Has TXG fallen off?

[AmateurAmateur]

Ever since the TXG-Club Champion acquisition, it's been pretty apparent that TXG has essentially just become another name for Club Champion. The social media posts (youtube excluded) are far removed from back what they were a few years ago. The youtube channel still provides great content, but that largely has to do with the wisdom of Ian and how well he works alongside Matt. Has anyone else felt as if the brand has been cheapened in recent months? I know a guy who works at a build shop who has seen TXG builds come in with the grips not on all the way, and blatant upsells on shafts for your typical 18 handicap golfer who were looking to stay within a budget. What say you?

[Pepperturbo]

As a businessman, I am very familiar with the process of acquisitions, anytime one company buys another, it takes approximately two years before the company that was acquisitioned, is fully absorbed or no longer invisible. 

 

My guess, Ian and Matt like doing video's more than selling product, maybe that and cash is behind why they sold out.  How that side of the company plays out at the retail level depends on why Club Champion bought them.  One thing is clear, upselling is a way of life to offset cost of acquisition.  Not a big follower of TXG, except, somebody wanted something and had the money, and someone probably needed the money due to poor P&L mgt.

[Wardonation]

I have thought even well before CC that they have lost their way. I even shot Ian an email (no response back) about my thoughts. They had a much better structure to the content in the beginning. The reviews were much more detailed and Ian's insight into the fittings they did were priceless. They would even tell us if a product was not up to snuff (now never). I view there stuff for fitting info and club reviews. I do not care about lesson or swing content. I also wish they would give more in depth reviews on equipment and balls. With all that being said, they are still the best on you tube IMO...

[Long Shot]

TXG isn't the same. Def dropped a few notches.

[Soloman1]

Ian makes money fitting and selling clubs, built a brand on YouTube and sold (a portion?) when the price was right. I’m pretty sure Ian is booked every day, making money and may not have time or energy to do as many videos.

 

There’s not much more frustrating than people, some with little or no experience in an industry, a business, or in a technology calling you or emailing you to tell you how you’re doing it all wrong.

[MattC555]

Their recent lessons video series has been fantastic.

[nikeblades00]

Like alot of businesses they really benefitted from the pandemic. People had time and extra money (stimulus) to burn. Now as we are back to the real world for the most part people have less time to waste and less money to burn. That's my 2 cents. I use to watch them and no longer do. 

[RobS]

Club Champion is owned by a private equity group.  In typical private equity fashion, they have been rapidly expanding  CC to increase the value. Given the lifespan of most deals, the PE firm will likely offload CC within the next 2 years.  TXG was one of multiple acquisitions for expansion and to make CC an international brand.  Along with TXG, they acquired fitting operations in the UK and Australia.  The majority owner of TXG was an outside investor who I'm sure was ready to cash out.  I'd anticipate that Ian fades away from CC/TXG eventually and then resurfaces elsewhere once any non-compete expires.

 

Years ago, Hot Stix was purchased by a private equity group.  Mark Timms founded Hit Stix.  Timms later started Cool Clubs which ironically acquired Hot Stix a couple years ago.

Edited May 2, 2023 by RobS

[Bushwood Country Club]

As someone who had a fitting with Ian within the last 45 days, I will offer this perspective:

 

Facts:

- The experience with Ian was worth every penny I paid.  You get to watch a master at their craft doing something that I am passionate about.

- He is the same person you see on YouTube - kind, engaging, friendly, knowledgeable, easy to talk to, humble, and not full of bs.  

- There was ZERO up selling.  We spend 5 hours hitting various combinations (including a putter fitting), and he provided me the data around what combos generated the best results for me.  It was up to me to purchase all, some, or none of the recommendations.

- The staff is very friendly, accommodating, and welcoming.  Ian even let me borrow their lobby to conduct a business conference call when I was Dione with my fitting.

- You can 100% believe Ian has a full book.  There were two of who flew 6 hours to see him on the day I was there.

- They are definitely moving product (at least at the Mississauga location) - I got a tour of the “back of the house”, and the team was busy as beavers.  Lead time to deliver my full set was 6 weeks - so they are busy.

- It is not cheap. If you want a bargain option, you need to look elsewhere. If you want to choose from a virtually unlimited selection of equipment, utilize state of the art technology, and be fitted by a master, AND have a lifetime experience - you MUST expect to pay for all of that.  That’s how capitalism works. 

 

Opinion:

- If CC were smart, they would rebrand as TXG and make Ian the face of the brand.  He is the opposite opf everything bad you may have heard about CC.

