Golfing Bravado

[jimbob.someroo]

I initially got thinking about this after I found a female high handicapper's lost Pro V1 the other day (had her name written all over it so am assuming it's hers!). Made me really wonder why she was playing that ball. There are thousands of balls which would be better suited for her game, and almost all of them would be cheaper. Surely, a harder cover ball would give her some extra yards and avoid the side spin she puts on the ball (I played with her in a few comps last year).

Thought that this might just be limited to balls and people saying 'oh I'm playing the new Pro V1' or whatever, as that sounds 'cooler' than saying your playing with a Titleist Velocity / DT. However, when you think about all the people playing with super stiff shafts when it's not needed / or too low a loft on a driver when they've got a horrendous slice / or a 'Tour' version of a club when it's not necessarily needed, it just got me wondering why.

Is it bravado, mis-understanding about the product, or simply that they want to be playing a 'better' product (when in fact it's just a product aimed at a different type of player)? I know some of the juniors at our place with several grands worth of kit, only playing Pro V1s, with tour stiff shafts in their £300+ drivers, whilst still maintaining a solid 24 handicap ... why?!

 

[StrangelyBrown]

No idea Jim... I can maintain a 24 handicap with much cheaper equipment

I do like to play with a decent ball though.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Golfers are living proof that a fool and their money are soon parted.

Start a thread that critics a high handicapper for using expensive equipment and you will soon see.

 

[One Planer]

Interesting thread.

Brand snobbery in this game is a big, big thing in my view.

I, personally, don't like Game Improver (GI) irons. Don't like the thick top lines, the amount of off set they come with, not to mention some of the light weight (In some cases 90g) they put in them to help launch the ball. They just dobn't suit my eye.

But that's just my preference.

I play a muscle cavity iron off a 16 handicap. I hit them well enough to justify playing them, so, why not? Before I had these I had a set of cut muscle MP32's.

I play a Pro V1 ball. I don't tend to lose many so the cost of loss versus the reward of playing a premium ball means I can, on balance justify it.

I could use a lesser named ball, but, In all honesty, why should I if I'm happy with the ball I currently use.

As I said, it could be a case of brand snobbery, really good marketing or a mixture of both.

 

[scratch]

It's a very good point actually. I know a clubfitter who strongly advocates that you should play with the softest flex of shaft you can get away with yet people tend to do the exact opposite and play with the stiffest.

Regarding balls, only the lowest of handicappers hit the ball consistently enough to need premium ones. The vast majority of club golfers should play with a mid price ball as they get little or no benefit from a premium one.

Yes....lots of bravado in golf!

 

[Deleted member 15717]

Regarding balls, only the lowest of handicappers hit the ball consistently enough to need premium ones. The vast majority of club golfers should play with a mid price ball as they get little or no benefit from a premium one.

Rubbish...in my opinion anyway. So "the vast majority of club golfers" never hit a pure shot that should react well on the green. If they hit a good shot, they should be rewarded by it. I have often jumped between ball brands as I never felt myself Titleist worthy...but I won some Pro-V1s recently, and honestly can't see myself using anything else. I'm only off 11, and occasionally lose balls...so am I ok to use a ProV?

 

[jimbob.someroo]

Start a thread that critics a high handicapper for using expensive equipment and you will soon see.

Sorry if it came across like that, it certainly wasn't intended to be a 'have a go at high handicappers' type thing. I know plenty of lower guys who could potentially benefit from the odd different club/ball. Plenty of my friends are too stubborn to use hybrids and would prefer to carry a 2 iron, even if they only catch it well 3/10 times.

Yes....lots of bravado in golf!

This is my suspicion, probably myself included.

Brand snobbery in this game is a big, big thing in my view ...

I could use a lesser named ball, but, In all honesty, why should I if I'm happy with the ball I currently use.

As I said, it could be a case of brand snobbery, really good marketing or a mixture of both.

I think this is the key. All of us on here are playing to enjoy it, rather than for a profession. If we're happy with the stuff we've got, what we should be playing, potentially is irrelevant?

