New Ownership: Matrix Shaft Co. & Dustin Johnson

[Wooderson]

It's interesting that Veylix was created because they were upset that Matrix started doing OEM driver deals. It's got to be a good but sad feeling knowing they were right in that Matrix was screwing up.

 

Just curious, why is it a bad idea for a company to do OEM deals?

[trhode]

It's interesting that Veylix was created because they were upset that Matrix started doing OEM driver deals. It's got to be a good but sad feeling knowing they were right in that Matrix was screwing up.

 

Just curious, why is it a bad idea for a company to do OEM deals?

 

Makes no sense to me as well.

[Jagpilotohio]

Does this mean we get to see Bo Jackson breaking shafts over his knee? Bo knows Altus!

 

Boy I hope not!! Jagged edge might rip open his femoral artery and he could bleed to death!!

 

No bueno.. Bo might know exsanguination!!

[IHFN]

It's interesting that Veylix was created because they were upset that Matrix started doing OEM driver deals. It's got to be a good but sad feeling knowing they were right in that Matrix was screwing up.

 

Just curious, why is it a bad idea for a company to do OEM deals?

 

Makes no sense to me as well.

 

I say that considering Matrix was doing fine before they went OEM and now they are in bankruptcy.

 

I should also say that since Matrix went to OEM deals they went from being a presence on tour to no presence.

[sbjinx]

I dunno. I feel like all the top companies - Aldila, diamana, fujikura - all do OEMs are seem to do fine. I thought they went super high end for their top shafts which turned some ppl off

[IHFN]

I dunno. I feel like all the top companies - Aldila, diamana, fujikura - all do OEMs are seem to do fine. I thought they went super high end for their top shafts which turned some ppl off

 

I think it's more that Matrix was seen as an exclusive company that made good shafts at a high price, but then they went cheap and no longer held that unique quality that some people look for. The 6m3 was a great shaft, but you never hear jack about the m4 or m5 now. Too many other companies passed them by in offering shafts that spun the same, but had better feel. It's a combo of it all really.

[bladehunter]

I dunno. I feel like all the top companies - Aldila, diamana, fujikura - all do OEMs are seem to do fine. I thought they went super high end for their top shafts which turned some ppl off

 

I think it's more that Matrix was seen as an exclusive company that made good shafts at a high price, but then they went cheap and no longer held that unique quality that some people look for. The 6m3 was a great shaft, but you never hear jack about the m4 or m5 now. Too many other companies passed them by in offering shafts that spun the same, but had better feel. It's a combo of it all really.

 

 

 

this plus the oem versions they made were super weak terrible offerings...I have played Matrix twice.... a Black reign 60T and a Radix 7321 ...both were excellent shafts... then came the made for cobra shafts... POOP on a stick... the M4 M5 versions stink compared to the 6M 7M black tie

[Qegurezi]

Matrix have been doing shafts for OEM's for a decade or more. May be coincidental but i thought they dropped off post JC.

[ChillyDipper]

Word on the street :

 

Matrix Shafts will be owned by Tour Player(s)

 

Dustin Johnson is the only name that my source would give up.

 

This is big news for a golf shaft company and big news for our community. I'm expecting a big push in new technology and new generation marketing that could help us all.

 

Tour Golfers owning a company that we could all use and benefit from sounds really really cool.

Others names rumored to be involved with Matrix are Tiger, Wayne Gretzky and Bo Jackson per THP.

 

Just need Michael Jordan and we would have the "Pro Stars" Trifecta.

[Stuart_G]

For those that haven't seen it - might want to read through this.

 

http://www.golfwrx.c...la-golf-shafts/

 

And don't expect to be able to play the same shafts the pro investors will be playing (although some pros might continue to play the aftermarket offerings).

 

LA Golf Shafts will partner with professional golfers; the company will build shafts for these pros “from a blank sheet of paper,” meaning they will be fully custom, according to Dickens. Also, those players will become partners with the company.

[Golfingfanatic]

The article suggests the pros will have their own ‘signature line’ which will be available to buy, too.

[getair23]

I was hoping for a Matrix revival. This looks interesting though. I’m not sure I agree with Dickens. That a super high end shaft manufacturer can help grow the game. I also recall some of Matrix’s top designers already working elsewhere. Good luck to LA Golf. I’m definitely interested to hear what is next.

[TheMoneyShot]

Looking forward to seeing where this company goes.

[BottleCap]

Who's going to design the shafts?

[autronicdsm]

I hope they will offer current offerings for a a while at least. I might need to pick up couple Deus Tour hybrids

[Wooderson]

The article suggests the pros will have their own ‘signature line’ which will be available to buy, too.

 

Awesome. Hope the MSRP is around $50.

[autronicdsm]

The article suggests the pros will have their own 'signature line' which will be available to buy, too.

 

Awesome. Hope the MSRP is around $50.

 

That's cool, but I wonder how many people will actually fit into those shafts?

