Price of clubs today

[Andreas]

Can anyone tell me why golf clubs have become very expensive to buy,PXG seems to have started this trend and now others follow,new epic irons are over $1700 that's crazy isn't it?

[mrsmith123]

Andreas, we can associate higher prices to a few key factors:

 

1. Inflation, $299 fifteen years ago at 5-7% inflation each year ends up being substantially more nowadays.

2. R&D is more expensive because of product material research and testing

3. Materials being used are more expensive, drivers and many irons now have multiple new materials which are more costly to produce and test.

4. Companies are competing to have the "high end" products that are the best of the best.

5. Companies like PXG literally don't care about cost because they know people will buy it. Golf will always have wealthy people to buy products.

 

Sent from my Sprint LG G5 mobile device

[Golfspy_CG2]

I think Burk hit a lot of good points. I'll just add, the PXG's the Callaway Epic, XXIO and Titleist C16 I think are just discovering there is a market for high end clubs at a premium price.

 

I think many manufactures still offer top quality irons at a reasonable cost. See Cobra with the F7 and Wilson with the D300 and C200 lines.

 

I think blaming PXG for expensive clubs is not really fair. Just because Parsons had the foresight to manufacture clubs at the price level and know there was a market doesn't mean he's ruining golf as some like to opine.

[Shankster]

I would like to see a blind testing of the "premium" clubs mentioned vs. the standard "run of the mill". There is only so much you can do with an iron. Weighing, groove rules... I bet I'd hit that epic 7 iron the same distance and dispersion as my current gamers. I know there is a market for these types of clubs. It's like a V6 Mustang vs a V6 Camaro. You can make them look good, but can they perform?

 

Edit: loft vs loft. Not 6 iron vs 6 iron.

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[stage1350]

They do it because some people think they can buy a game.  I find it humorous that forged blades, which used to command the most premium prices, are now cheaper than some of the cast SGI irons. 

[bullldog]

Because they can & people associate $$ with quality /performance and they keep shelling out the money for it.

[Zylem]

Because they can & people associate $$ with quality /performance and they keep shelling out the money for it.

 

 

This is part of it. With PXG you are also getting a fitting experience that goes beyond what most club fitters do today as well. Every club is adjusted and weighted to fit you swing, including irons. At least this is what I hear. I am not one to spend that much money on a set of clubs. That's a lot of rounds of golf, and I would rather play golf 200 times with a rusty rake than have a shiny set of clubs sitting in my garage.  Now if I ever get paired up with some one playing PXGs I'll probably pester them about the fitting process and their performance but that's just me I love to tinker. 

[bullldog]

Also look what putters cost now.. The old TM Spiders were in $100 range now that its popular on tour their over $300

[Shankster]

This is part of it. With PXG you are also getting a fitting experience that goes beyond what most club fitters do today as well. Every club is adjusted and weighted to fit you swing, including irons. At least this is what I hear. I am not one to spend that much money on a set of clubs. That's a lot of rounds of golf, and I would rather play golf 200 times with a rusty rake than have a shiny set of clubs sitting in my garage. Now if I ever get paired up with some one playing PXGs I'll probably pester them about the fitting process and their performance but that's just me I love to tinker.

You could also do the JP wedge experience for 2k... smack a rock in a bunker and destroy that club. my "mint" Taylormade's for $57 each will do everything I need them to and more.

 

 

- Alan

[GolfJunkie302]

PXG had a mission to create the best golf clubs, regardless of manufacturing costs. They use the highest quality materials, so naturally the clubs are going to cost more. You can't sell silver for the same price as steel (that is just an example. PXG clubs are NOT made out of silver). You can get clubs for less that most likely perform just as well. It's just about the quality...

 

Sent from my SM-T580 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[null]

Now golf clubs are like every other good. Some are budget friendly and some aren't. Just because there are expensive clubs doesn't mean you have to buy them.

 

I don't drive a Lamborghini or wear a Rolex, but I can get from one place to another and tell time just fine.

 

I really don't understand why people complain about the cost of expensive golf clubs, especially when it's clear that they aren't the target consumer of that brand/line

[null]

Crossfield makes a similar point

https://youtu.be/ckTptxlU7QI

[Shankster]

Now golf clubs are like every other good. Some are budget friendly and some aren't. Just because there are expensive clubs doesn't mean you have to buy them.

 

I don't drive a Lamborghini or wear a Rolex, but I can get from one place to another and tell time just fine.

 

I really don't understand why people complain about the cost of expensive golf clubs, especially when it's clear that they aren't the target consumer of that brand/line

I agree. But I think that what they were sold the year prior as their "flagship" line has been trumped by double. It's just odd for companies to market these as their top of line line club (epic) but last years Apex Pro was the flagship (best of the lineup) makes them feel like they didn't get the best the company was capable of.

 

Hope that makes sense.

 

And I drive a rusty old truck/car and don't even have a watch. But I still wouldn't want those epic irons.

 

 

- Alan

[BDubya23]

Exactly what jlukes said

 

There are always going to be premium products in everything you look at... shoes, cars, watches, tools, electronics, the list goes on and on. Those prices are there for the people who can afford that stuff and who prefer to have "premium."

[mrsmith123]

They do it because some people think they can buy a game. I find it humorous that forged blades, which used to command the most premium prices, are now cheaper than some of the cast SGI irons.

That's because forged mb irons are made of the same materials now that they were 50 years ago (just slightly different designs). Cavity irons are all now filled with added tech and R&D pieces that inflate the cost.