 

[scratch]

Rubbish...in my opinion anyway. So "the vast majority of club golfers" never hit a pure shot that should react well on the green. If they hit a good shot, they should be rewarded by it. I have often jumped between ball brands as I never felt myself Titleist worthy...but I won some Pro-V1s recently, and honestly can't see myself using anything else. I'm only off 11, and occasionally lose balls...so am I ok to use a ProV?

Of course a club golfer can hit a pure shot. But out of the 40,50, 60 shots a round that he isn't using his putter, how many of them will be pure? Even Jack Nicklaus admitted that he only hits 2 or 3 pure shots a round so what chance has a club golfer got?

Nothing stopping you using whatever ball you want but be honest, how many pure shots a round do you hit?

 

[jimbob.someroo]

Rubbish...in my opinion anyway. So "the vast majority of club golfers" never hit a pure shot that should react well on the green. If they hit a good shot, they should be rewarded by it. I have often jumped between ball brands as I never felt myself Titleist worthy...but I won some Pro-V1s recently, and honestly can't see myself using anything else. I'm only off 11, and occasionally lose balls...so am I ok to use a ProV?

You're OK to use whatever ball you wish

I've actually moved away from the Pro V1 as I find it too spinny, and my bad shots suffer too much as a result. I loved the Lethal balls I've tried, but potentially can't afford to use these regularly. Have been playing with some (orange) ad-333's I got when my local golf shop closed down and have been really happy with them. Although they're not in same price-league as the Pro V, I find them a lot more forgiving on mid-hits whilst still giving me a good feel and distance. I hit the ball hard enough anyway on my approach shots so these still stop more than quickly enough for me

 

[One Planer]

I think this is the key. All of us on here are playing to enjoy it, rather than for a profession. If we're happy with the stuff we've got, what we should be playing, potentially is irrelevant?

Depends how seriously you take your golf I suppose.

I take my golf pretty seriously, like most folk on here. Yes, it's a hobby that we all enjoy, well most of the time anyway

You could look at it another way.

A golfer who plays and wears everything Dunlop. Shoes, clothes, glove ball, the lot. Plays off 4

Another golfer has Titleist this and that. Galvin Green clobber and Ecco shoes. Also plays off 4.

Does it matter what equipment you choose so long as it works for you?

The first golfer might be on a really tight budgest, the second flush to the eye balls. Does it matter, not one bit IMHO.

 

[Val]

There are many pro females using Titleist Velocity due to it being low spin and pretty hot off the club face.

There is no harm in using a premium ball if you can afford to lose it, remember expensive doesnt always mean better

 

[Jay Gee]

I play a Pro V1 ball. I don't tend to lose many so the cost of loss versus the reward of playing a premium ball means I can, on balance justify it.

I could use a lesser named ball, but, In all honesty, why should I if I'm happy with the ball I currently use.

Is another ball 'lesser' because it's not geared towards golfers with high swing speeds though? Not saying the Pro V1 isn't the right ball for you and I agree with your comments, but Pro V1 balls would be completely wasted on me.

My mate went and bought the same clubs Phil Mickelson plays after one of his major triumphs. Only problem was that he wasn't left-handed

 

[jimbob.someroo]

The first golfer might be on a really tight budgest, the second flush to the eye balls. Does it matter, not one bit IMHO.

Agree Before I was fortunate enough to win the TM gear, I'd never bought a new club in my life for budget reasons but still managed to get down to single figures. The best player at my old club played 20 year old Ping Eye 2's, and I'm guessing probably still does.

I guess people have different priorities in life with regards how they spend their money. Almost like spending a fortune on a car if you only use it once a week to go to the shops; a much cheaper one will do the job just fine, but you'll look more fancy in the posh one

 

[TEDSTAR]

I have recently had a ball fitting and found that my swing speed is 96mph and so using a pro v will not be any use to me, because it is designed for swing speeds over 105mph.
Becaues of this I have changed to the bridgestone rxs and have gained 10 to 15 yards and kept the control and feel around the greens.
In my opinion the problem is alot of people don't want to hear that they don't swing like a pro, or don't have the game for certain equipment, and so without realising it they are making the game harder for themselves .Isn't it hard enough?

