Counterfeit golf equipment – Syndication Server

Ping PLD Milled putters

Ping’s PLD Milled putters are straight-off-the-tour designers made to provide the ultimate in feel and precision.

Gear: Ping PLD Milled putters

Specs: Milled 303 stainless steel. Available in two blade and two mid-size mallet designs

Who they’re for: Golfers who demand the ultimate in feel and precision and want a putter that looks like it came right off the PGA Tour.

Price: $485

The Skinny: The four PLD putters are straight-from-the-tour designs that will look familiar to anyone who watches the PGA Tour or LPGA. They are designed to provide outstanding feedback and generate a classic, unfiltered sound at impact.

The Deep Dive: Back in 2016, Ping started the PLD program. The letters stand for Putting Lab Design, referring to an area deep inside Ping’s Phoenix, Arizona, headquarters where pros such as Viktor Hovland, Tony Finau, Louis Oosthuizen, Bubba Watson and Brooke Henderson have their strokes analyzed and their putters tweaked. From the start, the goal of the PLD program was for Ping’s staff players to be armed with the best putters available to help them win championships.

In 2017, Ping made the first commercially available PLD putter – an Anser, of course. Over the next few years, pros such as Hovland and Cameron Champ helped Ping refine the shape of some compact mallets using different materials. Now Ping is making four PLD putters available for golfers who love classic shapes and want the ultimate in feel.

Ping PLD Milled putters — The milled face of the PLD Milled putters is designed to enhance feel and create a richer sound. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

Milled from soft 303 stainless steel blocks, there are two PLD heel-toe-weighted blades (Anser, Anser 2) and two compact mallets (DS 72, Prime Tyne 4). While some recent Ping putters such as the Sigma 2 have featured variable-depth milling patterns designed to normalize ball speed over the hitting area, and others such as the 2021 family have multi-material faces to soak up excessive vibrations, the PLD Milled putters have a consistent-depth milling pattern that is intended to soften the sound and feel of impact. Over the years Ping’s designers have studied groove depth in different metals so they can produce the precise harmonics they want, and in the PLD Milled, the slightly deeper milling pattern produces a deeper tone.

Ping PLD Milled Anser (David Dusek/Golfweek)

The PLD Milled Anser is the latest iteration of one of the most iconic putters ever made. As with previous Anser putters, it has rounded bumpers in the heel and toe, creating perimeter weighting for extra stability. The PLD Milled version comes standard with a plumber’s neck hosel, making it ideally suited for a golfer with a slightly arched stroke. There are no alignment lines or aids on the Anser, which many “feel” players love.

Ping PLD Milled Anser 2 (David Dusek/Golfweek)

The PLD Milled Anser 2 has a similar shape, but the blade length is longer, the topline is thinner and the bumpers on the back are squared and angular instead of rounded. It also has a single white alignment line on the back flange.

Ping PLD DS 72 putter — Ping PLD DS72 putter (David Dusek/Golfweek)

The DS72 mallet is the Viktor Hovland putter, a semi-circular, compact mallet. Looking down at it in the address position, you can see echoes of the Anser. The extra mass in the perimeter and deeper shape make it more stable on off-center hits.

Ping PLD Prime Tyne 4 putter (David Dusek/Golfweek)

Finally, the Prime Tyne 4, a favorite of Cameron Champ, has a rectangular hitting area and a pair of wing-like extensions in the heel and toe to boost the moment of inertia, along with a short slant neck hosel that gives it some toe hang. There is a short, white alignment line in the back flange, and the space between the wings is identical to the width of a golf ball, which should help players aim the putter more easily.

Ping PLD Milled Anser: $449.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $447 at GlobalGolf
Ping PLD Milled Anser II: $449.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $447 at GlobalGolf
Ping PLD Milled DS72: $449.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $447 at GlobalGolf
Ping PLD Milled Tyne Prime 4: $449.99 at PGA Tour Superstore / $447 at GlobalGolf

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21,281 counterfeit clubs, components and pieces of apparel seized in raids in China

Six raids at assembly plants and warehouses in China seized fake Callaway, Ping, PXG, Scotty Cameron, TaylorMade, Titleist and Xxio equipment.

With golf remaining so popular in 2021 and the global supply chain issues making the wait times for new gear longer and longer, criminals have plenty of incentive to try producing and selling counterfeit golf equipment. U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group has joined forces with police agencies in China and conducted several raids this year and just announced that a six-raid sting operation in September seized more than 21,281 counterfeit clubs, components and pieces of apparel.

The raids involved more than 100 members of the Shanghai Police and took place at assembly plants and warehouses in the Chinese cities of Dongguan, Guangzhou, Longhui, Shanghai and Shaoyang.

“As golf continues to grow in popularity, counterfeiters are taking drastic measures to deceive the public and threaten the integrity of the game,” said Daryl Rocco, Senior Paralegal for Callaway, in a release. “The enforcement efforts driven by the Golf Group are growing steadily, and we’re thrilled authorities in China are sending the message that producing and selling fake golf equipment is unacceptable.”

Among the products seized in the latest raids were trademarked gear from Callaway, Ping, Scotty Cameron, TaylorMade, Titleist and Xxio.

The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group has several tips to help golfers spot fake gear online.

Busted: Nearly 10,000 counterfeit golf clubs seized in China

A golf equipment raid in China nabs nearly 10,000 pieces of illegal clubs and components.

Anyone who has tried to buy golf equipment over the last year knows that instead of being a joyous occasion, supply chain issues, along with shortages of some shafts, grips and components, have made many players wait for weeks or months to get their gear.

