The best recent Anser putter head?

9ironiscash · May 5

Hi guys,

looking into getting back into a blade after using a redwood zb in the past for years before going to a Phantom x5.5.

would like to get a Ping Anser. I rolled the 2023 Anser today and was shocked by how good it felt. Anyone have any opinions on which Anser head, either current or in the recent past, offers the best combo of feel, consistency, distance control, etc?

would like to know how the ‘23 stacks up to the Vault 2.0, PLD, and the 2024 Anser.

poor_putting · May 6

I’m currently playing a ping PLD Anser, I believe the 2022 version. It’s the black one without any sight lines or markings. I love the putter, for the first time since I started played golf seriously (about 5 years ago) that I’m confident putting.

From a looks perspective, it’s perfect to me. I like that it’s a little shorter heel to toe than say the new Scotty’s. The face section that’s milled out between the bumpers is also thicker which I like.I would MAYBE do a dot where the COG was but honestly I’m not sure if I would like it and no going back once that’s there.

Feel wise, with the stock graphite shaft it was a little soft for me, but I like a firmer feel. I also play a 36.25 in putter though so a shaft swap was in order regardless. Now it’s sporting a Fuji MC putter x firm shaft, which definitely firms up the feeling.

the grip is where I lose most people. I play with a jumbomaxx M grip on the putter. I prefer a larger round grip for my putter. It’s what has performed the best for me and I’ve tried a tonnnn of grips. The only grip that came close was the Gravity grip. But it takes some toe hang out of the putter and I also noticed when playing anything other than a large round grip, I leave way more Putts short.

Definitely give the ping a look, they’re the OG 👍👍

MattM97 · May 6

1 hour ago, 9ironiscash said:

offers the best combo of feel, consistency, distance control, etc?

That's really subjective to the user.

PLD Milled is 350g and has the Deep AMP milling giving it a softer feel and no alignment but option for an alignment of choice with PLD Plus.

The new Anser Milled is 345g and a shallow milling for a firmer feel, only has a flange line.

Whichever one sounds more appealing would provide that for you.

SUITS · May 6

The old redwood heads were awesome if you can find a nice condition one. The black version specifically . Not as recent as the others mentioned.

the 2024 will be a new feel because of the composite shaft. Interested to see how they are personally.

9ironiscash · May 6

19 minutes ago, SUITS said:

The old redwood heads were awesome if you can find a nice condition one. The black version specifically . Not as recent as the others mentioned.

the 2024 will be a new feel because of the composite shaft. Interested to see how they are personally.

I played the redwood Zb for years. I miss that feel. Was just a bit light imo but was a phenomenal performer.

Sean289 · May 6

The PING 2023 Anser(Non PLD version) is my current gamer. I love it. It has a crisp, firm feel and horizontally milled putter faces have traditionally always put a great roll on the ball for me.
I would describe this putter like the PING Anser Milled but a little better. It has the same milling pattern with a graphite shaft and tungsten weights on the face which drives up MOI for an Anser style putter.

9ironiscash · May 6

2 hours ago, Sean289 said:

The PING 2023 Anser(Non PLD version) is my current gamer. I love it. It has a crisp, firm feel and horizontally milled putter faces have traditionally always put a great roll on the ball for me.
I would describe this putter like the PING Anser Milled but a little better. It has the same milling pattern with a graphite shaft and tungsten weights on the face which drives up MOI for an Anser style putter.

Yes this is the model that shocked me with how good it felt. How are you finding the two tone contrast of black and silver with the alignment line? Wish I could roll it outdoors first- hard to tell indoors. Which grip do you have on it?

SUITS · May 6

6 minutes ago, 9ironiscash said:

Yes this is the model that shocked me with how good it felt. How are you finding the two tone contrast of black and silver with the alignment line? Wish I could roll it outdoors first- hard to tell indoors. Which grip do you have on it?

The two tone look could always be bead blasted to an all silver finish as well.

Sean289 · May 6

2 hours ago, 9ironiscash said:

Yes this is the model that shocked me with how good it felt. How are you finding the two tone contrast of black and silver with the alignment line? Wish I could roll it outdoors first- hard to tell indoors. Which grip do you have on it?

