50 Words or Less
Classic PING head shapes paired with some of the best putter technology available. Sports a unique copper finish that stands out from the pack.
Introduction
“There’s no new technology in putters.” -That guy
Really, guy? Tell that to the engineers at PING. In the last couple seasons, PING has introduced a number of meaningful innovations to their putter line, and they’re all present in the new PING Karsten TR putters. From the easiest fitting process to a face that forgives mishits, the Karsten TR putters have earned the Karsten name.
Looks
PING’s Karsten TR series sets itself apart with a unique copper finish, a look that calls to mind the classic PING putters. The five putters currently offered in this line are all timeless PING designs like the Anser and Zing. Each putter has a single sight line to aid alignment.
Sound & Feel
The feel off of the milled grooves of the Karsten TR putters is extremely soft. The feel off of the center of the face is a little bit springy, but that feeling dulls as you move away from the sweet spot.
With regard to sound, the Karsten TR produces a dull thud at impact with virtually no click, particularly when using a urethane-covered golf ball.
One additional point: the grip that comes stock on the Karsten TR putters is fantastic. It feels like a Pingman grip, but it’s significantly larger with a slightly different shape. Everyone who tried these putters commented on how comfortable the grip felt in their hands.
Performance
Let’s start by running down the various technologies present in the Karsten TR series, from oldest to newest. First, the entire series features PING’s Fit for Stroke concept. The shaft bands are color coded and clearly labeled to indicate whether they are best suited for players with straight, slight arc, or strong arc putting strokes. Finding out your stroke type is easy: simply use PING’s free iPING Putter App.
Next, each putter is available with either a fixed or adjustable-length shaft. The adjustable-length models cost an additional $35, but they allow you to dial in your perfect set-up anywhere from 31” to 38”. Additionally, the length adjustment mechanism creates a slightly counter-balanced feel that some players prefer.
Finally, the Karsten TR series takes advantage of PING’s TR (True Roll) face technology. The grooves in the face are milled to varying depths to create equal ball speed across the face. Simply put: putts struck in the center of the face will go the same distance as putts struck on the heel or toe. This is means fewer putts coming up short and, ultimately, fewer 3-putts.
Since it was unveiled, I’ve found PING’s Fit for Stroke concept to be very helpful for golfers. It brings science to putter fitting, something it sorely needs. I know from personal experience that having a well-fit putter makes a world of difference.
With the Karsten TR putters, I found the TR technology to be very impressive. My distance groupings were much tighter than usual, even when I intentionally missed the sweet spot by a lot. Where this technology really shines is on long putts. Most golfers have more mishits on longer putts because of the longer stroke required, but long putts are where mishits are punished the most. With the Karsten TR, I found that mishit 30-footers left tap-ins, not knee knocking 5-footers.
Conclusion
If you want the look of a traditional putter combined with stroke-saving technology, look no further than the PING Karsten TR putters. No other putter series offers this combination of technology and easy, precise fitting.
Price and Specs
The PING Karsten TR putter line consists of 5 different models: the Anser 2, Anser 5, B60, Pal, and Zing.
Each model is available in a fixed length ($150) or with an adjustable-length shaft ($185).
Watch the Video
PING Kartsen TR Putter (1)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (2)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (3)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (4)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (5)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (6)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (7)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (8)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (9)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (10)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (11)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (12)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (13)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (14)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (15)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (16)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (17)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (19)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (20)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (21)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (22)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (23)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (24)
PING Kartsen TR Putter (25)
Matt Saternus
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“Intentionally missed the sweet spot”
Love that :)
These do rule BTW
I tested the new Karsten ping zing and a scotty Newport today for half n hour each on the putting greens, both are amazing putters I felt both offered great feel, if I’m honest there is relatively nothing between these two clubs apart from the price, I bought the ping zing because although the scotty performed equally as well from range I felt the ping got the ball rolling better on miscues and it was true that they travelled equally as far. Amazing putter. I played with differing lengths having chose the adjustable shaft and it does inform you about swing arcs so you understand what’s happening if you have it too long/short etc from 20 ft I was averaging under 8 inch for every 15 putts that’s not to say the ones that dropped ! And to be brutally honest I am a really poor putter. I can’t wait to get this on the course now
The Ping putter I was looking at has a ” strong arc”. What is that exactly? thanks
PING has a fitting system that categorizes players’ strokes as Straight, Slight Arc, or Strong Arc. Picking the putter that matches your stroke should help your putting.
Best,
Matt
I have a Karsten putter TR and was just looking at the SC newport 2 putter. both have the a same look and feel however, Newport significantly more expensive.
Is there something I am not understanding as the milled face. I at times leave my putts short and told that milled faces will help with that as opposed to insert.
Stick with TR vs. switch to SCameron Newport 2 putter??
Raj,
There’s nothing inherent in a milled face that will make the ball roll farther. However, the TR insert does help to insure that all putts roll closer to the same distance, even mishit ones.
I would stick with the PING.
-Matt