- I don’t detect any drop off in the YouTube channel. I don't scrutinize their IG that closely, because YouTube is more engaging - but I cannot discern a decline in quality of content there.  The YT channel is simply the best golf resource out there.

 

Summary:
- Great experience, will never forget it and loved the chance to interact with a true visionary in the golf industry

- No regrets

- Ian is awesome

- The staff is great. Mike M is super friendly.

- YOu get what you pay for, and you pay for what you get

 

[mizuno player]

On 5/1/2023 at 9:47 PM, RobS said:

Club Champion is owned by a private equity group.  In typical private equity fashion, they have been rapidly expanding  CC to increase the value. Given the lifespan of most deals, the PE firm will likely offload CC within the next 2 years.  TXG was one of multiple acquisitions for expansion and to make CC an international brand.  Along with TXG, they acquired fitting operations in the UK and Australia.  The majority owner of TXG was an outside investor who I'm sure was ready to cash out.  I'd anticipate that Ian fades away from CC/TXG eventually and then resurfaces elsewhere once any non-compete expires.

 

Years ago, Hot Stix was purchased by a private equity group.  Mark Timms founded Hit Stix.  Timms later started Cool Clubs which ironically acquired Hot Stix a couple years ago.

Spot on with your time frame. Ian probably has a non compete for 5 years or so. He also might have to stay involved for certain period of time. I would expect Ian to be out by the time his non compete ends. 

( I have zero information. My old boss his company acquired by PE. He had a non compete. The PE bought another company and brought them in and his non compete was up. He was out. ) . 

[HarborMike]

This is a bummer. Was super happy and was enjoying the channel when Matt came back. Now he’s leaving again 😔. 

[bakere]

20 minutes ago, HarborMike said:

This is a bummer. Was super happy and was enjoying the channel when Matt came back. Now he’s leaving again 😔. 

That stinks, I really enjoyed him on that channel. I hope he keeps putting out content on his own though!

[m_w]

I gotta say, this back and forth with Matty is a bit strange....he's gone...he's back...how long until he's back?

I love TXG but I think the channel has lost a bit of its authenticity. As others have said, critical remarks of products are few and far between versus "the old days"

 

What a lot of folks seem to forget is that Club Champion caters to the AVERAGE golfer...not the GolfWRX member that can tell the difference between 3/4" tipped and 1" tipped...and of course has a swing speed of 130mph cruising on a cold morning. Club Champion's brand is MUCH bigger than TXG and TXG is basically unknown among the general public. Similar to Rolex and FP Journe in the watch world or Ferrari and Pagani in cars. 

 

Apparently, Ian is now only doing fittings if you sign up for a $5000 minimum purchase by the way.

[GoTime]

Channel tanked with Matt left the first time.

 

Loyal followers suspected, and were eventually told, that Ian did Matt dirty. That turned a lot of people off for good. Even once he was "back", it wasn't the same and the chemistry was gone, and it lost the thing that made it special.

 

It's just another channel now.

[m_w]

2 minutes ago, GoTime said:

Channel tanked with Matt left the first time.

 

Loyal followers suspected, and were eventually told, that Ian did Matt dirty. That turned a lot of people off for good. Even once he was "back", it wasn't the same and the chemistry was gone, and it lost the thing that made it special.

 

It's just another channel now.

where was that confirmed?

[Soloman1]

No disrespect to Matt. I think he’s a good guy. But I understand that he did not a financial interest in TXG. If that is correct, then he may have had some compensation from TXG for his content.

 

However, (sorry Matt) Ian was driving the boat. I think TXG made Matt, not the other way around. While he’s a personable guy and their chemistry was good, his contribution was pretty much, “How did it feel?”

 

Robot testing of clubs, shafts and balls is by far more controlled and reliable. But robots don’t feel… yet. 🙂

 

[Equipoise]

Quote

While he’s a personable guy and their chemistry was good, his contribution was pretty much, “How did it feel?”

 

This should be corrected, Matt's contribution to TXG goes far beyond that. Matt actually runs a digital marketing business, and Ian actually reached out to Matt to establish an online presence for TXG; that's how the YouTube content started. The reason he's in the videos themselves is because Ian and Matt has (had?) a good chemistry on video, and Ian did not prefer talking to the camera by himself, at least in the beginning. I came across this watching an interview with Ian.

Anyways, Matt isn't even a fitter like the rest of the TXG guys, but he played a huge part in getting them where they are today.

Also, Ian and the online content doesn't truly represent TXG as a fitting service. In my personal experience, going through a couple of fittings there, it really depends on the fitter. I've had a good experience but also a rather underwhelming experience there. Their customer service and communication outside of the fitting is actually pretty bad however, and nothing like you'd expect based on their online persona.

