SatchFan
Q-School Graduate
I play Ping. I am elderly.
Judged by what clubs you use???
- Thread starter Richuk123
- Start date
DCB
Well-known member
Twenty years ago there was still a Ban Sayers factory in North Berwick. The produced good quality clubs and still had a local following. I played Sayers clubs for a while as did many of my friends. Another big brand was John letters. based in the West they again had a good local following and produced clubs that were used by many of the top pros of their day.
Then we had the big investment companies buy up all these smaller quality companies. they bought the name, started to make cheap tat and wondered why they lost their share of the market.
Things seem to have gone full circle. Letters is now owned by the guy who owned Direct Gold and yes, DG sell exclusively, the John Letters range, but in that range there are some very nice clubs, taking a step back to the quality that was there in years gone by.
Sayers unfortunately have gone forever, shame as it was a name synonymous with golf in East Lothian.
Then we had the big investment companies buy up all these smaller quality companies. they bought the name, started to make cheap tat and wondered why they lost their share of the market.
Things seem to have gone full circle. Letters is now owned by the guy who owned Direct Gold and yes, DG sell exclusively, the John Letters range, but in that range there are some very nice clubs, taking a step back to the quality that was there in years gone by.
Sayers unfortunately have gone forever, shame as it was a name synonymous with golf in East Lothian.
DappaDonDave
Journeyman Pro
I have an Nz9 lob wedge which is every bit as good as any ther wedge in my bag, and the £7.99 tp11 hybrid I bought when I first started seems to have found a permanent home in my bag
However you still need to put *cough* in your signature. Some what jumping on the band wagon of Dunlop being some kind of useless golf club.
My brother in law plays some nice looking Nike forged irons, I've never once seen him get near breaking 100 though because his swing is shocking. Its gives me much satisfaction to beat him with my ram demon zx beginner set!
DCB
Well-known member
Certain postcode areas of Edinburgh and Glasgow aren't any better
corrupthalo
Medal Winner
I am only started playing golf for about 2 months now. Dunlop suited me as it was a cheap entry into golf to see if I would like the game and stick to playing. Functionally I find nothing wrong with the clubs. It's more than lack of ability
MashieNiblick
Tour Winner
It doesn't concern me one jot what clubs other folks use. I'm only concerned with whether they are good company on the course.
As someone who grew up playing golf in the 70's and 80's with a set of Dunlop Peter Thomson blades (lovely looking clubs even though only their mid-price range) and watching Gary Player win Majors with John Letters clubs, it's nice to see these brands making a come back.
As someone who grew up playing golf in the 70's and 80's with a set of Dunlop Peter Thomson blades (lovely looking clubs even though only their mid-price range) and watching Gary Player win Majors with John Letters clubs, it's nice to see these brands making a come back.
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
EH31 is certainly one of those.
One Planer
Global Moderator
It's already been said, it's how brands are preceived.
Just becuse a brand advertises less and is played less on tour doesn't automaticall make it naff.
I'm a Mizuno whore, but would have no issuse playing 'lesser' names like Dunlop, MD,Benross .... Nike ( ) as long as they performed well :thup:
Just becuse a brand advertises less and is played less on tour doesn't automaticall make it naff.
I'm a Mizuno whore, but would have no issuse playing 'lesser' names like Dunlop, MD,Benross .... Nike (
) as long as they performed well :thup:
mcbroon
Journeyman Pro
I have a Powerbilt Citation 3W in my bag (not the persimmon!). It's had a pretty patchy paint job done on it and I have no idea how old it is, but it's hardly cutting edge or fashionable. However, I can hit a reliable low draw with it, which is exactly what I want, so why change?
I played a match on Tuesday night and the guy I was playing against gave it a funny look on the 1st tee. He wasn't laughing when I hit it past his driver.
I played a match on Tuesday night and the guy I was playing against gave it a funny look on the 1st tee. He wasn't laughing when I hit it past his driver.
Foxholer
Blackballed
Well maybe overall - and at that time perhaps. But Dunlop, as a group, always set up separate specialist companies, rather than Divisions of a single one, for their various diversifications or forays into other countries. All had some sort of roots in Rubber though - both Tennis and Golf was (separately) from Balls.
Loads of the constituent companies were sold off in the 60s and have subsequently been further sold. So who actually owns or manufactures anything labeled Dunlop can be quite surprising. Even now, Sports direct doesn't own the entire brand worldwide - owner of Srixon own it in much of Asia and it's shared in US It was actually Srixon owners that manufactured the DDH ball. Dicks (Sporting Goods) own the Maxfli brand in US too, just to muddy the water further! And I think TMAg still owns a previous Dunlop brand - Noodle!
I saw a set of Dunlop Maxfli Revolution Black Dot (heads only) go for £25 elsewhere - sold by a 6-capper to a 2 or 3 capper. I'd certainly be happy to have those in my bag - even with some Sports Direct Dunlop wedges!
