Why do you care how pretty clubs look?

[LeoLeo99]

I care nothing about sound.  Baseball bat on a garbage can sound?  Doesn't bother me one bit if the club works.  I did have a phase where I wanted a clean looking iron.  No graphics, no badges, no colors.  But I have G400 irons in my bag now.  Form and function trump aesthetics.  

[jomatty]

17 hours ago, Barfolomew said:

Talking prettiness not functional looks like offset.

 

Why can't you play a club with a thick top line?  Dont get when I hear it has a nice thin top line... hybrids got thick top lines and we like em lol.

 

Who cares on looks let the function sell you on using it.  All the times I've played never heard anyone comment on how nice someones clubs look just how good they might be lol

 

This goes for all sports equipment... like those people who pick a tennis racket for its cool graphics lol 🦆

 

 

 

why does it matter if a car looks nice?  Why does it matter if clothes look nice?  There are a million examples.  We are spoiled for choices and golf is a  hobby to almost all of us.  People like things that look nice…people like what they like.  When you get to confidence there may even be a practical reason, but mostly the reason is that people like cool stuff.

[gibbyfan]

There are certain shaped of irons, wedges, etc. that I find comfortable, familiar, and trusted. I have tried other clubs that are thicker or wider. I end up selling them. Its preference. 

[boggyman]

As long as it assists in getting the ball close so I’ll have a putt, I could give 2 s^^^s less what it looks like, especially to someone else who might be lurking at my bag. I’ve been all over the map with irons too! There’s usually always someone lurking when our group plays. Guy other day comes up n says,”you’re a club junkie, what loft is this.” It was a beat to death, no head cover, SIM 4 hybrid 🤣🤣 it works for him quite well though. 

[NoTalentLefty]

18 hours ago, St Jimmy said:

 

Why do you care about how good looking that woman is before you f*** her?  

 

Enjoy that weekly round (on and off the course) with your ogre. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

Apparently St doesn’t stand for Saint …😀
 

But I agree with the thought. We are drawn to beauty. Should we? Functionality should be our decision maker. 
As my granddaddy said to me…. Marry a fat ugly woman so when they leave you , you just don’t care.

Edited September 30, 2023 by NoTalentLefty

[BallerNate]

3 hours ago, GHIN n Juice said:

How else am I gonna fish for compliments at the club?  
 

Honestly, I don’t even play golf.  I just post up at the bag drop and let the masses bask in the glory of my setup.

Bahaha!!!

 

Honestly, the days that I really struggle on the course, at least I can sit back and look at my beautiful clubs and research what new clubs I’m going to buy!

[Phabs]

Better question is why do you care what anyone else thinks about their equipment?

Edited September 30, 2023 by Phabs

[bobfoster]

I suppose years ago I cared (at least a little) what others thought about how my clubs looked. But age has a way of dissolving vanity. Happens gradually, like fog dissipating in the morning sun. You hardly notice it while its happening, but one day you just wake up and sort of realize you simply could no longer give a flying crap what anyone thinks about your clubs (or for that matter, your game). 

 

I certainly didn't pick my current clubs based on how they look, but I also think they look really pretty. At least they do to me, which is all that matters. But it is like relationships I've been in. Do I love her because she is beautiful, or does she become beautiful in my eyes when I love her? 

 

I play Titleist at the long end of the bag, D, FWs, & H. Mixed set of Mizuno irons. Black Miura wedges. Scotty putter. All are really good, high performance clubs. Well suited to my game, and customized to it - e.g., added +4g to my driver, the right shafts (different for different clubs), lofts/lies tuned by a fitter, different grips and number of wraps. May be one of the best, most playable sets I've ever had (I'm having one of the best seasons in a decade or so this year). I've gelled with them. Feel confidence standing over any shot - like anything I can visualize I can execute. 

 

I also happen to think they are beautiful, but that may well be a case of "she's beautiful because I love her". But beauty is also always in the eyes of the beholder anyway. I love my TSR driver. Both very forgiving, and really workable. One of the most responsive drivers I've ever played. But compared to what I see on the course these days, it is likely "boring" so far as looks go. No odd shapes, weird graphics, or lively colors. It doesn't look hot, or hip, or cutting edge. Most of its (pretty advanced) technology is hidden under the covers. It's just a plain black pear. But I think its gorgeous.

