Tour Issue

[brockgolf44]

I saw the article on the home page about the life of a tour merchandise/equipment rep and I posted the comment/question essentially asking if all of the "Tour Issue" equipment you see floating around on Ebay and right here in the Classifieds comes from these guys stock.

 

Im well aware that people will throw some crap on Ebay and put Tour Issue in the description so people will pay an extra $50, but there sure seems to be alot of it out there and I just wonder if anyone knows where the bulk of the legit stuff comes from?

 

I particularly like the "Tour Issue" 10.5 degree drivers with Regular Flex stock shafts. Im sure those came right out of Rory and Tigers bags into the marketplace:)

[pierso2]

I'd assume a lot of it comes from people who know guys on the tour vans and persuade their friends to part with a few things. Or someone who works at the company's headquarters. But those are just assumptions

[brockgolf44]

Thats what I always thought as well...but is that to say that the mfgs are just like "hey man, once the Pros try the stuff its cool to just give it to your buddies or sell it on Ebay"

I just cant imagine thats the case. There are a couple of Ebay sellers I follow who literally have hundreds of "Tour Issue" clubs. I believe they are as well because they all have the stickers with different lofts than what the club states (10.5 SLDR head actually at 9.2 or 14 JetSpeed 4' open). Its just strange to me that you can get your hands on that much stuff.

By all means, if someone is one of those "tour issue club seller guys" Im interested in how you go about getting all of it.

[cardoustie]

TM and other mfrs fire sale their extra stock of tested heads (loft and COR) to known tour issue sellers ... that's it.. There's nothing JFK conspiracy about it ... no "riddle wrapped in an enigma" plot going on

Guys pay a premium for those stickers !!! I think you could get a longer head by accident by buying off the shelf

At least that's my simpleton's understanding of the process

[JustinK23]

I'm not really close with anyone in the golf equipment field, but I am with some pro ball players and equipment reps. I know that if asked/requested, they can get any and everything for anyone.

I have some custom made at the stadium bats that my friends at Rawlings spun for me at Fenway a few years back. I can't tell you how instantly gratified these athletes are, but if one wants "something for a friend" it is neatly gift wrapped and ready within 20 minutes.

I'd imagine it's the same for players on PGA tour and obviously their friends, acquaintances, business partners all get tokens of appreciation. IMHO a lot of player issue things come from someone being gifted that item, even if it is for personal use, and then like the rest of us club ho's they sell it or collect it or trade it etc. I could be wrong though. I was wrong once. ?