SMUGamer
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Posts posted by SMUGamer
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5 minutes ago, russtopherb said:
Pitting “might” be an issue due to hundreds of sandy balls doesn’t feel like a debacle at all.
Well, as long as its your driver and NOT mine, then we can agree on that.
- d.lama, MGoBlue100, russtopherb and 3 others
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Here is a post from one of the very popular and well known industry guys on the other well known forum. I would post the link but not certain if that is allowed here (posted this after testing hundreds of drives):
"Stealth Plus brought back the ball speeds of the OG SIM. Only concern I have is the face durability after hitting hundreds of balls with sandy soil. Pitting might be an issue."
If this is true for most or all Stealth owners, I cannot think of a bigger debacle for TM. Just my 2 cents. -
23 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:
I don't think anyone can deny there are set backs with just about any company. That is part of the risk in coming out with something new and away from the norm.
I don't believe that should give us reason to be too concerned here. Also 20 years is a long long time and technology has progressed a long ways since then. So yes I do believe a carbon face from 20 years ago may not have been great, however with where we are at now I can certainly see it working.
This is not to say that there could not be potential faults here and there (for reference I had my callaway driver basically blow up on me this summer and it has only been used for maybe 2 seasons).
I think we could go round and round on this topic, but until I see a caved in face or significant damage to a normally used club I'll choose to believe they have a solid product EVEN if I don't intend on making a purchase this year on one.
If there is a problem, I don't suspect the carbon face being the problem. I'm pretty sure Callaway proved that carbon face tech could withstand the beatings 20 years ago, as I haven't heard those heads were caving-in. I may stand corrected but I have not heard of it.
IF there is a problem for TM's new faces, I speculate it will be with the substances/materials applied to their carbon faces, not the carbon itself. Based on what I've seen to date, therein lies the potential vulnerability.
As others have said, time will tell...........- MGoBlue100 and BMart519
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1 hour ago, chisag said:
... And you know this of course, and it has been touched on already but most equipment is 5 years in the pipeline or even longer. It boggles my mind to hear some think TalyorMade (or any OEM) would not only rush a product to market before it is ready, but risk their position as the #1 driver in golf with a new technology they were not absolutely sure would at the very least be equal to the previous years driver but most likely an improvement over previous technology, even if that improvement is minor to non existent for some. My guess is nobody owning a Sim or Sim2 will hit the Stealth and lose yards or dispersion but will gain some of each or find little if any difference, but not perform worse.
I am a huge advocate that common sense prevails most of the time, but not all the time. To take the position that just because an OEM is a market leader, they cannot take steps backwards is misguided, at best.
Case in point of a massive OEM blunder after extensive product testing before releasing to the public (which there are thousands more examples such as Callaway introducing carbon face over 20 years ago then abandoning it):
"New Coke was the informal name given by the Coca-Cola Company to a new formula for its most popular drink, Coca-Cola, released in 1985. It was renamed Coke II in 1990[1] and discontinued in July 2002.
By 1985, Coca-Cola had been losing market share to diet soft drinks and non-cola beverages for several years. Blind taste tests suggested that consumers preferred the sweeter taste of rival Pepsi, and so the Coca-Cola recipe was reformulated. The American public reacted negatively, and New Coke was considered a major failure.
The company reintroduced the original Coke formula within three months, rebranded "Coca-Cola Classic", resulting in a significant sales boost; this led to speculation that the New Coke formula had been a marketing ploy to stimulate sales of the original Coca-Cola, which the company has denied.[2] The story of New Coke remains influential as a cautionary tale against tampering with a well-established and successful brand."
This is of particular concern when a Korean Private Equity firm recently purchased TM and is under stress to produce immediate ROI. Not conclusive but of concern until proven otherwise.
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7 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:
Color doesn't bother me. Wedges, irons, fairways and drivers... So all clubs wear over time and get hit spots where you can see blemishes or wear patterns. That's nothing new to golf. Just like the Mizuno blue wedges... Color wears again nothing new in golf.
Our local shop was pushing Callaway over TM as they have had less then great experiences with carbon Clubs (not sure which but they carry a lot of Japanese OEM's as well so maybe one of them).
I sit in this camp - TM had pushed the boundaries in what can be done with club manufacturing. They have stood behind their product saying they won't produce another metal faced driver. I believe that is very telling in their trust for their product. However I will more then likely wait for the second version of the stealth next season before purchasing. Not because I don't trust it, but because I do believe OEM's learn in their first iteration of a new club tech.
There will be stories of drivers or clubs having issues or imperfections but isn't that normal? Isn't that what a warranty is for? Can't we say very similar things for just about any OEM having the odd Club here or there with a flaw despite tighter manufacturing standards?
Based on what I was told from the horse's mouth and what I saw, its not mere discoloration. The issues go beyond that, such as structural/material. IF carbon face continues (big IF), then your strategy to pass on this generation is very wise as it appears they still have work to do. As far as warranties: I don't want to be in a position to change drivers mid-season from a warranty issue. Its much more about getting the best driver at the get-go, so I don't lose my momentum with my boys, which could cost me much more than a Stealth if Im not playing my best from the tee box's.
- GaDawg and MGoBlue100
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4 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:
See this in shops a lot based on what brand is giving freebies to staff or has staff on some kind of deal. Sometimes during the non demo day season demo day reps will work in the stores for that side income and they are going to push that brand.
Did you ask to see the heads or did he show them to you?