 

Oops. Off on a tangent. More to the point, I've always been puzzled by the notion that there's some sort of trade-off. That you have to pick between clubs that look great, or play great. IMO, other than at extreme ends of the spectrum, a great number of clubs do both. Even more so these days, as OEMs are paying more way attention to aesthetics than they did when I first started playing (1960s/70s). I look at the Equipment forum here, and look at people's bags on courses. New Titleist irons, Mizzys, Callaways, TMs, Srixons, you name it. A lot of them really are pretty, each in their own way. Even the sets at the "forgiving" end of the product lines. 

 

Don't think there's an either/or here. 

Edited October 1, 2023 by bobfoster

[St Jimmy]

3 hours ago, NoTalentLefty said:

Apparently St doesn’t stand for Saint …😀
 

But I agree with the thought. We are drawn to beauty. Should we? Functionality should be our decision maker. 
As my granddaddy said to me…. Marry a fat ugly woman so when they leave you , you just don’t care.

 

 

The sad truth is what feels best rarely looks the best.  

Sometimes you have to choose between the trophy wife that is dead in bed or the fat chick that curls your toes in the dark.  

 

That's why I play PXG.

Ugly, but feels soooo good. 

 

 

 

 

[St Jimmy]

Fed Ex just showed up.

The grips feel pretty tacky so I'll leave them on for at least tomorrow.

I'm expecting a lot out of this iron set.

5-P

1/4 inch long, 2 degrees upright, 2 degrees weak.

 

$

[BirdieBob]

I like'em nice and purty....so when I sell'em I get top $.

[Nessism]

Remember when the Ping ie1 photos first hit?  A huge majority of the folks here dismissed them straight away because of the "blue line" in the cavity!  We aren't talking about a club head shape that's ugly behind the ball, we are talking about a 2mm wide paint line!

 

And let's not even mention full size GI clubs.  The devil's spawn, they be!  

 

 

[sailfishchris]

So I’m guessing your karaoke night songs are Fat Bottomed Girls? Sprinkle in a little Baby Got Back? 😁

[Chunkitgood]

It’s not a question of whether ugly or pretty, it’s a question of whether the club has been designed to give the impression that there is some sort of machinery, mechanism, or whatever in to “help” your swing (  I’m talking you, PXG.) or it’s shape distorted to give it the properties of a wood.

 

When I play golf, I want to know good or bad that I am responsible for the outcome.  I don’t want a good result from a bad effort, and don’t understand how anyone does.  The point of golf is not scoring, it is mastering a skill and ultimately self mastery.  I have a long way to go but haven’t given up yet.

 

I want a simple, honest club, and simple, honest clubs are of course generally better looking.

 

I understand a lot of people feel more comfortable with big clubs with obvious tech and screws and what not.  Most will never learn to swing a club.

[Fuscinator]

People always seem to find a use for beautiful old buildings, even if it means paying a little more for heat. People who've moved away, like to visit those old buildings on trips back home. Those buildings always bring back memories, especially the smell of the wood. Modern buildings that are built solely for utilitarian purposes are no longer needed once they've outlived their usefulness (and often have to be torn down because of hazardous materials, or something like "sick building syndrome").

Golf clubs are not like buildings. They are tools, and once they've outlived their usefulness, especially if something that's clearly better comes along, should be discarded. The prettier the old clubs, though, the harder it is to take them out of use. 

[Avidswampthing66]

Because it's my money, my club and I want it to look how it like it when I look down at it.  Clean.  Also, there is a level of comfort and confidence I need.  Lots of offset, I will hook it.  For example, hybrids go left for me, unless it sits nice and square if not slightly open. 

[Lobby]

GolfWrx is about Form much more than Function 

 

They search for clubs that look a certain way, overlooking novel designs.  Then they find clubs that look the way they want. 
 

when these clubs don’t work out, they look for replacement clubs that look the same, never trying the novel designs. 
 

And they wonder why their clubs aren’t performing…

 

it’s a plot, I tell you

[philly2kuk]

On 9/30/2023 at 2:14 AM, 1puttTUT said:

 

Aztec or Prius 😆

With a thread title like this I bet it’s a Fiat multipla.

[bobfoster]

1 hour ago, Lobby said:

GolfWrx is about Form much more than Function 

 

They search for clubs that look a certain way, overlooking novel designs.  Then they find clubs that look the way they want. 
 

when these clubs don’t work out, they look for replacement clubs that look the same, never trying the novel designs. 
 

