Bryson DeChambeau Taylormade Stealth Plus 2 2/2/23 (*** NO LIV CONTENT ***)

[coloradogolf72]

On 2/13/2023 at 12:05 PM, bladehunter said:

in my opinion the cobra guys have a golden opportunity with Kyle and Bryson , to figure out what can be done for higher speeds . If the engineers pitched it correctly they should  be able to get approval for funds to explore.  Even if with a short leash . And who knows what discovery can be made ?  Instead I see them as taking it all as an aggravation that detracted from their 9-5 schedule.  Those type thinkers aren’t anyone im ever going to mesh with.   That’s doesn’t mean they’re bad guys. It just is impossible for me to understand their motivations. 
 

 

When would you stop doing things for Kyle and Bryson? What’s your budget for R&D? Would you continue to spend “x” amount of money on Bryson regardless of how he handles himself and the comments he makes? At what point do you come to reality that you’re going to lose money and time with it? 

[golfmatt]

On 2/14/2023 at 5:16 AM, kasting333 said:

If Cobra was making a decent driver we would see it in some free agents bags. All of the ones I’ve hit spin way too much and feel cheap 

Pretty sure Gary woodland wouldn't agree with either spin or performance comments, only reason he signed with cobra was because he loved the driver

[IndyArcher]

On 2/14/2023 at 12:16 AM, kasting333 said:

If Cobra was making a decent driver we would see it in some free agents bags. All of the ones I’ve hit spin way too much and feel cheap 

 

Well, let’s pray you don’t win the Cobra driver in the give-away you signed up for. I’d hate to see you bear the burden of deciding what to do with such a cheap piece of equipment! 

[Albatross Dreamer]

11 hours ago, coloradogolf72 said:

When would you stop doing things for Kyle and Bryson? What’s your budget for R&D? Would you continue to spend “x” amount of money on Bryson regardless of how he handles himself and the comments he makes? At what point do you come to reality that you’re going to lose money and time with it? 

Or more simply why would they do something that possibly makes zero financial sense? The market for people at Bryson's speed is basically zero. Unless they thought making a driver that worked for high speed guys was going to also improve their market share amongst regular joes (which isn't impossible, but likely not worth the trade off I'd guess), it's not worthy of them spending their time on.

[Albatross Dreamer]

11 hours ago, GriperRiper said:

no it doesnt..... golfers are mental midgets, and will always default to comfort/belief of mind at that level..... players are constantly trying new things because they think its better (grass is greener) and when things start to go sideways they default back to there comfort place....was TM holding Rahm back or is callaway making stuff that is better for him then TM? or could Rahm do what he has done/is doing under TM?.....golf is such a mental game and if your more comfortable with knowing you have a TM or vokey or whatever in your hand then that is what you will do, but is it because the vokey is better then the TM? and thats where i would say no i dont think it is and i think thats where we disagree...i would also agrue to the whole cobra thing, is that most kids dont grow up playing with cobra clubs, and want to play what (insert top player at time) is playing, so they will default to the brand they are comfortable with/grew up playing and the machine is in full effect.

It's interesting how some people seem to view a pro playing something else as "that club isn't good". Between all the top brands there's not a huge difference in terms of general performance overall. Of course one brand might have a better iron, or wedge, or whatever. But as evidenced on this board everyone finds better performance with different brands. That doesn't magically change with pros.

[Albatross Dreamer]

I think the partnership we really need and deserve as golf nuts is Bryson and PXG. Bob seems like the perfect person to spend a bunch of money on rabbit hole projects. Ka-boom baby! 

[kasting333]

1 hour ago, IndyArcher said:

 

Well, let’s pray you don’t win the Cobra driver in the give-away you signed up for. I’d hate to see you bear the burden of deciding what to do with such a cheap piece of equipment! /cdn-cgi/mirage/404105cadf4a5444e772eafdc4b6c30205455c0e294657c9421d9b92becfdfed/1280/cdn-cgi/mirage/404105cadf4a5444e772eafdc4b6c30205455c0e294657c9421d9b92becfdfed/1280/https://www.indy-archer.com/smileys/mathews_wink.gif

😂 god forbid! I’m not above admitting I put my name in for anything free on here and would give it a legitimate shot to beat out my driver. 

