Is Maxfli DTC?

[Bluesman57]

I voted "no", but more importantly, I learned from this thread that Maxfli can be considered a Dick's "house brand".  Dick's will never see a dime from me because of the corporate attitude towards another product that I own that begins with the letter "g".

[russtopherb]

11 hours ago, Tyler86 said:

And I would bet Snell has a store front at the headquarters too.

You’d lose that bet, unfortunately. No store front at Snell HQ. 

[ZenGolfer]

On 11/17/2021 at 10:51 PM, ChitownM2 said:

If that is the criteria you're measuring by then none of the DTC brands are actually DTC.  There isn't a single one of the "mainstream" DTC companies that manufactures their own balls.  Even Taylormade doesn't yet manufacture their own balls completely as they just bought the factory that makes them for them....

True but there is a big difference in that DSG/GG have actual brick and morter stores that add to the cost vs companies like Vice, Snell, Cut, etc that are strictly virtual.  Having physical stores is something that should be built into the pricing model for Maxfli, which is kind of what makes them so amazing that they can compete on price with the DTC brands but arent truly DTC.

[Headhammer]

Wow, yesterday must have been a slow golf news day if we are arguing whether Maxfli is or isn't a DTC brand. As someone else said we are splitting hairs a bit. DTC "to me" means no middle man, the product goes from manufacturer to the consumer without additional mark-ups or additional dollars tacked on to pay for the brick & mortar overhead. I see Maxfli as Dicks & GG's house brand, but since they are technically the manufacturer I guess one could consider it a DTC brand. On the other hand, one could argue that there are additional mark-ups on the ball to account for the overhead of shelf space in a brick & mortar store. Meh, I'm going to get my second cup of coffee now. 

[Middler]

Like whether or not a ball is DTC factors in to the buying decision. Price, performance, quality, color, availability yes. DTC or not, no. Some people just like to be "outraged" about every little thing.

[CrazyGolfNut]

Based on the arguments here, Kirkland is also a Direct To Consumer ball.  They only sell through their stores or internet.  You can not buy them at a Pro Shop. Maybe that's the diff.  DTC balls are not sold in Pro Shops???

[cnosil]

Here is how MGS defined them:

 

 

[tony@CIC]

This is taking on the life of 'should fittings be free' discussion. While personal opinion of all of our forum members is important and valued, in this case it's not going to change MGS HQ's opinion or the awards.  As someone who was in the DTC (not golf related) business for 25 yrs,  I don't believe believe @Tony C's. definition is accurate. But that's my opinion and BTW I don't dispute Maxfli's, performance. quality and cost.  What matters to me is: would other ball companies have been selected for top quality awards if the definition was different.

 

[Tyler86]

4 hours ago, CrazyGolfNut said:

Based on the arguments here, Kirkland is also a Direct To Consumer ball.  They only sell through their stores or internet.  You can not buy them at a Pro Shop. Maybe that's the diff.  DTC balls are not sold in Pro Shops???

I would consider Kirkland DTC also.

7 hours ago, russtopherb said:

You’d lose that bet, unfortunately. No store front at Snell HQ. 

[tschott]

On 11/18/2021 at 10:49 AM, tony@CIC said:

Maxfli Tour ball is 34.99 at Dicks - same price as Snell MTB-X. Note I've tried the Maxfli - but still prefer Snell. 

Maxfli 2020 is 2 for $60 and 2019 is 2 for $45. Might want to try OnCore they have buy 2 get one free.

[Larryw]

57 minutes ago, tschott said:

Maxfli 2020 is 2 for $60 and 2019 is 2 for $45. Might want to try OnCore they have buy 2 get one free.

Think I saw the 2021 Tour 48 box on sale for $104.98 at Dick's. Good price, Good Ball.

[fozcycle]

Walmart sells Vice products, balls, hats, gloves and bags.  At least my Walmart(Wesley Chapel, FL). So does that mean they are no longer DTC?

[russtopherb]

DTC brands can still branch out to brick and mortar and still be considered DTC since their primary method of distribution is still direct to consumers. 
 

https://hbr.org/2020/03/reinventing-the-direct-to-consumer-business-model

[Londo]

Like others have stated, I feel like that its kind of hairsplitting and depends on your interpretation of DTC. I am okay with MGS classifying Maxfli as DTC if they are in the grey area- as long as they include their definition/criteria of DTC

[storm319]

DTC technically refers to the product originator (not necessarily the producer) selling to the consumer directly while bypassing 3rd party retail, wholesale, and/or distribution. The point is to eliminate unnecessary intermediary margins that result in additional retail markup. 

In the case of Maxfli, it is a house brand of DSG and only sold in their retail locations so classifying that as DTC is acceptable because DSG has full control over the marketing/distribution/retail portion of the supply chain. Costco’s Kirkland balls qualify as well. 

Additional to this particular industry, most consider the fact that balls considered to be DTC are produced in independent, white label factories not owned by the originator. The most direct form of distribution in this industry would be purchasing a urethane offering from Acushnet, Bridgestone, or Callaway (all fully manufactured in wholly owned facilities) via their website.
 

 

[BostonSal]

Everythig get screwed up eventually.

I remember Maxfli as a major premium model made by Dunlop,

just as Top Flite was a major premium model made by Spalding.

Now neither is affiliated with its original source in any way but they're still around as store brands.

 

Then again, I also remember playing with R&A spec 1.62" golf balls,

so what I remember doesn't matter much any more.

 

[Middler]

On 11/21/2021 at 4:49 PM, tschott said:

Maxfli 2020 is 2 for $60 and 2019 is 2 for $45. Might want to try OnCore they have buy 2 get one free.

I just bought 48 MaxFli Tours for $104.98 - $26.25/dozen with free shipping. Pretty sure they’re the 2021 model as well based on the alignment markings and pricing.

https://www.golfgalaxy.com/p/maxfli-tour-gloss-white-golf-balls-48-pack-21maxu2021mxfltrlgbl/21maxu2021mxfltrlgbl?bopisFilter=false&isaFilter=true

[HAC]

On 11/19/2021 at 7:30 AM, Middler said:

You can buy two dozen Maxflis for $60 almost all the time. You can’t get Snell MTBs for $30/dozen even if you buy 5 dozen, and you now pay shipping for Snells - though there’s a Black Friday free shipping promo going on thru 11/29. With several Dicks and Golf Galaxy’s near me, it’s cheaper and more convenient than ordering from Snell.

I recently got two dozen 2021 Maxflis for $40.  Dick's had the $60 deal for two dozen you describe and sent me a $20 coupon so $40 for two dozen urethane golf balls that got excellent reviews from MGS.

I went to the store to pick it up.  Would it have counted more as direct to consumer if I had ordered it from their website and had it shipped to me?  Isn't the key QPR not the method in which I get it?

Edited November 28, 2021 by HAC