing the end customer more than the retailer. Even in a big city like Atlanta, golf shops aren't exactly on every street corner. Typically, I shop where I have relationships. First and foremost, that is the pro shop at my home club. After that, I shop at the PGA Superstore due a few relationships I have there. A lot of people at my club don't shop beyond the pro shop, which means Ping lost a lot of customers as a result of the "punishment" for a mistake.
[/quote]

I understand your frustration, but you should be upset with your club, not with Ping. Both the club I belong to now as well as my previous club had buying programs; both clubs made it perfectly clear that Ping (and several other manufacturers) would NOT be included in the discounts offered by the program.

ANY Ping retailer (or Titleist/Foot Joy) knows going in exactly what the deal is, and what the results will be if they discount. If the retailer does this and gets caught, they have only themselves to blame, and other retailers thank them for it, I assure you.
[/quote]

Be that as it may it doesn't change the fact that I (and many others) no longer buy Ping anymore. My loyalty lies with my club. If ping wants to lose a customer base of several hundred people over an accidentally mis-priced wedge (prior year's model), that is their choice and they are entitled to make that decision. I just think it's naive for them to think that the end consumer will simply buy from somewhere else.

Edit: I feel the same way about Titleist and what is going on at PGA SS. I have a little info about what is going on there but at the end of the day, Titleist doesn't realize how important the PGA SS is to the Atlanta golf market. For many people, if it isn't offered there, they simply won't buy it because that's the only place they shop. Golfsmith and Edwin Watts have some presence in the area but if I'm going to drive all the way to Duluth, I'm going to PGA SS, not the golfsmith a block away.

[Cpr3584]

Another Ping fan here, grew up with the eye 2s, tried other brands and nothing compares. They also hold their value very well. Stainless steel they use lasts forever. Just grabbed a used g5 fairway and it looks like new.

[marshvegas]

It appears that you and the membership are a bunch of sheep blindly following your club because you can't think for yourselves. It is your club that cost the members the account. Dismissing one of the premier brands in the industry for enforcing their guidelines is pure ignorance on your part and your fellow members.

Why don't you boycott the club until they straighten things out with Ping?

[HYDgolfer1111]

Another Ping Fan here. Absolutely Amazing customer service! When my customized Lattitude V2 was delayed, the local sales rep in SF bay area gave me a new bag until the custom bag arrived. I play a complete set of Ping G15 (driver and FW) with i15 irons (3-U). All have Pings TFC Stiff shafts, all fit to my specs by a local pro, who is also my instructor. There can be no better clubs or a customer engagement model than this. Truly an outstanding company that everyone would do well to emulate. They provides excellent equipment, trained pros to help your game and care about the amateur who wants to play well.

A funny story I want to share. Recently, I was paired with a doctor who bragged to me on the first hole that he has spent $20K on Japanese golf equipment in the last 3 years. After I kept hitting my drives farther than him and sticking my iron shots for the first 9 holes; I caught him sneaking up to my bag to take a closer look at my clubs at the turn I guess he will be buying some new Pings very soon

[dachtor]

[quote name='Pings2Win' timestamp='1283711457' post='2680349']
It appears that you and the membership are a bunch of sheep blindly following your club because you can't think for yourselves. It is your club that cost the members the account. Dismissing one of the premier brands in the industry for enforcing their guidelines is pure ignorance on your part and your fellow members.

Why don't you boycott the club until they straighten things out with Ping?
[/quote]

Well, thanks for the kind words (blind sheep, ignorant, etc) but do you really think I would have written all that I did in this thread absent the ability to "think for myself"?

The point is that Ping claims the rules are enforced to protect the little guys. I was simply suggesting that in this case, they aren't protecting the little guy. My desire to purchase from my home club not only helps my club in tough economic times but it helps protect my investment. I'm sure any head golf professional that reads this would appreciate this kind of loyalty from the membership. The punishment, in my opinion, didn't accomplish what Ping intended it to.

[ron lefthanded holmes]

[quote name='wrmiller' timestamp='1282748031' post='2660922']
and my current love, some i10s.
[/quote]

what do you think of the i10s if you dont mind me asking as i use to have the g15s but were a bit to wide for me and have a chance of getting a set of secondhand i10s for £175

[non]

[quote name='ron lefthanded holmes' timestamp='1283976849' post='2685710']
[quote name='wrmiller' timestamp='1282748031' post='2660922']
and my current love, some i10s.
[/quote]

what do you think of the i10s if you dont mind me asking as i use to have the g15s but were a bit to wide for me and have a chance of getting a set of secondhand i10s for £175
[/quote]

You can get I5s for cheaper and they are a better club IMO.