 

4 hours ago, golfmatt said:

Pretty sure Gary woodland wouldn't agree with either spin or performance comments, only reason he signed with cobra was because he loved the driver

 

I could be wrong about their newest driver, but I wouldn’t trust Gary’s word for it either now that he’s on staff. 
 

Side note- I really wish Cobra would lean in and sign all the Aussie’s. It’s just such a perfect match for their brand. I think of Norman, Oglivy and Fowler is basically Australian 

[kasting333]

On 2/13/2023 at 1:05 PM, bladehunter said:

Well I guess I appreciate the progress in conversation.  I knew it wasn’t a huge disagreement , it’s just difference in  how we both read between the lines.  
 

 

I just don’t see his gripe as blaming his poor play on cobra. In fact I don’t even follow or care about his play.  I look at him as now retired.  LIV isn’t on my radar - at all. It’s a circus act.  
 

im just a builder of things myself.  And I see criticism daily.  I always take it as it is.  A person who disagrees with my current practice.    Some are correct. Some are dead wrong.  And in my shop I’ll tell you you’re flat wrong if I think you are. But if you’re someone who’s questioning a method , because you have an idea or a goal out there that hasn’t been perfected  , then my mind stays open to learn.  Not because that person “ knows “ and will teach me , but because the want or the need for something is the impetus to learn.  I love when that type need pushes itself on me.  I see it as opportunity.  Not as a roadblock .  
 

in my opinion the cobra guys have a golden opportunity with Kyle and Bryson , to figure out what can be done for higher speeds . If the engineers pitched it correctly they should  be able to get approval for funds to explore.  Even if with a short leash . And who knows what discovery can be made ?  Instead I see them as taking it all as an aggravation that detracted from their 9-5 schedule.  Those type thinkers aren’t anyone im ever going to mesh with.   That’s doesn’t mean they’re bad guys. It just is impossible for me to understand their motivations. 
 

 

“He’s tinkering too much!” that Cobra rep sounds like my wife 😂 
 

Cobra had maybe the most interesting new golfer in the last decade, the longest driver on any elite tour and I think their first major winner since Oglivy and their staff didn’t see it as an opportunity. 

 

Phil is the closest golfer to Bryson as far as this equipment stuff goes and I’m hoping they partner up and make some crazy stuff. 

[Albatross Dreamer]

17 minutes ago, kasting333 said:

“He’s tinkering too much!” that Cobra rep sounds like my wife 😂 
 

Cobra had maybe the most interesting new golfer in the last decade, the longest driver on any elite tour and I think their first major winner since Oglivy and their staff didn’t see it as an opportunity. 

 

Phil is the closest golfer to Bryson as far as this equipment stuff goes and I’m hoping they partner up and make some crazy stuff. 

What makes you assume Cobra didn't see the opportunity? They created one length irons, gave him design input into drivers, and more. In the end it still wasn't enough for him. How much fault do we put on Cobra and how much is on Bryson? With the information on hand I tend to think more on Bryson. If anything it could make OEMs wary how much input they give to players. But of course I could be wrong.

 

To me it's like the NBA star that demands the team bring in all these players that he likes, then the team underperforms and then he demands a trade. Is it the teams fault for trying to please the star, or does the star simply have unrealistic expectations and/or is a crappy GM? With the extra fact that the said star hasn't been playing like a star for the past couple seasons.

[Bdck]

2 hours ago, Albatross Dreamer said:

I think the partnership we really need and deserve as golf nuts is Bryson and PXG. Bob seems like the perfect person to spend a bunch of money on rabbit hole projects. Ka-boom baby! 

The irons would be a great fit for Bryson, and he wouldn't have to play anything else.... you might be into something. 

[kasting333]

1 hour ago, Albatross Dreamer said:

What makes you assume Cobra didn't see the opportunity? They created one length irons, gave him design input into drivers, and more. In the end it still wasn't enough for him. How much fault do we put on Cobra and how much is on Bryson? With the information on hand I tend to think more on Bryson. If anything it could make OEMs wary how much input they give to players. But of course I could be wrong.

 

To me it's like the NBA star that demands the team bring in all these players that he likes, then the team underperforms and then he demands a trade. Is it the teams fault for trying to please the star, or does the star simply have unrealistic expectations and/or is a crappy GM? With the extra fact that the said star hasn't been playing like a star for the past couple seasons.

