Are new clubs being introduced to quickly?

[cooke119]

No, I enjoy reading and talking about new clubs. I played my Ping irons for 5 to 6 years, I recently upgraded my irons to Callaway XRs, a lot had to do with the hype and reviews on the Internet. I do get more distance and find them easier to hit, but I think that is because the lofts are higher, i.e., an old 7 iron equals a 8 iron today, they have amped up the lofts.

I also buy older models. I just picked up a new/old Cobra S3 Driver for $89.00 on Ebay. I purchased it because I have played the S3 5 and 3  woods for year because I can hit them well. So I thought if I still play my 3 and 5 why not pick up the S3 driver and try it. Now that club is pre Amp Cell, Bio Cell and Fly Zs; probably a 2009/10 model. I hit that clubs as well or better than any of the newer drivers I have owned. That driver will stay in my bag for a long time.

So no I don't think they come out too often, its part of the enthusiasts' interest. And as stated above by most, it does allow you to get great deals on older models.

[WUTiger]

TaylorMade and Callaway go overboard in this area. The RBZ woods came out in 2012, and they were basically prototypes. A top-heavy head, and too light a shaft. I would classify about half of TM's stuff as prototypes - should have done more user testing before mass launchings.

Others didn't get much backing. For example, the JetSpeed woods and hybrids were in clearance sales before I even had a chance to test-hit them. Two different pros at a golf expo said basically the JetSpeeds were  solid club for the average golfer, but got upstaged by "sexier" models.

In 2012, Callaway had six - or was it seven? - different iron models within the RazrX family. But, Callaway has toned it down the last 18 months

On the other hand, TM did come out with the SLDR irons. They are solid, but they got overshadowed by the RSi family. (I'm not convinced the RSi vertical face slots do that much if you're hitting shots wide of the grooves of the clubface, I'm not sure how much polymer-filled troughs will help you on really bad shots).

[Mr. Desmond]

I voted "no", as in new introductions are fine if they are ready for market.

I like it when an OEM segments the market well. I do not like it when an OEM advertises equipment that works for every golfer when it does not ... cough, cough... TaylorMade. But their keystone cop and slightly and overtly deceptive approach to marketing is discussed ad nauseum in various places over the years. It is costing them now ... cough, cough ... on the chopping and sales block. And Callaway was suffering only 3 years ago ... maybe this goes in cycles, although Titleist and Ping are steady as well as Mizuno in irons and wedges (as examples).

Callaway segmented well last year with the V, BB, and BB Alpha (need 4 speed, Average Joe, and Expert with speed) in Drivers and fairway.

But even Callaway is consolidating, if you call taking what they developed in the V Series and moving it to the GBB Line. Now we have GBB (average Joe and those who need speed), 816 Alpha (Expert or better swing players) and XR (non-adjustable less expensive product for almost everyone in XR and XR Pro Versions), and all have shaft lineups to meet the needs of specific golfers.

Callaway says they want to return to a 2 year cycle but they must respond to the competition.

I assume one year cycles will continue because many OEMs are under pressure to develop fresh product to generate interest and sales.

[Archie Bunker]

I voted no. I wanted them to keep pushing out mountains of stuff so I can scoop up the older models for cheap. Everybody wins.

Agreed 100%. Unless something was truly revolutionary, I'd never even think about buying a new club at full price. The faster they introduce them, the bigger the bargains.

[Gator Hazard]

(I am on side of consumer)

Yes the new clubs by many manufacturers have too many early release cycles imo. I understand the economic views of the company. They want to make money. Nothing wrong with a honest profit. However, I fear that marketing applied that produces that profit is misleading at times..

An example concerns the mighty distance gains possible with a new set of irons with jacked up lofts/lengths that compares itself with a previous different model/spec iron set. The marketing appears to make the contest apples to apples when in reality its not.

But this is an industry without standards in many areas and why I chose to switch to quality designed club heads like Tom Wishon produces so I could be more in control of what fits my game....

This reminds me of when my old hand held can opener finally bit the dust.  I went to the store, bought another hand held can opener not thinking much of it.  Got it home, looked it over and realized that every part of the can opener was made of metal...except for the gears!  They were made out of a hard plastic.

[bubble]

If many club offers are made it is to reply to demand.

Some people change material a lot.

Good for me, I buy clubs about every 3-4 years, choose something about a year old at half price if new or cheaper if used.

[mvmac]

In 2012, Callaway had six - or was it seven? - different iron models within the RazrX family. But, Callaway has toned it down the last 18 months

Yes they have. It might have been 9 models in '11/12, it was up there.

