PING Proving Grounds

PING

The PING Proving Grounds podcast dives into PING's celebrated history and immeasurable contributions to golf equipment, custom fitting and the game of golf in general. Broadcaster Shane Bacon and Marty Jertson, PING's Vice President of Fitting and Performance and professional golfer, discuss what happens behind the scenes at the PING Proving Grounds where data-driven research helps a team of scientists and engineers develop products and fitting tools to help golfers play their best. From the gold putter vault to PING Man and everything in between, tune in to hear more about what goes on at the PING Proving Grounds.

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100 episodes
Updated July 22

Episodes100

Newest first

Sep 23, 2025 · 29 min
Episode 80: Ryder Cup Preview (Feat. Harris English)
PING Pro Harris English joins Shane Bacon ahead of his second Ryder Cup to discuss Bethpage Black, what it’s like to play for Team USA, and how he’s continued to elevate his game and prepare for the biggest events in golf. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 3, 2025 · 28 min
Episode 79: The PING Virtual Fitting Experience
As Fall approaches, Shane and Marty take time to discuss the PING Virtual Fitting Experience, a complimentary fitting session with PING Fitting Specialists, available to everyone. They cover why and when a virtual fitting might be a good option, what to expect from the process, and fitting applications like PING Co-Pilot. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 27, 2025 · 41 min
Episode 78: Mason Howell
Newly crowned U.S. Amateur Champion, Mason Howell, joins the pod off the back of his recent win at The Olympic Club. The 18-year-old high schooler chats with Shane and Marty about his unforgettable week in the Bay Area, qualifying for the Walker Cup at Cypress Point, what’s in the bag, and some advice for junior golfers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 20, 2025 · 49 min
Episode 77: Putter Torque (Feat. Dr. Erik Henrikson)
Dr. Erik Henrikson, PING Director of Golf Science, joins Marty Jertson in the PING Putting Lab for a discussion on putter torque and why it's a popular topic in golf. They cover the five senses and physics of putting, putter innovation, and the latest PLD Milled SE model, the Ally Blue Onset. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 23, 2025 · 36 min
Episode 76: i240 Irons
Shane and Marty discuss the most recent addition to the PING iron lineup, the i240 irons. They dive into the technologies have helped advance performance in the new players-style design, how the i240 irons are engineered to blend well with other models and the early success of the model on professional tours worldwide. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 11, 2025 · 28 min
Episode 75: iDi Driving Iron
As The Open Championship approaches, Shane and Marty discuss the new iDi driving iron, PING's latest long-game solution. They cover inR-Air technology, the three loft options that deliver varying performance benefits, and how the iDi can provide more versatility and control at the top end of players' bags. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 27, 2025 · 41 min
Episode 74: Prepping for Tournament Golf
Summer is a busy time for tournament golf. In this episode of the PING Proving Grounds podcast, Shane and Marty discuss their tournament schedules and how they prepare while balancing the demands of work and life outside of golf. They offer tips on how to get your game tournament ready and strategies for qualifying for bigger events. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 23, 2025 · 31 min
Episode 73: Tour Development Program (Feat. Scott Sullivan)
Shane and Marty are joined on the PING Tour Truck by Scott Sullivan, PING Senior Manager of Amateur Player Development. They discuss the philosophies that guide PING’s Player Development Program, the support that PING provides at the collegiate level, and the impact of NIL endorsements on the program. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 14, 2025 · 48 min
Episode 72: Mackenzie Hughes
Shane and Marty caught up with two-time PGA Tour winner Mackenzie Hughes earlier this year during the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. They discussed the work he’s put in to see ball speed gains, the keys to his consistent putting and how golf is weaving into his life as a dad and husband. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 30, 2025 · 30 min
Episode 71: VISION54 (Feat. Lynn Marriott & Pia Nilsson)
VISION54 co-founders Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson, join Shane and Marty at the PING Proving Grounds to discuss the importance of managing your body, mind, and emotions on the golf course. They cover the origin of Vision 54, technical skills vs. human skills, and how to improve your performance routine process. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 17, 2025 · 24 min
