Should Titleist be concerned?

[williamsnrb]

First, let me say, I am a huge Titleist fan. I love their equipment and their standing in the industry. However, watching the Masters this year, it is apparent that there are many players using other brands of golf ball (usually, Titleist's territory). In fact, only 5 players in the last 7 groups (14 players) of the tournament are playing Titleist golf balls (Spieth, Langer, Westwood, Berger, Cabrera). I know other companies have developed great golf balls (Srixon, Bridgestone, TM, Callaway, Nike, etc), but I have not noticed as many among leaders of tournaments as this week. So, should Titleist concerned?

[SplashShot]

I don't think so. There's only so much left you can do to a golf ball and many of the other OEMs have caught up. Titleist can't pay everybody.

[McCann1]

I don't think so...I don't know the numbers but they still have the majority of players using their ball. Although, some other companies are coming out with great stuff. But kind of like Coca Cola, they've been a leader for so long that it's hard to see them not being the #1

[SadTrombone]

Pepsi is far superior to coca cola.

 

But no, titleist doesn't need to worry.

[Illest]

No

[McCann1]

Pepsi is far superior to coca cola.

 

But no, titleist doesn't need to worry.

I'm not going to debate on which is better, they're both good haha. But Coca Cola has been around a little longer and is a bigger brand. That's what I meant with the comparison to Titleist

[williamsnrb]

I don't think so. There's only so much left you can do to a golf ball and many of the other OEMs have caught up. Titleist can't pay everybody.

 

That's what I'm beginning to wonder, though. If there is only so much that can be done to a golf ball (within the rules), what happens when the other OEM's catch up or surpass Titleist? In the 70's, McGregor and Wilson Staff had the market locked on irons and wedges. Now, Wilson is not a huge player and McGregor is nowhere to be found. I don't want the same to happen to Titleist.

[KrazyTrain18]

Why does this thread even exist ? Your basis is that since the make up of this weeks leaderboard doesn't favour the ProV1 ball count, that Titleist should be worried ? If you check the ball counts every week, Titleist is generally far ahead.

[williamsnrb]

Why does this thread even exist ? Your basis is that since the make up of this weeks leaderboard doesn't favour the ProV1 ball count, that Titleist should be worried ? If you check the ball counts every week, Titleist is generally far ahead.

 

It exists because I created it. I know that the overall ball count is in Titleist's favor. I'm saying that it has been very obvious to me this weekend that a smaller percentage of the best players on Tour are playing Titleist (it used to be no contest). I hope that trend doesn't continue for Titleist.

[J-Blade]

I think, if the number of pros playing Pro V-1s is down (I'm not saying it is, as stats don't seem to indicate a major drop), it has more to do with Nike and Callaway dictating what ball their tour players must tee up than any sort of decrease in the popularity of Titleist.

[heffe78]

No reason to worry - at all.

Yes they may have 5 of the last 14 today but last week, next week, and 9 out of 10 weeks after than they will be back to having 10 or 12 of 14.

 

But even at that their success is not driven but Tour usage, but retail. The volum they sell at retail still outpaces everything else by a wide margin.

Talk to anyone on the "inside" of titleist and they'll tell you the primary reason they started the whole TPI stuff is due to amateur/public golfers. The average amateur/public player will loose a few balls (or more) a round. Multiply that by the golfing public and it's a big number of lost balls a year.

 

Now if through TPI you can keep people golfing for a few more years by keeping them healthy you'll sell lots more balls. Basically opposite to cigarettes. Cigs will kill ya and the cig company loses a customer, Titleist is doing the opposite.

[williamsnrb]

No reason to worry - at all.

Yes they may have 5 of the last 14 today but last week, next week, and 9 out of 10 weeks after than they will be back to having 10 or 12 of 14.

 

But even at that their success is not driven but Tour usage, but retail. The volum they sell at retail still outpaces everything else by a wide margin.

