PING putters time period by zip code

[siennaslammer]

found this on ebay from mart51031 info page

- found this & thought it was interesting info
- ping experts can verify this listing -


The Scottsdale AZ address with 85282 zip code was from 1961-1966.

The Phoenix AZ address with 85029 zip code from mid-1966 through 1967.

The Phoenix AZ address with 85020 zip code from 1968-1973.

The Phoenix AZ address with 85068 zip code from 1973 to 2000.

The Phoenix AZ address with 85029 zip code (again) from 2000 to present-day. (The 85029 zip code is the zip code for the physical street address of Ping Headquarters, which it has been at since mid-1966)

All the other zip codes were for P.O. Box addresses

[scottyallanb]

Great info!! I knew a few but this will help. Have big ping collection.

[glenwayputters]

If you ever get a chance to go to Phoenix, you have to go and tour the Ping facility.

 

Their facility takes up two city blocks, which they purchased from the City of Phoenix. The original building that Karsten used, is still there and is the building where the repair items are delivered.

 

It is about a 2 hour tour and is fascinating and free!!

 

jay

[RobotDoctor]

There are a couple of robots at the Ping casting facility (Dolphin Mfg.). I had worked on those a few years ago and got a tour of the casting operation.

[siennaslammer]

i was in pheonix 3 times last year for 3-4 days meetings but ended up spending my free time on the course.

definitely this year will set time for a visit.

[glenwayputters]

There are a couple of robots at the Ping casting facility (Dolphin Mfg.). I had worked on those a few years ago and got a tour of the casting operation.

 

 

isn't that facility separate from the rest of the plant???

 

they said it was and said that was off limits due to the processes involved.

 

they also would not let us look in the "putter vault" where are all of the gold plated putters are kept from all of their wins on Tour.

 

 

jay

[wufpack]

The years are kind of correct but in conversation with a very experienced employee at Ping the heads were cast but not always shipped immediately. In other words they did not rotate putter heads stock very well. In addition it wasn't until 2003 when they started putting serial numbers on. Here's a few facts I was given. 1A putter with PO Box 1345 Scottsdale was late 1966. The 1A with 85029 came in left handed- and right handed and they ended production in 1968 sometime. All IIIA putters with 85029 were 'cross-out" models. In other words the Box and Zip info had horizontal lines etched through that information. The IA putters with Box 1345 and no zip code were made up til late 1966. Again that doesn't necessarily mean that's when they assembled and shipped. The heads were cast in U.S. but are now made overseas. The Ping IA with Zip 85020 "were made for only a very short time" so the above stated 1968-1973 dates are not accurate. The first Ping putter to come out with a stock head cover was the 30th anniversary Ping in a Ping model. They had putter covers which could be purchased separately prior to that and were solid black with white logo. Bottom line is knowing the PO Box or Zip Code will only give you a rough estimate as when the heads were cast. Ping has no information as to how many of each head was made and years. In collecting Ping putters that actually make a "ping" sound the 85020 seems the hardest to find outside of some of the Redwood City models. The IIIA and IVA out of Redwood City was a domed version that had kind of a dome top and made more of clank sound than a ping. Production was quickly stopped when Karstan said the head was too top heavy. Those two Ping putters are probably the hardest to find. The IVA is probably the next hardest followed by 85020 and early left Handed- models. Easiest is Phoenix 85029, today's zip code, which can usually be found with a straight shaft for less than $200. Great putters with a great story. With over 4 years of research there's a great book called "And The Putter Went Ping.'   I found mine on Amazon but it's also available on Ping's website and their manufacturing facility in Phoenix. BTW- they have a vault with every global tournament won where they recreate the specs of the putter used and then gold plate two of them. One goes into Ping's vault while they other is sent to whomever won the tournament. To date there are over 3,300 putter in Ping's vault.