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PING signs K.J. Choi


hckymeyer

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Just got the news today, K.J. Choi has signed a multi-year deal to play PING clubs.  Looks like it's a minimum of 13 clubs and he will have them in play for the Sony Open this week in Hawaii.

 

The biggest surprise for me are the irons, at least for this week he's bagging G400 irons!  It's not often we see tour pro's actually putting GI (or maybe even SGI?) irons in play.  I'm not a guy that puts a ton of stock in tour pro's WITB, but to see a set of forgiving irons in a pro's bag definitely makes me take notice.

 

Check out the press release below and let us know what you think

 

PING_KJ_Choi.JPG

 

PING signs K.J. Choi

to equipment contract


 

PHOENIX (Jan. 10, 2018) – Eight-time PGA Tour winner K.J. Choi, the first Korean to earn a PGA Tour card and to win on tour, has signed an agreement to play PING equipment, PING Chairman & CEO John A. Solheim announced today. Choi will make his debut as a PING Pro at the Sony Open in Hawaii, which begins Thursday.

 

Asia's winningest golfer, Choi, 47, has amassed 22 victories worldwide since turning pro in 1994 and he's spent 40 weeks in the top 10 in the world rankings. His first professional victory was the 1996 Korean Open. Since joining the PGA Tour in 2000, he has earned more than $32 million, his first tour win coming in 2002. His most notable title is the 2011 Players Championship.

 

“K.J. has played a lot of PING equipment in his career and been a friend to us going back to 2011, and he's been a consistently strong performer on tour for many years. We're proud to make him an official member of the PING team,” Solheim said. “He's a friendly, highly likeable person and widely respected by his peers. He's been on four Presidents Cup teams, playing in three and serving as vice captain of the International Team in 2015, so he's competed at the highest level internationally. He'll bring the PING brand tremendous exposure and credibility around the world, especially in South Korea, where he's extremely popular among golfers.”

 

A powerlifter in his native South Korea before picking up golf, Choi said he's had an ongoing connection with PING in Korea and the U.S. for years and is happy to formalize the relationship. “I have long admired PING equipment for its quality and I feel it's a true collaboration when I work with the tour-player staff. I can be very particular about what I want from a golf club, and their attention to detail is as keen as mine, so they always find the right solution for me and my game. I'm truly excited to be on board with PING and very much look forward to the season ahead.”

 

As part of a multi-year agreement, Choi will play a minimum of 13 PING clubs. This week he'll rely on a G400 driver and fairway woods, G400 hybrid, G400 irons, Glide 2.0 wedges, and a Sigma G Piper putter. Choi's headwear and golf bag will feature PING branding.

 

Financial terms and the length of the agreement were not disclosed.

 

Driver: :taylormade-small: SLDR w/ Fujikura Ventus Black

3w: :taylormade-small:'16 M2 hl w/ Diamana D+ 82

5w: :cleveland-small: Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Yellow

Hybrid: :cleveland-small: 22 deg. Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Black

Irons: :cleveland-small: 5i - gap Launcher CBX w/ Nippon Modus 3 125

Wedges: :cleveland-small: 54 CBX & 58 Zipcore w/ Nippon Modus 3 125

Putter: :odyssey-small: Red 7s

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That's cool! It would be fun to see how they got to those irons and if they are stock like we can buy or ping did some tweaking to them.

Driver:   :callaway-small: Epic 10.5 set to 9.5 w/ Tour AD-DI 44.5

FW:   :cobra-small: F6 baffler set at 16º

Hybrid:  NONE
Irons:   :taylormade-small:  3i 2014 TP CB  4-PW 2011 TP MC w/ TT S400

Wedges:   :nike-small: 52º :nike-small: 56º  :edel-golf-1: 60 º w/ KBS C-Taper XS Soft-stepped

Putter:   :ping-small: Sigma G Tyne 34 inches Gold dot

 

 

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It doesn't surprise me that much the KJ would game GI irons, remember he was one of the first pros that put hybrids in the bag LONG before they were cool.

 

 

:callaway-small: XR Driver Matrix Ozik 8m3 Black Tie Shaft

:cobra-small: King F7 3W UST Mamiya Chrome Elements 7F4 Shaft

:cobra-small: King F7 5W UST Mamiya Chrome Elements 7F4 Shaft

:cobra-small: King F7 4 Hybrid Graphite Designs Tour AD-HY 95 Shaft

PXG 0211 DC 5-PW Mitsubishi MMT 80 Shafts

:cleveland-small: RTX ZIPCORE 50*,54*,58* UST Mamiya Recoil 95 Shafts

:odyssey-small: Metal X Milled #7 with SuperStroke 2.0 grip

:Snell: MTB

 

 



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That's a god signing, one of the more respected companies out there, with a very respected and successful tour player.  I think it's so cool he's going with the G400 irons, at least for now.   I'm thinking there may be a switch in a month or two when a new model hits the market.  But that's just pure speculation, but hey this is the internet.   Speculation thrives on the internet...ha

:ping-small: G430 Max 10K 

:titelist-small: TSiR1 15.0 Aldlia Ascent 60g

:titelist-small: TSR2 18.0 PX Aldila Ascent 6og

:titelist-small: TSi1 20 Aldila Ascent Shafts R

:titelist-small: T350 5-GW SteelFiber I80 

:titelist-small: SM10 48F/54M and58K

:ping-small: S159 48S/52S/56W/60B

:scotty-cameron-1: Select 5.5 Flowback 35" 

:titelist-small: ProV1  Play number 12

 

 

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Wow.  Hopefully that works out for him!

