Why aren't pros using BB&F Ferrules?

[bnperrone]

If it helped them shoot lower scores they'd use them. 

 

Having their clubmakers and tour van reps get their equipment perfect to specs on tight timelines helps them shoot lower scores. Specific flashy ferrules needing to be kept on hand would only hurt that. 

[zip7111]

I cant believe people take apart sets of brand new irons just to replace their black ferrules with "novelty" ferrules.  It just seems crazy to me.  There are even photos in the BB&F thread where people are putting these on woods and hybrids.  This club looks terrible!

 

[3step]

It is mostly a distraction factor. 

 

The science is - measure the brain activity of a tour player at address, and a regular golfer at address. and the tour player is thinking very few thoughts or even one thought. Whereas the regular player has a a high level of brain activity going on at address- due to the many thoughts that race in one's mind. Many of us regular golfers are often a train wreck of swing thoughts, and a bundle of doubts as we stand over the ball. Many tour players play a different game than us - they walk at a pace to encourage rhythm, they work on their pre-shot routine for sameness and stillness, they minimize their thoughts over the ball. Most high performance players like their clubs to look clean and quiet.

 

3step

[R_Swanson]

8 hours ago, fatrambo said:

Wow, a lot of blowback and differences of opinion out there.  I didn't realize the hatred for them.  Personally, I like the extra pop they add.

 

Whole 'lot of Cool Story Bros posted in this thread. 

[R_Swanson]

8 hours ago, Z1ggy16 said:

Pretty common among most athletes Id imagine. Ask a NHL guy what stick he uses, the specs, technology... They have no clue. They just know what feels right and what gives them the best performance.

 

Other than a few head cases, most of us here probably are more into our gear than pros are into theirs.

You think an NHLer doesn't know what flex and curve they use, and don't care about their stick?  I have oceanfront property in Oklahoma to sell you bud.

 

There are so many NHL'ers using previous model year sticks that are painted like the new model its not even funny.

 

[rooski]

1 hour ago, 3step said:

The science is - measure the brain activity of a tour player at address, and a regular golfer at address. and the tour player is thinking very few thoughts or even one thought. Whereas the regular player has a a high level of brain activity going on at address- due to the many thoughts that race in one's mind.

 

Is this actually science or just something you came up with

[Z1ggy16]

29 minutes ago, R_Swanson said:

You think an NHLer doesn't know what flex and curve they use, and don't care about their stick?  I have oceanfront property in Oklahoma to sell you bud.

 

There are so many NHL'ers using previous model year sticks that are painted like the new model its not even funny.

 

I'm not going to engage past this, because this is a golf forum but most of those guys aren't in stock curves, stock skates, stock anything. You think they know every little detail about their gear? Most of them use custom curves, have skates that are sized in 1/4 increments... so on and so on. Most pro athletes aren't keeping track of their gear specs, that's why teams have equipment managers. I have a lot of pro stock gear and both my sticks were labeled as "close to" XYZ curve. There's always exceptions but I would imagine pros have better things to worry about.

[Hawkeye77]

Is that something they see on Prohub?

[Pepperturbo]

21 hours ago, fatrambo said:

I'm a huge fan of BB&F ferrules and am wondering why pros haven't started using them?  Are they just too flashy or distracting? 

I know the company.  They provide great products, but ferrules are the last piece of golf equipment pros care about.  Most pros don't build their clubs.  They keep their tools clean, swing weight accurate using lead tape, don't care if it's ugly, unlike many regular people. 

 

Heck, most people don't even know their carry yardages, they guess; pros know precisely.  Most regular people won't use lead tape, don't know their SWs, and many like head covers. 

[NRJyzr]

26 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

Most regular people won't use lead tape

 

Heresy!!

 

🙂

 

[R_Swanson]

38 minutes ago, Z1ggy16 said:

I'm not going to engage past this, because this is a golf forum but most of those guys aren't in stock curves, stock skates, stock anything. You think they know every little detail about their gear? Most of them use custom curves, have skates that are sized in 1/4 increments... so on and so on. Most pro athletes aren't keeping track of their gear specs, that's why teams have equipment managers. I have a lot of pro stock gear and both my sticks were labeled as "close to" XYZ curve. There's always exceptions but I would imagine pros have better things to worry about.

 

I think they know exactly what stick they want, exactly how they want their mitts to feel, exactly what curve they want (because they spent time developing the curve is why its custom, FYI), etc.  This has a lot of parallels to pro golfers, but certainly not in your line of rational which is "they dont care", IMPO.  Team managers spend half their damn time customizing gear for pros who are picky about this little thing or that little thing.  Just because they dont personally track their specs (since other people are paid to do that) doesnt meant they aren't picky about what they want.  Since you have pro stock stuff you should know how many guys are still in painted one95's, for instance, how long it took them to get guys out of S19's, how many guys use old Jofa, etc, etc.  I could go on all day.