Bryson hitting his driver was must see and there’s was not a cobra driver that popped on the consumer level or a cobra driver that got into any non-staffers bag. It was all pretty uninspiring imo. 

I think OEMs don’t lean into using players club designs enough or even release a club with the perception that a pro was involved. How hard is it to put a stamp on a club to easily show a notable pro plays a certain club, but it’s such a rare thing to see. 
 

I view the whole thing differently than you. I would default siding with the players in these disputes over an OEM that is cycling products to consumers and using the players as a marketing tool. Would Bryson constantly be searching for a new driver if there wasn’t a yearly sales cycle? Or would he have been satisfied with the old LTD? Idk bc Bryson has stuck with a lot of the same clubs, the same putter and the same ball (until bstone dropped him) for a reasonably long time.
Players and OEMs motivations only line up so much and I would much rather see more players be equipment free agents. 
 

I see it similarly to how I view Tiger wearing footjoy shoes. I trust Tiger knows what’s best for him more than whatever you would hear from inside Nike. I’m sure there’s similar frustration there bc he’s got TW shoes that are specifically for him and he’s not even wearing a Nike shoe anymore. 

[Albatross Dreamer]

1 hour ago, kasting333 said:

Bryson hitting his driver was must see and there’s was not a cobra driver that popped on the consumer level or a cobra driver that got into any non-staffers bag. It was all pretty uninspiring imo. 

I think OEMs don’t lean into using players club designs enough or even release a club with the perception that a pro was involved. How hard is it to put a stamp on a club to easily show a notable pro plays a certain club, but it’s such a rare thing to see. 
 

I view the whole thing differently than you. I would default siding with the players in these disputes over an OEM that is cycling products to consumers and using the players as a marketing tool. Would Bryson constantly be searching for a new driver if there wasn’t a yearly sales cycle? Or would he have been satisfied with the old LTD? Idk bc Bryson has stuck with a lot of the same clubs, the same putter and the same ball (until bstone dropped him) for a reasonably long time.
Players and OEMs motivations only line up so much and I would much rather see more players be equipment free agents. 
 

I see it similarly to how I view Tiger wearing footjoy shoes. I trust Tiger knows what’s best for him more than whatever you would hear from inside Nike. I’m sure there’s similar frustration there bc he’s got TW shoes that are specifically for him and he’s not even wearing a Nike shoe anymore. 

I don't know enough to know why that could be. To be fair though Cobra isn't really one of the "big" OEMs though. Case in point, even if some free agents play them, the Srixon irons are good enough that you'd think more guys would play them. But we don't really see anyone doing so. I honestly don't think pros really look at other pros for what specific clubs to play. 

 

If I had to guess, it's likely because that could get messy really quick. We already have enough clubs out there, and how does a company decide which staffer to stamp on a certain club? I don't think most of the names are going to move the needle as much as we WRX'rs tend to think. If you disagree that's fine.

 

I don't default to either side, as they both have incentives for the public to view them more favorably. And to mention your Tiger point most players just do it quietly or say something to the tune of "I just needed something slightly different". I have zero problem with them looking for what works best for them. Although it is strange Bryson hyped this exact driver and then didn't play it. Anyhow I think it's one of those things that's still fresh and with more time sure we'll get a better picture of what went down.

[mat562]

On 2/2/2023 at 4:28 PM, john myrbch said:

I’ve never actually seen one of their putters in anyone’s bag. Ever.

 

The last one I saw was in Loren Roberts' bag probably ten years ago.

[GwrxMod]

Post LIV content in the LIV thread. Keep this topic about equipment only.

[Esco9]

Bryson using the i230 I guess

[tphilp]

Did he create a one length with those ? Serious question…

[DrizZzY22]

I think Jonathan Wall of Golf magazine stated on their podcast that bryson was at Ping HQ two weeks or three weeks ago. So Ping may be helping with clubs, though I dont know if they will sign him to a club deal

[J_Tizzle]

12 hours ago, DrizZzY said:

I think Jonathan Wall of Golf magazine stated on their podcast that bryson was at Ping HQ two weeks or three weeks ago. So Ping may be helping with clubs, though I dont know if they will sign him to a club deal

 

I always kinda thought the best company to make SL irons would be Ping given their ability to wildly change lies with the way the clubs are made as well as the ability to add a lot of weight with the back pockets.  But we shall see, everyone I know with the i230s say they're special.

