What is the most under appreciated brand in golf?

[GolfSpy_APH]

Don't think or believe there is one right answer, but with so many brands in the market there are likely some doing amazing work that just don't get the recognition. L.A.B. could definitely be one of those, but their tour success has certainly vaulted them. 

Red Rooster is our unheralded glove brand that does do much but is very much an unknown outside of some forum and other spaces. 

what do you think?

[RohanVster]

Clubs wise, I would say Srixon, everyone only wants to play the big names, but I played with the ZX5 irons when I visited my in-laws and they are really good.

Ball wise, I would say the Inesis Tour 900 (here in South Africa)

100% agree with you @GolfSpy_APH on the L.A.B putters!

[berkeleybob]

Wilson Staff and Srixon.

To me, Srixon always comes off as an in-the-know brand. As in,

“What kind of driver is that?”
”Srixon.”
”Oooh, nice.”
<wink, wink>

Wilson always comes off as the has been brand.

“What kind of driver is that?”
“Wilson.”
”… really?”

I’d be a fan of either or both, if only their clubs were available for lefties to test or demo in the golf shops, but I suppose until their numbers up with righties, I’ll never know.

[IndyBonzo]

GreaT topic Jamie.

Totally agree re Red Rooster.  Headed to the course and wearing their MGS Forum glove for the second time this week.

Also Maltby.  Will play the TS3/TS4 iron combo set again today.  Pure gold.

From afar, I would also say the Caley irons don’t get enough love.  

[BallsLeon]

Toro mowers 

[KC Golf]

I think DTCs like Haywood, Takomo and Red Rooster are brands that a few years ago were totally unheard of.  All are basically DTC that built their brand through Instagram.

I remember putting these names in my bag and guys would just grab it and ask me all about it.

[Dead Solid Bogey]

Wooden tees..

Most important categories Brand wise… 

Clubs…. MacGregor 

Balls…  Maxfli 

Edited March 12 by Dead Solid Bogey

[funkyjudge]

5 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Don't think or believe there is one right answer, but with so many brands in the market there are likely some doing amazing work that just don't get the recognition. L.A.B. could definitely be one of those, but their tour success has certainly vaulted them. 

Red Rooster is our unheralded glove brand that does do much but is very much an unknown outside of some forum and other spaces. 

what do you think?

From my perspective, it is Tour Edge Golf, and their Exotics line in particular although the Hot Launch line is improving greatly too.  It's getting a little better with all of the exposure that Tour Edge is getting on the Champions Tour, plus a little exposure recently on the DP World Tour. However, Tour Edge is still seriously underappreciated, IMO.

5 Minutes Later -- And like clockwork, this article shows up in my inbox:

Exotics C723 Fairway Woods Winners on PGA TOUR Champions!

 https://mail.aol.com/d/folders/1/messages/ACxS0E4A4fQ2ZfBTOwVXMDeLhgo?reason=invalid_cred#:~:text=Exotics C723 Fairway Woods Winners on PGA TOUR Champions!

Edited March 12 by funkyjudge

[NubianRugby]

PowerBilt, they don't sponsor anyone on the tour and their price reflects that. I had a $250 set of PowerBilt clubs that served me faithfully and well for over 25 years. Last year I got fitted for a set of Pings and I'm not sure they're any better than what I had been hitting.  

[Michael.Sandoval33]

In the larger markets, I think Wilson is entirely underrated. Their clubs look fantastic and I like that their brand has always stayed "classic". Beyond that, I think Cleveland as well. Their wedges and putters are great. 

DTC has got to be Maltby. They are talked about a lot on MGS but other DTC brands seem to dominate a lot of discussions. Could be that Maltby really doesn't do anything to push their brand. The GolfWorks ads talk about "feel" but never any brand. Whereas Takomo and Sub70 have focused on their brands more and taken out ads/sponsored golfers.

[KC Golf]

One name to add in shafts  Accra.  Canadian based company.  Owned by True Temper. Great shafts.  Surprising amount of pros play it.

[funkyjudge]

3 minutes ago, KC Golf said:

One name to add in shafts  Accra.  Canadian based company.  Owned by True Temper. Great shafts.  Surprising amount of pros play it.

I agree. I have worked with ACCRA Golf since long before they were affiliated with True Sports (True Temper). Some of the best shafts ever, and their proprietary “DyMatch” (dynamic matching) system is unequalled in the industry.

I was just on a 2-hour call with Gawain Robertson, ACCRA’s CEO, last night, and attended a dozen or more of their “golf days” at the PGA Merchandise Show over the years that I have worked in the industry.

[Shrek74]

For me, Wilson and Maxfli and the big most obvious brands.

Wilson has been around for generations as is the winningest brand, especially in majors. But now it's all but forgotten. Sadly, it has some of the best irons around (Staff Blades, Staff CB, Dynapower Forged) that no one will game or even try for the most part.

I think Maxfli is well known here on the forum and MGS, but for the most part, they're still looked at like a Top Flite out on most courses. I play them and will continue to do so long into the future.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk

[IndyBonzo]

6 hours ago, KC Golf said:

One name to add in shafts  Accra.  Canadian based company.  Owned by True Temper. Great shafts.  Surprising amount of pros play it.

Second!  ACCRA absolutely make wonderful shafts, and they are typically priced less than some well known competitors.  

[Bossfan]

OEM I would say Tour Edge. DTC I’m a huge Sub 70 fan

[tehuti]

On 3/12/2024 at 5:45 AM, funkyjudge said:

From my perspective, it is Tour Edge Golf, and their Exotics line in particular although the Hot Launch line is improving greatly too.  It's getting a little better with all of the exposure that Tour Edge is getting on the Champions Tour, plus a little exposure recently on the DP World Tour. However, Tour Edge is still seriously underappreciated, IMO.

