PING’s Mini Driver Prototype Just Showed Up on the USGA List

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming—a run of ready-for-retail releases—to bring you a fresh entry on the USGA conforming list. PING’s “prototype” mini driver is now conforming.

As with all things USGA list, the details are sketchy. Other than the obvious “Prototype” callout and the visible Draw and Fade positions for the back weight, the list notes only that “SPINSISTENCY” is marked on the face.

Both right- and left-handed versions appear on the list and both are, for now, limited to 13 degrees of loft.

The Prototype Mini fills what could be seen as a hole in the PING lineup, insomuch as it’s currently the only major golf brand without a mini driver offering. That said, the PING Prototype is just that—a prototype.

The official word from PING is that the new offering is a Tour-only prototype and there will be no consumer availability.

On one hand, bummer. On the other, just because this prototype version won’t make it to shelves isn’t a guarantee that there won’t be a PING mini at some point. As you may recall, the first version of what became the Titleist GT280 was also a Tour prototype that didn’t feature the same level of industrial design that the retail offering eventually would. The same could be said for COBRA’s mini driver offering.

Will PING follow the same script?

I’d wager PING is in the relatively early stages of figuring out what direction to go with its take on a mini driver, so while I can confidently say nothing is imminent, I wouldn’t rule it out down the road.

My best guess (and it’s just that) is that we eventually see PING enter the mini market, but it’s going to be a while.