[chickenpotpie]

How exactly will this benefit us as a community? Details please

 

The shaft market is stale and now with new structure of ownership it brings new life and social marketing to the next level.

 

Think of scratch when Ryan Moore had a piece. New prototype offerings that this community really liked

 

How’d that work out?

[sandy]

Gee I thought Dustin Johnson and Tiger Woods were going to buy Mstrix per the hot inside info.. Tiger just keeps missing out on great opportunities, first TM now Matrix. Maybe Lynx next..

[TollBros]

It's an interesting concept. Of course any shaft manufacturer will make one off Protos for any top 50 player so I'm not sure what makes it any different. I do like the fact of TRUE aftermarket only products that don't get sold out for OEM stock product. That would be nice.

[Stuart_G]

It's an interesting concept. Of course any shaft manufacturer will make one off Protos for any top 50 player so I'm not sure what makes it any different.

 

The difference is now they are asking the player pay for "invest" in it :-)

 

I do like the fact of TRUE aftermarket only products that don't get sold out for OEM stock product. That would be nice.

 

I like the idea of not making OEM proprietary versions of their shafts - but since OEM's are now more frequently offering true aftermarket shafts as stock shafts, they might be loosing out on some business taking that card off the table. As I understand it, It's the stock shaft business that keeps most shaft companies afloat, not the aftermarket business.

 

And actually that's one big aspect of how the golf shaft business is VERY different from the baseball bat business.

[mizuno player]

Good point Stuart. If they choose to "only" sell aftermarket they will greatly limited their audience.

 

It will be interesting to see this play out.

[TollBros]

It's an interesting concept. Of course any shaft manufacturer will make one off Protos for any top 50 player so I'm not sure what makes it any different.

 

The difference is now they are asking the player pay for "invest" in it :-)

 

I do like the fact of TRUE aftermarket only products that don't get sold out for OEM stock product. That would be nice.

 

I like the idea of not making OEM proprietary versions of their shafts - but since OEM's are now more frequently offering true aftermarket shafts as stock shafts, they might be loosing out on some business taking that card off the table. As I understand it, It's the stock shaft business that keeps most shaft companies afloat, not the aftermarket business.

 

And actually that's one big aspect of how the golf shaft business is VERY different from the baseball bat business.

 

Absolutely right on the OEM business being the necessary evil to keep the lights on. I just wish companies would be more selective in which products become the sacrificial lamb so to speak. It seems some version of just about everything ends up on the shelves. There's very little exclusivity anymore and I know there is still a segment of the marketplace that wants products that not everyone else has. The same guy who buys the 200k car and the 10k customized cart also enjoys having a premium product that Joe Weekender can't order from Ping for $125 more.

[GoIrish17]

Gee I thought Dustin Johnson and Tiger Woods were going to buy Mstrix per the hot inside info.. Tiger just keeps missing out on great opportunities, first TM now Matrix. Maybe Lynx next..

 

Who says they aren't a part of it? I didn't read anywhere whether or not those names, or others, may or may not be a part of "LA Golf Partners". Seems pretty ambiguous at this stage in the game, and who's to say whether the company is at the stage of publicizing names involved yet? There could be some contractual things to work through before any names involved come to light, if they ever do publicly.

 

I don't have any info, nor do I really care if the speculated pros are or are not involved. Just pointing out that I haven't read anywhere that those guys aren't a part of the group.

[cardoustie]

there will always be a market for super premium shafts

 

I think PXG and Japanese spec clubs bear this model out quite nicely

[Mookie91]

Loved the F7M2 Ltd but never found a newer version to put in play.

[1jcwallace]

I'm not as excited and some appear to be....I guess I don't see where Millionaire PGA players owning a shaft company helps me.

Yeah, me neither. I am still trying to figure it out as well.

[TollBros]

Loved the F7M2 Ltd but never found a newer version to put in play.

 

I'd say the new Kuro Kàge XD might be just what you're looking for.

[Stuart_G]

There's very little exclusivity anymore and I know there is still a segment of the marketplace that wants products that not everyone else has. The same guy who buys the 200k car and the 10k customized cart also enjoys having a premium product that Joe Weekender can't order from Ping for $125 more.

 

That's not anything that bothers me. In fact, removing it as much as possible in a good thing. When it comes to golf shafts (unlike cars or carts or watches, etc..) that mentality leads to poor choices and a poor fit more often then it leads to a better fit.

 

My problem is the potential confusion it causes to have what are really two different shafts with different characteristics share the same name. In that case the solution is just to use a different model name in the OEM shafts. But of course, because of those people that think the name is more important, it's the name the OEM club companies want in the stock clubs to help sell them.

[Mookie91]

Loved the F7M2 Ltd but never found a newer version to put in play.

 

I'd say the new Kuro Kàge XD might be just what you're looking for.

 

Wow, thanks for the suggestion. Might have to give it a go in the M4