Callaway...

[Alex1975]

So another new launch from Callaway today with the XR range.

I note that the other day TaylorMade brought out the R15, a club that has been in the wings for some time yet even after a few months of reviews there was a pretty big splash on the day of release. However this does not seem to be the case with this Callaway XR range.

I understand that TaylorMade have vowed to go back to a more sensible release scheduled and that Callaway have said they will not and will continue to bring 5 or 6 new releases a year and be as aggressive as possible.

Are we seeing the industry and press having enough of Callaway as I had no idea the XR range was coming and I am seeing less press push?!

Personally there stock with me has gone down every year for quite a few now.

 

[fundy]

I got pretty short shrift on twitter from their social media guy when asking about how many releases they are making earlier. They all just blend into one now for me

 

[Dan2501]

At least the 15 different Big Bertha versions looked good. That's the ugliest driver released by any of the manufacturers this year imo.

 

[m10johnson]

Callaway's marketing is becoming a big issue. TM did it and they suffered as the public did not buy as many units at TM anticipated. As a result, TM have struggled recently ever since the R11 and RBZ.

Callaway seem to be trying this same route, but it is becoming so ridiculous that companies such as American golf, DG etc are not purchasing as much off them and some stores not stocking the product at all.

I'm glad TM have calmed down in the last year, as people like Titleist and Ping can manage yearly releases.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

At least the 15 different Big Bertha versions looked good. That's the ugliest driver released by any of the manufacturers this year imo.

I tend to worry about how it looks at address, rather than the underneath

I like Callaway, they make good stuff and had a fantastic day at the Kings Of Distance day last year. BUT this rate of release of new gear is unsustainable, unless each one represents a leap forward.

 

[Dan2501]

Looks bad there too.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Think it looks better than this

 

[patricks148]

I think i posted about Callaway and the amount of models it brings our about 15 months ago... i got shot down at the time

 

[CallawayKid]

Really??!! 14 days in??!!

Agree, releasing too much stuff, but then that means the older stock gets cheaper quicker

CK

 

[Ethan]

Basically the X Hot 3. Probably pretty similar to the X Hot 1 and 2.

 

[garyinderry]

Looks ok to me. The top looks better than pings turbulators.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think Callaway are playing a dangerous game replicating the old TM marketing strategy of new models on a very short turn around, compared to many others like Ping. With golf numbers decreasing and money still tight I don't understand how they can hope to get through enough units to make it viablw

 

[NST]

Isn't this good though, it means we can buy 6 month old 'new' equipment at heavily discounted prices.

 

[chrisd]

I like the look of the XR irons!

Might have to give them a try

 

[Marshy77]

Looks ok to me. The top looks better than pings turbulators.

Yes I like the top of driver, not sure why they put some much detail on the bottom of the club but the plain black top looks pretty good.

 

[Hacker Khan]

I like to think I follow golf quite closely reading all the mags and such like. But even I have lost track of what represents Callaways latest ranges as we seem to be at the stage where there is a story in a golf mag every month about them bringing out a variant on an existing driver or a new range. I am sure they are perfectly good clubs and all that, but it kind of puts me off looking at them as a brand.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Isn't this good though, it means we can buy 6 month old 'new' equipment at heavily discounted prices.

Arguably good for the punter if that is what you want to do, and in some way why not. But probably not good for the long term sustainability of the retail industry we rely on, as they just can afford to take on a lot of stock in their latest range when it will be replaced by a new heavily marketed range pretty soon.

The fact that ranges are marketed well before they come out also does not help. For example we seem to have known about the R15 and Aeroburner for a long time now, but they only came out this week. So surely people are going to be wary of buying say a SLDR at top dollar when they know a new one is out shortly.

 

[chrisd]

Vv

So surely people are going to be wary of buying say a SLDR at top dollar when they know a new one is out shortly.

Spot on, so everyone has a try of the gear and waits until the price drops to finally buy, ok the secondhand value is less but what the heck, you paid much less to get it in the first place. I would never buy anything in Debenhams at the normal price as I know every few weeks they'll have a sale and I'll probably get at least 20% off in that sale. The only thing is that, in the end, the manufacturer and retailer lose out

 

[tsped83]

Isn't this good though, it means we can buy 6 month old 'new' equipment at heavily discounted prices.

I'd agree fella, does the consumer little harm so far as I can see. Especially if you can see thru the marketing guff..

 

[Alex1975]

It is damaging for the brand though.