[RJRJRJ]

I just bought my 2nd used G15 driver last night. Used, they still go for 75% of retail, and retail isnt gonna change. Some of these companies are downright comical with their approach. The Nike Machspeed that came out 6 months ago for $399 is now $149. You kidding me? This alone would keep me from EVER buying a new model driver from Nike or the like. Not only do you take an insane hit when they kill the price, but you know theyre gonna come out with the latest and greatest a couple of months after you buy it, at which point the driver that you "scored" for $149 is now $99, and selling 2nd hand for half of that. I like the cool stuff as much as the next guy, but unless you plan on keeping some of these clubs until they disintegrate, youre gonna get burned badly when you try and unload them.

[Ian]

Wow, what a thread! Talk about stirring up feelings. Glad to see our man apologize though, well done.
The premium segment of equipment that Ping has positioned itself in since Moses was a little boy is their choice. There is obviously a market for it, as in most other industries. A Timex and a Rolex both keep time well but both have staunch followers for personal reasons.
I have to say that after my Ping iron fitting at their Canadian headquarters last spring, I've been a believer in the old saying, "You get what you pay for". The 75 minute fitting was beyond my expectations and didn't cost a dime. I felt like a Ping staffer and my fitter was sincerly interested in finding the best combination for me. I'm now playing the best golf in 25 years and that's with an old school, small headed driver.
Ping has, as someone else mentioned, a business model that is near perfect and it would benefit others to copy it. The value I get from my premium priced G15's consists of customer support, product quality/durability, technology/innovation, confidence, performance/consistency and Pings overall reputation. Not suggesting the other biggies don't cut it, but for me Ping has a convincing hold on my future equipment considerations. And that comes from a demo day ho....I leave the range with blisters.

[Tiptx1122]

Well I couldn't resist as I went out & boought the driver reshafted it with a Fuji F165 Motore & love it as it my favorite club, never had a driver that was my favorite. I also got the 3 wood & 5 wood. I only hit them on the range but I could miss hit them if I was blind folded as these are so easy to hit straight & long. I just got my 7 wood delivered as this I haven't hit but if it's anything like the Heaven wood Callaway came out with Im going to be just fine. Looks just like the 5 wood in size. I also got a 23* G15 Hybird which I never hit either so these last 2 clubs will have to wait. All the clubs mentioned have the stock TFC 149 reg. shaft.

My iron are the Rapture V2 5 thru PW graphite, then I own a 52* & 58* Vokey wedge & the other favorite club in my bag is the well it's a toss up but for now it's a Laguna 1.5 33" as I also have a Newport 2.6 33". So there is a complete set finally

[calc61]

Yea I have G15 irons and a G10 driver and love them.My SW is a Nike sv tour 56* and works well but hope to change to the iwedges 54,58 soon.

[HeadonaStick]

[quote name='dachtor' timestamp='1282663188' post='2658853']
I loved Ping and so did many other members of my club. My entire bag was Ping and I'd say so where 75% of the members. That said, Ping pulled our account after a secret shopper found last years wedge priced "incorrectly".

Ping lost a large and loyal following with that one.... The only ping club left in my bag is a G10 3 wood that was a demo.

Oh well....
[/quote]
If I'm not mistaken, Ping's MAP policy only applies to current product.

[HeadonaStick]

[quote name='dachtor' timestamp='1283972692' post='2685606']
[quote name='Pings2Win' timestamp='1283711457' post='2680349']
It appears that you and the membership are a bunch of sheep blindly following your club because you can't think for yourselves. It is your club that cost the members the account. Dismissing one of the premier brands in the industry for enforcing their guidelines is pure ignorance on your part and your fellow members.

Why don't you boycott the club until they straighten things out with Ping?
[/quote]

Well, thanks for the kind words (blind sheep, ignorant, etc) but do you really think I would have written all that I did in this thread absent the ability to "think for myself"?

The point is that Ping claims the rules are enforced to protect the little guys. I was simply suggesting that in this case, they aren't protecting the little guy. My desire to purchase from my home club not only helps my club in tough economic times but it helps protect my investment. I'm sure any head golf professional that reads this would appreciate this kind of loyalty from the membership. The punishment, in my opinion, didn't accomplish what Ping intended it to.
[/quote]
It does in the bigger picture.

