What does a brand mean to you?

[Clubswinger21]

I realize there have been threads inderectly related to this topic but what does it mean to be playing or not playing a certain brand of clubs? i found it means alot more to me than I thought..

Personally, I wont play Callaway, Nike, or Ping clubs.. it must be the way they're portrayed and marketed. I know I hate how Nike uses athletes like Michael Vick and Jordan to endorse their golf products which just turns me off. And the pre-concieved notion that Ping clubs are longer and more forgiving than other clubs turns me off to them aswell, maybe its the players that use them?

I've played several different brands of irons and I found the best so far were the Mizuno mx-23's, I felt like I was playing irons the way I wanted to. I found myself hitting 185 yard 6 irons and bending a P.wedge 145. Also very easy to hit, the long irons felt like hybrids. And buttery smooth. Still i always felt like something wasnt right while playing them. Like they just didnt match my bag. I got rid of them and am now struggling to find what i like, and am venturing back in to titleist forged irons. I've found that bridgestone irons are nice but they all seem to have way too much off set for me, although i like the brand. I seen to be more of a TM, Titleist guy, occasionaly thinking outside the box.

what makes the difference to you? brand or performance or a combination of both?

[Ogg]

I will typically play clubs just based on feel. However, I do know exactly what you mean. There are certain elements about the corporate marketing mechanism that turn me off. I had some bad experiences with Nike products some years ago and it has always left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I played one of their golf balls last year (give to me) and I thought it was great but I still have that bad impression. I remember when Nike golf balls first came out and people were buying them in droves. Bridgestone manufactured the ball for Nike and they just stamped their logo on it. If you handed a person that same Bridgestone ball, I bet 1/2 of them would say it was a piece of junk. Marketing. I know that Nike has come a long way since then but I never have liked the pimping of players by any company.

[wtd]

When I was shopping for my new irons, I definitely had some preconceived notions going in. In fact, before hitting anything I had pretty much made up my mind that I was going to buy the Mizuno MX-25s. Long story short, much to my surprise, I ended up buying the Callaway X-20 Tours, despite my initial anti-Callaway bias. I thought about buying Titleist despite my belief that the were too hard for the average golfer to hit.

I'm going to be picking up a new driver soon (and eventually some combo of hybrids and fairway woods). I think the iron search pretty much blew away most of my remaining biases. I'm still not high on Ping (mostly because their Rapture series looks ridiculous, and I feel like they're a little heavy handed in the way they overly-control prices). But I definitely wouldn't totally rule out Ping clubs. I try and hit the shop with a list of 5 clubs or so that I'd like to try. If the pro has any additional recommendations I add them to the list. Mostly, I try and hit as many clubs as it takes to find something that just feels right.

All that being said, it can be hard not to become a brand loyalist. If you buy something for a given manufacturer and you really love it, it makes sense that you'll look to that same brand first when choosing a new club.

[allin]

[QUOTE=wtd;45229]When I was shopping for my new irons, I definitely had some preconceived notions going in. In fact, before hitting anything I had pretty much made up my mind that I was going to buy the Mizuno MX-25s. Long story short, much to my surprise, I ended up buying the Callaway X-20 Tours, despite my initial anti-Callaway bias. I thought about buying Titleist despite my belief that the were too hard for the average golfer to hit.

I had a similar experience. I was just about set on the MX-25s. I loved the MX-25s but not in the stock graphit shaft. I ended up with Wilson CI6's. If you have the chance it is worth it to try some brands you wouldn't normally consider. I do think liking the way a club looks is under apprciated by mid and high handicappers. The feeling of confidence and trust is worth more than some extra offset for many of us.

[MountainHip]

This may not totally answer the question but....
I'll put it this way.

Titleist: For very low handicaps and pro's only.
TaylorMade: Strikes the balance between Pro and Amateur
Ping: Good customization, Suited for those who dare to be different
Cleveland: Stick to the Wedges
Callaway: Game improvement area Only
Nike: Best Apparell in Golf Retail. The clubs? Not sure.
Adams: For the Senior golfer in all of us

[Shindig]

Brand used to mean very little.

When I first bought a set of irons and a 5W, I went for a non-name brand. US Tour, the guys who make my irons, are a small shop in Orange County. A friend of mine suggested that I go there for my initial set. I got their super-game improvement set.