5 Minutes Later -- And like clockwork, this article shows up in my inbox:

Exotics C723 Fairway Woods Winners on PGA TOUR Champions!

 https://mail.aol.com/d/folders/1/messages/ACxS0E4A4fQ2ZfBTOwVXMDeLhgo?reason=invalid_cred#:~:text=Exotics C723 Fairway Woods Winners on PGA TOUR Champions!

I agree with Tour Edge. As a casual golfer I have found the Hot Launch line to be very good. But they are usually seen as “less than”.

 

[GolfSpy MPR]

Some really good answers already on this thread. I want to echo the nominations for Srixon, Cleveland (I honestly don't get why none of the Cleveland/Srixon guys on Tour use their putters), and Tour Edge (love their FW and hybrids, especially).

Cobra drivers likely belong on this list.

I'm going to zag a bit here: I could almost make the case that both PING and Titleist are underrated, just from the perspective that TaylorMade and Callaway are both so flashy that PING and Titleist seem almost staid and pedestrian by comparison. So while it seems weird to say to two of the behemoth OEMs are in any way underrated, I'm willing to be a little weird.

[Tom the Golf Nut]

On 3/12/2024 at 4:44 PM, Shrek74 said:

For me, Wilson and Maxfli and the big most obvious brands.

Wilson has been around for generations as is the winningest brand, especially in majors. But now it's all but forgotten. Sadly, it has some of the best irons around (Staff Blades, Staff CB, Dynapower Forged) that no one will game or even try for the most part.

I think Maxfli is well known here on the forum and MGS, but for the most part, they're still looked at like a Top Flite out on most courses. I play them and will continue to do so long into the future.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk
 

Exactly the same for me. Wilson and Maxfli.  I actually just checked on the Dynapower Forged yesterday.  Inventory issues (with heads). I need the length 1/2 oversize and 1degree flat, so they have to be built.  Well, that might be a good thing. It shows that there is a demand.  

[EMDorsch88]

I have always played Cleveland wedges and always will. I have tested and tried other brands but for me Cleveland is tops. 

I love Cobra for drivers. I kept a Cobra F8 driver in the bag longer than expected because of its performance. Now have a F9 Speedback that I love.

Tour Edge for me is the most underappreciated. They make such great stuff from top to bottom. Love the fairway woods and irons they make.

Never really paid attention when it came to putters. For me, that's the one club where the brand makes no difference. If I can not make putts with a Scotty but I can drain them with a Top Flite putter then I am using the Top Flite. Having said that I think Odyssey is the top. 2Ball is and was the best putter ever made. 

[BreakfastBall15]

Sticking with the popular theme here: Cobra woods and Cleveland wedges. Neither get the love they deserve while going up against the big dogs. I get while most people would put them in the "B list" category compared to the TM, Callaways, etc., but I've played both of those brands in the respective categories and loved them. For balls I would say Maxfli. One of the guys I play with gives me crap for playing the Tour S and Tour but I had him hit one compared to his ProV1 and he was impressed, only down side is I wont be getting the ones he finds in the woods anymore. 

[BeardedBlunder]

Sub70 and Cleveland 

[ParFore74x]

Sub70 wedges are the only one that I have experience with and it has only been for a few weeks but, I am impressed so far. Quality product, great price, and built to order for my specs in quick time. 

[TG8]

I think srixon has gained some traction since the koepka signing awhile back but at my surrounding course you dont see them anywhere.  Their entire golf lineup has always been solid. 

[bens197]

I’ll go with Tour Edge for this reason. A lot of casual golfers who are not tuned into gear would skip over Tour Edge for a bigger brand. 

Pound for pound it’s the best product for the money and the best value. 

A long time ago when I was in club sales, I’d love to toss in a Wilson Deep Red, Nicklaus air max and a Cleveland launcher to the R580 and 975J test just to see a reaction. 
 

Our shop sold more of the former than the top names combined that summer. 
 

Moral of the story…there’s a lot of great product hidden in plain sight.  

[russtopherb]

Tour Edge is a great answer. They consistently release great gear that's far less expensive than some of the bigger names. 

I'd vote Cleveland and Wilson/Staff for those reasons as well, however I just feel like Tour Edge gets even less mention than those two. 

[aguybadatgolf]

I admittedly have a soft spot for this brand but I think Cobra is very underrated, for the big brands, across the board. They make amazing Drivers, Woods, Hybrids, and even putters. I appreciate that they are always innovating and trying something new even if it doesn't always stick. I just got on of their 3D printed putters on sale and so far have been blown away by the quality and performance. They also consistently out perform much more expensive options in the driver market.

With that said I think the truly underrated and underappreciated brand is Sub70. Their customer service and product offerings are top tier. You can get custom irons for 600 dollars and talk to the owner directly by just giving him a call. That's hard to beat in the modern golf world where a new set of custom irons is 1500+ and you have to go to a fitter to ask any specific questions about the product.

Edited March 18 by aguybadatgolf

[Berg Ryman]

So everyone already mentioned my two choices, which are Tour Edge and Wilson. The better question may be if a brand has been well-known that they're underrated due to their overrated nature. Kinda like a post-hype sleeper player in fantasy sports.

[jaskanski]

Probably Wilson.

 

[russtopherb]

1 hour ago, Berg Ryman said:

So everyone already mentioned my two choices, which are Tour Edge and Wilson. The better question may be if a brand has been well-known that they're underrated due to their overrated nature. Kinda like a post-hype sleeper player in fantasy sports.

[Josh Parker]

Srixon, Wilson for irons of the bigger names on tour. LAB obviously has gained a ton of traction.