Yes, he did. He also said a few more things about the Stealth that I will not repeat until it becomes more widely known and much less controversial. I buy a lot from this store every year so I have a really good relationship with them and want to keep it that way.
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I went to our local golf shop here in San Diego Friday evening and was just looking around. I walked up to the Stealths as I was mostly checking out the 3 woods which was the only one I would consider. The sales guy came up and said something like, wow, the Stealths........I said nah, not looking at the drivers just the 3 woods.......he said something like, good, our test heads faces are already turning orangish/white with all the hits....I said, I've heard about face issues and seen that the face can scar or indent......he then said yeah, I would not buy one, have you checked out the new Cobra's and Rogues..........
100% honest to GOD story fellas............
There may be some truth to this new Korean firm that bought Taylormade in May of 2021....... -
6 minutes ago, Golferplus1 said:
I wish people wouldn't assume what I have or have not read, and would actually read what I posted themselves.
Having a very good friend that was a patent attorney for a top golf company I have learned quite a bit.
Can drivers get better? Yes they can, is there some super material that could stay below the required ct mandated by the USGA and produce higher ball speeds, there very well could be. It is not here currently, in last years releases and not in this years releases. Can they figure out how to increase ball speed on more places on the face? Again, yes. Can they figure out a way to make the head swing faster, again yes. That doesn't change the smash factor multiplier to get from a CT to ballspeed. I can also train to swing faster and increase ball speed. THAT IS NOT WHAT I SAID. I said they have not figured out how to trick the CT measurement and produce higher ball speeds and basically get to a higher smash factor.
Can they make center strikes produce much bigger smash factors than they do currently? If a new material is discovered or made that can fool CT and increase ball speed, sure. That material is not in any head this year from all of the testing I have seen. So yes ballspeed is currently maxed because there is not a material out right now that can stay below the CT and produce a big increase in ball speed.
Well said!
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23 hours ago, cnosil said:
Thanks for doing that test and posting the video. Very interesting. As I read the rules, I wonder how they interpret the word "significant"?
I agree, very evident it made an indention or mark. N0T confidence inspiring in the least. @Manavs
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5 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:
Sketchy based on 1 head from a demo day where who know how May swings were taking with and tossed around as it went in and out of golfers hands. That’s been a little dramatic. Especially after it’s been posted that the heads at mgs hq aren’t showing then same marks on the face.
People really will find anything they can to knock products especially ones they haven’t even hit themselves to see if any of the marketing is true or not.
Come on now, Bobby Sue!
Do others NOT find it very odd that many folks that already have their Stealths have NOT jumped into this discussion telling us how they tried to scratch the face of the Stealths yet they were impenetrable? With their nails, fingernail clippers, etc, but still clean as a whistle?!?!?
Hmmmmmm......
Matter of fact, if I had one now, I'd purposely see if I could scratch the face with my nail so that I could immediately take it back within my 90 day free return/trade period versus being left holding the bag after my 90 days expired. Just like mentioned above, I'll just sit back and watch how this unfolds with others.
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On 1/31/2022 at 12:46 PM, Manavs said:
I was with the person who took these photos, and have done extensive testing of gears with the stealth. The face does not pass the fingernail test as defined by the usga. Tees leave a mark as does your finger. I have no idea how tm got away with this.
Side note. Carbon doesn't spin, so the "jelly" face is adding spin to make the carbon usable as a face material.
Face durability was one of my BIG concerns AFTER determining that the carbon face did NOT produce higher ball speeds and increased distance. Looking very sketchy at this point, for TM. Maybe "Stealth Titanium" will be here before we know it!
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19 hours ago, Beaumissy said:
Have narrowed a new driver down to two finalists. Any suggestions or reasons to pick one over the other. 77 year old trying for max consistency and distance,(of course)
I would say Ping G425 all day long. My father, about your age, plays it and its the best overall driver he's ever owned, per him. And it seems like he's owned them all. I love it that a 77 year old is still chasing the dream!!! Keep at it!
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4 hours ago, chrisHan said:
Went to Club Champion yesterday and was quoted about $350 for a HZRDUS smoke yellow small batch tour stiff. I went on eBay to check availability and am finding the same shaft brand new for $110. What am I missing? How common are counterfeit shafts on eBay? I know Club Champion is expensive but not by that much for a shaft. The eBay seller has thousands of 5-start reviews.
You aren't missing anything, quite the opposite. If the eBay seller has hundreds or thousands of feedbacks at 100%, then they sourced them at a much better price and are selling at the current market. You can also easily check the serial #'s with the manufacturer when you get it or prior to, if you can make out the serial from the pictures on eBay. Like I said, if the eBayer has hundreds or thousands of feedbacks at 100%, you can be assured they are legit and so is the shaft. Club Champion's clientele are the folks that no nothing about fitting themselves and are happy to pay triple the price for clubs after a "fitting". It's fine to go rent their launch monitors to get your numbers and test shaft/head combos but never smart to purchase clubs from them unless they're wiling to match prices, which I don't think they do. They work on multiples of around 3.
Stealth carbon face durability?? (Post PGA show pics from Reddit)
in Golf Clubs
Posted · Edited by SMUGamer
This just simply is not true. Would you like me to take a picture of my TSi3 that Ive been playing since they came out and share it? It still looks mint. I am not stopping anyone from LOVING Stealth nor could I care less what name is stamped on anyones driver. I have no skin in the game regarding OEM sales. This is a forum to share information, opinions, thoughts, etc. Yet it seems like the MODS here only want one view. Its extremely ODD and kinda cult feeling........