When I had enough confidence swinging to get a driver and 3W, and to finish off the set with a hybrid and a modern putter (I was using my grandfather's old Dunlop Andrews), I went to a Roger Dunn (golf shop in SoCal)'s tent sale, knowing I could return and change my mind a number of times for each (and, with the exception of the putter, I exchanged each at least twice). I ended up with the set you see in my signature.

If I were to pick up namebrand, I'd probably go Cobra, just due to an excessively positive experience with the 3W and hybrid. I guess I'd have to hit their normal irons at some point (maybe I'll pick up a used PW and throw it in).

However, my next set of irons is likely the game-improvement variety (as opposed to super-game-improvement), when I'm hitting in the 90s consistently. I'll go back to US Tour for these. Name brand is for when I'm in the 80s or 70s.

[Clubswinger21]

This may not totally answer the question but....

I disagree with that.. I dont think its right to give a demographic to a brand of clubs, but I'll humour you.. if i was to, it would look more like this.. Titleist: For players who desire feel, and whoever wants to play them, my buddy is a 14 handicap, I gave him my old 975d and he's hitting it better than i did. Wouldnt recommend for above an 18 handicap but everyone's different. Taylormade: I agree with the label you gave them. Ping: Seems to be geared towards game improvement, and or forgiveness. Cleveland: The awkward step cousin, who's just as good as everyone else but doesnt get as much attention. Callaway: One of the more used brands by rich folk's new to golf who dont know anything about golf brands, but like how the name "callaway sounds". Nike: for people who play other sports and venture into the world of golf also not knowing anything about equipment.. Essentially, its garbage. Adams: Cant argue with that.

[gogolfing]

I think pretty much every brand makes different clubs for different golfers; I think in previous posts, there have been a bunch of generalizations about manufacturers that are too sweeping. Taylor Made has 3 versions of the R7 irons from TP to Draw, Ping has Rapture to the s58's etc... To put a label on each manufacture doesn't do any of them justice. Go to a reputable club fitter, make sure they have a good selection, and make sure they're not trying to force one brand on you. When I bought my irons, I hit Titleist, Cleveland, Mizuno, Calaway and Ping. I went with the one I liked and was impressed with the quality of their product and customer service. I have continued to buy Ping products, but only after I have tried others too. I just ordered a new Rapture Driver (which Golf Digest listed as it top driver in performance in its 2007 Hot List) but only after I tried the FT 5 and R7 SuperQuad. That being said, I also just changed from a Ping putter to an Odyssey because I tried a bunch and liked it best. I think putting a label on any quality manufacturer and not giving each a shot is short changing yourself; there could be something out there that you love to hit, but you'll never find them if you don't try them.

[Jarno]

To me a brand, in golf as in most is quality of their product, but more about their technology. Not newest but best technology, such as a Pro Platinum putter to me is the best out there, or to me Vokey's are the best wedges. To me these two feel the best in my hands.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

I think brand means something to just about everyone. We may not want to admit it but I think most of us like/dislike certain brands. For me, in general, I like Cleveland, Mizuno, Titleist, Cobra and Callaway. I don't like Nike, Ping, Taylor Made, Adams. I guess all the others fall in the middle somewhere. Sure I guess I have my reasons but to be honest most of them are probably unjustified. That's just the way it is. Also it's hard to put a label on certain brands.

[Billbill13]

As a person who is very brand loyal to Nike over any other brand I would strongly dis-agree that they are garbage. I tried many brands, read a lot of reviews, research, etc... before I settled on Nike. It is and should be what you can afford, what suits your game and what you like. Since I had good luck in the begining with Nike it stuck. But to say that Nike is used by people who venture into golf not knowing about equipment is bull$h*t. What about Bridgestone, do you think people who drive cars and venture into golf use Bridgestone because they make tires.

[Clubswinger21]

Like I said I dont agree with giving a demographic to a brand of clubs. Meaning only 60 yearold people can use Adams. Or Titleist is for low handicaps ONLY. Just like you said, it sounds stupid. Thats why I said "I'll humour you" it was a joke. Please read the post more carefully. To explain where i got that from, I see alot of football, basketball, and hockey players playing and endorsing Nike equipment ie. the big break and pro ams.. like pretty much everyone in this thread said your going to play what you like. A brand is everything, you might not like something about a brand or the way its portrayed or the players that use it and that affects your oppinion of it. That said, to me Nike is Garbage, I hate the brand period.. clothing, shoes sporting equipment.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

Yeah and I didn't mean to imply that Nike was inferior. Honestly I don't know how they play. But, whether it's justified or not, I can't see myself ever getting a set of Nike clubs. I guess I have trouble accepting them as a golf company... they're the Microsoft of the sporting industry (they have to get a piece of everything).

