Made in USA

[GaijinGolfer]

I thought a lot of tileist gear reads "assembled in mexico"

Last weeked I was golf ball shopping and I looked at every different box of Titleist ball they had on the shelf, they all said, "MADE IN USA" on them. The same with every Titleist club I have ever seen, they all say, "MADE IN USA" on them.

I wouldnt doubt that their shirts, hats, gloves and Footjoy shoes are made in Mexico or who knows where else; but I have never seen any Titleist club or ball that wasnt made in the USA.

[GaijinGolfer]

Something else to note about this subject: Last night I was watching the news and they talked about how due to the high fuel prices, a lot of American companies who used to have their products made overseas are now moving their operations back to the United States because with how expensive it is to ship things from China, Taiwan and other countries; its actually less expensive to make their products here in the USA.
I think thats pretty cool. I believe they refered to it as, "reverse globalization". I hope its a trend that continues. We need to keep as many jobs here in the U.S. as possible.
I guess at least 1 good thing has come out of the high oil prices...

[MonkeyClaw]

To me, it's more important where the jobs are than where the profits go. Very few companies are 'US' companies any more. Anybody can own stock in them from anywhere in the world, and it doesn't bother me at all. But when they move production (and jobs) overseas to increase their already positive margin, I get pretty annoyed.

Ping has shown that clubs can be manufactured to a high quality for a good profit in the US. I hope the other manufacturers see this too.

OK, off my soapbox

[joshtpa]

Last weeked I was golf ball shopping and I looked at every different box of Titleist ball they had on the shelf, they all said, "MADE IN USA" on them. The same with every Titleist club I have ever seen, they all say, "MADE IN USA" on them.

I know Titleist irons are made here, but I dont think the woods are anymore. I maybe wrong, but I could have sworn the woods were done overseas.

This whole topic makes me wonder about some stuff. Is it just golf? Do you guys all feel this way about your cars too? I own 2 cars and neither is American, because my personal opinion is that they make an inferior product. What about your electronics? Will you not buy a Blackberry because it is a Canadian Company? Will you not buy an IPhone because although Apple is US, the phone is made elsewhere? Where does it stop is my curiousity?

[Surefire]

Also remember there are only about 250million potential customers in the US. If the company also sells to India, China, Australia and European Countries they have a lot more potential customers who don't care about whether the product is made in the USA, and where not only would the assembly cost be higher, but they wouldn't save on shipping too.

[MonkeyClaw]

I know Titleist irons are made here, but I dont think the woods are anymore. I maybe wrong, but I could have sworn the woods were done overseas.

There's a big difference between favoring 'Made in the USA' and buying ONLY 'Made in the USA'. Any more, you'd find it pretty hard anyway.

I don't buy American cars any more because of bad experiences I've had in the past. All other things being equal, I will buy from the company that keeps jobs in the US. If all other things are not equal, then it's not a question.

[GaijinGolfer]

This whole topic makes me wonder about some stuff. Is it just golf? Do you guys all feel this way about your cars too? I own 2 cars and neither is American, because my personal opinion is that they make an inferior product. What about your electronics? Will you not buy a Blackberry because it is a Canadian Company? Will you not buy an IPhone because although Apple is US, the phone is made elsewhere? Where does it stop is my curiousity?

Well, lets see. I drive a Ford F-150 that was made in Kansas. I disagree with you about American cars being inferior. The quality is just as good, they last just as long and they get the same gas milage as their Asian competitors (Id gladly put a Ford Focus or a Chevy Cobalt up against any small car from Japan or Korea). Ive owned Toyotas and Ive owned Fords, the Fords have held up just as well (knock on wood) and are a lot less expensive to fix. IMO, the supposed superiority of Japanese cars is a myth that has been perpetuated by the automotive media. There was a time that Japanese cars were hands-down better, but the American automakers have done a lot to improve quality and IMO there is no longer a difference in quality and fuel economy. Infact, if anything, the Japanese have slipped in recent years. The Toyota Corolla used to get 41 mpg on the highway, not it only gets 35 mpg. Thats pretty much the same gas milage as a Focus and actually 1 mpg LESS than what a Cobalt gets.

