Ping Redwood - Shaft ball bearing?

[Skipperation]

Hi,

 

I've read a number of threads where people are having issues with the ball bearing that Ping use to install their putters shafts. Can anyone tell me if the Ping Redwood series (Anser 303SS model) have the ball bearings in them or not? Do all Ping putters use the ball bearings?

 

Also I assume they are 0.355" tip shafts?

 

I want to try a new shaft in one, but wondering whether I should take it to my pro to remove (I usually would do it myself) or even if it's worth the hassle at all.

 

Thanks

 

Tom

Edited September 25, 2020 by Skipperation

[HitaHouse]

I have reshafted a couple of Redwood Ansers and neither had a ball bearing.  Fairly easy to heat a little and pull the shaft.  It has been a while but I think the tip diameters were slightly less than .355 - maybe .350 or close to that.  My understanding is that Ping hasn't used the ball bearing for many years.  With better epoxies these days, the bearing is not needed.

[nova6868]

Yes I have heard that some of their putters have a weird hosel size, less than .355. Can you even get those replacement shafts anymore?

[Skipperation]

Thanks guys, I might try to check out the hosel size before I invest in the new shaft!

[HitaHouse]

I ended up using a 9mm drill followed by enlarging slightly with a dremel tool to get a 0355 to fit.  You can also take a little off the diameter of the shaft going the other direction.  Not too hard to do.

[johngalt312]

No ball bearing.  As I recall, the shaft tip is like .340 or something odd thereabouts.  You could ream the hosel to .355 or sand down a .355 tipped shaft until it fits.