[hammer84]

Brand does not mean near as much to me today as it did a few years back. It started with my last set of irons ( Nickent Genex ). Never heard of tehm and they turned out to be great.

I'm not a big Nike fan but after hitting their driver and their iron recently Im consider trying a set.

That is one great thing about golf, you can piece together what works for you without being forced to conform to on manufactures view of how it should all be done.

[Billbill13]

Like I said I dont agree with giving a demographic to a brand of clubs. Meaning only 60 yearold people can use Adams. Or Titleist is for low handicaps ONLY. Just like you said, it sounds stupid. Thats why I said "I'll humour you" it was a joke. Please read the post more carefully. To explain where i got that from, I see alot of football, basketball, and hockey players playing and endorsing Nike equipment ie. the big break and pro ams.. like pretty much everyone in this thread said your going to play what you like. A brand is everything, you might not like something about a brand or the way its portrayed or the players that use it and that affects your oppinion of it. That said, to me Nike is Garbage, I hate the brand period.. clothing, shoes sporting equipment.

I saw the "I'll humor you" part of the post...however usually when someone says that they will humor something it means I'll go along with you for now and here is my thought. Saying the brand is garbage to you is fine but again to make a general statement that says Nike is played by people who venture into golf from other sports and don't knwo better is ridiculous.

Like you said and it has been said many times people play what they like and what works for them.

[NM Golf]

I find it interesting how different people perceive different brands. I suppose some of it has to do with where you live. I know here Ping clubs have an excellent reputation and I would venture to say probably outsell the other brands. At least they do at the course where I work. But then again we are close to the factory and have an excellent club rep. Some of it probably has to do with word of mouth, but then again the mouth your information came from may have been attached to a 36 handicap that couldn’t hit a driver if his friggin life depended on it. Prejudging club manufacturers is a dangerous business indeed.

As far as how I feel about club manufacturers, well I think it is stupid to have some preconceived notion about a particular company. Doing that only hurts your own game. I only develop an opinion after I have personally hit a club. All the major club brands make quality equipment. The thought of possibly not finding a club I can hit well just because I don’t like Nike or Callaway or whoever is ridiculous. Mind you I haven’t always been so open minded. I used to be one of those guys who thought Nike stunk, Callaway was for hacks, and the golf world revolved around the Ping factory. Then I was convinced by the Nike rep to try my current irons. I really like them. I hit them better than any other club on the market at that time, and I tried A LOT! Had I remained closed minded I would have purchased an iron I might not have hit as well.

Anywho, just be careful when you judge a whole company or even a golf club before you’ve even hit it. You may have hated the Callaway Big Bertha 8 years ago, but that sure doesn’t mean that you wouldn’t be better off splitting each fairway with a new FT-5 now.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

I saw the "I'll humor you" part of the post...however usually when someone says that they will humor something it means I'll go along with you for now and here is my thought. Saying the brand is garbage to you is fine but again to make a general statement that says Nike is played by people who venture into golf from other sports and don't knwo better is ridiculous.

Well you do carry a 1,313 handicap

Perpaps you need a better set of sticks. Only Tiger can get away with "inferior" equipment.

[arbitrage]

For me, my experiences with customer service, and my own personal testing shape my opinion of manufacturers.

These are just my observations:

Ping: I had a bad experience with Ping corporate (not the clubs) and for this reason I refuse to spend a single dime on their products.

Callaway: Too much game improvement for my taste, drivers are as light as a feather to me.

Nike: I used to have Nike CPR hybrids and they worked pretty well for me but the products that they have now are too flashy. When I hear the sound of the Sumo 2 I feel that the user is someone who wants attention drawn to themselves, imho.

Cleveland: Good for wedges not much else. I did notice that Vijay went back to his Launcher after trying the HiBore last year. Dropped a lot of staff this year. Are they in trouble? Are they going out of business? Will they be around in a couple of years?

Titleist: I love their wedges and balls. Based on testing the drivers and irons I do agree somewhat with the stereotype that the clubs are for better players.

Mizuno: Best irons. Something for everyone. Woods are for advanced players.

Taylormade: While I agree that they do put out too much product, I still go back to them when it is time to update. Why? Because they work for me. I love the woods and irons are perfect for me. I also started using the TP Red ball and for me they are the best balls I have ever tried.

Bridgestone & Srixon: Sorry for lumping. Great balls. The E6 is the best value out there by far.