GB72
Money List Winner
Recently I had a look at the new Benross range and I thought that they were great looking clubs and may be worth a try. That said, it got me thinking as to whether the ‘budget’ side of the equipment market had lost its way a bit recently or whether companies such as Benross and MD even see themselves as budget companies anymore. This is not meant as any form of comment on the quality of the gear, I have had Benross, MD and Ben Sayers kit in my bag and found it to be excellent.
When I bought from a budget label (and we are not going back that far) the price point for a driver was under £100, about £60 for a fairway wood and my Benross Pure Red Putter was under £40.00. Now that has increased to £150.00 for a driver and £80.00 for a putter in the new range. That puts their new range of drivers in direct price comparison with last year’s models from the ‘big’ manufacturers and a putter not that much cheaper than a big name alternative. For the price of a new ‘budget’ driver I could buy last year’s Callaway X-Hot, a TM RBZ Stage 2 and a few other options. I am sure in terms of quality there is not that much in it but given the choice of a new budget company driver or last year’s must have kit from a bigger name, most golfers are going to head for the latter and a name they know.
I know the quality of this kit has been improving dramatically with branded shafts and grips etc but has it left a gap at the bottom end of the market that only Dunlop are now looking to fill and are the former budget ranges trying to move up to being full priced manufacturers and is that a good move. Had certain companies found their perfect niche in the market and is there room for them to move into the same league as the bigger manufacturers. Can they even think to do that with nobody using their products on tour?
When I bought from a budget label (and we are not going back that far) the price point for a driver was under £100, about £60 for a fairway wood and my Benross Pure Red Putter was under £40.00. Now that has increased to £150.00 for a driver and £80.00 for a putter in the new range. That puts their new range of drivers in direct price comparison with last year’s models from the ‘big’ manufacturers and a putter not that much cheaper than a big name alternative. For the price of a new ‘budget’ driver I could buy last year’s Callaway X-Hot, a TM RBZ Stage 2 and a few other options. I am sure in terms of quality there is not that much in it but given the choice of a new budget company driver or last year’s must have kit from a bigger name, most golfers are going to head for the latter and a name they know.
I know the quality of this kit has been improving dramatically with branded shafts and grips etc but has it left a gap at the bottom end of the market that only Dunlop are now looking to fill and are the former budget ranges trying to move up to being full priced manufacturers and is that a good move. Had certain companies found their perfect niche in the market and is there room for them to move into the same league as the bigger manufacturers. Can they even think to do that with nobody using their products on tour?
