golf ball inflation

[dbenn]

Anyone else notice all premium golf brands' pricing for LAST years' balls just go up a couple bucks? the 2021 prov1's are currently selling for $53 a dozen on golf galaxy and they were $50 some 2 weeks ago?? im lost.

[Longdriver295]

No surprise have you not noticed EVERYTHING is higher now

[Is Golf Fun or Work]

Been coming for a while, raw materials short supply and transportation costs....what isn't more expensive since Jan 2021?

[dbenn]

I agree, all i am saying is 2 weeks ago they were $50 a dozen, and they arguably arent making NEW 2021 provs since the 2023 provs come out tomorrow. Which i heard are being priced at $55 a dozen. So what is the basis behind bumping a ball that will stop being produced up $3?

[Longdriver295]

2 minutes ago, dbenn said:

I agree, all i am saying is 2 weeks ago they were $50 a dozen, and they arguably arent making NEW 2021 provs since the 2023 provs come out tomorrow. Which i heard are being priced at $55 a dozen. So what is the basis behind bumping a ball that will stop being produced up $3?

It's Titleist they know people will buy them regardless of Price. That's the reason you will NEVER see me play that brand. 

[dbenn]

1 minute ago, Longdriver295 said:

It's Titleist they know people will buy them regardless of Price. That's the reason you will NEVER see me play that brand. 

Taylormade did same with their TP5s

[Longdriver295]

2 minutes ago, dbenn said:

Taylormade did same with their TP5s

That's true they did but have you not noticed this is exactly why DTC sales are skyrocketing?

[dbenn]

21 minutes ago, Longdriver295 said:

That's true they did but have you not noticed this is exactly why DTC sales are skyrocketing?

100%, theres going to be a huge change in market share with these obsurd prices.  $4.50 a golf ball is insane. bout to start calling these hot n ready prices. 1 prov= dinner for 3

[llewol007]

Just a price adjustment across the board. Surprised me it took this long since everything else has been increasing as early as october of last year. But yet most of our paychecks haven’t adjusted. 

[Cliffy2020]

I just bought a truck load of Vice Pro Plus for this reason.  Filled the bag, shag bag, and threw a couple dozen in the freezer for next season.

[TwistedSister]

Wait for the sale and get the Z stars.  No where near $50 per dozen!

[Longdriver295]

12 minutes ago, TwistedSister said:

Wait for the sale and get the Z stars.  No where near $50 per dozen!

You can get Z star 7 now for 35 a dozen 

[TwistedSister]

8 minutes ago, Longdriver295 said:

You can get Z star 7 now for 35 a dozen 

That is the 2021 version.  My pro has the 2022 version for 39.

[HandsomeMatt]

Price increases are to be expected, there's a little talk about inflation here and there (snark) but I've noticed a definite drop in quality as well. A few of the newer versions of models I've played for years have urethane covers that scuff and cut much more easily than they did on previous gens. Balls don't last as near as long as they once did, multiple brands have had a noticeable drop in urethane durability.

[Stanks]

18 minutes ago, HandsomeMatt said:

Price increases are to be expected, there's a little talk about inflation here and there (snark) but I've noticed a definite drop in quality as well. A few of the newer versions of models I've played for years have urethane covers that scuff and cut much more easily than they did on previous gens. Balls don't last as near as long as they once did, multiple brands have had a noticeable drop in urethane durability.

That may not be the case, though. Urethane / outer layers for golf balls isn't just a "one and done" thing. As you know, there are different thicknesses, patterns, dimple depths, and types of urethane. I don't know what exactly makes one more fragile than the other but, I know that Kirklands urethane has always sucked, Bridgestones and Titleist has been awesome and continue to be, Taylormade original TP5 was not great but has become better.

I think it's a question that isn't as easily answered as we are alluding to. 

But, ya, golf balls are only going to become more expensive as more people play, supply can't keep up with demand, pros are getting paid more for staff / deals, supply chain issues, inflation, gas prices, politics, wars, and greed all come in to play. That's why I buy used balls from a guy locally. $12 for a dozen ProV1 or TP5 or BX / BXS or CS / X / LS that maybe only have 2-3 swings on them is the way to go and there is fresh stock weekly. 

[wantacigar]

5 hours ago, Stanks said:

I know that Kirklands urethane has always sucked. 

Believe it or not but I play Kirklands often.  My league matches are played with either 2019 TP5 (Was able to get a large stock of them for 1/2 price-4 doz. left for 2023 season) and Maxfli Tour (2022 models), Snell or Vice Pro.  I play the Kirklands regularly on a practice or casual round and in winter.  I played two 9 hole rounds this past weekend with the same ball and the only "damage" I can see is minor paint scuff and I was in my fare share of bunkers.  The TP5's rarely last a round without a cut or more scuffing.  I'll post a picture when I go out to my car and grab the ball out of my bag.  

[Golf64]

Here in Canada ProVs are $73.dz. plus 13% taxes. $82.50. Not for me. I know urethane is best for performance, but I am sticking with TruFeels @$30/dz.

[McMunch]

I'm noticing its not only supply chain and transportation issues alone- both those things are contributing to another increase factor- availability...

I recently bought a truck and the sales guy told me that the price on the truck I was interested in, per his manager, was going to be $2800 over MSRP due to the fact he only had 2 trucks left and wasn't able to get anymore anytime soon. I told him that was crazy and he could tell his manager no way.

If manufacturers cant get the materials to make what they make they are charging more because they think people will pay out of desperation or fear of not getting what they want. Its totally nuts.

[grochol17]

16 hours ago, dbenn said:

Anyone else notice all premium golf brands' pricing for LAST years' balls just go up a couple bucks? the 2021 prov1's are currently selling for $53 a dozen on golf galaxy and they were $50 some 2 weeks ago?? im lost.