[R_Swanson]

I guess my overall point is I disagree that guys dont care about their gear, hence they dont use BB&F ferrules.  These guys make a living swinging golf clubs, they care a lot more than any of us on this forum, no matter how much of "gear heads" we are...  But I think, just like the hockey equipment manager mentioned above - other people are paid to fit, build, tinker with, etc the gear for these guys - so no, they probably dont know ever single little spec, as they are concerned about performance, someone else is paid to worry about every little spec and detail.

 

I bet you anything if OEM's start coming out with custom ferrules and charging all of us more for them when we order clubs, and they are then stocked in tour vans, players will sure as s*** start choosing which ones they want as well.  An example of customization that is incredibly prevalent on tour is how many guys have custom stamping on their wedges.

Edited March 30, 2023 by R_Swanson

[third-times-a-charm]

14 minutes ago, R_Swanson said:

 

I think they know exactly what stick they want, exactly how they want their mitts to feel, exactly what curve they want (because they spent time developing the curve is why its custom, FYI), etc.  This has a lot of parallels to pro golfers, but certainly not in your line of rational which is "they dont care", IMPO.  Team managers spend half their damn time customizing gear for pros who are picky about this little thing or that little thing.  Just because they dont personally track their specs (since other people are paid to do that) doesnt meant they aren't picky about what they want.  Since you have pro stock stuff you should know how many guys are still in painted one95's, for instance, how long it took them to get guys out of S19's, how many guys use old Jofa, etc, etc.  I could go on all day.

I think both sides are correct.

 

There are cops who know nothing about their guns except how to use them. There’s navy seals who know nothing about the exact specs of their rifles but know how to use them. There’s NHL players who get given equipment that’s good for them and they play it because they’re told to and it feels good. Same goes for golf pros…

[Bad9]

13 hours ago, zip7111 said:

Because they look tacky.  With the exception of the 1" model, their long ferrules just don't look right for most iron builds.  

 

Its one thing to put these "unique" ferrules on your clubs because you like the look but I have noticed that when many of these sets are posted in the BST the fact they have BB&F ferrules is touted as some sort of additional value/desirability for the clubs and some are priced that way.

[3step]

1 hour ago, rooski said:

 

Is this actually science or just something you came up with

I have a PHD friend in that business… but you can Google it. They do studies where they hook the wires up to professional athletes brains , measuring their brain activity, and then compare to amateurs brain activities, which of course are always more active. 
 

Another way to look at the ferrule thing is to compare it to watching TV and you see the news “crawl” at the bottom of the screen- of course we are watching the program, but are also distracted by the busy info at the bottom of the screen.

 

 

[WidespreadPanic]

12 hours ago, 3step said:

I have a PHD friend in that business… but you can Google it. They do studies where they hook the wires up to professional athletes brains , measuring their brain activity, and then compare to amateurs brain activities, which of course are always more active. 
 

Another way to look at the ferrule thing is to compare it to watching TV and you see the news “crawl” at the bottom of the screen- of course we are watching the program, but are also distracted by the busy info at the bottom of the screen.

 

 

This is some sciencey stuff that any random person can say that I’ll agree with as the truth. Being able to hear exactly what’s going on in a weekend golfers mind while standing over the ball compared to a pros would be hilarious.

[R_Swanson]

14 hours ago, third-times-a-charm said:

I think both sides are correct.

 

There are cops who know nothing about their guns except how to use them. There’s navy seals who know nothing about the exact specs of their rifles but know how to use them. There’s NHL players who get given equipment that’s good for them and they play it because they’re told to and it feels good. Same goes for golf pros…

Totally agree, there is no one size fits all blanket statement about pros in either sport.  However most of the responses in here are along the lines of "PGA pro's don't care about their equipment", "You'd be surprised how few know anything about their clubs", etc.  

 

That assumptions seems way off-base to me.  Just because someone else is paid to fit, build, and upkeep their clubs does not mean they don't know or care about them.  That's a strawman.

[Pepperturbo]

16 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

 

Heresy!!

 

🙂

 

From my last two clubs, total of over 1200 members, only a few used lead tape, and those were team members of mine, and scratch.  Mind you, I met nearly all members at one time or another on the tee.  NOT one person since relinquishing my membership, during all my public play.  That's 2–3 times per week of golf plus 2-4 golf vacations each year, playing every other day in one of the following states, CA, AZ, TX and HI.  That, to my thinking, is a good representation of golfers.  But believe as you wish.

[NRJyzr]

59 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

From my last two clubs, total of over 1200 members, only a few used lead tape, and those were team members of mine, and scratch.  Mind you, I met nearly all members at one time or another on the tee.  NOT one person since relinquishing my membership, during all my public play.  That's 2–3 times per week of golf plus 2-4 golf vacations each year, playing every other day in one of the following states, CA, AZ, TX and HI.  That, to my thinking, is a good representation of golfers.  But believe as you wish.

