As the head golf instructor at Tell Me More Golf, I often get questions about golf gear, including golf balls, while on the course. One brand that frequently comes up in these discussions is Ping, a company renowned for making top-notch golf clubs and other golf accessories.
But did you know that Ping also has a history of producing golf balls? It’s true, though it’s less well-known than their other products.
In this blog post, we’ll examine the story behind Ping golf balls, why they stopped making them, and what makes them valuable to collectors.
We’ll also dive into the world of the rarest Ping golf ball and provide a handy value guide for those of you who collect Ping golf balls.
Does Ping Make Golf Balls?
Ping is a big name among golfers, famous for their top-tier golf clubs, bags, and other golf-related gear. But, interestingly enough, they no longer make golf balls.
Around 1997, they ended their golf ball production, and the machinery once used at the Karsten plant got scrapped. So, as a result, the building where these golf balls used to be made is now all about crafting clubs.
But here’s a fun fact: during its active golf ball manufacturing years from 1976 to 1997, Ping created an array of colored golf balls.
These weren’t just for show; they were made mainly in response to specific customer orders.
Can you believe there were over 72 color combinations?
Even though Ping has stopped making golf balls, it’s still a brand with much clout in the golfing community. And those brightly colored golf balls they used to make? They’re still pretty hot items for collectors.
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Ping Golf Balls: History
Ping is a household name for golf enthusiasts, known for everything from top-notch clubs to stylish golf gear.
For around two decades, from 1976 to 1997, they crafted a range of golf balls in all colors and designs, now prized possessions for golf collectors.
One thing that set Ping golf balls apart was their two-tone color scheme.
This scheme came into fashion in the 80s when they launched the Ping Eye2.
The Eye2 was a game-changer with its bi-color design, intended to make it simpler for players to track spin and flight path.
As a result, these vibrant balls have become collector’s items, especially those with rare color combinations.
Even though Ping has stopped making golf balls, their innovative designs and contributions to golf have left a lasting impact on the sport.
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Why Did Ping Stop Making Golf Balls?
In 1997, Ping Golf made a strategic call to halt the production of golf balls. Why? They wanted to zero in on their bread and butter – crafting top-quality Ping golf clubs.
To name a few, Ping’s stellar lineup of golf gear includes:
- Ping Iron Sets
- Ping Golf Bags
- Ping Putters (Anser)
- Ping G425 Golf Drivers
Another reason for their pivot away from golf balls was the fierce competition in the market. Big players like Bridgestone, Titleist, TaylorMade, Srixon, and Callaway were ruling the roost, making it challenging for Ping to hold its own, especially considering the hefty investment needed to churn out new golf ball technologies.
Also, let’s remember the steep costs of manufacturing golf balls.
The process is intricate and pricey, demanding a substantial investment in equipment and tech.
Ping funneled more resources into research and development by turning their full attention to golf equipment, ensuring they stayed ahead of the curve in club design and innovation.
Why Are Ping Golf Balls Expensive?
Why are Ping golf balls so pricey? There are a few reasons for this:
- First, Ping stopped making golf balls in 1997, meaning there’s only a finite number of these balls out there. With the supply capped and demand high among collectors and golf buffs, the prices of Ping golf balls have soared.
- Second, Ping is synonymous with quality. Their golf balls were made with top-tier materials and cutting-edge tech, which bumped up the production costs, and, consequently, the price tag for customers.
- Finally, Ping golf balls have a certain collectible appeal. Their unique features, like the bi-colored Ping Eye2 bearing Karsten Solheim’s signature, are like catnip for collectors, who don’t mind shelling out big bucks for these rare and distinctive gems.
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Ping Golf Ball Value Guide
A Ping Golf Ball Value Guide is handy for collectors looking to buy, sell, or trade Ping golf balls. The guide indicates that the value of a Ping golf ball hinges on its color, how rare it is, its type, and its condition.
As per the guide, the colored Ping balls generally fetch a higher price than their all-white counterparts because most collectors mainly go for the colored ones.
Interestingly, the guide points out that the rarest of the bunch is the Ping Eye2 with Karsten Solheim’s signature, made only in ’76 and ’77.
They estimate that just a few thousand of these were ever made.
The ball is adorned with Karsten Solheim’s signature, which makes it a hot ticket item for collectors.
The guide also shows that Ping made golf balls for about two decades, from ’76 to ’97, before they stopped production. Finally, it mentions that the Eye2 color combinations are likely rarer than other Ping balls because they had a shorter production run. And the rarest? That would be the Promo balls, which typically had some quality issues.
But don’t worry; the guide reassures you that you can still easily find Ping balls for your collection. Some collectors still discover them at pro shops on golf courses and online platforms like eBay.
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What Is The Rarest Ping Golf Ball?
The Ping Eye2 with Karsten Solheim’s signature is the creme de la creme of rare Ping golf balls. Unfortunately, they only made this ball in ’76 and ’77, and it’s estimated that just a few thousand were ever made.
What makes it so unique? First, the ball is graced with Karsten Solheim’s signature, which makes it a must-have collector’s item. In fact, in 2019, one of these rare birds sold for a whopping $1,500 on eBay.
While there’s no official record of the total number of colored Ping golf balls produced, collectors generally believe the Ping Eye2 color combos are the rarest. This rarity is because they only made these balls for a few years before discontinuing production of these unique two-tone balls.
Likewise, promotional Ping golf balls, typically balls with some quality problems, are also considered rare, especially in quirky color combos.
Conclusion
Ping is a well-established name in the golfing world, known for its top-tier golf equipment, including golf balls. Although Ping stopped producing golf balls back in 1997, their balls still enjoy a loyal following among collectors and golf buffs.
The rarest of the rare is the Ping Eye2 with Karsten Solheim’s signature, produced only in ’76 and ’77. The worth of vintage Ping golf balls varies depending on factors like color, type, rarity, and condition, with some fetching thousands of dollars.
Despite no longer being in production, Ping golf balls are still much sought-after by collectors. As a result, they can be found in various places, like online marketplaces and golf course pro shops.
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