I cover up the white sight line as I aim with the vertical line of the putter face but I quite like the dual colour scheme as I find that the black at the back makes the platinum pop out more at the front for the function of it being an aiming aid.
I have the standard non-cord Golf Pride Pro Only Red Star on it. The 75g weight of the grip, the 35 inch length and the 345g headweight seems to be a fantastic balance for me. In relation to your dilemma about not being able to roll it outdoors, YMMV but my lag putting has never been better.

9ironiscash · May 6

13 minutes ago, Sean289 said:

I cover up the white sight line as I aim with the vertical line of the putter face but I quite like the dual colour scheme as I find that the black at the back makes the platinum pop out more at the front for the function of it being an aiming aid.
I have the standard non-cord Golf Pride Pro Only Red Star on it. The 75g weight of the grip, the 35 inch length and the 345g headweight seems to be a fantastic balance for me. In relation to your dilemma about not being able to roll it outdoors, YMMV but my lag putting has never been better.

The feel is insanely addictive. Have u had a chance to roll the new 2024 anser? Not sure if they changed face/construction much. Wondering how it compares.

Sean289 · May 6

4 minutes ago, 9ironiscash said:

The feel is insanely addictive. Have u had a chance to roll the new 2024 anser? Not sure if they changed face/construction much. Wondering how it compares.

Are you referring to the 2024 Anser 2? I don’t think that there’s a 2024 Anser bedsides the PLD Anser. There’s an Anser 2 and an Anser D in the 2024 lineup.
I haven’t rolled either but they have the same milling pattern as the PLD line. The PLD line feels very good, I mean incredibly good. I just prefer the feel of the horizontal milled face of the 2023 line.

9ironiscash · May 6

10 minutes ago, Sean289 said:

Are you referring to the 2024 Anser 2? I don’t think that there’s a 2024 Anser bedsides the PLD Anser. There’s an Anser 2 and an Anser D in the 2024 lineup.
I haven’t rolled either but they have the same milling pattern as the PLD line. The PLD line feels very good, I mean incredibly good. I just prefer the feel of the horizontal milled face of the 2023 line.

Sorry yes the 2024 anser 2. PLD looks and feels fantastic but there’s also a massive premium to pay vs the regular Ansers and the way to 2023 felt I doubt it’s worth it imo.

Peninsulagolfer · May 8

On 5/7/2024 at 12:43 AM, 9ironiscash said:

Yes this is the model that shocked me with how good it felt. How are you finding the two tone contrast of black and silver with the alignment line? Wish I could roll it outdoors first- hard to tell indoors. Which grip do you have on it?

Agree 100%. Just added one to my bag, and I am loving it. The feel of the face with a Z-Star is insane. And the sound is so cool.

Have kept the original grip, and loving that too. I figured if the grip is good enough for Tiger and Seve, it will be ok for me.

Edited May 8 by Peninsulagolfer

9ironiscash · May 8

5 hours ago, Peninsulagolfer said:

Agree 100%. Just added one to my bag, and I am loving it. The feel of the face with a Z-Star is insane. And the sound is so cool.

Have kept the original grip, and loving that too. I figured if the grip is good enough for Tiger and Seve, it will be ok for me.

Haha Z star is what I game. I was thinking of ordering it with the PP60 (flat front) as I had that in a sigma 2 zb and felt it was helpful to square the face up but might just go stock. How are you finding the weight of the putter? I’m using a phantom 5.5 right now that’s 370 g so I think there will be an adjustment going to 345 g at least initially.

Peninsulagolfer · May 9

9 hours ago, 9ironiscash said:

Haha Z star is what I game. I was thinking of ordering it with the PP60 (flat front) as I had that in a sigma 2 zb and felt it was helpful to square the face up but might just go stock. How are you finding the weight of the putter? I’m using a phantom 5.5 right now that’s 370 g so I think there will be an adjustment going to 345 g at least initially.

I was fitted for my previous putter (Odyssey 2-ball) at Club Champion. It had 100g of counter weight in the large Flatso. So the Anser, with the standard Pingman grip, feels quite heavy to me.

That said, the combination of slimmer grip, no counter balancing, and milled face makes me feel so ‘connected’ with the strike/ball. My lag putting has improved enormously. The feel off the putter face is amazing, and so addictive!