[Soloman1]

3 hours ago, Equipoise said:

This should be corrected, Matt's contribution to TXG goes far beyond that. Matt actually runs a digital marketing business, and Ian actually reached out to Matt to establish an online presence for TXG; that's how the YouTube content started. The reason he's in the videos themselves is because Ian and Matt has (had?) a good chemistry on video, and Ian did not prefer talking to the camera by himself, at least in the beginning. I came across this watching an interview with Ian.

 

Thanks for the info.

[gsrjc]

On 5/22/2023 at 11:49 AM, HarborMike said:

This is a bummer. Was super happy and was enjoying the channel when Matt came back. Now he’s leaving again 😔. 

Perhaps he’s had a set back with his mental issues. Hope all is well. 

[Bushwood Country Club]

On 5/22/2023 at 7:25 PM, GoTime said:

Channel tanked with Matt left the first time.

 

Loyal followers suspected, and were eventually told, that Ian did Matt dirty. That turned a lot of people off for good. Even once he was "back", it wasn't the same and the chemistry was gone, and it lost the thing that made it special.

 

It's just another channel now.

Do tell us more.  I was there onsite, in the last 60 days, and spoke with both of them.  Any suggestions that Ian “did Matt dirty” is compete bullxxxx unless you have proof.  If you are gonna put this out there, you need to back it up. Otherwise, you are just spouting garbage

[TiScape]

On 5/22/2023 at 5:19 PM, m_w said:

I gotta say, this back and forth with Matty is a bit strange....he's gone...he's back...how long until he's back?

I love TXG but I think the channel has lost a bit of its authenticity. As others have said, critical remarks of products are few and far between versus "the old days"

 

What a lot of folks seem to forget is that Club Champion caters to the AVERAGE golfer...not the GolfWRX member that can tell the difference between 3/4" tipped and 1" tipped...and of course has a swing speed of 130mph cruising on a cold morning. Club Champion's brand is MUCH bigger than TXG and TXG is basically unknown among the general public. Similar to Rolex and FP Journe in the watch world or Ferrari and Pagani in cars. 

 

Apparently, Ian is now only doing fittings if you sign up for a $5000 minimum purchase by the way.

Will add CC is also for the person that is willing to pay a premium price. Blows my mind that you have to pay full price for a driver (which normally includes a decent shaft) then full MSRP for the premium shaft they fit you in and they keep the stock shaft! What the…

[GoTime]

1 hour ago, Bushwood Country Club said:

Do tell us more.  I was there onsite, in the last 60 days, and spoke with both of them.  Any suggestions that Ian “did Matt dirty” is compete bullxxxx unless you have proof.  If you are gonna put this out there, you need to back it up. Otherwise, you are just spouting garbage

 

Cool story. Must have been going so well for him that he decided to leave TXG, again..

[iBanesto]

On 5/23/2023 at 1:49 AM, HarborMike said:

This is a bummer. Was super happy and was enjoying the channel when Matt came back. Now he’s leaving again 😔. 

 

[blades_are_life]

On 5/22/2023 at 5:25 PM, GoTime said:

Loyal followers suspected, and were eventually told, that Ian did Matt dirty. That turned a lot of people off for good. Even once he was "back", it wasn't the same and the chemistry was gone, and it lost the thing that made it special.

Where exactly was this?

[bcjim]

Always good quality content and good production as well.  Found it a bit hokey at times though and I hate to say this but the fact he is a lefty didn't help.  I just can't identify. 

 

Best wishes to both of them though.

[karl1111]

The youtube content has defintely been neutered. 
 

Everything is great according to them even when its obvious the product isnt up to par, see the PXG drivers that spun at 3000-3500 rpm. 
 

A couple of years ago they would’ve pxg out. 

[SBH9458]

Too bad that the team is splitting up. They produced some good content. 

[blades_are_life]

On 5/31/2023 at 1:05 AM, karl1111 said:

The youtube content has defintely been neutered. 
 

Everything is great according to them even when its obvious the product isnt up to par, see the PXG drivers that spun at 3000-3500 rpm. 
 

A couple of years ago they would’ve pxg out. 

They definitely got more buddy-buddy with the club manufacturers over the years, even pre CC acquisition.

[Bushwood Country Club]

On 5/25/2023 at 8:54 PM, GoTime said:

 

Cool story. Must have been going so well for him that he decided to leave TXG, again..

Annnnnnddddd….you still cant back up your story