Gauge Design / Whitlam Golf

[arkstorm]

What's the difference?

Can anyone tell me the difference between putters marketed under the Gauge Design moniker and those marketed under Whitlam Golf?

[Gxgolfer]

There is a huge and messy legal issue between those two entities. Many people will say both make very good putters. The Japanese line is different in some designs and materials wise to the the Whitlam product.

[arkstorm]

Messy seperation?

[Gxgolfer]

Take a look at this thread:

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?s=...st&p=102514

[arkstorm]

Oh wait, I think we're off the track here. It seems you have answered the difference between Gauge and Gauge Japan.

 

But my question is what's the difference between Guage Design and Whitlam Golf as they seem to have two seperate websites that link to and from each other and appear to have similar product lines?

[Gxgolfer]

Guage Design is headed toward the G-Field name in the US. Guage US is going towards the Whitlam Golf brand. About Whitlam Golf's website, that is for Guage US to sell in Japan. It is very messy and can be confusing...

[alcap26]

tourspecblog has some info on this.

 

http://www.tourspecblog.com/archives/2006/..._david_whit.php

[great1putt]

Basically what happened is Dave Whitlams Japanese distributor started making stuff under the Gauge name on his own without Daves knowledge. The distributor guy is a real piece of work. If folks in the US knew the real story there would be no market over here for the Japan Gauge...boycott em.

[matt411]

2 sides to every story and the courts will hash this one out.

[alcap26]

The thing with this story is that there are two sides to every story and I tend to side with Gauge Japan but that is just my opinion based on the information I have found. I am glad the courts are going to decide this so some truth can come out.

[great1putt]

2 sides to every story and the courts will hash this one out.

 

I have done some more research since my last post on this thread and all I can say is I will now reverse my position and I agree with the previous statement by several that "this is all clear as mud". There is actually a third party who claims to have begun Gauge and the calipers logo also. Will he step up and talk to the courts and shed more confusion on this subject?

[ifixclubs]

i carry both g-field(gauge design japan) and gauge design(david whitlam) products and heard both sides of the story from dave and george...man it's one hell of a mess!!! but i have to say both companies make great products...

[great1putt]

i carry both g-field(gauge design japan) and gauge design(david whitlam) products and heard both sides of the story from dave and george...man it's one hell of a mess!!! but i have to say both companies make great products...

 

Further to the story... :)

Follow this link and scroll down about halfway down the page.

 

http://www.anserfreak.ne.jp/s-report/2000/...fair/2000gf.htm

 

Pic taken at the 2000 Japan PGA show. The fellow who used the calipers first is shown here. He did the milling for World Brands who was the distributor for Whitlam who initially went under Pacific Golf Supply as also a distributor. Guy named Darren Eggers. Anyone know anymore or know where Darren is now?

[choeppner]

Hers' some pics of that, as well as some other putters he has made using the same calipers. Interesting.

 

-CHRIS-

 

 

 

 

[great1putt]

Hers' some pics of that, as well as some other putters he has made using the same calipers. Interesting.

 

-CHRIS-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darren Eggers was milling putters out of Temecula, CA as early as 1999 with the caliper logo. Rick Hamilton, formerly of Rawlings Golf, worked with Darren for awhile during this time. Kia Ma, now with Taylormade, then with K&M Golf did finishing on them. Very interesting.

[ifixclubs]

so does this mean that gauge designs did start here in the u.s. and was distributed in japan by george takei?(not george takei of star trek fame)

[great1putt]

so does this mean that gauge designs did start here in the u.s. and was distributed in japan by george takei?(not george takei of star trek fame)

 

From all appearances. Distribution agreement only was with George Takei (not Star Trek fame :( ) in Japan I think thru Pacific Golf Supply. From what I have found, George was tied in with Kindai International who was the money backing for his distribution channels and Kindai was Spalding Japan distribution also. Who owned what of Gauge is unknown tho as no one really knows what type of distribution agreement Darren had with Whitlam or Takei nor why Darren disappeared and Takei / Whitlam ended up with the Caliper logo. If Darren didn't have any legal documentation owning the calipers then...his bad for no protection. Crazy crazy case.