And they wonder why their clubs aren’t performing…

 

it’s a plot, I tell you

As Margie said, "I'm not sure I agree with you a hundred percent on your police work there, Lou."

 

Read the WRX Tour and Pre-release Equipment, Equipment, WRX Club Techs, or Instruction & Academy forums. Is there some discussion about aesthetics, about "Form"? Yeah. But there's also some pretty good golfers here, that analyze and talk endlessly about every little nuance of Function - in fact, if you want to hear OEM marketing hype about the release of their latest product lines, go to their websites ... but if you want opinions and feedback (sometimes complimentary, sometimes brutal) about how clubs actually play, come to WRX. And so far as "novel designs", you'll hear people talking here about almost every conceivable brand, including many that never advertise on the PGAT, and that most weekenders have never heard of. 

 

You've been here awhile Lobby. A bit surprised at your post. Portraying WRX as mostly a bunch of noobs that fixate on Form over Function (and then "wonder why their clubs aren't performing") is just - in my experience - not accurate at all (and I've been here off and on for over a decade). Is the way clubs look one (of many) variables taken into account in choosing clubs? You betcha Margie.

 

But there are a decent number of WRX golfers here that shoot 70s/low 80s on a regular basis - the top levels of the amateur golf world (45% of America's 25 million golfers will never even break 100). No one hits that level if they prioritize pretty first, and performance only second. 

 

But I'll say it again - I think Form vs. Function is a false framework, a false dichotomy. A lot of the best playing clubs also happen to be great looking clubs. 

[Khill818]

I'm a much better tennis player than golfer. I'd play an ugly racket if it worked well.  However, you don't really see that racket like you do the club at address.  Having said that I agree with you.  I've also wondered about sound preferences. If I can hit straight and far, it can quack like duck. 

 

All things being equal, why not like the way they look.  

 

[rd1959]

15 hours ago, Nessism said:

Remember when the Ping ie1 photos first hit?  A huge majority of the folks here dismissed them straight away because of the "blue line" in the cavity!  We aren't talking about a club head shape that's ugly behind the ball, we are talking about a 2mm wide paint line!

 

And let's not even mention full size GI clubs.  The devil's spawn, they be!  

 

 

IMO, most GI clubs look like something Fred and Barney would use. 

[ShortGolfer]

I assume that if the faces of my irons and wedges look nearly pristine, with just the occasional scratch from sand shots, I'm not losing any spin due to groove wear.

 

I'm sure that a slow swing speed and soft golf balls considerably reduce the wear on my clubs.

Edited October 1, 2023 by ShortGolfer

[rd1959]

On 9/29/2023 at 11:30 PM, snowmangolf said:

I don’t have a mature or logical answer for you

There is no mature or logical answer to personal preference.

Edited October 1, 2023 by rd1959

[rd1959]

19 hours ago, bobfoster said:

I suppose years ago I cared (at least a little) what others thought about how my clubs looked. But age has a way of dissolving vanity. Happens gradually, like fog dissipating in the morning sun.You hardly notice it while its happening, but one day you just wake up and sort of realize you simply could no longer give a flying crap what anyone thinks about your clubs (or for that matter, your game). 

 

I certainly didn't pick my current clubs based on how they look, but I also think they look really pretty. At least they do to me, which is all that matters. But it is like relationships I've been in. Do I love her because she is beautiful, or does she become beautiful in my eyes when I love her? 

 

I play Titleist at the long end of the bag, D, FWs, & H. Mixed set of Mizuno irons. Black Miura wedges. Scotty putter. All are really good, high performance clubs. Well suited to my game, and customized to it - e.g., added +4g to my driver, the right shafts (different for different clubs), lofts/lies tuned by a fitter, different grips and number of wraps. May be one of the best, most playable sets I've ever had (I'm having one of the best seasons in a decade or so this year). I've gelled with them. Feel confidence standing over any shot - like anything I can visualize I can execute. 

 

I also happen to think they are beautiful, but that may well be a case of "she's beautiful because I love her". But beauty is also always in the eyes of the beholder anyway. I love my TSR driver. Both very forgiving, and really workable. One of the most responsive drivers I've ever played. But compared to what I see on the course these days, it is likely "boring" so far as looks go. No odd shapes, weird graphics, or lively colors. It doesn't look hot, or hip, or cutting edge. Most of its (pretty advanced) technology is hidden under the covers. It's just a plain black pear. But I think its gorgeous.

