What perception do you have of each golf brand?

[LimaSierra]

Will be interesting to see what WRX has to say on this

Lets say the brands are 

• Titleist
• Ping
• Taylormade
• Callaway
• Srixon
• Mizuno
• Cobra 

[mark174ace]

Always loved Ping and not sure why I got away from them for a while many years ago. They are a little heavier than most brands imo which keeps the club head more stable. They just feel good in my hand for whatever that is worth. I have been playing with 2011 Ping Anser irons for 11 years now. I had never used Ping woods but this winter I bought a 425LST driver after the weights on my TM driver broke for the second time and was fed up. Great club....wished I had bought one sooner. 

[ND2005]

I will preface this by saying I know these are not accurate, but it is the first thing that pops into my head for each brand: 

 

Titleist: Player's clubs. Best looking clubs out there -clean lines, minimalistic, classic. 

 

Callaway: Every other year they come out with a great driver, the other years feel like a swing and a miss. Haven't made a good iron in years. 

 

TaylorMade: For the white belt, flat brimmed hat, golf bros. 

 

PXG: For the TaylorMade bros who want to seem even fancier. Worst commercials in the history of mankind.

 

Ping: Great clubs but for some reason seem inaccessible to me

 

Mizuno: Irons are amazing, have literally never touched any other product they make and don't plan to.

 

Srixon: Under the radar making some of the best stuff out there

 

Cobra: Unless you love Rickie Fowler, why bother? 

[MtlJeff]

• Titleist   = 849$ drivers
• Ping = 809$ drivers
• Taylormade = 799$ drivers
• Callaway = 799$ drivers
• Srixon = 699$ drivers
• Mizuno = 699$ drivers
• Cobra = 699$ drivers

[Denny100]

15 hours ago, LimaSierra said:

Will be interesting to see what WRX has to say on this

Lets say the brands are 

• Titleist
• Ping
• Taylormade
• Callaway
• Srixon
• Mizuno
• Cobra 

 

Titleist - Serious gear for serious players and have gathered the reputation of the best balls, warranted or not.

 

Ping - Innovative, different, sometimes ugly products but always forgiving and popular at amateur level

 

Taylormade - Aggressive marketing, relentless product cycles, big brand exposure, get the big boys to use their stuff

 

Callaway - Doesnt have the players appeal of titleist, or the niche feel of Mizuno/Srixon. Often overlooked. And expensive.

 

Srixon - Bit more niche, but quality products. Not accessible.

 

Mizuno - Buttery irons, not aggressive with their marketing, dont expose the brand as much as they could, 

 

Cobra - Always thought of as kind of cheap titelist, dont give me a reason as to why id buy their gear.

[Klubster]

All-

Hype over function.  In reality, there have not been any major improvements in recent years.  It is mostly cosmetics.

 

Let the flaming begin... 

[caniac6]

3 hours ago, MtlJeff said:

• Titleist   = 849$ drivers
• Ping = 809$ drivers
• Taylormade = 799$ drivers
• Callaway = 799$ drivers
• Srixon = 699$ drivers
• Mizuno = 699$ drivers
• Cobra = 699$ drivers

I don’t think I could afford to live in Canada.

[golfinbrad]

This is my take will likely offend someone.

• Titleist - Classic from looks to club to players.  Slow to change and stay in their lane.  The brand reminds me of the stuffy country club type.
• Ping - Innovative, but slowly.  Clubs built to last both in tech and durability.  Ping players tend to be very brand loyal.
• Taylormade - Best marketing in the biz.  Push the envelope on new materials and design, but sometimes take credit for something that was out before.  Sign the most staffers, which increases sales.  A lot of hype when others are just as good.
• Callaway - Callaway used to be ahead of Taylormade until the non conforming driver disaster.  Feel like they are Taylormade's little brother.  Great products, but don't see players moving to them from other brands. 
• Srixon - Finally get the attention they deserve, but casual golfers still look elsewhere.  Usually gamed by solid players and players serious about the game.  Reminds me of a modern Titleist.
• Mizuno - Classic, but losing their share in the US and on tour.  Used to be played by a lot of non-staffers.  Now seeing more Srixon, PXG, Ping and TM irons in those bags.  Great product, but focus more on the Asian market.
• Cobra - Awesome product.  Marketed as younger, hip or trendy, so don't get the credit they deserve.  With deep Puma pockets, they should try to sign a few more tour players.  With better branding they could compete crack the top 5. 

[MtlJeff]

46 minutes ago, caniac6 said:

I don’t think I could afford to live in Canada.

 

The thing is my post wasn't even a joke--it's literally what i think of with the OEMs now. I just won't pay 1000$ for a driver on general principle. 

