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Does Callaway copy the Bridgestone approach?


backtees

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The last 10 years I almost entirely played Callaway and Bridgestone balls. While Bridgestone is widely appreciated golf ball manufacturer it seems that Callaway has always been a bit underestimated (at least in Europe) although they always had a great ball-line.

 

With the Speed Regime golf ball line Callaway changed the strategy and joins Bridgestone recommending balls based on swing speed.

 

At the same time Callaway is launching the X2 Hot and X2 Hot+ balls which seem to be the challenger of the Bridgestone E6 as both balls, X2Hot and E6, promise the same.

 

Does Callaway copy the Bridgestone approach? What do you think about it, that Callaway jumps on the same bandwagon with recommending balls according to swing speed?

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I think they're trying to make choosing a ball as easy as possible and Bridgestone does a good job of that especially with their ball fitting campaign. Everyone is chasing Titleist for sales but IMO Bstone, Cally, and TM all make a better golf ball.

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[quote name='J13' timestamp='1392381920' post='8666035']
I think they're trying to make choosing a ball as easy as possible and Bridgestone does a good job of that especially with their ball fitting campaign. Everyone is chasing Titleist for sales but IMO Bstone, Cally, and TM all make a better golf ball.
[/quote]

I am with you, totally. I like the approach and I like both, Bridgestone and Callaway for their balls. Taylor Made belongs to that league, too, they only gave me - and some others - a bit of a headache for their branding philosophy of changing names of their balls constantly.

From a marketing-technical point of view the "recommendation based on swing speed" is clever. If the every weekend warrior is aware of his / her swing speed.

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Callaway will try any marketing approach that it thinks might move some product. They'll ape Bridgestone or Srixon or Titleist or Taylormade. Or copy all of them at the same time if they think it all might work. Don't fool yourself into thinking there is some philosophy or "message" underlying their product-line branding. If somebody seems to sell some balls claiming "XXX" then Callaway will trying claiming "XXX" even if they already have ad campaigns claming "YYY" and "ZZZ" at the same time.

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[quote name='Fourmyle of Ceres' timestamp='1392382777' post='8666077']
Callaway will try any marketing approach that it thinks might move some product. They'll ape Bridgestone or Srixon or Titleist or Taylormade. Or copy all of them at the same time if they think it all might work. Don't fool yourself into thinking there is some philosophy or "message" underlying their product-line branding. If somebody seems to sell some balls claiming "XXX" then Callaway will trying claiming "XXX" even if they already have ad campaigns claming "YYY" and "ZZZ" at the same time.
[/quote]

Alright, so you say it's only a marketing-idea and not based on a new "philosophy" to ease things although there's probably / for sure a clear differentiation among their balls? Would you then even say that try the same snake catcher trick as some other OEMs?

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I think what approach you see them rolling out today will be a distant memory in two years time. About every other year they seem to come up with a totally different way of tiering their golf ball products and usually if squint just right it seems like it almost is rational. Then the following year they introduce a product or two that doesn't fit in the scheme. And by the second year it's a new refiddled arrangement that's nothing like what we thought the plan was two years earlier.

Their grand scheme of how it all fits together never lasts more than one product cycle. So it's not really grand at all, just an ad campaign.

P.S. Why do you guys want so badly for there to be some deeply meaningful scientific grand truth behind ad campaigns for these money-grubbing conglomerate-owned consumer products companies? You can't discover a philosophy of life or a unified theory of golf ball performance by reading between the lines of ad claims. There's nothing deeper to it than what you see.

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[quote name='Fourmyle of Ceres' timestamp='1392382777' post='8666077']
Callaway will try any marketing approach that it thinks might move some product. They'll ape Bridgestone or Srixon or Titleist or Taylormade. Or copy all of them at the same time if they think it all might work. Don't fool yourself into thinking there is some philosophy or "message" underlying their product-line branding. If somebody seems to sell some balls claiming "XXX" then Callaway will trying claiming "XXX" even if they already have ad campaigns claming "YYY" and "ZZZ" at the same time.
[/quote]

Agree. In fact, every manufacturer will "market" their product in whatever way they think will generate the most sales and profit. They have to or they won't stay in business. And what F of C said and what I just said shouldn't be earth-shattering news to anyone.

Johnny T.

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[quote name='Fourmyle of Ceres' timestamp='1392387514' post='8666413']
I think what approach you see them rolling out today will be a distant memory in two years time. About every other year they seem to come up with a totally different way of tiering their golf ball products and usually if squint just right it seems like it almost is rational. Then the following year they introduce a product or two that doesn't fit in the scheme. And by the second year it's a new refiddled arrangement that's nothing like what we thought the plan was two years earlier.

Their grand scheme of how it all fits together never lasts more than one product cycle. So it's not really grand at all, just an ad campaign.

P.S. Why do you guys want so badly for there to be some deeply meaningful scientific grand truth behind ad campaigns for these money-grubbing conglomerate-owned consumer products companies? You can't discover a philosophy of life or a unified theory of golf ball performance by reading between the lines of ad claims. There's nothing deeper to it than what you see.
[/quote]

Because it is (at least partly) about science and not about taste and as the evolution of golf balls brought some great products on the market – why not now?

