Ping Heppler Putters Review
Joel Tadman tests two models from the new Ping Heppler putter range
The comprehensive Heppler putters combine throwback feels with modern-day visuals and forgiveness. With nine different adjustable models, even including an Armlock option, Ping has golfers seeking a firm, solid feel covered.
-
+
Large variety of shapes
-
+
Premium look and finish
-
+
Solid feel
-
+
Excellent stability
-
+
Strong alignment cues
-
-
Not everyone will enjoy the firm feel
Why you can trust Golf Monthly
Ping Heppler Putters Review
There aren’t many more visually striking putter ranges than the Ping Heppler. Named after one of the original Ping engineers Rick Heppler, the Heppler putters benefit from a new pressure cast aluminium manufacturing technique. This allows for Ping to create some pretty funky shapes while also placing weight exactly where it wanted to in order to maximise forgiveness. Watch our full video review here...
The aluminium is the black material while the copper-coloured areas are steel. Interestingly, across the nine models you’ll notice some have steel faces and others aluminium. You’ll also notice that the faces don’t have the TR grooves that feature on the Sigma 2 range to essentially speed up off-centre hits.
This is to provide a firmer feel and the louder ‘pop’ or clicky sound at impact certainly contributes to this, creating a clear point of difference with the soft and subtle Sigma 2 range. Using the firmer Titleist Pro V1x ball certainly exaggerates this feeling and contributes to a noticeably fast roll off the face, ideal for slightly slower greens, so you can put a shorter more controlled stroke on your putts.
We tested the ZB3 and Tomcat 14, two ends of the spectrum in terms of the size, and really liked them both. The ZB3 has near enough full toe hang for golfers with a strong arc to their stroke while the face-balanced Tomcat 14 has two rows of dots that get closer together as further from the face, creating a sense of the putter being in motion at address. Two sightlines would arguably have been more effective, but there are many other models in the range that have sightlines if that works better for you.
The stability of the heads across the range is obvious, especially in the mallets, assisted by the firmer-feeling black shaft. The contrast of the copper and black sections also helps with alignment on the smaller models and generally, they look really premium and classy.
As always, fitting plays a big part with Ping and across the nine models and four different grip choices, a testing session under the watchful eye of a PGA Pro is key. Especially when you factor in the fact the putters are adjustable for length from 32-36 inches, with the length markings lasered on the back of the shaft for reference.
If you have the opportunity to use the iPing 2.0 app during the process, we would thoroughly recommend it because in just three putts it can guide you into the correct model for your stroke and it has some cool extra features to help you dive deeper into the set up that will work best for you. The Heppler line is certainly one of the best Ping putter ranges the brand has produced.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 12 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all product content here at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader find exactly what they are looking for. So whether it's the latest driver, irons, putter or laser rangefinder, Joel has his finger on the pulse keeping up to date with the latest releases in golf. He is also responsible for all content on irons and golf tech, including distance measuring devices and launch monitors.
One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 3.2.
Joel's current What's In The Bag?
Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9°
Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15°
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18°
Irons: Ping i230 4-UW
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8, 54°. Titleist Vokey SM9 60° lob wedge, K Grind
Putter: Evnroll ER2V
Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x
-
'I Just Need To Play More' - Tiger Woods Turns Attention To US Open After Comfortably Missing Cut At PGA Championship
Despite firing rounds of 72 and 77 in Valhalla, the 15-time Major winner remained upbeat, claiming he is 'better physically' than he was a month ago
By Matt Cradock Published
-
7 Big Names To Miss The Cut At The PGA Championship
There are a host of well-known players heading home early after a disappointing two days at the Valhalla Major – here are some of the biggest names to miss the cut
By Mike Hall Published
-
'There’s No Such Thing As Normality' - Zalatoris Reveals Discussions To Delay PGA Championship Second Round Further Following Dramatic Early Morning
Zalatoris revealed to The Athletic that there were talks of players going to The PGA of America following the tragic news of a PGA worker passing away
By Matt Cradock Published