Episode 70: Matt McCarty
PING Pro Matt McCarty joined Shane and Marty in the PING Tour Truck earlier this year during the WM Phoenix Open. They talked about his recent success as a three-time winner on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2024, his first PGA Tour title at the Black Desert Championship, equipment, as well as the majors and important events on his schedule for 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 7, 2025 · 28 min
Episode 69: Thriston Lawrence
In this episode of the PING Proving Grounds podcast, Shane and Marty are joined on the PING Tour Truck by PING Pro Thriston Lawrence. They discuss growing up in South Africa, his passion for fishing, what’s currently in the bag, and his excitement to be playing in the Masters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 24, 2025 · 24 min
Episode 68: Erik Anders Lang
Shane and Marty are joined in the PING Tour Truck by Erik Anders Lang, film maker and founder of Random Golf Club. They chat about his intro into golf, the origins of Random Golf Club and the Mad Scramble Tour, and his partnership with PING. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 5, 2025 · 23 min
Episode 67: Scottsdale Putters
Shane and Marty are joined in the PING Putter Lab by Tony Serrano, PING Principal Design Engineer, to discuss the new Scottsdale putter family. They dive into the PEBAX insert, the return of the Craz-E, and the SuperStroke grip collaboration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 20, 2025 · 26 min
Episode 66: G440 Irons (Feat. Dr. Paul Wood)
Dr. Paul Wood, PING VP of Engineering, joins Shane and Marty at the PING Proving Grounds to discuss the design and development of the G440 irons. They dive into the importance of the PurFlex cavity badge, the EYE2-inspired sand wedge, and the benefits of AFS 3D fitting to dial in spin rates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 5, 2025 · 28 min
Episode 65: Jim Knous
Shane and Marty sit down with Jim Knous, former PING Pro turned Fitting Science Manager, to talk about his transition from life on Tour to an engineer at PING. They revisit his experience at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open and dive into his strategy to continue to try and qualify and play at the highest level. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 31, 2025 · 22 min
Episode 64: G440 Fairway Woods & Hybrids (Feat. Travis Milleman)
Shane and Marty welcome Travis Milleman, PING Design Engineering Manager, to the podcast to take a closer look at the G440 fairway woods and hybrids. They discuss Free Hosel design, the refined fairway wood face heights, and how to leverage fitting solutions like PING Co-Pilot and the Gapping App to optimize the longer clubs in your bag. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 17, 2025 · 30 min
Episode 63: G440 Driver (Feat. Dr. Erik Henrikson)
Shane and Marty are joined at the PING Proving Grounds by Dr. Erik Henrikson, PING Director of Golf Science, to dive deep into the G440 driver family. They discuss the evolution of the ‘G’ series, the driver R&D process, and the innovation and technologies that deliver more speed and distance off the tee than ever before. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 19, 2024 · 23 min
Episode 62: Your Questions Answered
In the final episode of 2024, Shane and Marty take time to answer questions submitted by the PING Proving Grounds pod community. They discuss how to evaluate your equipment, Marty’s ‘Thriver’ specs, favorite interviews of the year, and sole grind options to consider in your wedges. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 12, 2024 · 22 min
Episode 61: Indoor vs. Outdoor Fitting
As winter approaches, Shane and Marty discuss the differences between indoor and outdoor fittings, including tips on how to make the most of the indoor fitting environment, and ways to gamify the fitting experience. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PING Proving Grounds

Episode 80: Ryder Cup Preview (Feat. Harris English)

Episode 79: The PING Virtual Fitting Experience

Episode 78: Mason Howell

Episode 77: Putter Torque (Feat. Dr. Erik Henrikson)

Episode 76: i240 Irons

Episode 75: iDi Driving Iron

Episode 74: Prepping for Tournament Golf

Episode 73: Tour Development Program (Feat. Scott Sullivan)

Episode 72: Mackenzie Hughes

Episode 71: VISION54 (Feat. Lynn Marriott & Pia Nilsson)

Episode 70: Matt McCarty

Episode 69: Thriston Lawrence

Episode 68: Erik Anders Lang

Episode 67: Scottsdale Putters

Episode 66: G440 Irons (Feat. Dr. Paul Wood)

Episode 65: Jim Knous

Episode 64: G440 Fairway Woods & Hybrids (Feat. Travis Milleman)

Episode 63: G440 Driver (Feat. Dr. Erik Henrikson)

Episode 62: Your Questions Answered

Episode 61: Indoor vs. Outdoor Fitting