Market leader and why...

[Deleted member 18588]

Interesting debate and the car analogy is a good one. 20 years ago there was a big difference between a BMW and a Skoda, or Ford and Hyundai. Now, pretty much all cars are good and it's increasingly difficult to justify the additional cost of a prestige brand and almost the only reason to buy one is because the owner wants a certain image. Golf clubs are similar, if a Benross was badged up as Mizuno how many of us would be able to tell ? If most club golfers switched to a less premium brand I doubt there'd be any major difference in performance, but we all fall for marketing and some brands make you feel good about your purchase and therefore more confident using it.

More true than you might think as the majority of manufacturers don't; manufacture that is.

They buy in components and then assemble having had little or no influence over QC in the manufacturing process.

 

[LanDog]

This is one of the most interesting thread on here in a long while BTW

 

[Val]

I refuse to believe that Rory has had a larger effect on Nike's marketing success than Tiger.

I agree.

Why would he, Rory has been with Nike 10 mins Tiger has been there for a decade and a half.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

thats because you're a certified TM fanboy

I certainly am

I like the stuff they produce and they seem to work well

Never had any issues with the equipment I have bought from them

Over the last two years I have tried every make I can think of bar Nike and only the Srixons have come close to me spending money but that was only because of their looks

But I know people like yourself who swear by Orka - I remember 6 years ago when j first started a guy in the RAF used Orka and I gave them a try then.

But it's all about personal experience

Not many Amatuers play clubs they don't like

 

[LanDog]

2 years of data doesnt strike me as being a false stat personally

My view fwiw is that Rory is actually quite a streaky player, he has days where he drives it so good (as well as pretty much anyone ever has) that these are the days everyone remembers, they forget the down days where he hits it all over the place because his good days are just so good. Also its his distance that gets him out of trouble on a lot of courses where length is worth more than accuracy

I think its a bit misleading maybe, he is streaky but that is changing, he'll never be Tiger, he'll miss cuts for sure, but when it comes to Majors and big tournaments he steps it up, but as I said in a previous post, he can be foot off the fairway or 20 yards off the fairway and both still count as a missed fairway

 

[Lord Tyrion]

When Rory is hot with his driver he is the best out there and it tends to lead to him winning tournaments. That is what people remember and it is what Nike want you to remember. They would prefer that than a steady plodder who is always top 20 but never blazes away. In marketing terms that type of golfer does not sell clubs.

I agree he is streaky but when the streak is good he has shown he is currently untouchable. Ironically, he swings so quickly and hard that I know I absolutely can not hit it like Rory. Therefore, no desire to buy his clubs as my mind accepts I can not replicate what he does.

 

[Val]

When Rory is hot with his driver he is the best out there and it tends to lead to him winning tournaments. That is what people remember and it is what Nike want you to remember. They would prefer that than a steady plodder who is always top 20 but never blazes away. In marketing terms that type of golfer does not sell clubs.

I agree he is streaky but when the streak is good he has shown he is currently untouchable. Ironically, he swings so quickly and hard that I know I absolutely can not hit it like Rory. Therefore, no desire to buy his clubs as my mind accepts I can not replicate what he does.

I wonder how many Seemore putter users there is because of Zach Johnson

 

[fundy]

I think its a bit misleading maybe, he is streaky but that is changing, he'll never be Tiger, he'll miss cuts for sure, but when it comes to Majors and big tournaments he steps it up, but as I said in a previous post, he can be foot off the fairway or 20 yards off the fairway and both still count as a missed fairway

Same rules for everyone else out there, hes not the only one who misses the fairway by a foot sometimes!

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I don't think they'd want to be a market leader, their strategy seems to be to remain niche. Every Orka owner I know loves the clubs, but also seems to get a kick out of them being quite rare and the feeling that they almost have a secret over the people buying TM, Nike etc.

Yep, I like the fact people look in my bag and go ....'Ooh, they look nice what clubs are they??'

