A Solid Bond

In this special feature, we talk to players who have spent their entire careers with one brand. First, Lee Westwood tells us why he’s been with Ping for more than 30 years...

- Neil Tappin

What were the early clubs you remember playing?

Well, my first set of clubs weren’t Ping. Like most 11- or 12-year-olds, I was bought a set by my nan and grandad from a guy my mum used to work with. It was a half set of Cary Middlecoff clubs, maybe ladies’ clubs. I can’t even remember, they were a bit rusty. I just took them down to a field and had a hack with them. From there, I got a set of Swilken cavity back ladies’ clubs and then my mum and dad bought me a set of Pings when I was 13 years of age. I played well with them, won the County Championship and then Ping very kindly started lending me clubs, so

I’ve been with them since 1987.

How did the relationship with Ping start?

I was at an advantage of living in Worksop because the Ping factory is in Gainsborough, only 25 minutes away. The pro at Worksop, John King, stocked a lot of Ping equipment and the local rep had been chatting to John and saying: “I see you’ve got a good junior golfer at Worksop.” Then we got in contact with each other and they took me down to Ping HQ for a custom fitting.

During those early years, as you were moving through the system in England, do you remember any specific models fondly?

I would have been using the Ping Eye2 irons back then and I had them for a good few years. Then I was given a set of beryllium copper ones. Everyone wanted beryllium to spin the ball more with that box groove. I used to spin it off the greens, which is never a great idea!