From a rational standpoint I totally agree on what you say about their marketing and advertising (job wise I am veeeeeery familiar with that).
Ratio! But from an emotional standpoint I perceive it differently. And that’s how those guys get us again and again….

Ratio leads to conclusions, but emotions lead to actions. And promising a few yards more or the holy-grail-ball for swing speed x and a lot of us are already on the hook.

I would even say that there’s nothing easier than selling new equipment what so ever to a golfer….

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[quote name='Fourmyle of Ceres' timestamp='1392387514' post='8666413']
I think what approach you see them rolling out today will be a distant memory in two years time. About every other year they seem to come up with a totally different way of tiering their golf ball products and usually if squint just right it seems like it almost is rational. Then the following year they introduce a product or two that doesn't fit in the scheme. And by the second year it's a new refiddled arrangement that's nothing like what we thought the plan was two years earlier.

Their grand scheme of how it all fits together never lasts more than one product cycle. So it's not really grand at all, just an ad campaign.

[b]P.S. Why do you guys want so badly for there to be some deeply meaningful scientific grand truth behind ad campaigns for these money-grubbing conglomerate-owned consumer products companies? You can't discover a philosophy of life or a unified theory of golf ball performance by reading between the lines of ad claims. There's nothing deeper to it than what you see.
[/b][/quote]

One of the truest things I've read on GolfWrx right here ladies and gentlemen.

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My primary criteria for ball selection is feel. Then I worry about spin, distance, and other factors. When I was younger and had a higher swing speed I played mostly the ProV1x and occasionally similar balls. Now I'm in my mid-sixties and have gone to the ProV1 (and occasionally similar balls). I get a feedback that the ball is compressing OK for my swing. Most all todays urethane balls give me decent stopping ability into greens. Mentally if I play a firmer ball I sometimes try to speed up my swing to feel I'm compressing it properly. This usually fouls up my game.

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All that stuff they put out about golf balls is interesting but it really has no effect on whether or not I will buy it. Only way for me to tell anything about a ball is to play it. After a round I know pretty well if I would buy it or not. My biggest gripe is having to buy an entire dozen only to find out I don't like it or that it doesn't fit me. In which case I don't unless the price is reasonable. On higher priced balls I can wait until I find one and then try it out. If they would put out a mixed dozen so golfers could try out what they have to offer, then folks might be more willing to take a chance on a ball.

My biggest gripe is once you find a ball you like and play well with, it goes away because they are already on to the next biggest idea.

Ping G400 10.5* driver
Ping G400 3 wood
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Ping Sydney 34" putter
Ping Pioneer 2017 bag
Bridgestone Tour B330-RX ball

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[quote name='backtees' timestamp='1392381051' post='8665977']
The last 10 years I almost entirely played Callaway and Bridgestone balls. While Bridgestone is widely appreciated golf ball manufacturer it seems that Callaway has always been a bit underestimated (at least in Europe) although they always had a great ball-line.

With the Speed Regime golf ball line Callaway changed the strategy and joins Bridgestone recommending balls based on swing speed.

At the same time Callaway is launching the X2 Hot and X2 Hot+ balls which seem to be the challenger of the Bridgestone E6 as both balls, X2Hot and E6, promise the same.

Does Callaway copy the Bridgestone approach? What do you think about it, that Callaway jumps on the same bandwagon with recommending balls according to swing speed?
[/quote]

They did the same thing with their SuperSoft ball. Just copied the Wilson DUO by giving away the free two ball packs and low compression ball.

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[quote name='nuthin but a hacker' timestamp='1392402244' post='8668265']
All that stuff they put out about golf balls is interesting but it really has no effect on whether or not I will buy it. Only way for me to tell anything about a ball is to play it. After a round I know pretty well if I would buy it or not. My biggest gripe is having to buy an entire dozen only to find out I don't like it or that it doesn't fit me. In which case I don't unless the price is reasonable. On higher priced balls I can wait until I find one and then try it out. If they would put out a mixed dozen so golfers could try out what they have to offer, then folks might be more willing to take a chance on a ball.

My biggest gripe is once you find a ball you like and play well with, it goes away because they are already on to the next biggest idea.
[/quote]

Maybe if you call lostgolfballs.com and ask them to sell you a variety pack of 3 each of the balls you'd be interested in (for a total of 1 or 2 dozen balls. Just like going to the dinner buffet. Try one of each.

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Who cares how each company markets their ball. If a particular ball works for you, then buy it. If not move on and find a ball that works for you. For each golfer who swears by the Titleist claims that swing speed doesn't matter, there is another golfer who swears by Bridgestone's and now Callaway's claim that swing speed is important in choosing a ball. Does it really matter how each company markets their line of balls? As far as I'm concerned, the more balls that we have to choose from, the better.