My lawn mower is a Craftsman lawn tractor (made in the USA by MTD). My snowblower is a Craftsman, also made in the USA by MTD. In terms of electronics, I always try to buy from American companies. My computer is a Dell, my TV is a Phillips and my DVD player is a GE. I realize that all of those were made in China or Taiwan, but as long as the profits go to American companies, Im ok with it. Basically, I try to buy from American companies because that way more of the money stays here. If that product happens to also be made in the USA, cool; but if not Im ok with it.

[GaijinGolfer]

There's a big difference between favoring 'Made in the USA' and buying ONLY 'Made in the USA'. Any more, you'd find it pretty hard anyway.

It can be done if you do your research. There are some things that arent made in the USA anymore, but at the very least you can buy those products from American-owned companies.

[joshtpa]

Well, lets see. I drive a Ford F-150 that was made in Kansas. I disagree with you about American cars being inferior. The quality is just as good, they last just as long and they get the same gas milage as their Asian competitors (Id gladly put a Ford Focus or a Chevy Cobalt up against any small car from Japan or Korea). Ive owned Toyotas and Ive owned Fords, the Fords have held up just as well (knock on wood) and are a lot less expensive to fix. IMO, the supposed superiority of Japanese cars is a myth that has been perpetuated by the automotive media. There was a time that Japanese cars were hands-down better, but the American automakers have done a lot to improve quality and IMO there is no longer a difference in quality and fuel economy. Infact, if anything, the Japanese have slipped in recent years. The Toyota Corolla used to get 41 mpg on the highway, not it only gets 35 mpg. Thats pretty much the same gas milage as a Focus and actually 1 mpg LESS than what a Cobalt gets.

Your thoughts on the cars is correct, but with the exception of maybe Caddillacs, US does not make any luxury cars.

[DDBowdoin]

haha how someone pays 40K plus for a Buick is beyond my mind...

I know Titleist balls are made in the US, the plant is 20 miles from my house. As for the clubs, my 905R says "Assembled in the US"

[GaijinGolfer]

Your thoughts on the cars is correct, but with the exception of maybe Caddillacs, US does not make any luxury cars.

I dunno about that. My sister in law drives a '00 Lincoln LS and I think that car could hold its own against any BMW, Lexus, Acura or Mercedes.

Also, the Lincoln MKX and MKZ are getting rave reviews. Even the Caddie CTS is getting rave reviews. As far as Buick goes, umm...no comment. It seems like the only people around here who drive Bucks are old people who are afraid to drive faster than 45 mph...

[DDBowdoin]

I'm a massive fan of the LS and the new Lincolns, they certaintly arent cheap though... and it seems that have of the LS's with Jag engines have massive issues

either way, the new Lincolns are amazing and if I could stop buying clubs I could maybe afford one

[joshtpa]

I did forget Lincolns...But if you read the reviews, many have had TONS of problems with them. But for the most part, no luxury cars. Compare that to our foreign counterparts, where tons more luxury cars, and that is why most buy foreign. We have 3 cars. All of which are foreign. Volvo (owned by ford). Range Rover (owned by ford) and Lexus...Not American at all. Our issue was just finding something we liked in our price range. The US cars just didnt stack up for our needs.

[GaijinGolfer]

I did forget Lincolns...But if you read the reviews, many have had TONS of problems with them.

I'm a massive fan of the LS and the new Lincolns, they certaintly arent cheap though... and it seems that have of the LS's with Jag engines have massive issues

I have heard of the LS having issues, but my sister in law's has been pretty good.

She had some issues with the headlight lenses fogging up and they also recently had to replace the driver's side lower control arm because the balljoint failed. IMO, one of the biggest flaws of that car is that every part for it is special for that car only and they want an insane amount of money for those parts because they have the little Lincoln emblem on them. Other than that, great car. Ford just came out with a new MKS that is all new and a lot of people in the auto industry are calling it a real, "game changer".

[DDBowdoin]

the MKS is unreal... plain and simple

if I had 38K just lying around that'd be the car

[Divot Tool]

Well, lets see. I drive a Ford F-150 that was made in Kansas. I disagree with you about American cars being inferior. The quality is just as good, they last just as long and they get the same gas milage as their Asian competitors (Id gladly put a Ford Focus or a Chevy Cobalt up against any small car from Japan or Korea). Ive owned Toyotas and Ive owned Fords, the Fords have held up just as well (knock on wood) and are a lot less expensive to fix. IMO, the supposed superiority of Japanese cars is a myth that has been perpetuated by the automotive media. There was a time that Japanese cars were hands-down better, but the American automakers have done a lot to improve quality and IMO there is no longer a difference in quality and fuel economy. Infact, if anything, the Japanese have slipped in recent years. The Toyota Corolla used to get 41 mpg on the highway, not it only gets 35 mpg. Thats pretty much the same gas milage as a Focus and actually 1 mpg LESS than what a Cobalt gets.