 

[jason6r]

Very interesting topic. I tend to play Pro V1s but only because I've been fortunate to be given them on golf days, corporate events etc. I actually shot my best over score (at the time) of 9 over using a "Medallist Titanium" - never heard of it before, just a ball I found in my bag - which sort of proved some of the points on here. Using my 2nd hand, years old G5 driver as well!

Generally I think golfers like to play the best they can afford...albeit the best for their game may not necessarily be the "best" ball when measured by price. Ultimately, as jimbob said, we're playing to enjoy it (although it sometimes doesn't feel like enjoying yourself) and if buying the latest and greatest helps you do that, power to you. Not my way of operating but if no-one buys the expensive kit brand new, there'd be no 2nd hand bargains for me...!

 

[Bucket92]

Interestingly I've shot my best score (84) twice using a ProV1x (don't use them often)... What does this tell us? Confidence with a premium ball? Coincidence? Or the ProV1x is the right ball for my game? Who knows..

 

[One Planer]

Is another ball 'lesser' because it's not geared towards golfers with high swing speeds though? Not saying the Pro V1 isn't the right ball for you and I agree with your comments, but Pro V1 balls would be completely wasted on me

I don't have a high swing speed so I couldn't tell you :ears:

When I decided to move away from the AD333 (... Good ball by the way) I tried a sleeve from all the premium and some mid range. While they were all much of a muchness in the premium bracket, I seemd to get the best results from the Pro V, so I stuck with it.

My mate went and bought the same clubs Phil Mickelson plays after one of his major triumphs. Only problem was that he wasn't left-handed

....... And I bet they weren't even the same ball under the badge. I bet you couldn't even buy the balls Philly Mick uses.

 

[Garush34]

i like playing a good new balls when i can get them, but the cost of them i refuse to pay. So if i get a dozen for free when subscribing then ill use them but i wouldn't buy them.

when it comes to clubs there are certain brands i wouldn't think about using, John Letters, Wilson staff, Adams. But if it turned out i tried them and they gave better results then i would go for them but they wouldn't be my first choice.

Its all personal preference, if some one wants to pay top dollar for the latest kit even if it isn't for them, then why care it doesn't affect you. Some people have budgets so if they have in your eyes lesser equipment don't judge them, because maybe that's all they can afford and its getting them out in the game they clearly enjoy playing. Golfs expensive as it is with membership fees, etc. aslong as people are playing the game then thats all that matters.

 

[patricks148]

i like playing a good new balls when i can get them, but the cost of them i refuse to pay. So if i get a dozen for free when subscribing then ill use them but i wouldn't buy them.

when it comes to clubs there are certain brands i wouldn't think about using, John Letters, Wilson staff, Adams. But if it turned out i tried them and they gave better results then i would go for them but they wouldn't be my first choice.

Its all personal preference, if some one wants to pay top dollar for the latest kit even if it isn't for them, then why care it doesn't affect you. Some people have budgets so if they have in your eyes lesser equipment don't judge them, because maybe that's all they can afford and its getting them out in the game they clearly enjoy playing. Golfs expensive as it is with membership fees, etc. aslong as people are playing the game then thats all that matters.

So you wouldn't use, Adams, Wilson or John Letters, but you would use Bay Hill

 

[cookelad]

i like playing a good new balls when i can get them, but the cost of them i refuse to pay. So if i get a dozen for free when subscribing then ill use them but i wouldn't buy them.

when it comes to clubs there are certain brands i wouldn't think about using, John Letters, Wilson staff, Adams. But if it turned out i tried them and they gave better results then i would go for them but they wouldn't be my first choice.

Its all personal preference, if some one wants to pay top dollar for the latest kit even if it isn't for them, then why care it doesn't affect you. Some people have budgets so if they have in your eyes lesser equipment don't judge them, because maybe that's all they can afford and its getting them out in the game they clearly enjoy playing. Golfs expensive as it is with membership fees, etc. aslong as people are playing the game then thats all that matters.

WHAT????

http://www.wilson.com/en-us/golf/irons/fg62/

http://www.johnletters.com/golf_product/?pid=174

and to some extent

http://www.adamsgolf.com/products/irons/problack.php