Talk to anyone on the "inside" of titleist and they'll tell you the primary reason they started the whole TPI stuff is due to amateur/public golfers. The average amateur/public player will loose a few balls (or more) a round. Multiply that by the golfing public and it's a big number of lost balls a year.

 

Now if through TPI you can keep people golfing for a few more years by keeping them healthy you'll sell lots more balls. Basically opposite to cigarettes. Cigs will kill ya and the cig company loses a customer, Titleist is doing the opposite.

 

Yep, that's true about the reason Titleist initially funded the creation of TPI. Greg Rose still tells that story. And I know that they are the most popular ball at retail (and the Pro V1 is best ball in golf, IMO). My concern looking forward is that other OEM's catch up with the Pro V1 and maybe force their players to play the ball. Then, amateurs see that the best players are playing something else and decide to buy the other company's value ball instead of Titleist. I hope that doesn't happen. I love the Titleist brand (I'm heavily invested in TPI and was on staff with Titleist when I was a pro). I was just wondering if anyone else thought they should be concerned. I guess not, though. :)

[playa]

It's simple. If another OEM decides to throw more money at tour players than titleist, titleist loses the ball count. If not, they keep it. It really is that simple, comes down to money and nothing else.

[williamsnrb]

It's simple. If another OEM decides to throw more money at tour players than titleist, titleist loses the ball count. If not, they keep it. It really is that simple, comes down to money and nothing else.

 

That may be true.

[MelloYello]

Titleist is the #1 ball because of the money they have invested in that area.

 

A ProV1 is no better than a 330 or a Z-star or whatever else is out there.

 

I hate to break this to you dude but equipment is pretty much the same across the board.

[williamsnrb]

Titleist is the #1 ball because of the money they have invested in that area.

 

A ProV1 is no better than a 330 or a Z-star or whatever else is out there.

 

I hate to break this to you dude but equipment is pretty much the same across the board.

 

The differences in equipment across OEM's are certainly shrinking.

[hankmoody]

Anyone who is number 1 needs to worry about staying number 1. I'm sure they do, but not a hair on fire worry.

[Christosterone]

Titleist shouldn't worry about the competition...

 

Sincerely,

Spalding Golf Division

[williamsnrb]

Titleist shouldn't worry about the competition...

 

Sincerely,

Spalding Golf Division

 

Exactly!

[nikegal]

Why does this thread even exist ? Your basis is that since the make up of this weeks leaderboard doesn't favour the ProV1 ball count, that Titleist should be worried ? If you check the ball counts every week, Titleist is generally far ahead.

While I would agree that Titleist is much more concerned with their ball penetration than clubs and the last I heard they were fine, this was not a very nice way to question or respond. I realize that it's none of my business however I never can understand why a guy, unprovoked, would leave a negative or mean post. So you don't like the thread or his view? You can't voice that in a classy way? Or better yet if you can't, just pass on the thread or his or someone's post? Nathan's questions could lead to a nice thread and discussion. And even if he was a newbie and posted a redundant "stupid" thread, why do guys feel the need to hide behind anonymity and say nasty things? Again, apologies for interseding however I just have never understood this especially since the only two times I have met the individuals who as Richard says "play man" in the virtual world and when I met them in the real world, well, I'll leave it at they were mice. Have a nice week Guys :) Maddie

[UCBananaboy]

McDonald's Coke > anything in the world

[KrazyTrain18]

Why does this thread even exist ? Your basis is that since the make up of this weeks leaderboard doesn't favour the ProV1 ball count, that Titleist should be worried ? If you check the ball counts every week, Titleist is generally far ahead.