 

That must be a golf galaxy thing because I see other retailers that still have the old ones for $49.99.

[Augie53]

It's not just top end balls, even the cheap balls have really creeped up in price.  Examples: Wilson Zip has gone from $24.99 double dozen to $29.99, Wilson 50 Elite from $12.99/dozen to $18.99, Callaway Warbird from $15 per 15 pack to $20 per 15 pack, etc., etc.  Noodles have remained steady at $24.99 per double dozen as have Precept Laddies at $24.99, but both are up from what they have been in the past, $17.99 per double dozen sticks out in my head for some reason.

 

Honestly, I think there is also an element of corporate price gouging going on as well.  Prices are being raised simply because they can do it until people stop paying for the product.  I guess that is supply and demand at its finest, but I think we are seeing companies test the limits finding that new price point.

[ZAS]

they do because they can...I stopped buying a brand I played for a long time because of quality issues and emailed them why...they could care less...

 

I'm playing another brand that's acceptable

 

I'm also a fan of 15 ball packs, if they're gonna do that, throw another sleeve in

 

they don't do that either, because they can but don't have to

 

at least I'm on record

[wantacigar]

2 hours ago, McMunch said:

I'm noticing its not only supply chain and transportation issues alone- both those things are contributing to another increase factor- availability...

I recently bought a truck and the sales guy told me that the price on the truck I was interested in, per his manager, was going to be $2800 over MSRP due to the fact he only had 2 trucks left and wasn't able to get anymore anytime soon. I told him that was crazy and he could tell his manager no way.

If manufacturers cant get the materials to make what they make they are charging more because they think people will pay out of desperation or fear of not getting what they want. Its totally nuts.

Well Hello fellow Lon Gislanda!  Two weeks ago I was driving home by some docks and they were FULL of vehicles.  The dealerships are storing their vehicles elsewhere to create a false perception of shortages.  I have family down south and when you go to the dealers down there the lots are full of trucks.  Just sayin.  Same goes for the cost to play golf.  Because there are more people playing golf it's ok to charge $90-$120 to play a round of golf on a weekend.  A muni will cost you $56-$80.  I'm just a working guy trying to support a family.  Pretty soon you will see a lot of drop off in the amount of golf being played.  In these and the coming economic times people are worried about paying $6 for a dozen eggs.  Walking out of a supermarket with two grocery bags of food that just cost you $150 that will feed your family for 3 days.  "Honey, I know the heating bills and food bills have doubled this year but Taylor Made came out with their new driver for $650 and the new P770's I wanted for another $1,400.  Is that in our budget? Oh, wait, I need 3 dozen balls for another $180."  

 

I can go on for a long time but the golf crash is coming.  Here on Golfwrx we kinda live in a bubble but for the other 95% of guys and gals who play golf out there, they will be priced out of the game.

[RoyalMustang]

22 hours ago, Is Golf Fun or Work said:

Been coming for a while, raw materials short supply and transportation costs....what isn't more expensive since Jan 2021?

 

Used workout equipment? 

[cristphoto]

On 1/24/2023 at 4:58 PM, dbenn said:

Anyone else notice all premium golf brands' pricing for LAST years' balls just go up a couple bucks? the 2021 prov1's are currently selling for $53 a dozen on golf galaxy and they were $50 some 2 weeks ago?? im lost.

 

They're still $49.99 in my area (DC metro) earlier this week.

[Tanner25]

Soft Feel 23 remained at 22.99, same as 21. About the only deal out there these days. 

 

Edited January 26, 2023 by Tanner25

[HandsomeMatt]

19 hours ago, Stanks said:

That may not be the case, though. Urethane / outer layers for golf balls isn't just a "one and done" thing. As you know, there are different thicknesses, patterns, dimple depths, and types of urethane. I don't know what exactly makes one more fragile than the other but, I know that Kirklands urethane has always sucked, Bridgestones and Titleist has been awesome and continue to be, Taylormade original TP5 was not great but has become better.

I think it's a question that isn't as easily answered as we are alluding to. 

But, ya, golf balls are only going to become more expensive as more people play, supply can't keep up with demand, pros are getting paid more for staff / deals, supply chain issues, inflation, gas prices, politics, wars, and greed all come in to play. That's why I buy used balls from a guy locally. $12 for a dozen ProV1 or TP5 or BX / BXS or CS / X / LS that maybe only have 2-3 swings on them is the way to go and there is fresh stock weekly. 

It may very well be a matter of covers being thinner. I've played the Bstone RX for over 5 years and the previous gens are way better in durability than the new ones. I haven't bought new wedges and I'm not using cart paths for extra yards but I'm lucky to get through a round with the same ball. I sometimes wonder if some of the new 'innovations' aren't performance but margin related. You used to pay extra for titanium faced clubs but then it  had a big drop in cost and now carbon fiber has gotten noticeably less expensive in the last couple years....The biggest issue now is as much of a labor shortage as it is materials.

[wfrogge1]

Just about every ball has gone up in price 3-5 bucks. If you like a ball and the price hasn't increased.... buy all you can now because the increase is coming. 

[Klubster]

It is simply inflation. Everything goes up-no exceptions.

[ode]

It's starting to add up.....when I look at every aspect of the sport and pricing going up, it's having an impact.   Before it was not being able to get on certain courses due to the cBoom and adjusting/finding new courses to play, now it is adjusting the level of ho,ing gear, reigning that in whilst playing just as much...which is ultimately what matters most.  Not sure how many more hidden gems are out there but I'm on the hunt.

 

P.s.  good on golf balls for a while🙃

[Go_Blue!]

Yeah I’m stocking up when and where I can. 4 dz Pro V1 (2021) right now. Will look to add another couple of dozen.