Last Wednesday I had a special meeting.
I jumped on a remote call with my boss to delete something together — I’m a software guy, you know, I love deleting stuff — and once we’d wiped it all, he casually asked if it was true that I play golf.
I replied, “Yeah, when I’m not working, I’m golfing, haha.”
“My wife,” he said, “just gave me the best gift of my life. Let me share my screen!”
And there it was. My boss proudly showed me a full set of copper alloy PING Eye 2 irons, from the 1-iron all the way to the SW, saying:
“They’re almost unused!! These are from ’82, they’re numbered!”
The man was visibly excited — and I was floored.
He told me that as a kid he always dreamed of owning those clubs, but they were usually seen in the hands of “rich folks.” It had always been a small thorn — not having his favorite clubs back then.
Now, over 30 years later, a brand-new set of those iconic irons was finally his.
“I’m taking them out for their first round this afternoon!” he said.
He then started showing me the courses near where he lives in Virginia.
Did you know the PING Eye 2s are the best-selling irons of all time?
They brought U-groove technology into the mainstream. Players felt they gave more spin.
There was some controversy about the width and spacing of the grooves — a conformity issue with models after ’84. But my boss is in the clear: he got his hands on one of the earliest sets…
The coveted beryllium-copper version, known for its sweet feel.
Phil Mickelson, John Daly, Mark Calcavecchia — among many other pros — carried those irons in their bags.
The wedge design (high-toe with the “E” sole) still inspires modern wedges today. And in the sand, it’s a life-saver.
My boss told me he’ll play them for a while, just to scratch that itch...
And then he’ll store them away.
A golfing jewel — more sentimental and collectible than practical.
A sweet-feeling copper alloy investment.
Something the kids might inherit.
Or not.
They’ll never sell them. Or maybe they will...
They’ll be the family PING Eye 2s. From the numbered series. Original. Pre-1984.
Last Wednesday, I wrapped up the call telling my boss to head out to his favorite course with his new Ping Eye 2s — and enjoy them.
And I remembered that quote by Victor Hugo:
“The soul has illusions, just as the bird has wings; that is what supports it.”
Wishing you a weekend full of birdies flying high on their wings.
Dani.