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How uneducated on equipment is the general public?


AbSWFPGA

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most are clueless, probably include myself.

 

I like to think I know a few things, maybe....

 

Sadly those of us who think we know stuff are probably the most clueless :russian_roulette:

 

In 2005 and before, I'd like to think I knew a lot about equipment but the more analytical and technological it got the more It just because too much for me to try to keep up with. I stepped away from the game for a couple years about when the shaft changing started so when you come back to the game a couple years later you are light years behind and now I no longer care that much to try to catch up. I love golf equipment but the specs and shafts and trackman data I don't have a lot of time for.... i've played long enough to know when a drive is "spinny" and when its not and as long as i'm finding fairways and over 280-290, its good enough for me and the game I play today!

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Generally, most golfers are relatively uneducated, but can read an ad or watch a commercial. Generally, the more skilled the player, the more knowledgeable they are, as equipment likely makes more 'difference' to those players.

2021 Bag Update:

 

Epic Max LS - MMT 60S

Epic Flash 5 Wood

Epic 3/4 Hybrids

Apex '21 Irons 5-7  MMT95 TT

Apex Pro '21 Irons 8-A  MMT95 TT

PM Grind Slate Wedges 58/64

Odyssey Exo Mini 7s

B330 XS Yellow

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The average golf consumer/player out there doesn't have the passion guys/gals who frequent this site do. That being said, most don't play nearly the amount of rounds we here play, and simply look at golf as an occasional recreation outing, not something which can literally dominate our available spare time. Those golfers just don't consider the activity of playing golf anything more than a social afternoon out with their business clients, buddies, or kids or significant other. They just will never devote enough time into it to consider spending the kind of money & subsequent study & review of equipment pros and cons as we do here. As an example, I have a buddy who is a computer programmer, who obviously is very in tuned to the many tech advances out there. His logic tells him, that in the computer industry, tech is always moving forward, whereas in golf, so many rules re equipment prohibit the advancement of engineering that could justify the prices golfers pay for the newest & greatest equipment releases, when in fact they aren't much different than the last batch. But, his logic is that would be paramount to limiting GB on computers, tech advances for phones, resolution on tv;s etc. So why pay that much $ for old tech with limitations placed on the companies by archaic organizations such as the R & A, etc. Guy makes a good point, & he just refuses to go spend big bucks every couple of years on new golf equipment when it won't markedly change his game for the better.

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Define "General Public" !

 

It's the same as any other segment of the society, there are the blissful ignorant, there are the ones think they know because they read up on the information, and there are the half filled bottle of knowledge, there are the few whom really knows what's going on but hard to keep up with all the new stuff coming out.

And of course, there are always those whom think they know all of it.

 

There used to be the Professional level equipment, the quality level and the standard level plus the budget level. Now , everything is so fiercely competitive, the margin of difference between the different class is getting smaller........ the only big difference is the price point for the different level of golf equipment.

It's getting more like , fashion show. Reinventing every few decades with some new twist.

I was shocked the first time I learned there are actually buyers for a $8,000 plastic handbag with a big logo.

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Define "General Public" !

 

It's the same as any other segment of the society, there are the blissful ignorant, there are the ones think they know because they read up on the information, and there are the half filled bottle of knowledge, there are the few whom really knows what's going on but hard to keep up with all the new stuff coming out.

And of course, there are always those whom think they know all of it.

 

There used to be the Professional level equipment, the quality level and the standard level plus the budget level. Now , everything is so fiercely competitive, the margin of difference between the different class is getting smaller........ the only big difference is the price point for the different level of golf equipment.

It's getting more like , fashion show. Reinventing every few decades with some new twist.

I was shocked the first time I learned there are actually buyers for a $8,000 plastic handbag with a big logo.

 

I think there is an awful lot to like about being blissfully ignorant!


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I reference once on here a long time ago a "what's in the bag" segment I saw on Henrik Stenson. He seemed to have trouble recalling what the name of his driver shaft was. And, from what I have read on here, he has been using that one a long time. I don't fault anyone for being interested in the specs and whatnot just as I don't think you have to be all that clued in to it to play great golf.

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Had an OEM rep tell me that they know a few things. One, is men buy most the clubs and any club promoting distance and providing even a small amount will sell like crazy. Also, promise forgiveness, even though that said forgiveness is far beyond what can be delivered, it will also sell. There is also the perception cost means quality which is a total myth. His advice? Do get quality made clubs and properly fit and they should be good for at least 5 years and then you need to get re-fit but not necessarily new clubs. May just need different shafts in the same head. Best player I know has played with the same set of irons for 20 years now. He had them re-shafted about 8 years ago and they are still spot on for him. Driver-wise, tech seems to advance faster but shafts essentially follow the old Pro-Lite 35 EI profile even expensive ones for the most part.

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Define "General Public" !

 

It's the same as any other segment of the society, there are the blissful ignorant, there are the ones think they know because they read up on the information, and there are the half filled bottle of knowledge, there are the few whom really knows what's going on but hard to keep up with all the new stuff coming out.

And of course, there are always those whom think they know all of it.

