Ping Debuts 2005 Golf Bag Line | GolfGearReview.com

Ping Debuts 2005 Golf Bag Line
Press Release

As PING carries on as the standard in golf bags, John A. Solheim announces today the debut of the 2005 PING(R) golf bag line, which includes two new versions of PING's flagship bag, the Hoofer. The new additions gracing the lineup are two carry bags, the Hoofer(R) Extreme and the Hoofer(R) Lite, and two cart bags, the Trailblazer(TM) and the PING Retro(TM).

"Since the Hoofer's debut in 1995, the bag's reputation has continually grown," says Solheim, PING's chairman and CEO. "This makeover generates two new Hoofer bags that improve upon a durable design that is already greatly revered and recognized in the field as a lightweight, feature-rich golf bag."

The Hoofer Extreme, weighing approximately 4.6 pounds, features a patent- pending, standing retractable strap that is adjustable while walking.

"Because the primary strap stands upright, the golfer doesn't have to bend down or fumble with the straps to get the bag on his or her shoulders," says Solheim. "At that point, the golfer can use the adjustable, secondary strap to make the bag feel snug and comfortable."

The Hoofer Extreme also features an 8-inch by 9.5-inch, patented eight-way top; a full-length divider; and five pockets including an insulated water bottle pocket. The Hoofer Extreme is designed to offer the most complete storage and functionality by also offering zipper access to the bag's interior through the apparel pocket, a patented bag stand, a trunk handle and a towel clip. This golf bag comes with a rain hood and is constructed with a water- repellent polypropylene material that offers more than 500 hours of UV protection. The Hoofer Extreme comes in five stock colors and three limited edition colors, and has a suggested retail price of $165.

Weighing in at only 4 pounds, the Hoofer Lite, made of a high-performance nylon material, is PING's latest entry into the ultra-lightweight bag category. This full-featured bag sports a new, patented 8-inch by 9-inch top to make club removal and replacement easier, while also providing a hi-tech spacer mesh padding for shaft protection. The bag also features an eight-way top, full-length dividers, four pockets, a trunk handle, a rain hood and a new towel clip. For added comfort, the Hoofer Lite has a padded hip pad and a lightweight strap that may be configured for use as a single or dual strap. The Hoofer Lite comes in five stock colors and four limited edition colors, and has a suggested retail price of $100.

"For our carry bags, comfort is key," says Solheim. "We've worked hard to provide as many features and storage areas as possible while keeping the bags lightweight and easy to carry. Our cart bags, while still lightweight and easy to handle, feature a great deal of storage space for valuables and necessities, not to mention optimum club-management systems."

In cart bags, PING introduces the Trailblazer. This bag, engineered specifically for carts, provides an eight-way, 9-inch by 9.5-inch club divider with "stadium seating" so golfers can easily sort and access their clubs. This nylon bag weighs approximately 8 pounds and has been geared for enhanced stability on a variety of surfaces with the addition of four "feet." The Trailblazer also features a hook-and-loop glove holder, 11 pockets, two front handles and an integrated trunk handle. Standard features, such as an umbrella sleeve, rain hood, towel clip and full-length dividers, are also included. The Trailblazer comes in four stock colors and three limited colors, and the suggested retail price is $150.

PING also debuts the PING Retro bag with a traditional shape and tube construction to provide sturdiness on and off the golf cart. The lightweight nylon PING Retro weighs approximately 6 pounds and features eight pockets, full-length dividers and a patented, seven-way, 7.5-inch by 9-inch top with spacer mesh. In addition to a handy trunk handle, towel clip and rain hood, a hidden umbrella sleeve keeps the umbrella concealed and prevents interference when retrieving clubs. If that's not enough room for all of a golfer's essentials, the PING Retro also offers an insulated beverage pocket with enough room for two full-size water bottles. This pull/push cart-compatible bag comes in four stock colors and three limited edition colors. Suggested retail price of the PING Retro is $100.

These additions will join the ranks of PING golf bags, which have come to be known as an industry standard. PING has been manufacturing golf bags for more than 20 years, and has been the No. 1 carry bag among golfers since 1991, according to the Darrell Survey. Additionally, PING's widely recognized Hoofer line is a favorite of collegiate and junior players. In fact, more than 90 percent of golf bags at the 2004 men's and women's NCAA Division I events were PING Hoofers.

"PING's golf bag engineers have worked and reworked our bags with incredible attention to detail in order to best serve golfers of any level," says Solheim. "We have added four new bags to our line that are both functional and stylish. A golf bag should always enhance -- never inhibit -- a golfer's game; and these bags all pass that test."

The Hoofer Lite, Trailblazer and PING Retro in standard colors began shipping Oct. 1; limited edition colors of these bags will begin shipping Nov. 1, along with the Hoofer Extreme. All of the bags are available for embroidery customization, and the Hoofer Extreme is available for screen printing as well. Embroidered PING logos are standard. Please see http://www.pinggolf.com for the full selection of golf bags and accessories.

PING designs, manufactures and markets a complete line of golf equipment including metal woods, irons, putters and golf bags. The family-owned company was founded in 1959 in the garage of the late Karsten Solheim, a mechanical engineer with an extensive background in the aerospace and computer industries. His frustration with his putting inspired him to design his own putter, which created a "pinging" sound when striking a golf ball. This sound was the source of the name now synonymous with innovation and quality throughout the world of golf. Solheim and his company are credited with numerous innovations that became industry standards, including perimeter weighting, custom fitting and the use of investment casting in the manufacturing of golf clubs. Today, the Phoenix-based company is under the direction of Solheim's youngest son, John A. Solheim. PING game-improvement products can be found in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit http://www.pinggolf.com.

PING, Hoofer Extreme, Hoofer Lite, PING Retro and Trailblazer are trademarks of Karsten Manufacturing Corp.