 

I'm making a joke about those who don't use lead tape committing an offense against the golf gods.  ☺  Not applying it to your comment about the rarity of lead tape use; I've seen the same as you.

 

Most of the guys in my group only know about lead tape because I've got it slathered on most everything.  🙂

 

[rooski]

20 hours ago, 3step said:

I have a PHD friend in that business… but you can Google it. They do studies where they hook the wires up to professional athletes brains , measuring their brain activity, and then compare to amateurs brain activities, which of course are always more active. 
 

Another way to look at the ferrule thing is to compare it to watching TV and you see the news “crawl” at the bottom of the screen- of course we are watching the program, but are also distracted by the busy info at the bottom of the screen.

 

 

 

Ferrules or not I am particularly curious how pro golfers specifically are thinking over the ball. I've always thought I would really be able to take it to the next level if I just stepped up and hit the damn ball sometimes

[Bad9]

1 hour ago, rooski said:

 

Ferrules or not I am particularly curious how pro golfers specifically are thinking over the ball. I've always thought I would really be able to take it to the next level if I just stepped up and hit the damn ball sometimes

 

We had a regular in our group for a couple of years who literally was 28 seconds over each shot once he addressed the ball(yes that's an almost season average and yes we timed it) who was so slow it was infuriating. I once asked what he was thinking about and he listed off at least a dozen swing thoughts. He was about a 20hc. Thing is he if he sliced a tee shot into the woods, which he did often, the second ball he would tee it up and just hit. It almost always was a good to really great shot. We actually called him Second Shot Lloyd. He never could just hit the ball on the first attempt.

[rooski]

1 hour ago, Bad9 said:

 

We had a regular in our group for a couple of years who literally was 28 seconds over each shot once he addressed the ball(yes that's an almost season average and yes we timed it) who was so slow it was infuriating. I once asked what he was thinking about and he listed off at least a dozen swing thoughts. He was about a 20hc. Thing is he if he sliced a tee shot into the woods, which he did often, the second ball he would tee it up and just hit. It almost always was a good to really great shot. We actually called him Second Shot Lloyd. He never could just hit the ball on the first attempt.

 

Whew that's a whole different level of brutal, props to you for continuing to play with him that would have been tough lol. I play near scratch and am really a pretty quick player but do have a tendency to get locked up in technicalities over the ball which I think holds me back a bit

Edited March 31, 2023 by rooski

[Phabs]

No one gets paid to use them and no big OEM has come out with them to push as a sales tactic yet (outside of Mizuno).  Wouldn’t be surprised if it happens… I’ll never understand how a ferrule is distracting.  You could make every iron shaft I have bright pink and I wouldn’t give a damn.  

[semarlor]

4 hours ago, Bad9 said:

 

We had a regular in our group for a couple of years who literally was 28 seconds over each shot once he addressed the ball(yes that's an almost season average and yes we timed it) who was so slow it was infuriating. I once asked what he was thinking about and he listed off at least a dozen swing thoughts. He was about a 20hc. Thing is he if he sliced a tee shot into the woods, which he did often, the second ball he would tee it up and just hit. It almost always was a good to really great shot. We actually called him Second Shot Lloyd. He never could just hit the ball on the first attempt.

We always called guys like that "2nd Team All-Americans" haha

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

13 hours ago, WidespreadPanic said:

This is some sciencey stuff that any random person can say that I’ll agree with as the truth. Being able to hear exactly what’s going on in a weekend golfers mind while standing over the ball compared to a pros would be hilarious.

 

"Don't duff it into the water off the tee....don't slice it right into the woods....don't pull it into the bunker on the left...for god's sake, don't top it...and don't go underneath it....just swing smooth....don't jerk at it...but don't slow down...commit to the shot...Don't duff it into the water off the tee. don't slice it right...............

 

D'OH!!"

[3step]

9 hours ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

"Don't duff it into the water off the tee....don't slice it right into the woods....don't pull it into the bunker on the left...for god's sake, don't top it...and don't go underneath it....just swing smooth....don't jerk at it...but don't slow down...commit to the shot...Don't duff it into the water off the tee. don't slice it right...............

 

D'OH!!"

Amen!

[lazyjc4]

If BB&F starts supplying their ferrules to tour vans, maybe you'd see a few guys use them, but like most have already stated, it's probably the last thing pros are thinking about when they get new clubs. 

[jholz]

I'm assuming OP owns stock in BB&F?

[mukster]

You guys should check out the new Squairz ferrules. 
Wider at the base  and I’m getting an extra 15-20 yards. 

[bekgolf]

I don't understand why anyone would put them on their clubs.  They scream "Look at me!, Look at me!".  To me they are the golf club equivalent of a neon bumper sticker, designed solely to grab someone's attention. 

 

But that's just me, I'm sure those who have them have completely different reasons for pulling their shafts and putting a custom ferrule on.