 

MDGolfHacker

TSssWhat's In This Lefty's Bag?

Driver: :titleist-small: TSR2 11° Project X HZRDUS Black 4G 60g 5.5 Flex

Fairway Woods: :cobra-small: F8 3W Project X Even Flow Blue 75g shaft

Fairway Woods: 

Hybrid: :titelist-small: TSR2  18° Graphite Design Tour AD DI-85 Shaft

Irons: :titelist-small: 2021 T200's 4-GW AMT RED shafts Regular Flex

Wedge: :cleveland-small: Tour Satin RTX 4 Wedges in 52° and 56° 2 Dot

Putter: :nevercompromise-small: Gray Matter TDP 2.2 32.75"

Bag: :1590477705_SunMountain: Three 5

Ball:  :titelist-small:  PRO V1 / :srixon-small: Z*Star

RangeFinder:918457628_PrecisionPro: In search of new range finder

Social Media:

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It doesn't surprise me that much the KJ would gave GI irons, remember he was one of the first pros that put hybrids in the bag LONG before they were cool.

I was wondering how many hybrids he'd have in the bag. I believe at times he has carried as low as a 5H. Guess we'll discover how good those G400 Hybrids really are!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

"Where'd it go?"  "Right in the Lumberyard..."

126422322_PXGLogo_2.png.74a339363ba3931cc4fc226a253621f8.png Gen 2  0811 XF 10.5*  Graphite Design Tour AD DI-6x

126422322_PXGLogo_2.png.74a339363ba3931cc4fc226a253621f8.png Gen 2 0211 15* 3W Mitsubishi Tensei Raw Blue 65-S
:bridgestone-small:  Tour B JGR 15*   Fairway UST ProForce V2 7F5 76g X-Flex

(These two are gonna fight it out in early "24 to see who stays in the bag...)


:bridgestone-small:  Tour B JGR 19* & 22* Hybrid UST ProForce V2 90g X-Flex
:bridgestone-small:  Tour B JGR HF-2 irons (5i - PW)  KBS Tour 130x

:cleveland-small: CBX Wedges (50, 54, 58)  TT Dynamic Gold 115 Wedge Shaft
MATI  Mamo Putter 33"  Super Stroke Football League 3.0 Slim
MX21TOURYLW_NOCOLOR_FRT.jpg.79e37b9c329b3d3a644cb61d2746a057.jpg

:ping-small: Hoofer Camo Stand Bag

:918457628_PrecisionPro: Precision Pro Nexus Rangefinder

:PuttOut:FAN!

1711524086_TheGrintlogo_text_1.png.c1eb3f656b10191d1fc9a14a0fd77f95.png PRO Member

 

 

 

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Makes my tongue  hard, GO KJ!

 

Heh, no apologies. Great company and good stuff for sure

In my       :ping-small: DLX Cart Bag:
Driver
:    :ping-small: G410 SFT, set to 9.5*, Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 60, stiff (MGS Official 2019 Tester)
3W:          :ping-small: G-Series SF TEC, set to 16*, Aldila Tour Blue ATX, 65g, stiff
5W:          :ping-small: G400 SFT, set to 19*, Aldila Tour Blue ATX, 65g, stiff
7W:         :ping-small: G410 SFT, set to 22*. Alta CB 65 Red, stiff

Irons:       :ping-small: GMax, Green Dot, 5-PW, Project X Graphite Blue 6.0, 80-90g , stiff
Wedges: :ping-small: Glide 2.0 Stealth, 50* SS, 54* ES & 60*/8 Forged MGS Special from the Wedge Wizard, Green Dot, Alta CB graphite, 84g, stiff
Putter:     :ping-small: Vault 2.0 B60 Copper, 33", black dot w/GP SNSR grip (PING Sigma 2 Fetch under "see-trials")
Ball:       :Snell: MTB BLACK (MGS Official 2018 Tester for the :Snell: MTB RED)
Shoes:     :footjoy-small:  Classics Tour w/Black Widow Softspikes

Disabled Marine Veteran. Semper Fi!

#No apologies, just Play Your Best
#Powertotheplayers

 

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Interesting. I never see anyone playing Ping irons anymore. Drivers on occasion.