 

[moogie]

My idea of "market leaders" as I believe the public sees it

Drivers/Woods......Taylormade

Hybrids......Adams/Taylormade

Irons......Titleist

Wedges......Vokey or Cleveland

Putters......Odyssey

Balls......Titleist

These are very different to my own views though

 

[Val]

Yep, I like the fact people look in my bag and go ....'Ooh, they look nice what clubs are they??'

I had that with the Adams A12 pros forged, a kind of darker finish that catches the eye.

 

[moogie]

My own "personal" faves, market leaders
Based on everything I've ever hit or owned


Drivers.....Taylormade, Ping, Callaway

Fairways......Taylormade, Callaway, Tour Edge

Hybrids......Taylormade, Adams, Nickent

Irons......KZG, Ping, Taylormade

Wedges......Sonartec, Vega, Taylormade

Putters......Odyssey, Yes, Taylormade

Balls......Titleist, Bridgestone, Callaway.......not much in it, all down to personal prefs, but if I could get mine for free, I'd vote Prov1X

 

[LanDog]

Same rules for everyone else out there, hes not the only one who misses the fairway by a foot sometimes!

But Rory could (not saying he's definitely is) be missing by a foot far more than most or something, the stat I think is inconclusive, not saying it isn't relevant, his distance is a big factor of course but he is accurate for how long he is at the same time, nowhere near as erratic as Tiger was when he was mid 20s

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Market leader and why? Hmmm - maybe if certain makes become the 'best' according to their owners and proponents then there are many out there who wouldn't wish to disagree with that group and will prefer to be part of that club - playing the 'best' clubs. But I'm an old cynic.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

For me it would be:
Drivers - TM
F/W woods - Titleist
Hybrids - TM/Adams
Irons - Titleist
Wedges - Vokey
Putter - Ping
Ball - Titleist

I've never had Mizzy clubs (except for a wedge many moons ago) so can't comment on them too much.

But for people who started playing long ago Wilson could be the answer to all of the above, as they were pretty much the Daddy, and Slazenger weren't too far behind at times, or Hogan, MacGregor, Lynx etc

 

[MendieGK]

But Rory could (not saying he's definitely is) be missing by a foot far more than most or something, the stat I think is inconclusive, not saying it isn't relevant, his distance is a big factor of course but he is accurate for how long he is at the same time, nowhere near as erratic as Tiger was when he was mid 20s

Just had a look at Tigers PGA Tour stats over the years, in 2000 and 2001 he was c.60th in driving accuracy and not outside the top3 in distance.

 

[Val]

For me it would be:
Drivers - TM
F/W woods - Titleist
Hybrids - TM/Adams
Irons - Titleist
Wedges - Vokey
Putter - Ping
Ball - Ping

I've never had Mizzy clubs (except for a wedge many moons ago) so can't comment on them too much.

But for people who started playing long ago Wilson could be the answer to all of the above, as they were pretty much the Daddy, and Slazenger weren't too far behind at times, or Hogan, MacGregor, Lynx etc

Do ping do a ball?

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Do ping do a ball?

That should have been Titleist (was interrupted whilst typing).

 

[fundy]

But Rory could (not saying he's definitely is) be missing by a foot far more than most or something, the stat I think is inconclusive, not saying it isn't relevant, his distance is a big factor of course but he is accurate for how long he is at the same time, nowhere near as erratic as Tiger was when he was mid 20s

Tiger was a much better driver of the ball in those days, think your memory is playing tricks with you:

Rory:
2014 (25yrs old) 108th 60.6% FIR
2013 (24) 140th 57.9%
2012 (23) 156th 56.6%


Tiger
2000 (25) 54th 71.2%
1999 (24) 65th 71.3%
1998 (23) 116th 67.9%
1997 (22) 97th 68.6%

 

[Tiger]

So the general consensus is that they are all much the same but it all comes down to personal preference...