 

So for a driver , if i was gonna buy new it would be Srixon or Cobra

[jholz]

4 hours ago, MtlJeff said:

• Titleist   = 849$ drivers
• Ping = 809$ drivers
• Taylormade = 799$ drivers
• Callaway = 799$ drivers
• Srixon = 699$ drivers
• Mizuno = 699$ drivers
• Cobra = 699$ drivers

 

Cleveland = $299 drivers

[Sp4zRX]

 

 

• Titleist - best golf balls. great clubs for good players. Titleist is the standard for which other clubs are judged. 
• Ping - Very forgiving. Great for beginners. Ping not afraid to try new things. 
• Taylormade - for the weekend warrior that watches pga on weekend and is sold by the sponsorships and commercials
• Callaway - great drivers but everything else is for LPGA
• Srixon - Great clubs that are less known. When you see someone playing them you give a silent nod letting them know you’re in on the secret
• Mizuno - similar to Srixon but more popular. Great feeling irons. “Nothing feels like a Mizuno.”
• Cobra - for the frat boys that wanna smash drivers and drink beer. 

Again, this is not what I actually think, just what comes to mind!

[MountainKing]

Probably a real unoriginal answer, but my perception is these days they all make outstanding equipment from top to bottom.  Find something that looks good, go get fit and it'll perform regardless of whose name is on it.

[caniac6]

10 minutes ago, MtlJeff said:

 

The thing is my post wasn't even a joke--it's literally what i think of with the OEMs now. I just won't pay 1000$ for a driver on general principle. 

 

So for a driver , if i was gonna buy new it would be Srixon or Cobra

I just ordered a new set of Mizuno irons. Part of my attraction to Mizuno was the price was considerably lower than the other manufacturers, and there was no upcharge for stock graphite shafts.

[SEP1006]

17 hours ago, LimaSierra said:

Will be interesting to see what WRX has to say on this

Lets say the brands are 

• Titleist
• Ping
• Taylormade
• Callaway
• Srixon
• Mizuno
• Cobra 

 

 

Awe, you forgot the one ( PXG ) that has probably stirred up more comments than all of the above combined.

 

Or maybe you did it on purpose.

 

 

 

But I'll answer the original post:

 

Titleist - never have been a fan

 

Ping/Mizuno - really like their irons, woods not so much

 

Taylormade - really like their woods, irons not so much

 

Callaway - like their woods, have never played the irons but would consider them

 

Srixon/Cobra - no personal experience with either of them

 

 

Edited June 27, 2023 by SEP1006

[byoshio82]

17 hours ago, LimaSierra said:

• Titleist - Classic, Know what to expect from them and their products - Until recently haven't really pushed the technology aspects.
• Ping - Good products - Alot of people love them but just not for me.
• Taylormade - My favorite for woods and putters - Great marketing, performance and technology
• Callaway - Similar to Taylormade but again head shapes don't fit my eye personally.
• Srixon - Absolutely slept on - Put a set of ZX7's in the bag 2 years ago and they actually prevented a custom-built tour issue set of Miura's from going in my bag - Alos just ordered the ZX4 in 4/5 irons
• Mizuno - Pure feel, Most people say they are the standard for irons, Woods leave a little to be desired for me personally.
• Cobra  - Played the King cobras in HS and loved them - Really haven't played any recent cobra since them - I think of them as flashy and head shapes don't fit my eye. Kind of gimmicky until recently from what I have read and cater to a specific customer base. 

 

[JA_357]

Not huge differences in reality, most make decent clubs with a few notable exceptions. But perception wise:

• Titleist: Balls and nice wedges, more pros than bros. Make ugly irons and woods, and the pros seem to play them and do fine.
• Ping: Ugly but effective.
• Taylormade: Showy and pushy. Not sure if the new tech is the best idea but will sell it that way in any case. Waiting for the free set of steak knives to drop.
• Callaway: Workmanlike - not showy, but effective and reliable. Kinda like the Makita of the golf world.
• Srixon: Who are these people? Is this a knock off?
• Mizuno: Amazing feeling clubs that people rave about, good looking. Apparently make more than irons, but nobody uses them in the US.
• Cobra: The last brand the guy hands you at a fitting, but play better than all the showy stuff you were handed first. Then you see the advertising and who plays them and wonder if by playing them you've joined the drinking class.

Edited June 27, 2023 by JA_357

[PJE]

Honestly, each of these companies make great products in the respective categories, e.g. players, players distance, GI, and I think they all are essentially the same, but here is my tongue in cheek review: 

• Titleist- Copy cat company that relies on marketing and green grass shop outreach to give itself prestige. Usually 1-3 years behind everyone else in innovation or performance. 
• Ping- Innovative company with a track record of great products. Some misfires, e.g., Ping totally missed the boat on all milled putters which led Titleist/Scotty Cameron to supercede them in that arena. 
• TaylorMade- Mostly known for drivers. Irons are better than a lot of people perceive. Aggressive advertising and product release cycles has led to consumer cynicism and undercutting their credibilty with consumers. 
• Callway- Some of the same problem as Taylor Made. Really ugly wedges in the GI sets.  Really stupid names and color schemes. 
• Srixon- Underrated. 
• Mizuno- Unforgiving irons. Unforgiving everything. I have a Mizuno hat and it hurts my head, because, it is unforgiving. 
• Cobra- Strong in the GI arena. Their stuff is actually pretty good.  I am not sure they have a coherent marketing focus. 

