This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/22/2019
PING Stroke Saver Trainer Putter Made by Founder Karsten Solheim - Rare - No Reserve!
Ping and putter collectors alike need to take this offering under consideration. This putter was produced circa 1963-1964 in extremely limited quantity by Karsten Solheim to illustrate the putter concept of heel-toe weighting, creating a perfectly balanced putter. Attached to the putter is a trailing wire that would contain a piece of cotton dipped in ink, and when swung, would create a straight line on the butcher paper that laid on the ground below. Collectors took note of the scarcity of this club. It is 35" from the top of the grip to the heel of the club. Here is the testimonial from Dalton "Pongman" Daves, the owner of this putter and an industry leader in the PING putter field.
Owner of this club and world renown expert Dalton "Pongman" Daves says of this club:
I've only held three in my hand and heard stories of there only being 5-6 made. The Genius behind this instrument and hundreds of others left us in the year 2000 and in his wake were inventions that helped the game of golf a more pleasurable sport to take up He didn't think the game was fair for the average golfer, and his goal was to make it easier.
Karsten Solheim the founder of Ping Golf invented many tools and methods to make this game more fun and easier for the average person. Perhaps the biggest change Mr. Solheim was able to make the masses understand was the concept of heel to toe weighting. Like a tennis racket, perimeter weighting helps create a Center of gravity location and MOI rating that is very helpful to the average golfer.
The Trainer putter was an invention of Karsten Solhim's to help sell the heel to toe weighting to Golf Professional where he could in turn explain the concept to his members and shave strokes from their game.
Karsten would visit Pro Shops and illustrate to the Pros how his invention would work. He used butcher paper rolled out on the floor to trace the putting stroke of the Pro with the use of a cotton ball, dipped in ink and his stoke would be strolled on the paper. A few times w/o the weights in the heel-toe area and the trail was all over the place! Then he placed the weights in the heel and toe are and it produced a much straighter line toward his target as you and I get today with almost every putter you pick up having the heel - toe weighting.
This Trainer putter I have is one of very few made as they were never meant to be produced for play but for illustrative purposes only. I hope the new owner will get as much enjoyment as I have over the years telling the story of The Trainer putter and how it has changed the game of golf for the the good!
Dalton R. Daves AKA The PongmanA letter of provenance from Dalton "Pongman" Daves will accompany this lot as will a custom case to protect and display this piece of golf club history.
AUCTION CLOSING RULES:
This auction will end at 9:00pm EST Sunday, May 19th, with EXTENDED BIDDING to follow. All items that have received multiple bids in the auction will remain open until no items have received a bid within a 15 minute time period (at 10pm EST, the countdown clock will be adjusted to a 5 minute interval)
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