Components VS OEM's

Hifade · April 29, 2005

whatcha think?

Give us your thoughts on the quality and playability of component clubs like you can buy from Leaderboard Golf, Golfworks or Golfsmith versus the obvious OEM clubs from manufacturers like Cally, Titleist and TM.

Do you think they are all the same.....same grade titanium and same level of quality as far as manufacturing goes? How about the knock-offs? Ever hit a knock-off that felt just as good as the "real thing" and / or performed even better? I know guys that hit knock-offs better but won't play them for obvious reasons.

pitbull808 · April 30, 2005

I have a friend who's a 3 handicap and plays a bag of irons/woods all from Golf Smith. He swears by them. Of course he did build them and bend them to his needs. So like anything else I would say if you have a club may it be a known OEM or something from Golf Smith, it shows that you must have them fit YOU for them to work at their best.

Hifade · April 30, 2005

"pitboss"

Great response and thx........I think that was one of the points I was trying to make. Tour vs Retail AND / OR OEM vs Component; does it really matter if whatever it is you are playing is not fit for you? Probably not, right? Fitting, above all else, is the key but it also has to look good to your eye. For instance, if you play a $35 component head that looks great to you and instills the utmost confidence, it will outperform ANY tour version OEM driver (not made for you) that costs $1500+ every day of the week.

Second, titanium is titanium is titanium and while there are different processes and different grades....beta forged is beta forged and so on. I think the differences are mostly in the designs. However, a knock off, usually being of similar design to the "real thing" is generally the same throughout. That being said, maybe the only main differences can be found are the quality in workmanship (weld points etc or whatever). I remember years ago before Cobra protected themselves adequately, there was a whole host of knock offs being produced "after hours" at the same forgery and from the exact same molds in the East. It finally caught up with that factory but, the point is, there was NO difference except the $$$ and stampings.

Finally, since so much in this great game lies between our ears, I think the "stick with a head at the end" that works the best for you and that you have the most confidence in IS the best for you. It doesn't really matter what company logo is on it or from where it came, does it?

my .03

I have a friend who's a 3 handicap and plays a bag of irons/woods all from Golf Smith. He swears by them. Of course he did build them and bend them to his needs. So like anything else I would say if you have a club may it be a known OEM or something from Golf Smith, it shows that you must have them fit YOU for them to work at their best.
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