 

There used to be the Professional level equipment, the quality level and the standard level plus the budget level. Now , everything is so fiercely competitive, the margin of difference between the different class is getting smaller........ the only big difference is the price point for the different level of golf equipment.

It's getting more like , fashion show. Reinventing every few decades with some new twist.

I was shocked the first time I learned there are actually buyers for a $8,000 plastic handbag with a big logo.

 

I think there is an awful lot to like about being blissfully ignorant!��

 

Sometimes in situations , it'll be a blessing !

I'd wish in many occasions I'd be just Merry and go Happy.

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Given the countless articles, tests and real world experiences saying that upgraded shafts do not vastly improve club performance I'd say the clueless one is probably the guy dropping $380 on a driver shaft.

 

Then again, with so many of those folks around I'd buy it and flip it for the profit. A sucker is born every minute.

 

Hey!! What the heck are you talking about man! Shut ur dirty pie hole!!

 

I know my $380 "Tour issue" super low spin low torque high kick ultra high modulous 1100 ton fiber titanium nickel boron graphene Kevlar super shaft is damn well giving me 20 extra yards and sub 2000 spin and 50% improved dispersion!! The guys at Mitsufujidila told me so. LOL!!

 

; )

 

 

Mitsufujidila - priceless!!!

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Sadly, the 'average consumer' of golf equipment is usually...

 

.

 

And therefore 'suckers' for OEM ad campaigns and golf shop 'sales pitches'.... :rap:

 

 

:golfer:

[b]What's in Bobcat's Bag? (Showing more than 14 clubs due to options)[/b]

Driver: TM 2015 9.5* SLDR-C - 45.5" Miyazaki Kusala Black 61s (tipped 1/2")
Fairway: TM Tour-iussue V-Steel 15* 3W - 43.25" Fujikura 757 Speeder Stiff
Hybrid Fairway: TM Rescue Fairway 15* '3-Strong'- 42.75" Fujikura VP-90 Stiff
Hybrids: TM Rescue-Mid TP's 19*(3H) & 22*(4H) - Fujikura Vista Pro 90 Stiff
Driving Irons: TM TP UDI's 16* (#1) & 20* (#3) - KBS C-Taper Lite 110 Stiff Shafts
Irons: TM 2015 SLDR Irons (5-8i only) - KBS C-Taper Lite 110 Stiff Flex Steel
Hybrid Wedges: Cleveland 2011 Niblicks - 42*PW /49*DW / 56*SW - Stock Steel
Wedge: 2011 Cleveland CG-16 Black Pearl 58*/8* (SW/LW) - Stock Steel Shaft
Putter: Bettinardi BBX-81 Blade - 35" Bettinardi Stock Steel Putter Shaft
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I see it at my local pga tour superstore fairly often (premium shaft being sold as if it were a stock option on preowned). The majority of the workers are college kids who couldn’t care less and the majority of the people trading them in are rich people who just want the convenience of being able to get trade in value and buy their new club on the spot.

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And just to add to that, i fall into the category where golf is a huge part of my enjoyment in life so when i see those things I’ll buy them, flip the shaft and then feel like I got the driver head for $100. For a lot of folks (mostly those that don’t hang out on GolfWRX) that seems like a giant hassle.

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Heck, even when you try to do a trade-in on websites like 3balls or global golf it doesn't even ask you what kind of shaft is in it. It just asks for the flex and that's it. So you'll be offered the same amount of trade-in credit for a made-for stock shaft as you will for a tour ad di.

 

Yup. Bought my King LTD 3 wood with a black AD-DI for like $95 from Global. And that was 2 years ago! Sold the shaft for $175

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I've been in the golf industry (golf course management, proshop/retail sales, etc) for 25 years now, and been around golfers all of my life. I can tell you countless stories of my customers not even being able to tell me what manufacturer, much less model of club they play when I ask them (I've always been a gear nerd, so I ask a lot). I've had plenty of customers have to go out to their golf cart and look in their bag to see what irons they play when I've asked the question, and I'm talking players that routinely break 80, all the way down to sub-70s. Golfers in general do not look at nor care about this stuff. I talk (or at least attempt to) talk equipment with most of the regulars that come in my proshop, and it still surprises me at how little the average player knows about...well...any of their own equipment, or any current equipment on the market. Now I'm in, and always have been in the daily fee segment of golf, and never managed a private club, so those players (private club players) may be a bit more in the know, but the average daily fee player doesn't have a clue about equipment. Not that this is a knock on them, it's just the way it is. The vast majority of highly skilled golfers I know/encounter have several generations old clubs that they weren't fit for and just play and familiarize themselves with how to get the best results from those sticks.

 

Yeah because those guys are more tuned into playing better on the course versus fiddling with their clubs or swing like GolfWRXers do.

