Wilson and Harrington

[birdieman]

Watching 'out of bounds' on setanta and they're running a feature on Harrington's rise.
My question is what will Harrington's success do for the Wilson Staff brand?
I mean when they took him on he was a decent player, won the occasional event and was a Ryder Cupper.
Now Wilson must be rubbing their hands with glee by backing Harrington, he must be worth millions in terms of marketing, probably second only to Tiger at the moment, even in America where they all love anything Irish! His Wilson Staff cap with logo is everywhere and equates to bottle, guts and determination.
There is nothing like backing up a manufacturers claims than by their staffer actually taking home the bacon. Now I can't help but feel teenagers picking up the game will be checking out Wilson Staff, which let's be honest isn't the choice of most of us, well not until recently!
Hope Harrington stands by Wilson and doesn't go off to the Ping/Callaway/Cobra types. Hope someone does the same for MacGregor (ok Norman did his best at Birkdale).

 

[theeaglehunter]

That is a good point well picked up on. The trouble is I just don't like Wilson clubs- any that I have tried I have failed to get on with. I do not consider them to be up there with the 'big boys' Titleist, Ping, Callaway and Taylormade and it will take more than one mans success to persuade me otherwise. In terms of the marketing of Harrington himself rather than the clubs I agree entirely that he is a huge asset and a great acquisition for the brand and will no doubt help spread the message and at least get people trying the Wilson clubs.

 

[HTL]

I am so happy a Wilson Staff player has stepped forward as a great player, they sponsor some random players one of the few names I recognize is Jasper Parnevik and thats about it.

When I got my Di7 irons I did loads of research online and looking at American websites they didnt have a clue about Wilson Staff, Hopefully Harrington's success will boost Wilson`s sales as they do produce some quality gear.

On a side note, have a look next time Harrington plays, he aint using the Pi7 irons he claims, he had his old Pi5 irons when he won the Open.

 

[GB72]

Sadly when Harrington won the open last year, Wilson did sod all with it. There were adverts for Titleist and Hi-Tec but Wilson just did not take advantage. Hopefully they will do more with it this time.

I for one quite like Wilson kit, it was what I started out with. I still am a big fan of the PX3 balls (even though this year's softer model cuts up a bit more than last year's).

 

[HartleyHare]

one of the few names I recognize is Jasper Parnevik

isn't it Jesper??

 

[HTL]

The Px3 balls are great and some of the other gear like the Dd6 drivers and Di7 irons are superb.

All Wilson did when he won the Open was release the special edition blade irons to celebrate 59 majors, cant remember what they were called but they were super sexy.

 

[birdieman]

HTL, looks like Wilson will be preaching to the converted with you, I just have a 3 wood which I get on with pretty well, especially when the driver misbehaves.

 

[HTL]

You use to have a driver too didnt you?

I get on the the Wilson gear and Affordable Gold did a massive sale the first time Harrington won the Open as I had a bonus in work and was kitting out my bag I went a bit mad, no regrets I love it.

 

[HTL]

http://www.onlinegolf.co.uk/brands/wilson-staff/golf-clubs/irons/320scog/4362pog.asp

This was the peak of Wilson`s marketing after he won the Open.

 

[RGuk]

Clearly, htl is not a fan. BUT, having said that, I can imagine a lot of folks going into their golf superstores and now taking W/S kit with the seriousness it deserves.
I've been a fan for many years.....but nothing has ever "come my way"....as it were. I did however try some Macgregor irons not that long ago that I bought there and then. Could easily have been by any of the makes. I just buy what feels right for me.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I use to have a set of Wilson kit (8.5 inch carry/cart bag in staff colours, Fat Shaft mid size irons, and a set of Fat shaft woods - 1,3,5). Have to say I had no problems with them and even won an honours board event with them in 2000. I have to agree I though Wilson missed a trick last year and the only stuff I saw Harrington flogging were the Fybrid range.

I think Wilson do ok in the market place in the UK and Europe but are not even a niche name in the US which is surprising given how high profile the brand has been in other sports (tennis, baseball etc). I think you will see a bit more of a push especially now he has won on both sides of the Atlantic. However I predict you will see more of Harrington being marketed than his gear

 

[TonyN]

Our local AG had harrington bag and all his kit in it on special offer for 2 weeks after the open in tribute to him.

My mate swears by wilson and I have to admit when I first heard of wilson gear I snubbed it, but having tried it, I really like it.

No doubt about it, it can only be a good thing for Wilson and sales should definitly improve. Alot? I dont think so. Not for the expensive stuff anyway, maybe the lower end stuff!