People who make and sell counterfeit equipment know that frustrated golfers are looking for the quickest and least expensive ways to get the clubs they want. That creates motivation and opportunities.

Knowing that maybe it should not come as a surprise that the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group announced recently that a series of three raids bagged 9,769 pieces of clubs and components, as well as 10,600 pieces of trademark labels. Brands with gear being counterfeited included XXIO, Titleist, TaylorMade, PXG, Callaway and Ping.

The three raids were conducted on June 2, and they were made with the cooperation of the Shanghai Police in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China.

The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group is a gathering and partnership of six golf companies, including Acushnet (Titleist, FootJoy and Scotty Cameron), Callaway, Cleveland/Srixon/Xxio, Ping, PXG and TaylorMade that was formed in 2004. The group works with local authorities to investigate counterfeit goods and coordinate raids that seize items made illegally. The group’s work has led to the shutdown of more than 1,500 websites and, and more than two million counterfeit golf products have been captured and kept off the market.

“The job of protecting golfers across the world from counterfeiters is one we take tremendous pride in,” said Lisa Rogan, Director of Brand Protection for Titleist. “Successful raids like these serve as a poignant reminder to all counterfeiters that their work will not be tolerated and that our group will work swiftly with law enforcement across the world to stop these illegal acts.”

Unfortunately, the increase in golf’s popularity has pushed counterfeiters to make more fake club heads, shafts, grips, golf balls, bags and headcovers. In 2020, the largest counterfeit golf equipment raid ever seized 120,000 pieces of fake golf equipment seized and 15 defendants were detained and arrested.

The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group warns consumers that if a price for a piece of golf equipment being sold online seems too good to be true, it probably is, and the club, ball or accessory may well be counterfeit. You can get lots of tips on spotting fake and counterfeit golf equipment on the groups website, keepgolfreal.com.

Golf club counterfeiters found guilty after Chinese bust, with 120,000 pieces of gear confiscated

The total value of the faked gear was more than $1.8 million, and 15 people were sentenced to prison and fined for their roles.

If a deal on a new set of clubs sold online sounds too good to be true, it very well could be. A recent bust of Chinese counterfeiters proved that point and should serve as notice to buy golf gear only from trusted retailers or from equipment manufacturers directly.

Fifteen people in China were convicted this week for their roles in a major counterfeit golf club ring, an industry watchdog association named U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group reported.

Following what the U.S.-based business group called the largest raid of counterfeit golf gear ever, conducted in 2020, a court in the Chinese district of Pudong convicted all 15 people on trial after the raid. The total case value of the faked equipment was more than $1.8 million and involved 120,000 pieces of equipment falsely carrying the branding of Titleist, TaylorMade, PXG, Ping, Callaway and Cleveland/Srixon.

Thirteen people were convicted for counterfeiting registered trademarks, and two people were convicted for selling them. Combined, the defendants were sentenced to 42 years with fines totaling $574,461. Another person was tried in the case, and the outcome of that trial is pending.

“We are very pleased with the outcome in this case, and we hope it serves as a strong message to any potential counterfeiters and sellers of counterfeit golf products in China or elsewhere that this behavior will not be tolerated,” Jud Hawken, associate general counsel for Ping, said in a media release announcing the verdict. “We will continue to work closely with law enforcement across the globe to take down these counterfeiters, eliminate the selling of these fake products and protect golfers everywhere.”

The case involved raids at 10 locations, including the manufacturer of the club heads, shaft and grip suppliers, owners of assembling workshops, shipping centers and online chat rooms. Counterfeit products confiscated in the raids included complete golf clubs, club heads, shafts, grips, bags, labels and more. Photos of the raid can be found on the industry group’s website, www.keepgolfreal.com, and on Facebook.

The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group was formed in 2004 to support international law enforcement as it pertains to misrepresented golf gear. The group includes Acushnet (Titleist and FootJoy), Callaway, Cleveland/Srixon, Ping, PXG, TaylorMade and Adams Golf. The group said in the release that its efforts have led to the shutdown of more than 1,500 websites involved in counterfeiting and have led to the seizure of more than 2 million faked products.

More than 120,000 pieces of counterfeit golf products seized in raids

Counterfeit golf products bearing the brand names of Titleist, TaylorMade, PXG, Ping, Callaway and XXIO were seized.

More than 120,000 pieces of counterfeit golf products bearing the brand names of Titleist, TaylorMade, PXG, Ping, Callaway and XXIO were recently seized in what the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group announced as its largest-ever raid in China against online counterfeiters of golf equipment.

The Golf Group assisted the Shanghai Police in simultaneous raids at 10 locations in four cities in China of online golf product sellers.

The counterfeit products confiscated in the raids include golf clubs, club heads, shafts, grips and bags. The owners of assembling workshops, shipping centers and online chatting rooms were also caught up in the raids.

“We are thrilled that Chinese police were willing to take serious action against online counterfeits even during the pandemic.”Kristin Strojan, Legal Counsel Trademark and Brand Protection at TaylorMade Golf, said in a statement. “Counterfeiters have been taking advantage of the current situation and counterfeit listings have become more rampant on the internet. We never stopped watching them even during these challenging times and continue to work with authorities worldwide to target online counterfeit sellers aggressively.”

In all, 15 suspects were arrested and detained.

The Golf Group first formed in 2004. Since then, more than 1,500 websites have been shut down and more than 2 million counterfeit golf products have been seized.