by Bang Average Golf’s Archivist of Oddball Flatsticks and Historical Curiosities.
Before Karsten Solheim gave us the Anser – arguably the most influential putter ever made – he gave us this: the Ping A-Blade. One of the first commercially available Ping putters, the A-Blade was a bold, blocky declaration that golf gear didn’t have to look pretty to perform.
The A-Blade was one of Solheim’s first commercial putters and represented an early step in his quest to bring engineering principles into golf club design. It featured heel-shafting and a deep cavity to redistribute weight; concepts that were considered radical at the time.
The A-Blade helped to lay the technical and conceptual foundation for what would eventually become the Anser, and the modern putter as we know it.
This little gem was among Ping’s earliest production putters, following the original AYD. And while it’s been overshadowed by its younger, sleeker siblings, this little bronze brick deserves your respect.
THE LOOK: Industrial Charm or Just... Industrial?
The Ping A-Blade looks like what happens when a civil engineer designs a putter with zero input from a marketing team. A flat, rectangular slab of manganese bronze with a heel-shafted hosel and a deep cavity. No curves. No fancy topline. Just geometry and ambition. It’s kind of like an early prototype of the Anser that would evolve several years later, but but the A-Blade is smaller, cruder, considerably lighter and a whole lot less forgiving. And the Anser isn’t exactly a priest in a confessional booth.
Set it down behind the ball and it screams: “You’re here to roll putts, not win beauty contests.” It’s not elegant. It’s not particularly inviting and it feels lighter than mist rolling over the 18th green at dawn. It’s simple and uninspiring, but somehow, that’s what makes it work.
It was merely a tool. It didn’t ask for attention. It just demanded results and in that department, it delivered.
THE FEEL: Firm, Functional, and Not Particularly Friendly
Striking a putt with the A-Blade is like shaking hands with a tool bench. It’s firm, maybe even bordering on harsh, certainly by modern standards but even in comparison with older putters it feels unforgiving. In fact,iIt punishes mishits like you insulted its family. That classic ping sound is there and if you hit one out the middle it’s just about acceptable. Miss slightly and the club gives you feedback in Morse code. It’s responsive, but not in a particularly pleasant way.
You will know what you’ve done and the A-Blade makes no effort to soften the blow.
There’s no alignment aid outside of a tiny white dot. There’s no face insert. No clever weighting system. Just a big cavity, a bronze face, and a strong preference for golfers who bring their own precision.
It’s heel-shafted with a bit of toe hang, so it suits an arcing stroke. And it can roll the ball beautifully… but don’t expect help. Miss your line or botch the pace, and the A-Blade shrugs its little thin shoulders and moves on with its day.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Golfers with a soft spot for retro gear and low expectations.
History nerds who want to feel like Karsten Solheim is judging their stroke.
Players with an arc who want to feel everything—for better or worse.
Collectors who want to tick a very specific, slightly awkward box.
IN A NUTSHELL
Is it iconic?
In its own rough-edged way, yes. It paved the road to the Anser so put some respect on its name.
Is it enjoyable to use?
That depends on how much you enjoy challenge, nostalgia, and mild discomfort. Seriously, if you have good feel on the greens you will enjoy it. If not, it’s going to be a long day.
Would we bag it today?
Nah, not unless it was for a forfeit or it was April 1st.
BANG AVERAGE VERDICT
3 out of 5 bronze knuckle sandwiches. The Ping A-Blade is part of putter history—but unless you’re feeling brave (or sentimental), it’s probably better admired than gamed.
Disclaimer: The A-Blade will not fix your stroke, flatter your ego, or go easy on your hands. But it will make you appreciate everything that came after it.
