Well of course, Ping!
I tried a couple of putters before I decided to steal my husbands old ping Rite-in.
I found the longer Zing, or anser styles were too toe heavy for me, and I found that I tended to drag the toe during my stroke.
My suggestion to you, would be talk to your local ping retailer, purchase a gift certificate, or make arrangements to be billed, and send your friend down for a custom fitting. That way you will know your friend will choose the putter by its feel and fit... and you'll see it in his/her bag more often.
Wish I had a friend like you!
Sylvia
northwestgolflinks.com