Tour Usage Influence

[revkev]

Clearly tour usage matters or OEMs would not invest so much money on it.

 

My question is if and how it influences you.  I know that it would be fashionable to state that it doesn't but be honest as you consider your answer even if its to say - I use this because no one else does. 

 

For me the influence tends to be as a confirmation - I don't necessarily buy because its used on tour but it does feel good to see someone using the same brand that I game on TV.  If I'm talking about my equipment I'm likely to say that its the same .... used by .....

 

 

[Kenny B]

I really don't use anything a pro uses, and nobody really asks or cares what I use.

[Shankster]

I tend to buck the system on this. I don't like big commercial brands (although I play Taylormade). I'd much rather buy some hand made stuff, I was really interested in JP wedges before he got recruited by a big brand. And the Edel putters are at the top of my list, being a small company, made right here. Not over seas, not including the hand made overseas stuff. Talking the mass produced stuff.

 

And till I came here I didn't know there were these start up brands of golf balls. Most of the population I would think goes and gets what their favorite player uses, because in reality it's the only option. Big Brands drown out the little guys.

 

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[BIG STU]

I tend to buck the system on this. I don't like big commercial brands (although I play Taylormade). I'd much rather buy some hand made stuff, I was really interested in JP wedges before he got recruited by a big brand. And the Edel putters are at the top of my list, being a small company, made right here. Not over seas, not including the hand made overseas stuff. Talking the mass produced stuff.

 

 

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Are you talking about the old Wilson JP wedges ? If you are I have a barrel full picked up 18 in one haul last summer off the yard

[Shankster]

Are you talking about the old Wilson JP wedges ? If you are I have a barrel full picked up 18 in one haul last summer off the yard

James Patrick wedges.

 

 

- Alan

[808nation]

To me it only matters to a certain extent like seeing equipment that is popular on tour, an example would the Epic driver where even though some pro's were not paid to play it, they put it in their bag that kind of validates the new tech in these equipment.  But at the end of the day it does not influence in my purchasing habits, the equipment that I choose needs to fit my game and my needs.  Sure I will try what the pros play, but if I can't hit it well it is staying away from my bag.

[cnosil]

I picked clubs because I believe they will perform the best for me. This is obtained by demoing clubs and seeing how the perform on a launch monitor, putting green, or driving range. Just because it works for a particular pro, top amateur, best friend, or salesman doesn't mean it will work for me

[BIG STU]

To answer Rev's original question. I have always been this way. I have never played any brand of equipment just because a pro played it. I play what I like and what I can hit.  Now it can be said I collect Macgregor equipment because of Jack Nicklaus. That is not the case at all I had a love for Mac equipment for years I grew up with it. Just like most of the Texas guys ( PJ can confirm this) are Hogan equipment fans because of the fact Hogan clubs were made there anf you have MR Hogan, Crenshaw and Kite amongst otherer that were native Texans

[JAGolfore]

I usually will try thing if I see a trend of people changing. Take the spider putter for example, lots of people winning with that thing and playing well. I tried it and left with it that day.

 

Most other clubs I will research on my own mostly on here and see what fits my eye.

 

 

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[gaussman1]

I think for the true junkies then Tour Shafts really do move the needle and influence purchasing. I know I consider shafts based on what I see. Drivers not so much really. Putters if something really starts winning in a bunch of different player's bags I take notice for sure. Well I used to anyway. #EvnRoll!

[TheWahoo]

Frankly, I am more influenced by the clothes the pros wear than the equipment they use.   If I see a pro wearing a shirt I like, I know that I can go to the local shop and pick one up for myself and it would be essentially the same as the pro is wearing.   Regarding equipment, I don't have the same perspective.  The equipment the pros are using are custom made for them and, most likely, not the same as I am going to find in the local golf shop.   About the only thing consistent is the name imprinted on the equipment and it is that name recognition that the OEMs purchase with the equipment deals.  If the pros are using the equipment, they are viewed as a brand name and it is the comfort of a brand name if there is any real meaningful influence.  So I suspect most of us, myself included, use the equipment we perceive best for our games from a recognized brand, not the pros.

 

For example, take the new PXG line that some pros are using.  It doesn't matter what pros may be using them, the wife isn't going to agree to the home equity loan required to purchase them.   

[Jmikecpa]

No influence on what I play at all. I do like looking at what they are playing since I am a gear nut, but I am not going to change clubs because a certain Tour pro is playing them.

 

 

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[jayjay0808]

I tend to pay attention for shafts and such as I do have a swing speed that is on the low end of average for a PGA Tour player. As well I look at training aids that are used on tour. 

[PlaidJacket]

I'm defiantly not influenced by what the Pros play. Prior to 2014 I've played various clubs by Wilson, Titleist, TaylorMade, Ping, Cleveland, Armour, and Callaway to name a few. But that's what was readily available. I currently play Wishon irons and a Tmag SLDR driver (thanks MGS), Wishon FW 4w, and an Edel putter. That's not a tour style bag. I decided to purchase my Wishons for many reasons but specific to this topic I wanted to play a top quality set of irons that nobody else played. Surprisingly and among my local crowd few had even heard of them... or him. Now, would I again play club brands that the tour guys play. Sure. And why not... it's all good stuff.

[Brjpool]

I have no illusions about my level of play and tour usage really had absolutely no influence on what is in my bad or what will go in my bag in the future. That is not to say I won't research what someone is using our comment that it looks cool, but in my own purchases data and the influence of my fitter is my decision factors

 

 

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[BIG STU]

I think for the true junkies then Tour Shafts really do move the needle and influence purchasing. I know I consider shafts based on what I see. Drivers not so much really. Putters if something really starts winning in a bunch of different player's bags I take notice for sure. Well I used to anyway. #EvnRoll!