While I would agree that Titleist is much more concerned with their ball penetration than clubs and the last I heard they were fine, this was not a very nice way to question respond I realise that it's none of my business however I never can understand why a guy, unprovoked, would leave a negative or mean post. So you don't like the thread or his view? You can't voice that in a classy way? Or better get if you can't, just pass on the thread or his or someone's post? Nathan's questions could lead to a nice thread and discussion. And even if he was a newbie and posted a redundant "stupid" thread, why do guys feel the need to hide behind anonymity and say nasty things? Again, apologies for interseding however I just have never understood this especially since the only two times I have met the individuals who as Richard says "play man" in the virtual world and when I met them in the real world, well, I'll leAve it at they were mice. Have a nice week Guys :) Maddie

 

Sorry guys, didn't mean to come off as arrogant, however re-reading my past I can see how it came off.

[nikegal]

Why does this thread even exist ? Your basis is that since the make up of this weeks leaderboard doesn't favour the ProV1 ball count, that Titleist should be worried ? If you check the ball counts every week, Titleist is generally far ahead.

While I would agree that Titleist is much more concerned with their ball penetration than clubs and the last I heard they were fine, this was not a very nice way to question respond I realise that it's none of my business however I never can understand why a guy, unprovoked, would leave a negative or mean post. So you don't like the thread or his view? You can't voice that in a classy way? Or better get if you can't, just pass on the thread or his or someone's post? Nathan's questions could lead to a nice thread and discussion. And even if he was a newbie and posted a redundant "stupid" thread, why do guys feel the need to hide behind anonymity and say nasty things? Again, apologies for interseding however I just have never understood this especially since the only two times I have met the individuals who as Richard says "play man" in the virtual world and when I met them in the real world, well, I'll leAve it at they were mice. Have a nice week Guys :) Maddie

 

Sorry guys, didn't mean to come off as arrogant, however re-reading my past I can see how it came off.

This is very classy. Have a nice week KT :) Maddie

[Sean2]

No. I purchased a pair of Footjoys today.

[RiskyBusiness]

No. I purchased a pair of Footjoys today.

Icons?

[clinkinfo]

First, let me say, I am a huge Titleist fan. I love their equipment and their standing in the industry. However, watching the Masters this year, it is apparent that there are many players using other brands of golf ball (usually, Titleist's territory). In fact, only 5 players in the last 7 groups (14 players) of the tournament are playing Titleist golf balls (Spieth, Langer, Westwood, Berger, Cabrera). I know other companies have developed great golf balls (Srixon, Bridgestone, TM, Callaway, Nike, etc), but I have not noticed as many among leaders of tournaments as this week. So, should Titleist concerned?

 

 

I think your observation is a good one. If I was a title it's exec, I'd be concerned. The stranglehold they had on the ball market has definitely started to lighten. Even among better players I play with, it was almost always pro v's...but the last year or so not so much.

 

 

[williamsnrb]

First, let me say, I am a huge Titleist fan. I love their equipment and their standing in the industry. However, watching the Masters this year, it is apparent that there are many players using other brands of golf ball (usually, Titleist's territory). In fact, only 5 players in the last 7 groups (14 players) of the tournament are playing Titleist golf balls (Spieth, Langer, Westwood, Berger, Cabrera). I know other companies have developed great golf balls (Srixon, Bridgestone, TM, Callaway, Nike, etc), but I have not noticed as many among leaders of tournaments as this week. So, should Titleist concerned?

 

 

I think your observation is a good one. If I was a title it's exec, I'd be concerned. The stranglehold they had on the ball market has definitely started to lighten. Even among better players I play with, it was almost always pro v's...but the last year or so not so much.

 

You hit it on the head. I've noticed similar things with players that I see.

[Bsgolf53]

Worry about what? Did they steal more patents from B-Stone?

[Jordan J. Caron]

Why does this thread even exist ? Your basis is that since the make up of this weeks leaderboard doesn't favour the ProV1 ball count, that Titleist should be worried ? If you check the ball counts every week, Titleist is generally far ahead.

 

There is a much bigger market out there and that's regular golfers and non Professionals. This the market that Titleist dominates and cares about. From what I see 75% of the players I play with use a Titleist golf ball.

[MCCA]

Simple answer no stupid Topic