Cobra F8+ 9.5 - Aldila NV 2KXV Blue 60S
Cobra F8+14* - Aldila NV 2KXV Blue 60S
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Titleist SM7 wedges 54* 58*
Ping Karsten Series Zing putter

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[quote name='nuthin but a hacker' timestamp='1392402244' post='8668265']


My biggest gripe is once you find a ball you like and play well with, it goes away because they are already on to the next biggest idea.
[/quote]

This is why Titleist is the market share leader. Two year product cycle. Small incremental improvements. Consistent product naming convention. No customer confusion.

Titleist TSi3 10 Evenflow Riptide MX 60 6.0
Titleist TSi2 15 HZRDUS Smoke RDX 70 6.0
Titleist TS2 19 Tensei CK Blue 70 S
Mizuno MP20 HMB 4-P Modus3 Tour 105 S
Callaway Jaws 50, 54, 58 DG Tour 115
Odyssey 2-ball ten tour lined, Toulon Las Vegas

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[quote name='CyFan ' timestamp='1392433408' post='8671433']
[quote name='nuthin but a hacker' timestamp='1392402244' post='8668265']


My biggest gripe is once you find a ball you like and play well with, it goes away because they are already on to the next biggest idea.
[/quote]

This is why Titleist is the market share leader. Two year product cycle. Small incremental improvements. Consistent product naming convention. No customer confusion.
[/quote]

Bridgestone B330 and Srixon Z Star lines are 2 year cycles and they use same name.

9* Titleist TSi3 AD-DI 7X
14.5* Cobra Radspeed D+ 80x
4-48* Titleist T150 w/Project X LZ 6.0
51* Srixon Z785 

56*/60* Taylormade MG2 TW Grind w/ S400 
Odyssey Jailbird Cruiser
Titleist Pro V1x

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[quote name='Go_Blue!' timestamp='1392436605' post='8671805']
[quote name='CyFan ' timestamp='1392433408' post='8671433']
[quote name='nuthin but a hacker' timestamp='1392402244' post='8668265']


My biggest gripe is once you find a ball you like and play well with, it goes away because they are already on to the next biggest idea.
[/quote]

This is why Titleist is the market share leader. Two year product cycle. Small incremental improvements. Consistent product naming convention. No customer confusion.
[/quote]

Bridgestone B330 and Srixon Z Star lines are 2 year cycles and they use same name.
[/quote]

True. And both are top quality offerings with a faithful following. I wonder if their market share is limited due to lack of a full product offering, specifically clubs, in the US.

Titleist TSi3 10 Evenflow Riptide MX 60 6.0
Titleist TSi2 15 HZRDUS Smoke RDX 70 6.0
Titleist TS2 19 Tensei CK Blue 70 S
Mizuno MP20 HMB 4-P Modus3 Tour 105 S
Callaway Jaws 50, 54, 58 DG Tour 115
Odyssey 2-ball ten tour lined, Toulon Las Vegas

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[quote name='J13' timestamp='1392381920' post='8666035']
I think they're trying to make choosing a ball as easy as possible and Bridgestone does a good job of that especially with their ball fitting campaign.
[/quote]

Eh?
Sure Bridgestone does, but how the heck does [url="http://www.callawaygolf.com/balls/callaway-golf-balls/"]THIS[/url] [sup](link to Cally's ball page)[/sup] make choosing a ball as easy as possible?
I was going to take a pic of their part of the aisle at Golfsmith tomorrow, but this link works too ;)

[url="http://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTOZNxdsDKajrKxaUCRjcU8eB7URcAMpaCWN-67Bt6QG8rmBUPYW3QAQ7k87BlYizIMKJzEhuzqr9OQ/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true"]WITB[/url] | [url="http://tinyurl.com/CoursesPlayedList"]Courses Played list[/url] |  [url="http://tinyurl.com/25GolfingFaves"] 25 Faves [/url]

F.T.

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[quote name='CyFan ' timestamp='1392436907' post='8671835']
[quote name='Go_Blue!' timestamp='1392436605' post='8671805']
[quote name='CyFan ' timestamp='1392433408' post='8671433']
[quote name='nuthin but a hacker' timestamp='1392402244' post='8668265']


My biggest gripe is once you find a ball you like and play well with, it goes away because they are already on to the next biggest idea.
[/quote]

This is why Titleist is the market share leader. Two year product cycle. Small incremental improvements. Consistent product naming convention. No customer confusion.
[/quote]

Bridgestone B330 and Srixon Z Star lines are 2 year cycles and they use same name.
[/quote]

True. And both are top quality offerings with a faithful following. I wonder if their market share is limited due to lack of a full product offering, specifically clubs, in the US.
[/quote]

Ya, its possible. I dont have the data, but I would be willing to bet that Bridgestone has muscled itself into what used to be titles ball share. The Titlest pie is not as big as it used to be. So many great balls now.

9* Titleist TSi3 AD-DI 7X
14.5* Cobra Radspeed D+ 80x
4-48* Titleist T150 w/Project X LZ 6.0
51* Srixon Z785 

56*/60* Taylormade MG2 TW Grind w/ S400 
Odyssey Jailbird Cruiser
Titleist Pro V1x

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