UNOFFICIAL REVIEW: iPing 2.0 putter fitting iOS app

[pakman92]

This off season, I had been looking for ways to improve my putting.  I have a putting mat and a mirror that helps me make sure my eyes are over the ball and putts start on the right line.  They are better than nothing for putting practice indoors, but practicing with them is boring and perhaps even ineffective.   While searching for various putting aids, I came across an putter fitting application used by Ping that is available for download for iOS devices.   You can find the review for version 1.0 in MSG, here.  REVIEW - iPING Putter App.

DOWNLOAD/SETUP

Although App is still available for free in the APP Store, they no longer sell the plastic cradle that snaps onto the shaft of your putter.  If you happen to find one on ebay or similar market places, you will still need an iphone 5? to fit into the cradle.  Newer iPhones will not fit in the cradle.  I found that mounting putty works great.  It's malleable yet holds shape and it sticks to shaft and back of the phone quite well.  See the picture below.  App itself is easy to install, the actual version is 3.2.1 revised as recently as May 2021.  You will need to create an 'account' to use the app which mean you will need to enter your email address.

FUNCTIONALITY

Ping has added lie angle and shaft lean to the metrics it captures.  1.0 version already supported closing angle (arc type), impact angle and tempo. There are four modes, Guided Fit, Frit for Stroke, Live Loft/Lie, Single Putt. 

• Guide fit: If you are interested in finding a ping putter for your putting stroke, this can recommend a ping putter for you after you take 5 10 foot putts. 
• Fit for stroke: This is the mode that I use for practice.  The app will give you a putting handicap based on how consistent your metrics are based on 5 putts.  Less variance will lead to better putting handicap.   I use this feature to practice 5 ft, 10 ft and 20 ft putts(stopped by a rolled up towel) and to improve consistency.   Basically, I'm striving to make sure my closing angle, impact angle, tempo, lie angle and shaft lean are all consistent from stroke to stroke.   iPING 2.0 app does a good job doing that.  You should note that the handicap is based on consistency, not particular numbers.   For example, if you are consistent in putting 1 degree open at impact, you will get a higher score than someone you averaged 0.0 impact angle but has larger variance.   This make sense since this is a fitting app.  A fitting can correct for tendencies as long as the strokes are consistent.  
• Live Loft/Lie:  This was useful to check that my iphone's gyroscopes are working.  I can check that when the lie angle is flat and shaft is straight up, the angles read neutral.  See the picture below. 
• Single Putt:  It is what it sounds like.  You can take one putt and it will give you metric on your putt

PROS

• A free app that captures on putting metrics.  Awesome
• I believe the data to be accurate after using it for over a 2 weeks taking 100s of putts
• You can make a game out of beating your handicap which can be motivating

CON

• Having a heavy phone stuck to your shaft must change your stroke in some way.  Am I making anything worse?  I don't believe so, but, it's a legitimate concern.
• Cannot buy the plastic cradle anywhere, particularly that will fit recent versions of iPhones.

VERDICT

This is obviously a personal opinion, but this is probably the best putting practice gadget I've gotten free or otherwise.   It gives me instant feedback on my putting stroke and helps me work on consistent tempo, set up and stroke.   I like it a lot!

This was my first attempt at a review of any kind.  I hope it was useful in someway to someone.   Feel free to ask any questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

 

pakman92

 

Edited December 23, 2021 by pakman92
grammar and spelling

[cksurfdude]

I have tried the earlier version of that app, but honestly was underwhelmed...

If you're willing to spend a few $$ then IMHO Blast Motion Golf is one of the best (in home) putting "tutors" out there.

[pakman92]

On 12/22/2021 at 4:05 PM, cksurfdude said:

I have tried the earlier version of that app, but honestly was underwhelmed...

If you're willing to spend a few $$ then IMHO Blast Motion Golf is one of the best (in home) putting "tutors" out there.

I just looked at Blast Motion you mentioned.  Now, I wish I had that on my X-mas list.

[PMookie]

I have the old cradle, and I sure wish they built that thing to be “adjustable” so modern phones could be used. Last time I used the original app I was curious to see to which putter the app would fit me, stroke-type, etc. Been years!!!

Thanks for the write-up!

[pakman92]

52 minutes ago, PMookie said:

I have the old cradle, and I sure wish they built that thing to be “adjustable” so modern phones could be used. Last time I used the original app I was curious to see to which putter the app would fit me, stroke-type, etc. Been years!!!

Thanks for the write-up!

Yet, they keep updating the app.  I have never been fitted for Ping putter.  Perhaps, they still use the app with old phones at Ping fitting locations?  Anyone been fitted for Ping putters recently?  Do they still use the app?

[cnosil]

7 hours ago, pakman92 said:

Yet, they keep updating the app.  I have never been fitted for Ping putter.  Perhaps, they still use the app with old phones at Ping fitting locations?  Anyone been fitted for Ping putters recently?  Do they still use the app?

If you go to ping HQ, I believe they use the app and Qunitic.   

[dlow206]

Was messing around with the iPing app today. Already sent in some data last week because I have my in-person Ping PLD custom fitting coming up and you send in iPing data so they can get a better initial understanding of your putting before you arrive. This was from today, not from the data sent it, but would be similiar.

Overall "handicap" of 0.4

[MattWillGolf]

I used the iPing app with my old phone awhile back. I bought a cheap phone case, cheap rubber gripping clamp with a flat bottom, a bit of gorilla glue and assembled my own holder. I was able to use it to find out I had a slight arc and I could benefit from a putter with 4° of loft and a 69° lie angle. I did notice that as the app received revisions features were more geared towards fitting and not as much around practice drills but I have not used it recently.

[DrStangeLove]

check out short game app - similar to the Iping app (available on the app store). Also measures break and determines swing length. Works for both putting and chipping - low monthly subscription (3.99 US with 1 month free trial). See shortGame.ca or look up on the app store. 

[Guest Common Sense Dave]

This is my “stupid product of the month” award. Why would anyone ever use this app if you have to ‘McGyver’ it to your putter? Ping - you make the app available, but no way to use it.  This is dumber than having a fur sink in your bathroom.

[cnosil]

24 minutes ago, Guest Common Sense Dave said:

This is my “stupid product of the month” award. Why would anyone ever use this app if you have to ‘McGyver’ it to your putter? Ping - you make the app available, but no way to use it.  This is dumber than having a fur sink in your bathroom.

The iPing app isn't intended to general use so there are no accessories available.  Per the Ping website:  At this time, the iPING 2.0 app is intended for use by authorized PING retailers and club fitters only. All technical support and availability of accessories will only be available to authorized PING club fitters and retailers.

[Guest Dave]

14 hours ago, cnosil said:

The iPing app isn't intended to general use so there are no accessories available.  Per the Ping website:  At this time, the iPING 2.0 app is intended for use by authorized PING retailers and club fitters only. All technical support and availability of accessories will only be available to authorized PING club fitters and retailers.

I understand that, so why even make the app available?

[cnosil]

10 minutes ago, Guest Dave said:

I understand that, so why even make the app available?

So fitters and retailers can download the software????   Lots of app in the various App Stores that require purchases or licensing to be able to effectively use them.  It is an easy way to distribute software for use on phones.  

[Jim Watt]

Why should Ping give us an app which will improve our putting? it defeats their purpose of existence of making us buy yet another putter which in reality will only improve our score if we if we improve our stroke. Let the masses keep buying new "improved" putters, cash in the bank.

Guest Jim