1959

Karsten Solheim invents the PING putter in his Redwood City, California garage. He names his putter "PING" because of the sound it makes upon contact with a golf ball. Two years later, he moves his family to Phoenix and continues his quest to improve golf club design.

Karsten Louise back patio

1959

Karsten Solheim invents the PING putter in his Redwood City, California garage. He names his putter "PING" because of the sound it makes upon contact with a golf ball. Two years later, he moves his family to Phoenix and continues his quest to improve golf club design.

PING 1-A Design 1961

1959

March 23: Karsten Solheim files for a patent on the PING 1-A putter. Three years later, the patent is granted. The 1-A's design concentrates weight on the heel and toe to minimize the twisting of the putter head. The heel-toe balance theory leads to perimeter weighting and sets the standard for modern club head design.

1961 HeelToe Weighted Irons

1961

Karsten Solheim first experiments with heel-toe weighted irons. This innovative weighting philosophy is achieved by milling a cavity into the back of a forged iron and results in creating a much more forgiving iron.

1962 First Putter Win

1962

PING gets its first taste of victory on the PGA Tour. PGA tour professional, John Barnum, uses a PING 69 Putter en route to victory at the Cajun Classic.

1965 WorldCup Televised

1965

The World Cup is televised from Japan where top players are seen using PING putters. Orders for PING putters, which are still being built in the family garage, continue to grow.

Anser Putter Print Advertisement

1966

The Anser putter is designed as an "answer" to competitors' putters. Louise Solheim, Karsten's wife, names the putter and suggests that he leave out the "w" to help the name fit on the toe of the putter.

John and Karsten 1967

1966

Karsten resigns his position at GE to build PING equipment full time. He incorporates Karsten Manufacturing Corporation (KMC) and moves the business from the family's garage to the company's current location in North Phoenix, Arizona.

Record Sleeve

1967

March 21: PING receives patent for the Anser putter. The Anser's revolutionary design, first drawn up on a record sleeve, quickly finds success on tour and on putting greens around the world.

Scottsdale Anser - Masters

1969

The PING Anser is used to win at The Masters. This victory at Augusta National marks the first major championship captured by a player using a PING putter.

K1 Iron_

1969

PING introduces the K1 iron. The K1 iron has an assortment of features and innovations including perimeter weighting and is created out of an investment casted 17-4ph stainless steel.