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A bargain or not??

Posted by: user44459 | Tue 22nd Jan 2008 15:05 | Last Reply

I decided it was time to buy a new set of bats 2 weeks ago, thinking my Cally 2004 BBs were getting a bit clunky for me. I've been saving my little pennies for a while and my intention was a set of Ping G10s (well I wanted the MP57s but didn't have the heart to even try them!).

Anyway, I ended up walking away with a new set of MX19s... For £250.. £150 cheaper than the price I paid for the clubs they've replaced! Has anyone else had a similar experience?

... and fair play to the guy at AG for making my pay half the money I was prepared to!

 

re: A bargain or not??
user26342
Reply : Tue 22nd Jan 2008 21:33

Anthony,

Was your decision based on price or the suitability of the clubs to your swing etc. What may seem a bargain now may result in you having to replace them again in another years time if they hinder your golf.

I would always recommend being custom fitted for any new golf gear.

John.

re: A bargain or not??
user24437
Reply : Wed 23rd Jan 2008 09:11

Ah the sweet golf marketing machine, my favourite subject.  In a way Anthony you have been sucked into it already, albeit with your eyes open.  The truth is that virtually all golf club heads are manufactured in a few factories in China and Taiwan, no matter who's label ends up on them eventually.  Just which factory gets to make them depends on whether they are cast, forged or fully machined.  It's much the same story for the shafts, although the composites tend to be made in Japan.

I had an interesting discussion with a club builder once, just about the time the square drivers were being introduced, and he could get Nike Sumo clone heads 4 months before Nike released them - but they weren't forgeries and were perfectly legal.  They were made from exactly the same material, using the same dies and assembly methods in the same factory, they just didn't have the swoosh on them.  Only problem was that you had to buy a minimum of 500 but they only cost £2.80 each (inc. delivery!).  If you add a couple of pence for putting a logo on, maybe another £3.00 for a fancy composite graphite shaft and add a grip you're looking at a maximum build price for any club from any manufacturer of about £15 including assembly.

So how come a set of irons from one manufacturer costs £250 and from another £500?  Marketing budgets and the need to pay their sponsored pros.  A great example of this are MD Golf clubs.  I've used them and like them, they are reasonably priced and they regularly get cracking reviews in the press and yet few people use them.  Why?  Because they're put together in little factory in Northen Ireland and don't sponsor any major players.

It's a fact that most golfers buy the brand whether it works for them or not.  There is undoubtedly an element of psychology in it (Tiger uses Nike so they must make me a better player etc) but most of it is self delusion.  And before anyone takes offence at that I'd like to say that I'm not immune to it either, I've convinced myself that I can play a Srixon AD333 better than a Srixon Z-URS - but my handicap pays testiment to the innacuracy of that.

So, Anthony, if you've found a cheaper set of clubs that work for you stop trying to justify it, and allow yourself a wry smile the next time someone with a £500 set of Callaways slices his ball into the water when you've just nailed the green...

re: A bargain or not??
user8 [FORUM MODERATOR]
Reply : Wed 23rd Jan 2008 09:34

Natalie is right.  When you see the pro trick shot golfers using clubs backwards, the wrong side of the face, oversized shafts, extra length club and they still hit it 170yards +  you definately know that it almost doesn't matter what club you have but they key is the mechanics of the swing.

re: A bargain or not??
user24437
Reply : Wed 23rd Jan 2008 09:48

Having said that, I must admit my Dryjoy jacket is much better than my old Millets kagool, even though it was 10 times the price...


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