Faster, longer, better. What does it really mean??

[Piece]

On practically every new review for equipment, in particular driver and woods, the marketing text says things along the lines of "more forgiveness, greater length, increased MOI, better performance", etc. Fine, but in the context of what? Against the previous model? Against competitors? And what does it really mean?

I suppose I'm looking for some hard facts, perhaps showing before and after figures. E.g. for length:

1. TM R11. Length (using robot or something!) with a SS of 110, 255y; SS of 100, 240y, etc.
2. TM R11s. Length with same SS of 110, 258y, SS of 100, 235y, etc.

Now I can see that the new model is 3y longer. Something tangible, rather than marketing blurb.

I know this type of information would be difficult to state when comparing across brands and no doubt manufacturers will have different criteria and parameters, thus no effective standardisation (that I know of?). Having said, it certainly would help when both TM and Benross say their new driver is longer; you'd know which is the longer driver in the standardised test if you knew that a TM goes 250 and the Benross 245 (for example!) for your swing speed.

Of course I realise that we're all human and that a robotic test doesn't paint the full picture, but something along these lines would certainly help to know what is the truth and what is just selling spiel.

Similarly, "better performance" could be quantified by the manufacturer stating dispersion facts against length, for centre and off centre hits. I'd argue thats more important than them telling me it is more forgiving because of a higher MOI, etc.

Anyway, too much rambling! Time to do some range practice!

Over to you....
Cheers :cheers:

 

[Captainron]

All of this together usually means your bank balance is around £250 - £300 lighter....

 

[chrisd]

I think that there is a danger that you may be misinterpreting advertising hype as cold facts!



Chris

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

This is the companies marketing dept's way of seducing you into parting with your hard earned cash. You need to use articles in Golf Magazines which hopefully test and report dispassionately, you can then compare apples with apples.

 

[anotherdouble]

Dont forget top professionals in the marketing industry earn 6 figure salaries. Therefore they are paid very well to entice you to buy the product with advertising blurb. An advertising slogan of 'This years model is the same as last years but a different colour' would not sell - in my opinion

 

[MetalMickie]

This is the companies marketing dept's way of seducing you into parting with your hard earned cash. You need to use articles in Golf Magazines which hopefully test and report dispassionately, you can then compare apples with apples.

You need to read those test reports very carefully, particularly "between the lines". Commercial pressures sometimes dictate that comments cannot be too scathing for fear of upsetting a valued advertiser (the lifeblood of many publications).

 

[daymond]

They can virtually say what they like as they know there's no way the customer (golfer) can counter their statement when they bought the product.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

You need to read those test reports very carefully, particularly "between the lines". Commercial pressures sometimes dictate that comments cannot be too scathing for fear of upsetting a valued advertiser (the lifeblood of many publications).

Agreed, hence why my comment included 'hopefully' in its body. Golf Monthly of course above such things (just in case GM towers are spying)

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Do your homework. No-one will ever sign up to submit their clubs to some sort of independant test to get actual data as that would X a huge market advantage over Y. The only way to decide is to read and watch things like the GM gear reviews, get reviews from the net and ideally test it for yourself. The easiest way is to hit your club and then the all singing all dancing version. If the latter flies like a bullet and is continuously longer with less dispersion you've a decision to make. If not, why pay for something that isn't any better. I wouldn't trust any in store monitors and so if you want the facts in black and white either go to a demo day and book a monitor session with the rep or go to a C/F fitting

 

[brendy]

The Which? magazine do these kinds of tests on other types of things like blenders, cameras etc. it would be nice to see somewhere independent which could have the ability to do it but it'll never happen. The other thing to consider is that each golf swing is unique and know that a Titleist D3 might suit some folks but might not go as well though they can hit other drivers better and more consistently.

 

[bluewolf]

I always assume that the advertising of Golf Clubs works along the same lines as the advertising of new shampoos and make up etc... Make up a new chemical name/technical term and then claim it to be revolutionary.. Fortunately, I have no hair and a face that make up couldn't conceal.. And thus, the magic is revealed...