Is Loyalty Overrated?

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I have always played with Ping clubs and to be honest I have a sense of loyalty towards the brand. My eyes always fall to the Ping section of AG if I happen to be in there and I always feel that I can be guaranteed a certain level of quality. For me, playing a set of TM's would be adultery of the highest order!

Saying all that, I wonder if I am doing myself out of a potentailly better suited iron/wood/wedge as I am not an equipment tart. Do players that change their equipment frequently (no names....birdieman!) ever feel they get the best out of their equipment during the time they have it, or are they constantly looking for the 'perfect' set?
 
I'm a Ping guy myself and I would also feel the same as you if I changed. I have been looking at the AP2's lately but as yet haven't bought. Maybe next year, Ping have reduced their cheques for my advertising, from nothing to nothing, so maybe I will change.
 
I dont kow why I do it, must be my version of retail therapy!

re brand snobbery I'm not too fussed who makes the clubs are as long as they do the job. I personally like the Mizuno/Titleist sleek forged clubs but know I need to be a better ball striker to get the best out of them so look elsewhere. I also like Pings especially the various G series drivers.

It's normally irons for me that I am prone to change often as it's a weaker part of my game. I will try big cavity backs for a while then want to go back to a sleeker muscle back, soemthing inbetween etc and vice versa. I do have a good idea now of what works just through trial and error.

Anyway I've had a handicap improvement this year of 27% (so far) so I'm happy with how things have panned out recently.

The TM's I had are a little scruffy now so that also prompted a change.

I know I should stick to one set but can't stop looking!
 
I play Mizuno irons not out of loyalty but because I beleive they are the best.

Saying that there are two brands I will not ever look at Callaway and Taylor made
 
I am another one who changes my gear pretty regularly but I have no particular brand loyalty. I have owned most brands at some stage and went for my Cobra irons because I like the Nippon shafts. The only clubs I do not change are my putter and wedges as I get on well with them and there, more than in any other area of my bag, I feel the benefit of being used to how the clubs perform.

I am a sucker for drivers but that may be because I have never had one that I hit really well on a regular basis. Have just switched back to my Callaway FT-5 because the Cleveland Launcher was playing up and it was going pretty well (partly I think because it has a shorter shaft). May have to try the FT-9 next when funds permit and when the prices come down at the end of the season.
 
I love looking at new irons but only 6 months on from buying my 200's I think the Missus would chew my knackers off if I looked at something else.
I do like the look of Srixon irons though...
 
I was a Callawy whore for 10 years...Now I'm a Taylor Made whore. So yes i was loyal for a fair while.

Looks like I won't be invited for a game with Freddie though. :rolleyes:
 
IMO the only party that benefits from brand loyalty is the manufacturer.They know that by paying the pro to play their gear it brings the supporters of said pro towards their brand, eg I like Mcilroy, he plays Titleist so I'm gonna get some. We have all made mistakes in the past and bought the wrong gear for the wrong reasons. I used to play all Mizuno stuff, woods to putter but nowadays I have a better mix in the bag and choose what I can use, regardless.
 
I always feel like when you buy a ping brand the club/s hold a better value. the likes of TM have so many drivers and woods out there, i would not really know what i was buying, with new models coming out all the time.

All this screwing weights etc i personnaly dont like and i hope ping never go down that route.

Also i find it alot easyer to play with ping irons over other branded one..

But i better keep quite now as i just got myself cobra fairway woods lol.. :$
 
i am a mix and match man. i am always looking for deals and if i come across one i usually get it. for example last week my 909d2 wasnt very forgiving so got a straight swap for a king cobra. now i am on the hunt for a cheap r9 3 wood. i think i am going to look for a pro that is shutting down so he can get me a decent club in at trade price :)
 
Saying that there are two brands I will not ever look at Callaway and Taylor made
Click to expand...

Why?

Is it you just don't like the look of their clubs? Or they just don't work out on a demo? Personally i have always played Callaway. I was fitted for both irons and woods and on each occasion Callaway and Taylormade were the clubs i felt happiest with. I choose Callaway just because i prefered the look maybe next time i won't and then i mioght change. Callaway customer service has been great. Lost a Callaway I-Trax headcover recently emailed HO to find out how much a new one would be and i got a reply saying it was in the post already.

What is it that makes us brand loyal?
 
I converted from mostly Callaway clubs last year to mostly Ping clubs this year.I am now a big Ping fan but its not because of anything other than how great they are to use.If i discovered a different brand that i thought would improve my game i would have no problem changing but i'm more than happy to stick with my Pings for the moment.
 
What is it that makes us brand loyal?
Click to expand...

There is something most intangible about choosing your set of irons. One mans dream is anothers nightmare. On the surface, my irons (Zing 2) are pig ugly in a typical Ping fashion, but when I look down on them I feel a great confidence.

I appreciate a fine blade and recognise the simple design of a Miura or Mizuno, but it is almost like looking at a beautiful young lady and knowing you just won't perform to the standards required.....although you would have a bloody good go. :D
 
I have always played with Ping clubs and to be honest I have a sense of loyalty towards the brand. My eyes always fall to the Ping section of AG if I happen to be in there and I always feel that I can be guaranteed a certain level of quality. For me, playing a set of TM's would be adultery of the highest order!

Saying all that, I wonder if I am doing myself out of a potentailly better suited iron/wood/wedge as I am not an equipment tart. Do players that change their equipment frequently (no names....birdieman!) ever feel they get the best out of their equipment during the time they have it, or are they constantly looking for the 'perfect' set?
Click to expand...

Even the PIng contract players do not always play all Ping, so you are limiting your choice too much.
 
I am loyal with irons and wedges, to me if i bought another brand it would turn out to be a expensive mistake if they didnt feel right after the novelty worn off

I do like the TM Tour Preferred though but only a lottery win would make me randomly change irons
 
There is only so much you can do with the design of a golf club. They are all pretty similar, and can be banded into types. Blades, players, GI, super GI, etc. Mosy of the manufacturers make something in each category. By sticking to one brand, you aren't excluding anything, they are mostly all the same, and next years model will be no better than last years, only newer.

I like Titleist. I don't know why. I am loyal, but then I won't change my clubs for the next 5 years, so it isn't as if my loyalty is worth anything to them.

I don't like TM, as they bring new stuff out every 3 months. This is having a laugh.
 
I'm not loyal to any brand. I used to like Callaway woods, but even that has gone out of the window.

I've had more Mizuno irons than any (about 5(?) sets) but would go with whatever I feel good about.

I've tried Ping irons SO many times and just can't get on with them.

I'd probably start with the names I know but ultimately go with the best for me at the time for my game.

My current hankering is for Callaway Diablo forged irons...don't know why...
 
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