[NoCalHack]

Damn.  I'm using the Stealth 2 plus and i230.  Me and Bryson.

 

 

Honestly, I think LIV witb will be more interesting than PGA ones because there won't be as much endorsement money involved.

 

OEMs are not going to dish out big money given the lack of exposure.

Players are less inclined to take the small money when they are playing for $4M each tournament in limited fields.  They are going to play what performs for them.

Edited February 23, 2023 by NoCalHack

[Binson]

Ping's a research company first.  If Bryson is basically a free R&D test subject for them, I don't see why that can't be mutually beneficial.  Especially if he isn't technically on staff so there is no requirement for Ping to work at his pace or at all.

[PowderedToastMan]

I'm honestly shocked and intrigued by the i230's. There's no way PING was able to make a one-length version this quickly, right?.........

 

I have a feeling that (shock) Bryson got sucked in by how much easier gapping and shot-making is with variable length irons, not to mention how much easier it is to hit short pitch shots with a club that isn't 37.5". I could be wrong though. 

[NetBogey]

More photos of Brysons bag:

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CpBUwOuhpZZ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Edited February 23, 2023 by bryceyf

[GolfTurkey]

Hmm, those irons look variable length, unless Bryon got variable length bag dividers built to intentionally trick people!

[IndyArcher]

9 minutes ago, GolfTurkey said:

Hmm, those irons look variable length, unless Bryon got variable length bag dividers built to intentionally trick people!

 

Something isn't right, though. If anything, it seems that the 9 is longer than the 4 and 5 in that picture marked 2/6. Either the bag is odd or the angle of the photos is showing a skewed perspective. I'm not convinced the clubs aren't OL. 

[TiScape]

6 minutes ago, IndyArcher said:

 

Something isn't right, though. If anything, it seems that the 9 is longer than the 4 and 5 in that picture marked 2/6. Either the bag is odd or the angle of the photos is showing a skewed perspective. I'm not convinced the clubs aren't OL. 

There are ppl over in the “did Tiger shrink” thread that can analyze these photos and give us a definitive answer. 

[Double Dodger]

On 2/18/2023 at 7:27 AM, Albatross Dreamer said:

Or more simply why would they do something that possibly makes zero financial sense? The market for people at Bryson's speed is basically zero. Unless they thought making a driver that worked for high speed guys was going to also improve their market share amongst regular joes (which isn't impossible, but likely not worth the trade off I'd guess), it's not worthy of them spending their time on.

 

Cobra ought to let him walk. He hit the TM all over the Middle East when he used it. He will be on to something else soon and all this discussion can turn to “why is the TM driver junk?” Then the Titleist. Then the Ping. Then the PXG. Then the Bazooka. 

[Stanks]

Good. Good for him and good for Ping. Good for golf in general. Brysons play style is super particular to him and a small percentage of the market. Cobra gave him all they had, and probably had more to support but, I'm sure Ping is willing to take on the project as well.

[btyh]

Honestly WITB would come back to its roots if they did away with full bag contracts and embargo dates. early 2000s were the good WITB days. When tour issued and circle T held a true meaning. 

[Cactus Jack]

7 minutes ago, btyh said:

Honestly WITB would come back to its roots if they did away with full bag contracts and embargo dates. early 2000s were the good WITB days. When tour issued and circle T held a true meaning. 

 

100% agree. 

 

I'm impressed with Ping. Sergio went back to Ping, Bryson's in Ping, seems like a lot of tour adoption of the G430 drivers. Way to go Ping. 

[Ivyguy]

On 2/2/2023 at 10:33 AM, carpee said:

 

I thought they would move more into the Youtube/influencer world, since they can't truly hang with the bigger OEMs.

 

I love my LTDx LS and the Aerojet has a ton of hype.

 

Could be a "ball speed" thing coinciding with the article they just put out where he's saying the equipment can't handle 200+ mph ball speed.

 

 

 

 

I believe he's always been with Artisan wedges.

Wasn’t he with Edel during his Am days?