 

Oops. Off on a tangent. More to the point, I've always been puzzled by the notion that there's some sort of trade-off. That you have to pick between clubs that look great, or play great. IMO, other than at extreme ends of the spectrum, a great number of clubs do both. Even more so these days, as OEMs are paying more way attention to aesthetics than they did when I first started playing (1960s/70s). I look at the Equipment forum here, and look at people's bags on courses. New Titleist irons, Mizzys, Callaways, TMs, Srixons, you name it. A lot of them really are pretty, each in their own way. Even the sets at the "forgiving" end of the product lines. 

 

Don't think there's an either/or here. 

"You hardly notice it while its happening, but one day you just wake up and sort of realize you simply could no longer give a flying crap what anyone thinks about your clubs (or for that matter, your game). " 

 It's at this particular moment when a person's life changes for the better. Too bad it takes so long to get to that moment. 

[BIG STU]

2 hours ago, rd1959 said:

"You hardly notice it while its happening, but one day you just wake up and sort of realize you simply could no longer give a flying crap what anyone thinks about your clubs (or for that matter, your game). " 

 It's at this particular moment when a person's life changes for the better. Too bad it takes so long to get to that moment. 

I have basically always had that attitude. I have had some oddball setups in my golf life. I guess if you look at my signature I still do. I have always been brand agnostic. I guess if someone wants to judge me it would seem I am a TM/Cally fan boy now. Nothing could be further from the truth I play what works for me. Could give 2 rips less what others say or think. 

[rd1959]

1 hour ago, BIG STU said:

I have basically always had that attitude. I have had some oddball setups in my golf life. I guess if you look at my signature I still do. I have always been brand agnostic. I guess if someone wants to judge me it would seem I am a TM/Cally fan boy now. Nothing could be further from the truth I play what works for me. Could give 2 rips less what others say or think. 

I was a Wilson Staff blade fan through and through. I learned how to play using my father's set. I never listened to all the naysayers that told me what I should be playing.
Now, none of that matters because of a stroke I suffered about 6 months ago. At least I can say "I did it my way" .

[Lobby]

14 hours ago, bobfoster said:

As Margie said, "I'm not sure I agree with you a hundred percent on your police work there, Lou."

 

Read the WRX Tour and Pre-release Equipment, Equipment, WRX Club Techs, or Instruction & Academy forums. Is there some discussion about aesthetics, about "Form"? Yeah. But there's also some pretty good golfers here, that analyze and talk endlessly about every little nuance of Function - in fact, if you want to hear OEM marketing hype about the release of their latest product lines, go to their websites ... but if you want opinions and feedback (sometimes complimentary, sometimes brutal) about how clubs actually play, come to WRX. And so far as "novel designs", you'll hear people talking here about almost every conceivable brand, including many that never advertise on the PGAT, and that most weekenders have never heard of. 

 

You've been here awhile Lobby. A bit surprised at your post. Portraying WRX as mostly a bunch of noobs that fixate on Form over Function (and then "wonder why their clubs aren't performing") is just - in my experience - not accurate at all (and I've been here off and on for over a decade). Is the way clubs look one (of many) variables taken into account in choosing clubs? You betcha Margie.

 

But there are a decent number of WRX golfers here that shoot 70s/low 80s on a regular basis - the top levels of the amateur golf world (45% of America's 25 million golfers will never even break 100). No one hits that level if they prioritize pretty first, and performance only second. 

 

But I'll say it again - I think Form vs. Function is a false framework, a false dichotomy. A lot of the best playing clubs also happen to be great looking clubs. 

see what happens?  You call someone’s children ugly and they get mad at you. 
 

:-)

[BIG STU]

4 hours ago, rd1959 said:

I was a Wilson Staff blade fan through and through. I learned how to play using my father's set. I never listened to all the naysayers that told me what I should be playing.
Now, none of that matters because of a stroke I suffered about 6 months ago. At least I can say "I did it my way" .

Man I hate to hear about the stroke--- But proud that you "did it your way"  Yep music to my ears because I did the same

[Jeri6gt]

At least we r not talking about blades and sweet spots again.

[Phabs]

On 9/30/2023 at 5:32 PM, sailfishchris said:

So I’m guessing your karaoke night songs are Fat Bottomed Girls? Sprinkle in a little Baby Got Back? 😁

Feel like I’m at a white persons wedding