[Mac62]

I'm inclined to vote "No" because with every new club released, the manufacturers seem to claim an additional 10-15 yards - so within a few years we should all be pounding out 500 yard drives without any extra effort!

Joking aside, I agree that TaylorMade and Callaway seem to be the guiltiest parties.  I lose track of time because I don't closely follow the latest and greatest clubs and surrounding hoopla, but sometimes it almost seems like TaylorMade is releasing a new driver every other month.  I don't even think about resale value of my clubs, but for somebody who does I'm sure it's aggravating that your driver is third-generation old almost before you have the shrink wrap peeled off of it!

[newtogolf]

2014 was a big year for Callaway and they expect 2015 to be even better.  Here is a chart of how the golf companies performed in 2014 with regards to delta of revenue percentage.  In 2014 Callaway had an 18.5% revenue share in the US and UK markets and for 2015 doubled their PGA Tour Full Staff relationships from 15 to 32.

As you can see Taylor Made took the largest hit, followed by Cleveland and Adams which support the rumors that Adidas is looking to sell Taylor Made and Adams.

While I've heard rumor of Callaway going to a 2 year product life cycle starting in 2016 it would be a 180 degree turn around from one of their 2015 Key Strategies which was to "Launching more compelling product, more often".

[Mozgolf]

Ask Taylor Made, it's just about putting them out of business. No one buys the new models and waits for the discounts. They arent making $$$$ anymore

[newtogolf]

Ask Taylor Made, it's just about putting them out of business. No one buys the new models and waits for the discounts. They arent making $$$$ anymore

I don't think it's the product life cycles that hurt Taylor Made, it was their inability to maintain the high level of consumer interest the had with RocketBallz and their white drivers.  The SLDR driver was one that most high handicappers couldn't hit well and the JetSpeed line got pulled almost at introduction due to lack of interest.   I think they've done better with R15 and Aerospeed but it's tough to regain lost market share when your competitors are still putting out good products.

[Mozgolf]

I guess it is a bit of both. When you bring out three+ drivers/ sets of woods/ hybrids a year, you are also going to run out of good or marketable ideas and eventually people will get sick of paying top dollar for something that is out of fashion in 4-6 months. Ping on a longer cycle seem to build some anticipation for their newer models and don't ever seem to have to resort to deep discounting. There models seem to fare well in testing even in their second season

[DrvFrShow]

Well, who buys three sets of woods every year?

I'll probably play use my BioCell irons for the next 6-7 years. I'll use my BB driver until that thing either breaks or the tech is so outdated that I really need something new - like the USGA has them nerf the balls and then the golf companies come out with super drivers and woods to compensate. But I'll probably just stock up on the old balls and use those until I lose all of them. Illegal? They'll allow them until they're used up.

[mvmac]

Well, who buys three sets of woods every year?

I'll probably play use my BioCell irons for the next 6-7 years. I'll use my BB driver until that thing either breaks or the tech is so outdated that I really need something new - like the USGA has them nerf the balls and then the golf companies come out with super drivers and woods to compensate. But I'll probably just stock up on the old balls and use those until I lose all of them. Illegal? They'll allow them until they're used up.

Last time I was at a TaylorMade media day they said the avid golfer typically buys new drivers every three years.

[jcjim]

I'm hoping for Callaway to introduce some new driver and woods quickly....because I'm wanting to get into the GBB drivers and woods and looking for some big discounts...

[DrvFrShow]

2017 sounds like a good year to pick up a GBB. That's four years for me, and they're probably cost around $160 new.

[Dave2512]

I don't care how many clubs are released. New models don't instill a sense of urgency in me. But I'm not the target either so. Was a time I read every review I encountered but now not so much. After we got my shafts dialed in the rest is up to me. I hit my old 845's the same as I do my newer clubs loft for loft.

[Mr. Desmond]

I'm hoping for Callaway to introduce some new driver and woods quickly....because I'm wanting to get into the GBB drivers and woods and looking for some big discounts...

They are trying to go to a 2 year cycle on their lines.

But I'm betting the XR line will update early next year.

But heck, the V Series is great for fairways, and the 815 is a great driver. The V Series Driver and Fwys are very good as it allows you to swing faster without effort (light head, light shaft, aero design). All available at preowned.

I hit some 3 woods on the range last night with the V that I've never hit with any club in my life - straight, high, towering 3 wd off the deck, the 5 wd was even higher, which made me sad because they were spinning too high and costing me yardage. It is a shallow face and high launch, mid to high Bassara stock shaft. Decisions to make...