PING's Anser shape has barely changed since 1966, and it's still the blueprint most blade style putters on tour are judged against. Decades later, PING's modern PLD line takes that same design knowledge and builds it in fully milled form for golfers who want the heritage look with a more premium finish.

Both show up in our used golf clubs in Australia range, hand sourced from Japan and graded before listing, which makes comparing an older cast Anser against a newer milled PLD a genuinely useful exercise rather than a guess.

HeritageWhat Makes the Anser Shape Different?

Karsten Solheim's original Anser introduced heel toe weighting to putter design, moving mass away from the centre of the head to resist twisting on a mis hit. At the time, that was a genuine breakthrough, and the basic silhouette it created is still recognisable in blade putters from almost every major brand today.

The classic Anser also popularised the plumber's neck hosel, a bent shaft design that influences how much the head hangs open on the backswing. That detail still matters more than most buyers realise when matching a putter to a stroke.

Modern LineWhat Is PLD, and How Is It Different From Anser?

PLD stands for Putting Lab Design, PING's modern premium putter platform built fully milled rather than cast. It replaced PING's older Sigma 2 and Scottsdale TR lines as the brand's flagship, and it includes updated versions of classic shapes, including modern takes on the Anser, alongside newer mallet designs.

The difference between an older cast Anser and a modern milled PLD comes down to feel and finish more than fundamental design. Milling produces a firmer, more consistent feel off the face, which is why PLD tends to carry a premium over equivalent cast models, even used.

Which to BuyClassic Anser or Modern PLD: Which Suits You?

A used classic Anser is the more affordable way into that heel toe weighted, slightly softer feeling blade shape. It suits golfers who want the heritage look and a proven design without paying a premium for modern milling.

A PLD suits golfers who want the firmer, more consistent feel of a milled face and don't mind paying more for it, even on the used market. Neither is the objectively better putter. It's a feel and budget decision, not a performance gap.

Buyer's ChecklistWhat to Check Before You Buy a Used PING Putter

Face milling or insert wear. Check close photos of the face itself. Wear here changes ball speed more than cosmetic wear anywhere else on the head.

Hosel type. Plumber's neck, slant neck and double bend hosels each encourage a different amount of toe hang. Match this to your stroke using our Find My Fit tool if you're unsure.

Grip condition. A hard or worn grip is a cheap fix, but factor a regrip into your budget if the one fitted looks tired.

Headcover. Not essential, but a sign the previous owner looked after the putter if one is included.

FAQCommon Questions

Is PLD better than a classic Anser? Not automatically. PLD is milled rather than cast, which gives a firmer, more consistent feel, but the classic Anser's softer feel is exactly what plenty of golfers prefer.

What does PLD stand for? Putting Lab Design, PING's current premium, fully milled putter line.

Why do some Anser putters have a different hosel? Hosel type changes how much the head hangs open on the backswing. PING has offered several over the years to suit different strokes.

What should I check buying a used PING putter? Face wear first, then hosel type against your stroke, then grip condition. Our club grading covers face and cosmetic condition on every listing.

What if the specific head I want isn't in stock? Submit a club sourcing request. We look for specific requests on our next buying trip to Japan.

Bottom LineHeritage Shape, Two Ways to Buy It

Anser and PLD share the same design lineage, not the same feel. Decide whether you want the classic cast feel at a lower used price or the firmer, milled feel of PLD at a premium, then match the hosel to your stroke rather than buying on name alone.

Honest prices, quality gear. Simple.