most overrated clubs/brands? most underrated?

[inthehole]

Seems Nike clubs get no respect (at least their drivers) ... seem underrated to me.

[Precis1on]

I replaced my old set of clubs this season. My irons were 12 years old, and everything else at least 8+ years old.

Was desperate for new clubs!!

[jsocas]

I don't think that therre are clubs that are overrated, but that there are brands that know how to sell their products better. The issue is that they happen to do excellent products still, that's why I don't consider Titleist or Taylormade to be overrated. What I do see is that other brands that make excellent clubs (Nike, Adams, Nickent and many others) do not get to hold the prices of their products. You can certainly obtain putters that are the same quality that the Scotty Cameron for half the price, but the Cameron' are still great putters. From my experience I do think that Nike irons are somewhat underrated. I've been playing the CCI Forged irons for more an 3 years now and After testing Mizuno and Titleist irons I can say that they are at the same level IMO. I've tested the adams forged, Wilson FG and others and they are all great products that perform almost as well as the others but their value comes down quite quickly compared to the previously mentioned brands.

[handlez42]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

A lot of players have won with an Odyssey in the bag. I can only think of a couple who've won with a Yes! Odyssey makes good putters at a reasonable price. I prefer the feel of my old Sportsman original or my T-Line, but I sink more putts with the Odyssey. Maybe it's underrated?

Odyssey has been in the game much longer. But the reason i have a Yes! putter right now instead of a XG #7 is because the yes! controlled distance better, held a straighter line, and had the feel of almost a precise forged club.(like my old augusta) I know, it all comes down to preference but I feel as if odyssey's "following" (much like the more cult followers of taylormade) over sees a company IMHO thats better than odyssey. And i've try everything they offer. 2-ball, s-tooth, all the ice putters, and black series, W.H. Tour blade. The closest was the White Hot Tour blade #1 but it didnt have enough weight for a blade. And it doesn't help that the putter i have, Yes! no longer carries on their website. (Carolyne Cen. Shaft.)

In the end though, ive put companies like STX, Heavy Putter, SeeMore, TM Ghost Corza, Sik Golf, And Scottys'...all before both Yes! and Odyssey. Only ones to compete with Yes! though were STX and SeeMore and Sik's.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by handlez42

Odyssey has been in the game much longer. But the reason i have a Yes! putter right now instead of a XG #7 is because the yes! controlled distance better, held a straighter line, and had the feel of almost a precise forged club.(like my old augusta) I know, it all comes down to preference but I feel as if odyssey's "following" (much like the more cult followers of taylormade) over sees a company IMHO thats better than odyssey. And i've try everything they offer. 2-ball, s-tooth, all the ice putters, and black series, W.H. Tour blade. The closest was the White Hot Tour blade #1 but it didnt have enough weight for a blade. And it doesn't help that the putter i have, Yes! no longer carries on their website. (Carolyne Cen. Shaft.)

In the end though, ive put companies like STX, Heavy Putter, SeeMore, TM Ghost Corza, Sik Golf, And Scottys'...all before both Yes! and Odyssey. Only ones to compete with Yes! though were STX and SeeMore and Sik's.

If you like the feel of a classic forged blade putter (like something in the flanged blade 8802 / Sportsman genre) I'm surprised you'd like anything See More puts out there.

[rossvanwyk]

As said before, very difficult topic as almost everyone is going to have a different opinion or misconception about something based on so many varying factors. Like a tour player you're a huge fan of plays a certain brand and suddenly that brand is the heat. And vice versa.

What makes me laugh is people saying overrated : ANYTHING titleist, taylormade etc...

It's and opinion yes but really, can't be based on much experience.

All sorts of brands can work for all sorts of players. I've tried out newer model TM irons, the forged series and found them to be pretty great. I've loved the look of the Mizuno JPX 800's but they didnt feel as nice as the TM's to me.

And my TM superfast burner 2.0 3W is the single best club I've ever owned. Unbelievable club, period. And I really enjoy the penta and the burner tour balls.

To give my answer to OP, in my opinion, overrated would be Ping (just don't like the stuff at all) and underrated would probably be Wilson.

[McShank]

overrated: Scotty Cameron putters

[jake8822]

The idea that scotty cameron's are over rated is crazy. Over priced maybe, but you'll spend $400 on a new driver every year or two and you only hit it 14 times a round. A putter is all about feel, if you like the feel of a putter with an insert then go with something else. I perfer a scotty because of the weight and feel. The milled stainless is a great feel with nice distance control for me.

Other than that there is no overrated or underrated in the golf market. A lot of people by proV's why, they work they are good golf balls. The best... that is up to you and your swing. I like taylormade Penta but the main reason for that is because they are a good solid golf ball and I can get my own number on them. I think it's cool having my favorite number put on the ball for no additional price.

[McShank]

Originally Posted by jake8822

The idea that scotty cameron's are over rated is crazy. Over priced maybe, but you'll spend $400 on a new driver every year or two and you only hit it 14 times a round. A putter is all about feel, if you like the feel of a putter with an insert then go with something else. I perfer a scotty because of the weight and feel. The milled stainless is a great feel with nice distance control for me.

Other than that there is no overrated or underrated in the golf market. A lot of people by proV's why, they work they are good golf balls. The best... that is up to you and your swing. I like taylormade Penta but the main reason for that is because they are a good solid golf ball and I can get my own number on them. I think it's cool having my favorite number put on the ball for no additional price.