LeeTurner
Assistant Pro
Had been playing an old set of Mizuno MX-25 quite happily for a while. I was out for a round with a friend about 6 weeks ago and he'd just bought a set of clubs that he wasn't getting on with. I asked him for a go with the clubs and everything I hit was pretty much flush. Borrowed them off him and just get on like a house on fire with the clubs, a lovely feel to a good strike and whilst not the most forgiving of clubs they seem to suit me (sir). The clubs are Snake Eyes Viper Tour with TT DG shafts. Not a well known brand in the UK and I have had comments about "getting some proper irons" but sod 'em. Best thing is that my friend sold them to me for £50.
D
Deleted Member 1156
Guest
I always have a look in my playing partners bags on the 1st tee, if they aren't using forged blades I refuse to play with them.
AmandaJR
Money List Winner
I'll occasionally notice what brand a player has but learn more from whether they look after whatever it is they're playing - regardless of brand/age. Speaks volumes if the heads are filthy, grooves full of gunk and grips are worn!
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
I keep my clubs in a slazenger bag so that I can fit in with both camps
What does it say then if they have worn grips and dirty grooves?
As the lowest handicap guy i know off +3 has no interest in his gear at all.
his irons must be at least 20 years old the driver is 10 years old, he never cleans them and his bag is falling apart, the putter hardly has any grip left on it.
its the indian not the arrows.
AmandaJR
Money List Winner
For me - that they don't care enough about their equipment to get the best from it. Each to their own and all that...
Matty
Tour Rookie
I'm sure I read a magazine article that pitted hickory shafted clubs against the latest that golf technology has to offer. I don't recall there was a huge difference.
For all the marketing hype that goes into the promotion of the current offerings and all the R&D behind the club development I think you should play with whatever clubs you like and just enjoy the game.
For all the marketing hype that goes into the promotion of the current offerings and all the R&D behind the club development I think you should play with whatever clubs you like and just enjoy the game.
groundskeeperwilly
Q-School Graduate
Sometimes the reverse judgement can take place-for example a guy with fancy/amazing/top of the line kit with awful swing/never breaking 100 is judged as silly for buying said gear!
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Well I bought one of the last sets of the limited edition John Letters F7 forged irons. Can't remember how much they cost me but not very much (less then £300). And I love em. Some folk look quizzical - however just Wednesday evening I was out for a few holes and joined up with a single figure guy I know. On 3rd he says 'you got JL - my mate used to work for DG and he said they were brilliant. I tried one of them in the nets in the store and they felt fantastic'.
And you know - they do. Why did I buy them? I needed a new set of irons - I saw them - liked dthe look of them - spoke to as DG guy. And call me stupid - but a little bit of Scots nostalgia for the JL name said to me 'go on - they are not costing you that much' So I did. When I hit my little bladed 3i off the sweet spot - oh bliss - you hardly hear or feel the strike it is so pure - and the ball fair whizzes away.
So absolutely with you Mr OP Richuk123. Equipment snobs can spend and brag and hack and waste all they want - and I'll pick up their cast-offs and laugh at them.
And in case you are wondering
http://www.golfmagic.com/equipment-reviewed/john-letters-limited-edition-f-7-irons/5031.html
And you know - they do. Why did I buy them? I needed a new set of irons - I saw them - liked dthe look of them - spoke to as DG guy. And call me stupid - but a little bit of Scots nostalgia for the JL name said to me 'go on - they are not costing you that much' So I did. When I hit my little bladed 3i off the sweet spot - oh bliss - you hardly hear or feel the strike it is so pure - and the ball fair whizzes away.
So absolutely with you Mr OP Richuk123. Equipment snobs can spend and brag and hack and waste all they want - and I'll pick up their cast-offs and laugh at them.
And in case you are wondering
http://www.golfmagic.com/equipment-reviewed/john-letters-limited-edition-f-7-irons/5031.html
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BrizoH71
Tour Rookie
I play the Letters Swingmaster set, you know, the package set that DG peddle for £300 - the same price as you might pay for a R1.
They perform well for me; the clubs have gained favourable feedback from those I've played with who have taken the time to knock out a few shots with them. I don't feel I'm at any disadvantage when playing with folk who wheel out the latest gear, and if folk want to look down their nose at my choice of equipment then that's their problem.
Same goes with clothing. I'm quite happy to rock up to the 1st tee in Dunlop trousers and a polo shirt. If Dunlop clothing is good enough for Westwood and Clarke, it's good enough for me.
They perform well for me; the clubs have gained favourable feedback from those I've played with who have taken the time to knock out a few shots with them. I don't feel I'm at any disadvantage when playing with folk who wheel out the latest gear, and if folk want to look down their nose at my choice of equipment then that's their problem.
Same goes with clothing. I'm quite happy to rock up to the 1st tee in Dunlop trousers and a polo shirt. If Dunlop clothing is good enough for Westwood and Clarke, it's good enough for me.
