When it comes to shots in and around the green, there is no faking it, the data says golfers struggle. PING is hoping to help that with their new launch the ChipR, which despite odd spelling for trademark purposes, is exactly what it sounds like…a Chipper.
In the late 70s, Karsten Solheim introduced the PING Chipo, it was a more traditional shaped wedge that was designed for golfers that lacked confidence and were looking for assistance around the greens. Part wedge, part putter, but today, that is expanding, or should we say changing, with the new ChipR from PING.
“Golfers who fear chunking or blading their chip shots are really going to benefit from the new PING ChipR,” said John K. Solheim, PING CEO & President. “We’ve learned a lot since my grandfather, Karsten Solheim, invented the Chipo, but his insights were spot on as always. Our research indicates 1/3 of golfers who tested the ChipR saw better results compared to a traditional wedge. We’ve engineered a lot of technology into the ChipR to help golfers avoid the poor chip shot and save strokes around the green. It represents another score-lowering option from our engineers for golfers in search of game improvement and more enjoyment on the golf course.”
The ChipR comes in at a length of many traditional putters (35 inches) and carries a loft closer to that of an 8 iron (38.5 degrees). Designed for shots in and around the green, or better said within 40 yards, and the use is more like a putting stroke, which results in the typical bump and run.
The PING ChipR features a more compact size and shallow face, along with a cambered sole to help playability from nearly any type of lie found on the course. The chipper ChipR features the company’s precision-milled MicroMax grooves to help channel away grass and moisture to promote clean contact and the attention to detail mimics what you would find in a premium quality wedge…just with a product more geared towards assistance.
Do you or would you use a club of this style? Give us your thoughts below or join us for the conversation in the THP online community.
PING ChipR Specs
Material/Manufacturing Process: Investment-cast 431 stainless steel head; composite cavity badge; tungsten toe/shaft weights; precision-milled MicroMax face and grooves; hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish
STD. LOFT/BOUNCE: 38.50°/8°
STD. LENGTH: 35” (available in custom lengths)
STD. LIE: 70° (available in 10 PING color codes)
STOCK SHAFTS: Steel: PING Z-Z115 wedge; Graphite: PING Alta CB Slate (R)
STOCK GRIP: 360 Dyla-wedge Lite grip (3/4” longer than traditional grip)
U.S. MSRP: $195 per club with stock steel shaft; $210 per club with stock graphite shaft
For more information, check out their website at www.ping.com.
In a pro’s bag? Because that would be sweet
With a 70* lie angle ?? That would be one upright iron.
I’ve wondered about replacing my 54 and 58 with a 56 and a chipper but haven’t gone that direction yet.
We know brother. We know and :rip:
Yeah, I think it fits for some people especially if you are used to using a chipper or that’s something that you want but if it’s close enough to an 8i (which I don’t know whether it is or not) it doesn’t fill an existing gap for me.
Doesn’t change that it looks good though, especially for a product I normally associate a chunky look with.
But I know a bunch of golfers struggle with this aspect of their game. Anything that helps save shots, helps around the green and doesn’t require a lot of time practicing would be welcomed by those that struggle.
I remember our league opener when I first joined the league 4 years ago. On the opening hole and bladed three chips across the green. Later that round a guy, trying to be helpful, asked if I’d ever looked into a chipper.
The guy I knew in the league who had known of my short game struggles busted out laughing and has given me a hard time about it.
But you know what, I’m ashamed to admit I’d buy one if it would improve my game.
$195?
actually that’s bad
Would I game one? Maybe. Why not. I have used all sorts of other specialty stuff, might as well give it a go if the chance ever popped up.
It looks nice and doesn’t have the typical chipper look.
It would have to be magic when I picked it up to spend that much.
I am using my chipper more often these days from 30-40 yards. Its great when there is nothing protecting the greens!
It’s still a decent amount but I’ve seen the steel version listed at $177
I’ve been using the smart sole all this season. I play as a single and get grouped up a lot. Not one person has ever said anything about it or even asked about it. Usually they might say nice chip then I say not bad for a chipper which usually sparks some conversation about it. End of the conversation is usually. Hmm I need to try one of those
Plus one! Honestly, the XL Halo Wedge is about the most user friendly club I have used for pitching. I assume the D wedge as well. If anyone is on the fence on a chipper, check out one of these Halo wedges. Plenty of forgivess with no stigma attached.
Try putting the ball in a more forward position in your stance, I can hit pretty solid shots with loft like this. I just swing it more like a regular chip swing.
I laugh at my friends when the are duffing them 4 yards or screaming them across the greens. Do it. If someone says something, tell them to go pound sand.
