New golf umbrella

[studentvu]

Hi all,

I'm a student (marketing) at the VU university in Amsterdam and i have to find out if there is a potential market for golf umbrella's in the USA or not. The umbrella i'm talking about is storm and lightning proof because of the special design. As a golfer, would you be interested in such an umbrella? Also, would you guys be prepared to purchase it if the price is some higher than average?

Regards,

Niels

[johninspain]

Storm proof yes, lightning proof no as i would not play in lighting.  It would not just be the umbrella but also my clubs that would need to be OK !

i think you are solving a problem that does not exists.

[NI4NI]

What do you mean by the umbrella being "storm and lightning proof because of the special design "?  How does one storm-proof an umbrella?  Interesting concept, but more info is needed for market research feedback.

[mdrengl]

Make it the lightest umbrella on the market and I'll buy it for a higher than average price. I find most people looking for a golf umbrella (for the golf course) are walkers. An umbrella always feels like it adds 20 lbs to the bag so I hardly play with it.

[studentvu]

Hi,

First of all thanks for your replies, I appreciate that. About the umbrella it's self, I was thinking about some assymetric shape, so it has an unique design. A golfer then potentially could find it more comfortable than a just a regular golf umbrella that already exists. It might bring more balance because of the weight as golfer Mdrengl already mentioned above. Also, it could provide more resistance against the sun by giving a bigger shadow. And not to forget, when the weather might be a bit rougher by some heavier wind / rain, the umbrella might be the solution to optimize the protection.

All together with a cool and state of the art assymetric design, would you as a golfer be interested?

[Wet Doggg]

If shape is really the only thing you are changing the answer is absolutely not.

[studentvu]

On the internet someone came across this example: it's a nice example of what I mean, so what do you guys think of it?

[imtomtomim]

there are already windproof umbrellas that won't flip inside out by having 2 layers, the inner layer having vents cut into it.  I have seen some funky umbrellas in china and japan though.  They seem to like that stuff there.

[NI4NI]

My $.02 - you would have to offer something truly spectacular in order gain market share in the golf umbrella market.  I have one which is a storm-buster (has the vents to prevent wind blow out, and has good coverage for player and clubs / cart).  Lightning proofing is interesting, but most golfers won't be out on the course in this weather condition (emergency back-up only).

The above umbrella does not offer enough to make me want to buy it (already have a golf umbrella which gets next to no use as it is ).  To me, this would be a tough market to attract the casual golfer - fairly saturated area, unless you design something other worldly.

Good luck with the class.

[studentvu]

We identified golf players as traditional, do you think golf players are willing to use non-traditional shaped golf umbrella? Do you think golf players are interested in ‘stylish’ / innovative golf umbrellas?

We've found 5 kinds of windproof golf umbrellas. Do you know any of these brands? Which one do you prefer an why?

Brandless

$25 - $30 (estimation)

GustBuster

$49,95

Mibrella

$79,95

Blunt

$90 - $110 (estimation)

Senz

$90 - $110 (estimation)

[studentvu]

GustBuster image

[ochmude]

Originally Posted by studentvu

We identified golf players as traditional, do you think golf players are willing to use non-traditional shaped golf umbrella? Do you think golf players are interested in ‘stylish’ / innovative golf umbrellas?

Are we talking about umbrellas or iPhones?  I mean, honestly, it's an umbrella.  How much more innovation can you have without incorporating force fields and artificial atmospheres?  As has already been mentioned, wind-proof umbrellas already exist and are pretty common.  Beyond reliably opening and closing without completely falling apart, the only thing I look at in an umbrella is cost.  If my umbrella costs more than my putter, I need to re-evaluate my priorities.