My Sun Mountain bag currently includes:   TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png 771CSI 5i - PW and TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png PFC Micro Tour-c 52°, 56°, 60 wedges

                                                                               :755178188_TourEdge: EXS 10.5*, TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png 929-HS FW4 16.5* 

                                                                                :edel-golf-1: Willimette w/GolfPride Contour

 

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I'm a big PING fan so I like it. Realizing a GI iron could help him is smart IMO. I hope he plays well.

 

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Driver:  :ping-small: G400 (8*) with Diamana Kai'li X-stiff

Fairway:   :ping-small: G400 (14.5*) with Diamana Kai'li X-stiff

Irons: :ping-small: Crossover 3 iron (19*) with TT Dynamic Gold 120 S400 shaft

            :titelist-small: AP3 (4/5) and AP2 (6-PW) with TT Dynamic Gold 120 S400 shafts

Wedges: Scor 50*, 54*, and 58* with TT Dynamic Gold 120 S400 shafts

Putter:  :cameron-small: Pro Platinum Newport 2 Midslant

Handicap: 3

Location: Illinois...until i can get my wife to move to a warmer climate

Right Handed: Although sometimes I wonder if left handed would suit me better :blink:

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Like this, PING man, myself! Maybe I should give him some tips!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Titleist 917D2 10.5

Ben Hogan GS53 3 Wood

PING G425 MAX 5 Wood

Cleveland UHX Launcher 3 Iron

PING G30 5-PW

Cleveland RTX 3.0 50/10 V-MG

Cleveland RTX 3.0 54/14  V-FG

Cleveland RTX 3.0 58/12 V -FG

EVNROLL ER-3

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Nice safe signing for both KJ & Ping!

 :srixon-small:  ZX5 MKII LS 8.5

:taylormade-small: Stealth 2 plus 3 wood

:taylormade-small: Stealth 2 plus 5 wood

:taylormade-small: Stealth 2 plus 19.5 Hybrid 

:srixon-small: ZX5 MKll 5 / AW Dart stiff

:taylormade-small: MG3 black 52 9b 58 12b

:scotty-small:  7.5 Phantom 34”

:srixon-small: Z Star Diamond 2023

 

 

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The Tank! Met K. J. At a Texas am qualifier his son was playing in (his son is a great player himself) really good fella, Ping made a very good choice in signing him!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Right Handed

4.5 handicap

Driver: Nike Vapor Flex with Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki ZT60x5ct S-flex shaft and stock grip.

3-Metal: Nike VRS 15 degree with Mitsubishi Rayon tour issue Diamana S73x5ct X-flex shaft and GolfPride MCC midsize Black/White grip.

Irons: Ben Hogan PTx 22, 26, 30, 34, 38, 42, 46 degrees standard length and lie with KBS Tour-V stiff shafts and GolfPride MCC midsize Black/White grips.

Wedges: Ben Hogan TK15 54, 58 degrees with KBS Tour-V X-flex shafts and GolfPride MCC midsize Black/White grips.

Putter: Nike Method Converge B1|01 with Superstroke Flatso 2.0 grip.

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Good move for Ping globally. This move may get them more in the Asian market. I will guarantee those irons have been tweaked because KJ is pretty smart himself technically on clubs. Remember he was the first with the really over sized "Superstroke"  putter grip. I remember we used to call them KJ Choi grips.

Driver ---- Callaway Big Bertha Alpha  Speeder 565 R flex- 5W TM V-Steel Fubuki 60r--- 7W TM V-Steel UST Pro Force Gold 65R----- 9 W TM V Steel TM MAS stiff---- Irons 2015 TM TP CB Steel Fiber 95 R--- GW Callaway Mack Daddy 2 52* shaft unknown junk pile refugee. SW Callaway PM Grind 56*  Modified sole grind--- KBS Tour Wedge-- LW Vokey 58* SM5 L grind--- Putter Ping B90I Broom Stick 

 

 

 G

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Good move for Ping globally. This move may get them more in the Asian market. I will guarantee those irons have been tweaked because KJ is pretty smart himself technically on clubs. Remember he was the first with the really over sized "Superstroke" putter grip. I remember we used to call them KJ Choi grips.

With so much offset on these, stock, it does seem like some alterations would have been made. I would think it would have been reduced just to make shaping shots a lot easier. Many Tour reps say the true PGA equipment is quite different from what we can get, so I'd put money on the fact these G400s are “different” in some way.

 

Although..... KJ did, supposedly, buy clubs off the rack at a store for a tournament some years back.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Driver: Ping G430 Max 9*, Ping Tour 70X

Fairway: Ping G425 15*, Ping Tour 70X

Hybrid: Ping G425 22*, Ping Tour 80X

Irons:  Ping i230 4-GW, TT DG X100

Wedges: :edel-golf-1: SMS 50D/54V/58D:Nippon:Modus 130 stiff, +1”

Putter:  :edel-golf-1: EAS 1.0

Ball: Titleist 2023 AVX

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