 

[Cernunnos]

For years Wilson & Wilson Staff were renound for supplying the best players with clubs, right from the 1920's with, Gene Sarazen, in the 1930's Sam Snead,

http://www.wilson.com/wilson/staff/histo...;bmLocale=en_CA

Copy & Paste

Over the years Sarazen was joined by such golfing greats as Sam Snead, Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, Nick Faldo, Payne Stewart, John Daly and Vijay Singh to name a few of the Wilson Advisory Staff over the years.

Many more names have been synominous with the Wilson Staff brand than just these too.

However, their hold on the best players started to wain, when the likes of TaylorMade took the Wilson Staff crown.

At one time to have WilsonStaff clubs, especially if you were an amateur, you were considered to be walking with the greats & would have a really special set of clubs in the eyes of most. a quality marque.

Being born in the 1960's & seeing players in that era of the late sixties & early 70's, walking round the golf course pullingmy Grandfathers trolley & seeing all the different players some with Wilson Staff irons in their bags.

I must say my dream set of clubs for years would have been Wilson Staff & I really can't understand why I've not bought Wilson Staff irons. I think I always thought they'd be too expensive for me, but looking at some of the new examples they are coming out with, I am drooling once more like that five/six year old lad watching the Black & white televison & the early colour set we had with the tempromental valves, where you hit the top of the top of the TV once & the side twice to get the picture back to how it should be...lol memories of those golf tournaments with Jack Nicklaus & Tony Jacklin fighting it out. Lee Travino later with Nick faldo & Greg Norman etc, many players in the ranks of the greats would have Wilson Staff.

Yes I also can't understand why they've not cashed in on Harringtons sucsess,but perhaps they think that they don't need to & simply to be understated & rely upon knowledgeable public's good sense is enough. At one time that was enough, not sure these days, though if you look through some of the golfing magazines the wilson staff adverts are there to be seen, with that image of understated quality & the familia W/S badge staring out at you.

 

[rgs]

I have the Wilson Deep red 11 Irons for the past few years and get on quite well with them.

Harringtons club contract with Wilson is up for renewal at the end of the year. COuld make for an interesting discussion. In a whats in the bag slot recently Harrington was carrying a TM Burner 3 wood-is this a sign of things to come?

I do know that Harrington is very loyal to long term sponsors-he has been with Kartel clothing for over 10 yrs-Kartel are a small irish owned company.

After he won the spanish open in his first yr as a pro-1996-he insisted that his long term sponsor during his amateur days would be retained for 1997 at the same rate as they enjoyed in 1996 even though his management company wanted to up the rate.

 

[madandra]

If you want to split hairs you could say Wilson have won the last 3 majors won by Europeans as Paul Lawrie used them in 1999.

 

[toyboy54]

Have a set of fitted D17'S AND LOVE THEM TO BITS.Used to do a lot of work with Wilson at Irvine in Ayrshire and had a load of visors,car stickers etc,Love the clubs though(she who must be..........bought me them because i'd seen them in an advert and use to use X21's and 1200's year's ago!Great marketing chance for Wilson(if they keep Harrington).A hell of lot of money involved on all sides!!!!!

 

[RGuk]

Ooohh, you devil.....how right are you!!! Well spotted.
It's such a shame that Paul never got on a hot winning streak.....I suspect he's too nice a guy.....

It's a bit odd that Ernie hasn't played that well since playing Callaway......but at some point he took a bad turn with his swing.....he went from "mr. reliable draw-master" to "can I hit it straight?, and can someone mess up my swing to do this".

Learn from the big man Mad......I've seen your shots.....don't go changing.....

 

[DCB]

Ok so Harrington's contract is up at the end of the year, he's used Wilson clubs to win three majors in 13 months. I don't think he'll be rushing to change what he's using. Wilson's last Open winner change club contract and it didn't make him play any better, in fact he's now using TMs and they haven't done the business for him either.

I do hope Harrington and his management company don't now chase the £s or $s because I think Harrington has more in him and he plays well with what he is using!

 

[blindpete]

My mate who works at Sports World in Nottingham swears that Padraig was in lasty week buying a full set of Dunlop 65i's and a dozen boxes of Donnay balls...honest!

 

[RGuk]

My mate who works at Sports World in Nottingham swears that Padraig was in lasty week buying a full set of Dunlop 65i's and a dozen boxes of Donnay balls...honest!

Yes, it's true.....he was buying a prezzie for Sergio.