There is in fact many truths to your product comparisons. However, as I sit back and read, I ask myself.....Is there not a slight racist undertone to this thread? We live in a time where globalisation is ubiquitous, where international trade allows us to the comforts of diverse and vast cultures. Do these concepts translate to fair trade amongst nations? Not entirely, however that is in itself another debate, one not appropriate on a golf forum. It is what it is, but realize that we all engage in it. It is ridiculous that people actually make a conscience effort to not purchase a product whose origin is not of the United States of America. This is absurd. As the American Nobel Laureate Economist Milton Friedman put it . . . [. . . In a free-enterprise, private-property sys*tem, a corporate executive is an employee of the owners of the business. He has direct re*sponsibility to his employers. That responsi*bility is to conduct the business in accordance with their desires, which generally will be to make as much money as possible while con*forming to the basic rules of the society, both those embodied in law and those embodied in ethical custom. . .] The New York Times Magazine, September 13, 1970. Copyright @ 1970 by The New York Times Company. The social responsibility of business is not to that of the citizens, but solely its investors, those who own the company, those who used their dollars to support its functions. Its responsibility is to make as much money as it can legally, be it in China or the US. This is free enterprise, forever linked with democracy which forms the very foundation of the USA. Why does it matter where the profits of Mizuno or Ping are going....they definitely aren't coming to you nor I. To believe that somehow buying American made products will benefit you is foolish. I think you should concern yourself with the quality of products. In the case of golf equipment, let your eyes be the judge of character and quality instead of your preconceived notions.

[joshtpa]

That is very well said. I agree with just about everything that you wrote. I am very patriotic. But I also understand economy and business. I am a business owner. Therefore I also realize what it takes to keep a business open. My responsibility is to my employees and my board of directors (share holders).
I find it almost comical how people pick and choose their patriotic ways. Some do it in the form of cars, yet are the first to support anything else ethnic. Others do it with the way they shop. (if two products are similar, they go with the US)
Shopping for something that is for yourself, should take many factors. Price, reliability, and of course, how it fits your life.
If you take the car reviews year after year, most of the American made cars, just dont stack up in many many catagories. But lets not forget that many of these foreign cars (be it german, japanese, or korean) are assembled in the US using American workers.
But the tone of racism came across to me as well. Because most people do it only selectively and verbally. Case in point, here are some examples. When you hire landscapers, do you make sure that it is an all American crew? How about drinking wine or juice. Do you make sure it was done by Legal Immigrants? There are a million examples of people being selective.
I find this no more or less racist than one who thinks that everyone that drives a pickup is a Redneck, or that every person of a different color that drives an Escalade is either an athlete or a drug dealer.
Now obviously I am talking extremes here, but that is the truth. It always baffles me when someone tells me "I only buy American", and then an hour later I see the Toshiba TV in their living room. I say "what about the TV?" The reply is always the same. "well, they make the best, or I couldnt afford Sharp".
Its the selective stuff that bothers me the most. I wish people would admit that it is PREJUDICES that make their decisions and not hide behind the flag and call it Patriotism. A TRUE PATRIOT knows that this country was built around independent choices, and prospered behind business.

[GaijinGolfer]

There is in fact many truths to your product comparisons. However, as I sit back and read, I ask myself.....Is there not a slight racist undertone to this thread? We live in a time where globalisation is ubiquitous, where international trade allows us to the comforts of diverse and vast cultures. Do these concepts translate to fair trade amongst nations? Not entirely, however that is in itself another debate, one not appropriate on a golf forum. It is what it is, but realize that we all engage in it.

Maybe so, but Ive watched plenty of people I know lose their jobs to cheaper, foreign labor, so if given a choice I will choose American-made every time. Id rathar see my money go to put food on the tables of American families than to see it put food on the tables of people who live on the other side of the world.

I find it a little absurd that you would hint at someone being racist just because they prefer to buy American-made products as much as possible.