Actually you are so right on the "Tour Shaft" thing. There was a thread on WRX the other night on that. It has gotten to be such a "in" thing that there are some guys counterfitting shaft labels. There are a slew of them down here. One has to be careful when purchasing clubs from unknown sources around here. One guy I know bought some of those stickers to put on some shafts in his clubs and the kicker is that his shafts are not even TT shafts. I had a clown trying to sell me some stickers about a year ago. It is non printable on here what I told him to do with them. (yeah Rev sometimes I slip and the old Bad Stu comes out)

[MDGolfHacker]

My game does not remotely resemble the game the pros play so I wouldn't expect the equipment to be the same for what I would play. Those guys always seem to hit the center of the face of the driver/hybrid/irons/putter so it looks like a dime for the wear pattern. Mine looks like a rorschach with a bit of Salvador Dali mixed in. So no, the tour equipment doesn't influence me. If it did, I'd be all Nike (Tiger Woods era)

 

MDGolfHacker

[Jiro]

I don't think the tour use influences which particular brand I would play but presence of tour does indicate some stability for that given manufacturer. If these brands are doing well enough to spend their marketing dollars on the tour, then they are doing well enough to spend money on R&D and stay toward the front of the pack on technology. All of the big OEMs are putting out some good gear (how big of improvement year to year is really happening is a whole other topic).

That being, I am probably more influenced by what peers are playing.

 

 

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[Kor.A.Door]

I would say that I tried the Callaway clubs because of Phil. But I like the clubs too, so that's what I went with. I don't think they play the actual clubs I play, but they play the brand. I am not brand loyal because if something else comes out that I like and it's not Callaway, I will still put it in the bag, I do generally look Callaway first, but I do look at other manufacturers.

[AH1980MN]

I pay attention, but I wouldn't say it influences my buying, unless we're talking LPGA tour usage... I feel like (at least distance wise) I'd be more in line with these tour pro's.

[MattF]

You've seen what's in my bag...doubt any pro is playing what I play.

[Golfspy_CG2]

Rev...I thought about this (as you requested) before I replied.  I think you hit it on the head about confirmation.  That's kinda the way I am with Titleist now, I didn't buy one of those clubs because what I saw anyone on Tour do with it.   I tried them and liked them.   But when I see a Titleist staffer win or using the 917 driver...I take some pride in knowing I'm playing the same club.  

[Mr_Theoo]

You've seen what's in my bag...doubt any pro is playing what I play.

Cause they wanna win lol jk jk

[Mr_Theoo]

I usually will try thing if I see a trend of people changing. Take the spider putter for example, lots of people winning with that thing and playing well. I tried it and left with it that day.

 

Most other clubs I will research on my own mostly on here and see what fits my eye.

 

 

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I'm the same way. I like to pay attention to trends. I also like seeing their set ups when they have the odd club in the bag. Gets me thinking of ways I could do it in my bag.

[ole gray]

There's only one tour (Champions tour) player who uses the same irons as I do. I bag the Callaway Razr XF irons which are game improvement irons and was shocked to find out Colin Montgomery bagged them for a couple of years. I haven't seen anyone playing the 2016 Cally BB Fusion driver and my old hybrids are Razr X which I'm pretty sure are not in any of the tour players bags. My Cleveland Smart Sole wedge ------ nawwwwwww not any pros using it that I know of. My Odyssey #7 putter may be the one thing that the pros copy me and use...

[downlowkey]

I tend to hunt down equipment that was literally played on tour (build quality) but save for one recent exception I'm not influenced one bit by what the guys on tour are playing. Namely because by and large they are well paid to put equipment in the bag. My recent exception to the rule is a Tmag M1 430 that a ton of professionals put into play absent any sponsor recompense. It's currently the most hated club in my bag and I regret following the herd.

 

 

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[TheWahoo]

I think for the true junkies then Tour Shafts really do move the needle and influence purchasing. I know I consider shafts based on what I see. Drivers not so much really. Putters if something really starts winning in a bunch of different player's bags I take notice for sure. Well I used to anyway. #EvnRoll!

 

 

I was in the local golf shop this weekend.  I saw a used M2 that had "Tour Shaft" printed on the shaft.   Seeing that, I pretty much just left it alone because there is no way I could use a shaft used by pros.   It was the first time I had ever seen a shaft labelled as such.  But now permit me to ask, what exactly is a "Tour Shaft", what are its perceived characteristics, is it what it implies--something to be used by the better players.

[gaussman1]

I was in the local golf shop this weekend. I saw a used M2 that had "Tour Shaft" printed on the shaft. Seeing that, I pretty much just left it alone because there is no way I could use a shaft used by pros. It was the first time I had ever seen a shaft labelled as such. But now permit me to ask, what exactly is a "Tour Shaft", what are its perceived characteristics, is it what it implies--something to be used by the better players.

No one knows! The OEM "tour" generally means a little heavier or maybe tip stiff more than usual but there's no standard. But everyone recognizes the orange Creamsickle AD DI shaft line and trust me the junkies have owned several versions of that one. There is a benefit as well though. I would have never known about KBS without tour (TV) presence and though they are not in my current irons they are a tremendous product that deserves to be in the mainstream and tour awareness has helped put them there.

[EthanSterlingPrice]

Really doesn't influence me but I will say the Spieth one shoes do look pretty slick to me.

 

 

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[Shankster]

Really doesn't influence me but I will say the Spieth one shoes do look pretty slick to me.

 

 

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You like the Tips?

 

 

 

- Alan