The weather outside for most of the country is down right Arctic! Talk about a Polar Blast! I remember those days in Minnesota where the temps dipped into the negative numbers and even the 'golf domes' where we hit balls where closed. But does that mean you need to hang up all your clubs and wait for warmer temperatures to keep the game honed? Not at all. As a matter of fact, there is one part of the game that a golfer can always practice indoors and out without worrying about breaking something or someone. Putting. Yes, you can use the convenience of your home,office or even the garage to keep the flat blade in shape. It is time to be sure you have a putter that will give you the confidence from short and long distances. Where to turn? PING! Ping is bringing you this season (FEBRUARY 2014) the Ping Karsten TR Putters that will allow you to be ready when the snow melts to hit the links in style and with a burning hot flat stick to take on your toughest competitor...Old Man Par. This line of putters I think is one of the best yet by Ping Karsten and you will have no difficulty finding one that will be your go to. Remember, putting accounts for approximately 40% of your game, so keep the flat blade stroking this off-season and reach for the Ping Karsten TR Putter series to make your statement. A Closer Look at the Ping Karsten TR Putters The Karsten TR Putters look great but it comes down to performance that makes the difference in breaking par or shooting your best score. The key to the Karsten TR Putter is the grooved face allowing for a True Roll. the 'TR' in the Karsten TR Putter stands for true roll and who doesn't want a putter that gives you that smooth roll right off the face when the ball and putter touch during the stroke? The R&D Team for the Ping Karsten TR Putters studied the effects of grooves on the putter face and found that deeper grooves slow down putts more than more shallow grooves. The team took what they discovered and applied that knowledge to a new line of putters and used some creativity along the way. The Ping Karsten TR Putters have been developed with deeper grooves right around the sweet spot of the putter head and shallower grooves as you move away from the sweet spot--around the heel and toe. The theory of this technology is that the player will get approximately the same distance on a putt struck on the sweet spot as well as one that is just struck off the sweet spot. Forgiveness is a key when the nerves come into play and this line of putters takes that into account. Marty Jertson, Ping's Director of Product Development explains it nicely:

It's a patented technology and something that we're extremely proud of. We put a lot of work into optimizing the performance of [the grooved face], and it's something that I wouldn't be surprised to see us carry in all of our putter lines in the future. We can deliver more forgiveness without having to create higher inertia putters, so you can have a blade-style, low-MOI putter that gives you a high effective inertia. It's something that's really cool and something that we’ve been working on for a long time. We've finally done it.

If you look at last season's Scottsdale TR Putters by Ping you will note they too have a grooved face. But the difference is in the size of the grooved face. Last year they used an insert and this year the Ping Karsten TR Putters have the grooves milled right into the 17-4 stainless steel heads. This will allow for more consistent putting from all distances. Ping also gave something very unique to the Karsten TR Putters: an elastomer badge right behind the hitting surface.What does the mean and why is this significant? This badge will dampen the vibration at impact and enhance the feel and sound. Enhanced feel and sound will lead one to confidence over every putt. Ping Karsten TR Putters -- 5 Choices Ping used the 5 most popular and tour-proven head designs to showcase the Karsten TR (True Roll) putters. You will be able to adjust the shaft length as well to optimize and customize your perfect Karsten TR Putter. Finally, you will find the Ping Karsten TR Putters in a gorgeously handsome golden finish. Here are your Ping Karsten TR Putters with specs and stoke type (who the putter is best for):

Anser 2

Putter Type	Conventional
Standard Length	35.00"
Length Range w/ Adjustable Shaft	31.00" - 38.00"
Lie Angle Range	±4°
Head Weight	345g
Stroke Type	Slight Arc

Anser 5

Putter Type	Conventional
Standard Length	35.00"
Length Range w/ Adjustable Shaft	31.00" - 38.00"
Lie Angle Range	±4°
Head Weight	365g
Stroke Type	Straight

B60

Putter Type	Conventional
Standard Length	35.00"
Length Range w/ Adjustable Shaft	31.00" - 38.00"
Lie Angle Range	±4°
Head Weight	345g
Stroke Type	Slight Arc

Pal

Putter Type	Conventional
Standard Length	35.00"
Length Range w/ Adjustable Shaft	31.00" - 38.00"
Lie Angle Range	±4°
Head Weight	360g
Stroke Type	Slight Arc

Zing

Putter Type	Conventional
Standard Length	35.00"
Length Range w/ Adjustable Shaft	31.00" - 38.00"
Lie Angle Range	±4°
Head Weight	350g
Stroke Type	Strong Arc

    Final Thoughts I am so excited to get my hands on all of the Ping Karsten TR Putters. The look is amazing and the research and technology behind the development of this line of putters is fascinating and truly thought provoking. If I can get a putter in my hand that feels good and then to stroke a putt off the sweet spot (which is more often than not) and find it will travel the same distance as a perfectly 'sweet spot struck' ball...then I am all over these putters. Wouldn't you be? Ping Karsten TR Putters will be available in February of this year (2014) and we at Bunkers Paradise are looking forward to getting them in our testing facility and bringing you the details of our hand's on review. Until then, keep the stroke smooth and eyes on the launch of the Ping Karsten TR (True Roll) Putters--I know I am. Putting contest anyone?!   'keep smiling and always believe'