The idea sounds crazy to you because you have justified that purchase and in your opinion it was worth the price. But I see a lot of people that 4 putt and have Scotty's. I don't live or die by my insert in the odyssey, but it does work great for me. I'm with you on your point about the driver, while it is a necessary club the idea that it is the most important in the bag is a little crazy.

[jake8822]

so what would you consider the most important club in your bag? I would consider it the one that you use the most. because no matter how far you hit the ball or if you hit the fairway or not, the only way to get the ball into the hole is with your putter. There is no doubt that people with a scotty cameron three and four putt. The putter doesn't make you a better putter but if it builds confidence then thats all that matters. Just as shoes don't make you jump higher or run faster.

And if you have an odyssey then you prefer the feel of a softer putter. Some people do and some don't. And trying to justify the price of a scotty is no big deal to me since i bought it used from a friend. So I paid about the same as you did for you odyssey.

[MiniBlueDragon]

Not sure if I've replied on this but to me good clubs/manufacturers etc go through a process depending on popularity:

Not many customers use it = "under-rated"

Some customers use it = "up and coming"

Average amount of customers use it = "well known"

Lots of customers use it = "popular"

Loads of customers use it = "over-rated"

The same goes for price versus quality:

Good or OK quality and cheap = "under-rated"

Good or OK quality and good price = "bargain"

Good or OK quality but over-priced = "over-rated"

At the end of the day the specifics are all in the eye of the beholder; to me I love my Yonex VMS irons but I hear almost nothing about them. People ask what brand they are and when I say "Yonex" the immediate reply is normally, "Who?" so to me personally they're under-rated. On the flipside my friend doesn't shut up about his Scotty but to me it's just another putter so it's over-rated.

[McShank]

Originally Posted by jake8822

so what would you consider the most important club in your bag? I would consider it the one that you use the most. because no matter how far you hit the ball or if you hit the fairway or not, the only way to get the ball into the hole is with your putter. There is no doubt that people with a scotty cameron three and four putt. The putter doesn't make you a better putter but if it builds confidence then thats all that matters. Just as shoes don't make you jump higher or run faster.

And if you have an odyssey then you prefer the feel of a softer putter. Some people do and some don't. And trying to justify the price of a scotty is no big deal to me since i bought it used from a friend. So I paid about the same as you did for you odyssey.

Here's what I'm saying, a putter that costs as much as a set of irons is a bit ridiculous. I have putted in for plenty of pars and even a birdie or two with a $15 dunlop putter from BIG 5. Scotty putters are cool looking, I've used a few of them and they are nice putters and all... But they aren't worth the money. For a good quality putter there are plenty other options that won't break the bank like a scotty does. What irritates me is that a lot of people that have one think they are the end all be all of putters. THEY AREN'T.

They are pretty much a designer item just like True Religion jeans. They cost 300 bucks but still cover your nut sack like levi's, they just look a little cooler.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by McShank

Here's what I'm saying, a putter that costs as much as a set of irons is a bit ridiculous. I have putted in for plenty of pars and even a birdie or two with a $15 dunlop putter from BIG 5. Scotty putters are cool looking, I've used a few of them and they are nice putters and all... But they aren't worth the money. For a good quality putter there are plenty other options that won't break the bank like a scotty does. What irritates me is that a lot of people that have one think they are the end all be all of putters. THEY AREN'T.

They may not be worth it... to you. But that's your opinion, and you can't force others to have the same.

I putt with a putter that would cost nearly $600 if paid for normally (my Edel putter).

It has a great insert, variable weighting, and is fully customized the way I wanted it customized, and fits me perfectly, from my alignment to my distance control.

I guarantee it's a better putter than virtually ANY other putter out there, and I'll have it for decades. Also, the technology and general design and build quality is miles ahead of your $15 putter.

[McShank]

oh the $15 putter is no more. using an odyssey white ice dart blade now

[iacas]

Originally Posted by McShank

oh the $15 putter is no more. using an odyssey white ice dart blade now

Exactly. You paid more. Your value limits out at $200 or whatever. Others have different value limits.

[shades9323]

Do you disagree his original premise that Scotty's are over-rated? I mean, how many Scotty owners have them fitted to even half the standard that your fitting was? IMO, not many.  Most see the name "Scotty Cameron" and drool and buy one of the shelf.  I don't know if it is a status symbol for them or if they actually think they will putt better because of the name on the club.

Originally Posted by iacas

They may not be worth it... to you. But that's your opinion, and you can't force others to have the same.

I putt with a putter that would cost nearly $600 if paid for normally (my Edel putter).

It has a great insert, variable weighting, and is fully customized the way I wanted it customized, and fits me perfectly, from my alignment to my distance control.

I guarantee it's a better putter than virtually ANY other putter out there, and I'll have it for decades. Also, the technology and general design and build quality is miles ahead of your $15 putter.

[McShank]

Originally Posted by iacas

Exactly. You paid more. Your value limits out at $200 or whatever. Others have different value limits.

I'm sorry but you will NEVER convince me that putter that costs as much as a set of irons is worth it. NEVER. I got the odyssey on a hook up at sports authority so why not buy it if the price is good?

[MiniBlueDragon]

Originally Posted by McShank

I'm sorry but you will NEVER convince me that putter that costs as much as a set of irons is worth it. NEVER.

Imagine you're a scratch player and a round of golf is a Par 70.

Take off 18 tee shots = 52 shots remaining.

Allowing two putts per hole, take off 36 putts = 16 shots remaining.

On the above round of golf you're playing around 16 shots with irons/wedges.

You're playing more than twice that amount of shots with your putter.

You should therefore technically put 2.25x the amount of money into a putter than a set of irons and wedges at that level of play.

Convinced?