The 'New Technology' Con

[manxytag]

does anybody feel like me?

 

Ping Heppler going back to smooth faces.

 

Now Odyssey going back to the White Hot insert.

 

Yet each year we are told the new technology will make you better.

 

I believe we are all being conned and all the designers are doing is making the new clubs look better.

 

Drivers are designed to look good on the bottom purely for when they are on a rack in a shop.

 

Each year they make small adjustments which makes all the difference and the prices just keep going up and up.

[ALIF]

There’s a lot of truth to what you said.

[Tree Levino]

Drivers - yes there is a difference from 5-10 years ago but you can go grab a G400 LST from 2017 and you wouldn't know if a blind test from 2021 drivers. You might gain a yard over the season.

 

Fairways and Hybrids - Absolutely NOT. You can use a 10 year old one of these and no difference. All about hitting a number and being comfortable. 

 

Irons - NO. I could bag some hogan Apex and still shoot under par.

 

Wedges - NO SM4 are GOAT

 

Putter - Tiger has been using the elder wand for how long? 

 

 

We've been sold down the river. Flat out. I could shoot very good scores with a selection of clubs from 2001-2021. 

[TheDeanAbides]

9 minutes ago, TigerInTheWoods said:

Drivers - yes there is a difference from 5-10 years ago but you can go grab a G400 LST from 2017 and you wouldn't know if a blind test from 2021 drivers. You might gain a yard over the season.

 

Fairways and Hybrids - Absolutely NOT. You can use a 10 year old one of these and no difference. All about hitting a number and being comfortable. 

 

Irons - NO. I could bag some hogan Apex and still shoot under par.

 

Wedges - NO SM4 are GOAT

 

Putter - Tiger has been using the elder wand for how long? 

 

 

We've been sold down the river. Flat out. I could shoot very good scores with a selection of clubs from 2001-2021. 

I'd take this further and say that if there are any improvements in driver they're so tiny as to be meaningless. Crossfield did a load of tests on older drivers back in the summer lockdown over here.

[Tree Levino]

2 minutes ago, TheDeanAbides said:

I'd take this further and say that if there are any improvements in driver they're so tiny as to be meaningless. Crossfield did a load of tests on older drivers back in the summer lockdown over here.

 

Personally, going from say the 915 D2 I had a couple of years ago to 2019 and now 2020 driver I do think there is something in the higher launch/lower spin that can add you 10+ yards. That does make a difference strokes gained wise. I think the biggest jump in equipment has been in drivers for sure. 

[PuffyC]

I think you're right that YoY there's no meaningful improvement, and that they mainly release new clubs to keep the sales cycle going. Why would you want new clubs when then the current model is the same one that was released 3 years ago? With that said, long term those changes do seem to add up. It's probably not significant but it's measurable. 

 

Considering all the limitations imposed on clubhead design, both natural and self-imposed, we're probably close to the end of any significant improvements going forward, assuming nothing else changes. I'm not sure that matters too much though because it seems a lot of people simply buy new clubs because they want new clubs, and that's OK.

[ThreeBoxers]

59 minutes ago, TigerInTheWoods said:

Fairways and Hybrids - Absolutely NOT. You can use a 10 year old one of these and no difference. All about hitting a number and being comfortable. 

 

Irons - NO. I could bag some hogan Apex and still shoot under par.

 

Upgraded from my Ping G5 hybrid to a Mizuno CLK purely for the flatter lie angle.

Upgraded from my MX-23s to JPX 850F last year purely because I wanted shiny new(ish) sticks.

No kidding myself about magical improvements, and these were 10+ year jumps in equipment advancement...but the JPXs do get up better on thin strikes.

[Socrates]

3 hours ago, manxytag said:

does anybody feel like me?

 

Ping Heppler going back to smooth faces.

 

Now Odyssey going back to the White Hot insert.

 

Yet each year we are told the new technology will make you better.

 

I believe we are all being conned and all the designers are doing is making the new clubs look better.

 

Drivers are designed to look good on the bottom purely for when they are on a rack in a shop.

 

Each year they make small adjustments which makes all the difference and the prices just keep going up and up.

Settle down!!  There are 1000's of engineers and marketing departments depending on us to "drink the Kool-Aid."

 

Putters have reached the same point as irons and wedges.  Lipstick and marketing from here on in.

[Celebros]

The "tech" that sold me on the PING Heppler line was a good color scheme.

[elwhippy]

You have nailed it. If you took a 10 year old set out, with a 15 year old ball it would make very little difference. The "new" Odyssey putters made me laugh. 

[cgasucks]

I swear the marketing departments of the major OEMs must be the most creative bunch of people in the world.  I tip my hat to those who can repackage the wheel every year and convince people that it's cutting edge technology on putters, wedges, and drivers.

[aswile]

The "Technology" is in the fit...I think it is easier to find a good to optimal fit in all clubs almost off the rack because of the adjustability, shaft options and spin management (low and high) from irons is what makes today's clubs seem better. Someone who has a solid swing probably doesn't notice a big difference, but those of us who are managing with less-than optimal delivery to the ball can really benefit from the adjustability and shaft variations. 

[monkeyboy]

agree...but I still 'want'.

[Socrates]

4 hours ago, cgasucks said:

I swear the marketing departments of the major OEMs must be the most creative bunch of people in the world.  I tip my hat to those who can repackage the wheel every year and convince people that it's cutting edge technology on putters, wedges, and drivers.