 

Sent from my Sprint LG G5 mobile device

[mrsmith123]

PXG had a mission to create the best golf clubs, regardless of manufacturing costs. They use the highest quality materials, so naturally the clubs are going to cost more. You can't sell silver for the same price as steel (that is just an example. PXG clubs are NOT made out of silver). You can get clubs for less that most likely perform just as well. It's just about the quality...

 

Sent from my SM-T580 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

Very good point. Watching there wedge making video though, what a waste of resources. They use a giant 10 pound block of carbon steel to wittle down to a wedge head. You could make 4 wedge heads out of that much steel.

 

Sent from my Sprint LG G5 mobile device

[Shankster]

I just find it funny that the Epic drivers, woods, hybrids are all right around the same price as everyone else... but the epic irons are that much epic-er... needed a new name and no one would be saying squat about it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[null]

I just find it funny that the Epic drivers, woods, hybrids are all right around the same price as everyone else... but the epic irons are that much epic-er... needed a new name and no one would be saying squat about it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

 

Understood.  I also think the Apex CF and Apex Pro irons are their flagship iron. 

[Zylem]

They do it because some people think they can buy a game. I find it humorous that forged blades, which used to command the most premium prices, are now cheaper than some of the cast SGI irons.

It's also supply and demand. More golfers fall into the SGI/GI irons so that's where companies are going to focus their R&D. MB Blades haven't changed much. So the cost has stayed the same.

[bullldog]

Ya know, golf equipment is alot like weight loss..

"there's money to be made" off of people.

Lot of THE latest and greatest and cure all

[TheWahoo]

It's also supply and demand. More golfers fall into the SGI/GI irons so that's where companies are going to focus their R&D. MB Blades haven't changed much. So the cost has stayed the same.

Yep, its supply and demand and the fact that something is only worth what someone is willing to pay.   Knowing that many golfers are looking for that magic miracle club, the manufacturers are experts at creating demand by offering their latest and greatest on rather short intervals and golfers are willing to pay.   Additionally, such offerings limits the need for  the supply of the previous latest and greatest.

[flyboyjs]

It's a free market out there. Allows for high priced items and low priced items to suit every player that wants to play. If someone has the money and are willing to pay high or low price it's up to them to decide what they can afford and what they can't. I kept my first set of clubs for almost 16 years before replacing them. Once I replaced them I was able to go pay for fitting etc to get an updated set of clubs that would work and last some time. But probably not 16 years this time :-)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[deejaid]

On the flip side, clubs that are a year or two old, whether used or new old stock can be had cheap. With ever increasing frequency of release cycles a club that was the latest and greatest just a year ago can now be had for a fraction of the cost.

[dang3rtown]

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the original Ping Eye 2s cost $1200 MSRP when they were first introduced in 1982?

From what I've seen, golf is like almost every other hardwoods sports manufacturing industry; the retail cost seems to lagging behind inflation and profit margins are getting slimmer. I'm not saying they aren't profitable, just that the margin is decreasing. In other industries I have been privy to; cycling, skiing/snowboarding and surfing, I have seen them all suffer because they just can't increase price while the manufacturing costs keep going up.

[Reesedw]

Manufactures will sell their products for what the Market will allow.. If I can build "X" for $100 and sell it for $200, Great but if I can Sell the same "X" for $500.. Even better.. 

 

The reason Prices go up in addition to "Hard" cost's increasing Is US the Consumer. We keep buying products that are more expensive and they will keep making them.. 

 

Gum used to be $.25 Now its 3-4 times that.. Why cause we keep buying it.. 

 

It's all relative, You want the best, that'll make " DJ " jealous and are willing to pay we can give you it to you.. and then it becomes a vicious cycle.. and noone wins.. Period.. 

[TBT]

I almost choked when my club Pro told me the cost on the new Epic irons!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[Shankster]

If they all switch to making a blade and a cb and a GI. Get rid of the 16 different kinds of clubs.

 

Club A = MB

 

Club B = CB

 

Club C = GI

 

So we need a M1, M2, 750, 770?

 

Or a Epic, Epic Sub Zero, Fusion, XR16, XR 16 pro?

 

Which friggin one do I pick?

 

I'm kidding but damn.

 

If you want to be profitable cut the lower seller.... plus it would lead to less confusion.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[DawgDaddy]

If they all switch to making a blade and a cb and a GI. Get rid of the 16 different kinds of clubs.

 

Club A = MB

 

Club B = CB

 

Club C = GI

 

So we need a M1, M2, 750, 770?

 

Or a Epic, Epic Sub Zero, Fusion, XR16, XR 16 pro?

 

Which friggin one do I pick?

 

I'm kidding but damn.

 

If you want to be profitable cut the lower seller.... plus it would lead to less confusion.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

You may be kidding but there is a lot of truth in what you are saying. 

[Shankster]

You may be kidding but there is a lot of truth in what you are saying.

Thanks for the back up DD. I was looking around after I wrote that. And now with Titleist ap1, ap2, ap3, cb, MB's, c16... it just adds to it. Options are good, but too many options are bad, just my opinion.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Canucklehead]

Thanks for the back up DD. I was looking around after I wrote that. And now with Titleist ap1, ap2, ap3, cb, MB's, c16... it just adds to it. Options are good, but too many options are bad, just my opinion.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Don't forget the TMBs!! I fully agree as well. 1 blade, 1 "players iron", 1 GI/SGI.

 

Sent from my E6853 using MyGolfSpy mobile app