Ping's Internet Ban

Internet sites are no longer authorised to sell Ping Golf equipment.

"We have been evaluating the role of the internet as it relates to our company for some time, and we believe the new policy is in the best interest of our customers and consumers," said Pat Loftus, vice-president of sales and marketing. "Our products are more complicated than others, and club-fitting is a big part of our strategy. Point and click sales don't allow for club- fitting."

The idea behind the new policy, Loftus said, is that the internet is a resource to obtain information but not the best way to purchase Ping golf equipment.

"Clicking to add Ping clubs to a shopping cart does not allow consumers to experience the service that Ping can offer," he said.

Internet retail sales of Ping products previously represented less than one per cent of the company's total sales and the new policy is intended to be permanent. But Loftus added: "We have no crystal ball and we don't know what will emerge down the line. We will monitor the situation. A lot of people do business on the internet, but many internet retail companies may not be around 12 or 24 months from now."