Having had to come up with marketing verbal diarrhea for golf products, you soon think you are Tommy Flanagan from SNL.

Edited January 15, 2021 by Socrates

[Kingcat990]

Oh, give it time, these donkeys will put sliding weights on irons that have adjustable hosels to dial in bounce and offset. They'll charge a premium, and weekend warriors will be lined up around the block to get financed. 

[hybrid25]

I just switched out all of my metals, driver, 4w, 4,5,6,7 hybrids from xhot to Mavrik and wondering if I should have just stuck with the xhots. I am wondering if I will see and significant differences? I did in my wallet though.

[TheDeanAbides]

10 hours ago, hybrid25 said:

I just switched out all of my metals, driver, 4w, 4,5,6,7 hybrids from xhot to Mavrik and wondering if I should have just stuck with the xhots. I am wondering if I will see and significant differences? I did in my wallet though.

You wont see a significant difference, but at least they're nice and shiny. 

I just bought a set of 32 year old irons to see if they'll push out my 21 year old irons. We all gas.

[hybrid25]

One thing for sure, Callaway sure likes putting out new equipment often enough. Just when you think you have the latest and greatest, they issue a new line of 'long and forgiving' clubs. Now Callaway has a new Epic line coming out for '21.

[idontnoh]

This con is exactly why I bought used, older clubs when I upgraded the entire bag last summer after starting off with 15 year old hand me downs. Saved myself around $2k by buying used “older” technology that fit my specs perfectly. Took longer and I had to do some work but worth it for the performance at a cheaper cost. 

[hybrid25]

I think many golfers enjoy the aspect of having the 'latest and greatest' over actually playing the game. When new equipment is coming out, many commit to purchasing before they even try the clubs. Especially these days, with internet propaganda, people are too influenced by what the media says. It's like when a new line of equipment comes out the previous doesn't work anymore.

[nvr3putt]

On 1/15/2021 at 8:36 AM, manxytag said:

does anybody feel like me?

 

Ping Heppler going back to smooth faces.

 

Now Odyssey going back to the White Hot insert.

 

Yet each year we are told the new technology will make you better.

 

I believe we are all being conned and all the designers are doing is making the new clubs look better.

 

Drivers are designed to look good on the bottom purely for when they are on a rack in a shop.

 

Each year they make small adjustments which makes all the difference and the prices just keep going up and up.

😄😄😄

You forgot to mention soft, extra soft...no wait...firmer golf balls. 

[codeman]

The only driver tech that can increase at this point is MOI and aerodynamics. The faces are maxed out to the legal limit and have been for years. The marketing gimmick that the shape of the driver will make any noticeable difference in distance because you will swing it faster is absurd and just shows that they really have run out of things to do.

[MPAndreassi]

3 minutes ago, codeman said:

The only driver tech that can increase at this point is MOI and aerodynamics. The faces are maxed out to the legal limit and have been for years. The marketing gimmick that the shape of the driver will make any noticeable difference in distance because you will swing it faster is absurd and just shows that they really have run out of things to do.

Your comment contradicts itself. Improving aerodynamics means altering the head shape to help you create less drag, or swing faster. 

 

I agree with the rest though. The only thing they can do is increase the stability like Ping as been doing, and expand the “sweet spot” across more of the face. 
 

[codeman]

2 minutes ago, MPAndreassi said:

Your comment contradicts itself. Improving aerodynamics means altering the head shape to help you create less drag, or swing faster. 

 

I agree with the rest though. The only thing they can do is increase the stability like Ping as been doing, and expand the “sweet spot” across more of the face. 
 

I see your point, I wrote that poorly. I meant it as in aerodynamics and MOI are the only things companies can really change in new releases. That being said, I don't believe aerodynamics make any significant difference in actual golf results. Engineering tests showing that a driver is more aerodynamic, which I'd imagine they do, won't make you play better golf in my opinion.

[Mike_Honcho]

i am more interested in wood/iron shafts than new club heads...

[HappyGilmoresBoots]

Came across this infographic somewhere on the Internet and thought it was interesting:  I'm just some church-league scrambler, weekend hacker, and those are awfully darn close to my stock yardages with my modern clubs.  Now, granted, this is comparing across 70+ years of history and product development, but it's a fascinating thought experiment to look at where the point of diminishing returns is for equipment:  Is a driver today different than a driver from 5 years ago?  What about 10?  20?  30?

[shot-savior]

If you build it they will come. 

[hybrid25]

3 hours ago, codeman said:

The only driver tech that can increase at this point is MOI and aerodynamics. The faces are maxed out to the legal limit and have been for years. The marketing gimmick that the shape of the driver will make any noticeable difference in distance because you will swing it faster is absurd and just shows that they really have run out of things to do.

Tell this to Callaway. 

[TheDeanAbides]

4 hours ago, HappyGilmoresBoots said:

Came across this infographic somewhere on the Internet and thought it was interesting:  I'm just some church-league scrambler, weekend hacker, and those are awfully darn close to my stock yardages with my modern clubs.  Now, granted, this is comparing across 70+ years of history and product development, but it's a fascinating thought experiment to look at where the point of diminishing returns is for equipment:  Is a driver today different than a driver from 5 years ago?  What about 10?  20?  30?

Hogan was interested in accuracy rather than hitting it anywhere near his maximum distance. He was just as accurate with every club in his bag so distance didn't matter much. Also his irons were at least 2 clubs weaker than modern irons. 

[nsxguy]