Callaway Paradym TD 10* Ventus Red TR 5S

Titleist TSR3 13.5* 3 Wood Tour AD-IZ 6S

Titleist TSR3 19* hybrid Modus GOST S

Titleist TSR2 24* hybrid Modus GOST S

Callaway Paradym Hybrid 27* Ventus non Velocore S

Titleist T100 2023 6-PW KBS Tour V S

Titleist SM8 50, 56, 60

Scotty Cameron X7.5 CS

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The average golf consumer/player out there doesn't have the passion guys/gals who frequent this site do. That being said, most don't play nearly the amount of rounds we here play, and simply look at golf as an occasional recreation outing, not something which can literally dominate our available spare time. Those golfers just don't consider the activity of playing golf anything more than a social afternoon out with their business clients, buddies, or kids or significant other. They just will never devote enough time into it to consider spending the kind of money & subsequent study & review of equipment pros and cons as we do here. As an example, I have a buddy who is a computer programmer, who obviously is very in tuned to the many tech advances out there. His logic tells him, that in the computer industry, tech is always moving forward, whereas in golf, so many rules re equipment prohibit the advancement of engineering that could justify the prices golfers pay for the newest & greatest equipment releases, when in fact they aren't much different than the last batch. But, his logic is that would be paramount to limiting GB on computers, tech advances for phones, resolution on tv;s etc. So why pay that much $ for old tech with limitations placed on the companies by archaic organizations such as the R & A, etc. Guy makes a good point, & he just refuses to go spend big bucks every couple of years on new golf equipment when it won't markedly change his game for the better.

Equipment or knowledge of the equipment doesn't make the golfer and lots of golf fanatics are not on golfwrx.
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Equipment is sort of a niche within the realm of golf. Kind of like course architecture or the game's history.

 

I can geek out on equipment with someone who is also into it. But I've played golf with people before who are really into course architecture and they will try to geek out on that with me and I really have no interest or anything to contribute to the conversation. I know a fun hole when I see one and I know a stupid hole when I see one but that's about it as far as my knowledge or passion about course design.

 

So I think we just all have our own things within golf that we are interested in. Be it equipment, or history or architecture or beverage cart girls or whatever.

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I have found that many guys who say they are educated on equipment often will regurgitate marketing spiel and 20yr old myths to demonstrate their knowledge.

Callaway Rogue ST Max 10.5°/Xcaliber SL 45 a flex,Callaway Rogue ST Max Heavenwood/Xcaliber FW a flex, Maltby KE4 ST-H 3h/Rapid Taper a flex, Maltby KE4 ST-H 4h/Rapid Taper a flex, Maltby KE4 Tour TC 5h/Rapid Taper a flex, Maltby KE4 Tour+ 6-G/Xcaliber Rapid Taper a flex, Maltby Max Milled 54° & 58°/Xcaliber Wedge 85 r flex, Mizuno Bettinardi C06

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Generally, most golfers are relatively uneducated, but can read an ad or watch a commercial. Generally, the more skilled the player, the more knowledgeable they are, as equipment likely makes more 'difference' to those players.

 

I'll disagree here, I think being fitted and having the right equipment for your game is one of the easiest ways to improve for the average golfer, a chop/duffer it probably doesn't matter and a low handicap player can find a way to shoot a number with clubs from the 90's but your average golfer can probably save some serious strokes if they played the "right" equipment....

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Gotta wonder how much resell is effected by the shaft being used too...

 

I've found that a lot of clubs that are only sold custom built are odd. I think a lot of small custom fitters get stuck with inventory and try and make it work for an unusual fitting. I've torn clubs apart, like a set of Miuras that were soft stepped 4 times.

 

Unless you know that shaft or have an uncut one it's hard to say how much it was tipped or butt cut, not to mention how much use. I guess you could hit it in the bay, but a lot of guys don't trust those monitors. I think high end shafts depreciate a ton after being built. Employees are probably told not to factor them into condition.

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Knowing your equipment will not make you a GREAT GOLFER!!! BUT, It CAN, however, make you a BETTER golfer.

 

I have ALWAYS been an equipment geek with every sport I'm involved in. Fishing, football, baseball, track, tennis, it doesn't matter. I just want to know I have the best for me. I fully understand there are FAR better golfers than me out there who know very little about their equipment and I really don't care. I also WILL NOT tell them the problem if I see them being frustrated by an issue their equipment is causing. I am me and they are not.

 

My wife wanted a new tennis racket a several years ago. Finally moving from her old Head Villas WOODEN racket! I had it checked out by a top quality shop for string tension, weighting and grip size. I did a bit of research and found exactly what she needed, had the grip sized and string tension set to her preference and then tweaked the balance to where it matched her old racket and she was amazed how well she hit it. Said she used to have to try out several rackets before she got one she really liked.

 

Knowledge is a good thing!

 

BT

 

Dr#1 Cobra Speedzone 10.5 – HZRDUS Yellow HC 65 TX @ 46”
Dr#2 Mizuno STZ 220 9.5 (10.5) - HZRDUS Smoke IM10 65 Low TX @ 46"

Mizuno ST190 15 - HZRDUS Smoke Yellow 70 TS @ 43"
Mizuno STZ 220 18- HZRDUS Smoke Yellow 70 TS @ 42"
Mizuno MP15 4-PW - Aldila RIP Tour 115 R
Cobra MIM Wedges 52, 56 & 60 – stock KBS Hi-Rev @ 35.5”

Odyssey V-Line Stroke Lab 33.5"
Grips - Grip Master Classic Wrap Midsize

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