 

[PracticeSwinger]

Interesting : 16 replies so far, that represents more or less a consensus. It this a WRX biased answer or a general golfing sentiment?

[getitdaily]

• Titleist - really good but not better than the best in each individual category except balls...they've got balls
• Ping - can this thing spin any more? And why did they take a notch out of my hosel?
• Taylormade - fast, do they make irons? Look at all their putters
• Callaway - remember that no hosel driver they made? 
• Srixon - my mouth hurts trying to put s and r sounds together
• Mizuno - iron sharpens iron 
• Cobra - like captain morgan and Dr pepper, who knew it was this good

Edited June 27, 2023 by getitdaily

[PJE]

4 minutes ago, getitdaily said:

Cobra - like captain morgan and Dr pepper, who knew it was this good

Classic 

[NoTalentLefty]

All good . PXG irons excellent.

[pjc]

3 hours ago, JA_357 said:

Not huge differences in reality, most make decent clubs with a few notable exceptions. But perception wise:

• Titleist: Balls and nice wedges, more pros than bros. Make ugly irons and woods, and the pros seem to play them and do fine.
• Ping: Ugly but effective.
• Taylormade: Showy and pushy. Not sure if the new tech is the best idea but will sell it that way in any case. Waiting for the free set of steak knives to drop.
• Callaway: Workmanlike - not showy, but effective and reliable. Kinda like the Makita of the golf world.
• Srixon: Who are these people? Is this a knock off?
• Mizuno: Amazing feeling clubs that people rave about, good looking. Apparently make more than irons, but nobody uses them in the US.
• Cobra: The last brand the guy hands you at a fitting, but play better than all the showy stuff you were handed first. Then you see the advertising and who plays them and wonder if by playing them you've joined the drinking class.

Obviously not in on the secret....😂

[KGrinols]

21 hours ago, LimaSierra said:

• Titleist
• Ping
• Taylormade
• Callaway
• Srixon
• Mizuno
• Cobra 

Titleist - Elitist, superiority complex, name recognition, vanity.

Ping - Older people or new players who will sacrifice looks, sound, feel, and their dignity for the most forgiveness on the market.

TaylorMade - Distance over everything.

Callaway - We don't do anything the best, but we don't do anything the worst.  Voted most likely to participate.

Srixon - Quality and results over name recognition.

Mizuno - Feel and consistency, year after year.

Cobra - When I grow up, I want to be just like Nike!

 

Just for fun, no offense intended to anyone.

[Lobby]

Titleist:  clubs for better players. Anti hook designs

 

Ping:  most / Best technology. You can’t go wrong with ping

 

callaway:  “we’re coming out with a new model whether it’s any better than the prior or not!”  Good woods

 

taylor made:  not the same without that adams guy

 

cobra: jacked lofts

 

no opinion on others

[JA_357]

1 hour ago, pjc said:

Obviously not in on the secret....😂

When I got fitted the guy wouldn't even let me try em (for being same as the TM I didn't like). Ended up in Mizuno's instead 😇

Edited June 27, 2023 by JA_357

[MattM97]

Everyone is making great clubs these days, just finding what works best for you is the most important thing. Keep an open mind because a brand you would never consider could be the perfect club for you.

 

Repeat this for every brand.

[St Jimmy]

On 6/26/2023 at 7:03 PM, LimaSierra said:

Will be interesting to see what WRX has to say on this

Lets say the brands are 

• Titleist- over priced and overrated.
• Ping- Forgivness 
• Taylormade- best FW woods
• Callaway- PM Grind 
• Srixon- I don't think of them at all. 
• Mizuno- soft irons (even though they don't feel any different than any other iron struck in the sweet spot)
• Cobra- Ricky Fowler 

 

I haven't read or been influenced by any posts in this thread.

[Vater]

This has been done a few times and I enjoy reading people's takes each time.

 

I won't repeat what many said/will say on here about all of them, I'll just pick out a couple that have changed for me:

 

Srixon - Never considered putting them in my bag, but might actually be some of the best stuff across the board.

Cobra - Best woods in the game?

[TallGuy90]

Taylormade: Under rated irons and over rated woods. Great customer service department. They replaced a 7 iron head for me no questions. Same thing happened to a Mizuno and they did nothing. Too short of a life cycle on their products. 
 

 

Callaway: big PR guys , best drivers and good woods. Irons are underwhelming of late . 

 

Ping: innovation but the worst feeling and worst sounding clubs. 
 

Mizuno’s: cult like iron following. 
 

Srixon : Great stuff and highly under rated 

 

 

[Jifmoli]

Titleist: players (please ditch the T300);

 

Ping: beginners (G) and fans only;

 

TM: for the masses, something for everyone

 

Callaway: Dull. Supposed to be good but I never get excited by any of their products

 

Srixon: Focused: simple product line up, excellent across the board (including balls).  

 

Mizuno: Blades. That's all they do, right?

 

Cobra: Underated: for their woods for sure but also for the OL that should be used by more players. Am biased, Cobra irons were my first clubs..