Obsessed with looks

[StuartD]

Was at the range with my mate who was getting fitted for a new set of irons. He was looking at TM Tour preferred, Callaway x forged and some mizuno MP bladed thingy (can’t remember the number!!).

The irons he hit the best (by far) were the TM Tour preferred. As a good golfer he shaped them well also (was well jealous).

When he came to deciding, he went for the Callaway x forged. I could not believe it. His reasoning was he thought the cavity on the TM’s was too fussy. That may be true but you can’t see it at address. Noticed also that some of the guys from the mag did not like the CG14 wedge because of the yellow insert (which again you can’t see at address).

Would something you can’t see when addressing the ball put you off buying a club? Fair enough if you could see something you don’t like when addressing the ball but for something that is not visible. Mad!!! Reckon he will regret the decision

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have just moved to tour preferred burners (not quite the same standard as your mate) as they are a smaller head and thinner top line than the X20's (and they were a steel price wise too). I don't think their cavity is any better or worse than the X20 or any of the other clubs in this sector. I have seen both the the tour preferred and cally forged and don't see a marked difference but if he is hitting the TM better I agree he may rue his decision based on looks alone

 

[Twire]

Is it the look of the club that swayed his decision or the prestige of playing with callaways rather than taylormade. I must agree with Homer, a lot of cavity back clubs look very simular anyway especialy in the oversize department.

I used to be 100% Callaway, until I brought my superquad. That impressed me so much I then invested in a TM 3wood and a couple of rescues. I'm now so sold on TM I'm thinking of getting the new TM burner plus irons

I can be so fickle sometimes lol

 

[USER1999]

I like blades, and have played with them for 5 years, before my recent change to Titleist ZBs (still a good looking club, although the top edge is marginally too thick). I like good looking clubs, and so, yes, I wouldn't buy a club I thought was ugly.
I would never find out if I am missing out on the performance benefits of an ugly club, as I wouldn't try hitting it in the first place, and hence would never have the dilema described above.

 

[Smiffy]

I have only just bought my X18's, and whilst I am reasonably happy with them (looks and playability) it didn't stop me looking at all the new irons on display in JJB's last week-end and dribbling.

 

[forefortheday]

I love the MP60's and ZB's but wouldn't contemplate buying them as I couldn't hit them with any regularity if I tried.

Saying that I wouldn't buy a set of FAST irons either even if they helped me hit the ball 300 miles as they look uuuuuuuugly

 

[HogansAlley]

I always felt that choosing clubs is a very personal thing. Personally, I wouldn't buy anything that had something I disliked about it - even if it was on the back. (Those new yellow spot Cleveland are a case it point. It's just attention-seeking crap). I tend to be very brand loyal - but for different clubs (eg, Titleist drivers, TaylorMade fairway woods, Ping irons). As a brand, Callaway make great clubs, and are very, very successful but I can't stand them and would never use them. Hence, the point it's all subjective.

 

[TonyN]

I am in the same boat as Murph, I wouldn't even contemplate buying something if it was horrendous to look at.

If I am choosing kit. I make a list/note of all the stuff I like the look of and then find out which of them I hit the best. Golf is 90% in the mind as we all know. If you don't like your gear, how are you going to play with it.

I dont know why, I dont like Taylormade. I dont think they make good looking gear. I have tried Taylormade irons and Drivers that I hit pretty well, but thought they looked dog ugly. I couldn't stick them in the bag, no way.

I am a brand snob, and I dont mind admitting it, but only for the rerasons listed above. Titleist, Callaway, Mizuno, all make good looking gear, from Drivers to ball markers and everything inbetween.

 

[haplesshacker]

Yep. I'm shallow as well. Looks do matter, and I probably wouldn't try a club if I didn't like the look of them. Though for some reason I don't like Cally gear. I think that it's because my perception has been formed by so many 'older' folks playing with them, and therefore are old fashioned clubs. I know this is not the fact, but for some reason it's in my head.

 

[OldWindy]

I wonder what we would all end up with were there to be a mega test based on how well you hit the ball alone, i.e. you wouldn't know who made it, what colour it was etc.? Some things would be very difficult to disguise but you get the point.

 

[USER1999]

That is my view with Ping, as my Dad has played Ping for the last 20 years, and he is 76 now. Therefore, Ping = old mans clubs. Daft, but that is the way it is.

 

[DCB]

When you play golf long enough you will eventually try everything that takes your fancy. This is a good post 'cause it certainly got me thinking about the clubs I've used and chosen over the years.

As a kid I had all sorts of weapons in the bag, as a teenager in the 70s I had what I could afford in the bag. When I started work I bought a matching set of Sayers Crown irons, they were a very nice club indeed. At the time cosmetics were not a big thing with irons. They were functional and effective. In the mid 80s I bought a set of Browning Automatic Irons, where they got that name from I've no idea, but again they were a simple uncluttered clubhead. No fancy markings or cosmetics.

I was in AG the other day and was taken by the lack of simple unclutterd clubheads on show. Everything has to have some form of Composite (plastic) insert in the cavity, or some garish colour scheme around the cavity. I'm old school here, a traditionalist. I like a nice uncluttered clubhead. Good clean lines to look at when at address. A Thin (or at least not too thick) topline and a nice toe position.

I've never been able to play with Callaway clubs, I have tried, but the thick sole doesnt suite my game. I also didn't like the fact that on earlier models there was a fair chunk out the back of the club that was visible at address. Same goes for some of the other manufacturers. That being said I did have a set of Tommy Armour 855s a midsized clubhead with coloured paint in the cavity, well it was the mid 90s after all!

Current weapons of mass distruction, Mizuno MP57s, nice clean simple clubhead. Looks good, feels good and to me thats all that I want because it helps my game if I feel confident whith the clubs in my hands.

Everyone has their own reason for picking the clubs they want to play with. It all boils down to what do you feel confident using.

 

[TWM]

Murph,
"That is my view with Ping, as my Dad has played Ping for the last 20 years, and he is 76 now. Therefore, Ping = old mans clubs. Daft, but that is the way it is."

Well I am 75 and recently bought Orka Kii irons and Mizuno MX560 driver. Would these now be seen as old men's clubs, or just this old boy's clubs?

 

[Smiffy]

I've got to be honest....

Some of the putters you see for sale look like they have come straight from the scrap yard

 

[golfcitydweller]

stuart
good players should be able to hit any club regardless of manufacturer..

 

[vig]

Would something you can’t see when addressing the ball put you off buying a club? Fair enough if you could see something you don’t like when addressing the ball but for something that is not visible. Mad!!! Reckon he will regret the decision

Wouldn't bother me as I can't see the club head for my gut

Good looking irons all the way, I guess I am a snob after all

 

[medwayjon]

If I think it looks ugly, I aint buying it.

Already eyeing up irons for next year, Looking at Titleist ZM's/ZB's, or a blended set from the cobra pro CB/MB line.

Had a go with the ZM's and even hit the 4I ok off the range mat the majority of shots.

As looks go, I think the ZM/ZB irons are the best looking Irons I have ever seen.

 

[TonyN]

Jon, I wouldn't argue with that! I love those Irons, Although Mizuno are sooo good looking. Did I mention I should be getting some 52's

 

[MVP]

Tony tell us about your day at mizuno again !

 

[haplesshacker]

AHH 52's, sweet!!

However for me, it would be ambition over ability