[rony]

Back in the day as a young man, I started with and played for many, many years Titleist blades. Got to be a senior and was fit for G10's. I have over 400 rounds on my G10's. I have a good game. I have good clubs. I believe that if you play well, what ever clubs you have, you will say they are good clubs. If you don't play well, you will say your clubs are lousy. Accordingly, I think Ping makes good clubs.

[aiyyer]

Ping Rapture V1 Driver
Ping g15 4 Wood
Ping G10 Irons
Ping I wedges
Nothing Better than Ping and they are now available at Dicks!!

[Neurotica]

I have dabbled with other makers but always find myself drawn to Ping. Other than my actual bag I am a ping guy....orginal Rapture(best driver I have ever hit still including V2 and G15) G10 3W and 3H, Rapture 4H, and G15 irons 5-L all wedges inclusive, and Craze Karsten putter(I tried every time I go to the golf store to find a better putter, it wins every time). I have said it around this site before, I am not changing from this line up for a long time.

[enduro]

I cant say I'm a huge fan of Ping even though I play I3 blades. I think their equipment is as good as anything else out there but their pricing policies sucks hugely.

I resent that Ping blackmails their retailers into maintaining artificially high prices on their products. I dislike that their stuff never goes on sale. No golf equipment is worth full retail (including Pings).

Its laughable that someone would suggest Pings pricing policies benefit the consumer. The only ones benefiting from those policies are Ping and their retailers - not so much the consumer.

Sure, Ping equipment will hold its value slightly longer than some other OEM's over the short term. But, thats more a result of Pings product cycle than anything else. Eventually Ping stuff loses its value like every other OEM. G2 and G5 drivers are now worthless on the resale market, Raptures and G10 sell for about 1/4 of what their original price.

Nothing against Ping, I'll probably buy a G15 driver when the "vastly improved" G20 is introduced . I'll probably be playing my I3 blades for a few years yet . But I wont pay Pings inflated retail prices for their newest and greatest.

[hughfree]

[quote name='enduro' timestamp='1288204443' post='2762043']
I cant say I'm a huge fan of Ping even though I play I3 blades. I think their equipment is as good as anything else out there but their pricing policies sucks hugely.

I resent that Ping blackmails their retailers into maintaining artificially high prices on their products. I dislike that their stuff never goes on sale. No golf equipment is worth full retail (including Pings).

Its laughable that someone would suggest Pings pricing policies benefit the consumer. The only ones benefiting from those policies are Ping and their retailers - not so much the consumer.

Sure, Ping equipment will hold its value slightly longer than some other OEM's over the short term. But, thats more a result of Pings product cycle than anything else. Eventually Ping stuff loses its value like every other OEM. G2 and G5 drivers are now worthless on the resale market, Raptures and G10 sell for about 1/4 of what their original price.

Nothing against Ping, I'll probably buy a G15 driver when the "vastly improved" G20 is introduced . I'll probably be playing my I3 blades for a few years yet . But I wont pay Pings inflated retail prices for their newest and greatest.
[/quote]

I find it interesting that many of the post are throwing Ping "under the bus" for their pricing policies when almost every major manufacturer has some retail pricing restraints. For those of that have shopped at a PGA Superstore lately.....try and find Titleist equipment on their shelves! I also find it interesting that in general I find that Ping equipment is very resonably priced when compared to the other major brands. Finally, I respect Ping for supporting the local pros...they built their brand on this model and have remainded loyal to that marketing strategy.

[enduro]

Well I guess I'll be jumping on the G15 bandwagon sooner than expected. I just won a g15 10.5/TFC 149d stiff flex. I didn't think my bid would win, as I don't need another driver .

I'm really liking my Ft9 tour since i reshafted it with a Pershing 55x so the G15 has its work cut out for it.

On the plus side I got the G15 cheap enough that I should break even if i decide its not the one.

[trouser]

Whole bag is PING including the bag.

[SpinMill75]

Put me in as a PING fan as well!

I love their fitting and custom work. Awesome customer service and high re-sale.

My current gamers -

Driver - PING Rapture V1
Srong 3 - PING G5
4 Wood - PING G10
3 H - PING G10
4 - 9 iron - PING S58
Wedges - PING Tour-W

Putter - Not PING (yet)