Truth, right here. It’s not how, it’s how many, as the old chestnut goes.
Are those guys gaming Wooden long clubs, blades, nibliks and mashies with a gutta percha ball? Seems technology isn’t something they take advantage of…? Of course not, they are gaming a 460cc metal driver Hybrids, SGI irons with graphite shafts, heavy mallet putters, lob wedges etc…. what’s the difference really?
At the end of the day, this is a specialty club that someone will still have to practice with. It won’t be automatic and actually, it will likely be best used in quite particular situations (run up room and/or fair amount of green to work with etc.). It will likely be a fairly one trick pony in that sense.
I could see a pro considering one of these at the old course….super firm conditions and tons of run up situations.
I agree that most will use it for the above conditions. I’ll add that I’ve used it as a punch out club a few times and it has worked well. The wide sole helps in the detritus under trees and such.
Sooooooo it’s a 9i?
shouldn’t we just use a 9i then?
One could if they wanted, sure. The design is slightly different with the upright lie angle and wider sole, and I’ve used the "heel up" method of chipping with an iron. this club (well my club, the Cleveland) eliminates the need to manipulate the lie angle of an iron. One less thing for me to screw up.
They stop laughing quick when you keep getting up and down
Bit of a rant here but hear me out…..
I simply can’t accept the whole club shaming thing. I suppose it’s a pet peeve of mine. Any club, as long as it’s legal, is free to be used. And nobody should rib or look down on anyone for using it. This condescending elitist attitude towards certain clubs is a big problem in amateur golf. Not just chippers. Putters, loft, hybrids, shafts, grips, balls….the list goes on and on. Ultimately if you score better then use it with pride. Just because a pro doesn’t use it, does not mean it’s lame or shows some kind of weakness. It’s a stick with a hunk of metal on the end of it just like any other golf club. Pings design and even Cleveland’s C Chipper design are responses to make the chipper look less like traditional chippers. Simply for marketing reasons due to club shaming. And possibly to make them more versatile. If you are a person that makes fun or thinks poorly of golfers that use these types of clubs please stop and think. Do your words and attitude help that player or prevent them from improving?
Ok rant over.
My wife still carries a Niblick. Except for when I steal it!
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If one out of three golfers sees better results, then two out of three sees equal or worse results, right? Curious thing to brag about. It’s like telling a potential customer they have a 67% chance of wasting their money.
I have the Cleveland Smart Sole 4 C. I like it but seem to leave every chip short. When I try to muscle it I tend to skull it. Still trying to find how to use it effectively.
It’s saying that out of 100 people who tested a traditional wedge and a chipper, 33% saw better results with a chipper while the other 66% didn’t necessarily see much better results from the chipper.
So basically, in your foursome, other than you…one out of the 3 remaining guys in your group would benefit from a chipper.
Good point, the ones who say it’s cheating are using 460 cc drivers and super hybrids with juiced up shafts.
This said… I know there are other clubs out there that do the same job, but people are averse to change. Like going from certain irons to hybrids. I dropped my 6i for a 26 degree hybrid lofted to 27 degrees. It gaps perfectly for the 6i and works great for chipping. But like I said, not many players want to give up a 6i, 5i or even a 4i for a hybrid. 3i? that’s where they’ll draw the line.
I also have a Cleveland Smart Sole C. I don’t want to give up a wedge or 21 degree hybrid to put that in the bag. But it’s obvious that many players can benefit from these clubs.
I totally agree. And as I’ve gotten older, I care less and less about what people think about what’s in my bag. Ultimately it’s about what score you post at the end of the day.
All of my stats show my short game is absolutely killing my score. If something can make it easier, I’m all for it. My only hesitation with the CHIPR is the price. It’s pretty steep for this type of club. The funny thing is that even though I have a lot of Cleveland clubs in my bag, this actually made me look more in the Chipper C….which I always ignored because I liked my CBX2. I feel pretty good with full and partial wedges. But my weakness is the simple chip. My percentage of 1-putts after chipping is really low. I need a lot more putts under 3 feet.
I will Prob demo the ChipR. But as a Cleveland C owner I can contest it’s a great club. Has 42 degrees of loft and if struck well you can get some spin on it. It’s far more versatile than you would think. Just have to practice with it. Like any club. They can be had for pretty good price used. Certainly less than the Ping. Or try and an old Cleveland Niblick 42. The older brother of the C wedge. ?
Maybe try a slightly longer backswing? Are you using a putter stroke with it? I find I swing it less like a putter and more like a wedge, to be honest.