What makes you *TRY* a club?

[Matt Saternus]

Very simple question:

 

What makes you want to try or test a new club? There are dozens of new clubs, so what differentiates between clubs that get tested and clubs that get left on the rack?

 

I'm looking for very simple, honest answers here such as:

"I've always liked ____ brand"

"It looks cool"

"Good marketing"

"Interesting story/performance guarantee"

"I got a free sleeve of balls for trying it"

 

I'm not looking for a 10 page thesis nor am I looking for the pro forma forum responses of, "I don't care about marketing/I don't care who plays it on tour/I just buy what performs." I'm not talking about BUYING clubs, I would hope that you only BUY clubs that you are FIT for. I'm talking about what intrigues you and gets you into the golf store to demo things.

 

Thanks.

[The Dansome]

Hype

Bling

Brand

[apples]

-Intriguing Performance Promises

-Always interested in trying new Nike Gear

-If a bunch of guys on tour play something but aren't payed to do so. (interested why they like it so much)

-Next Generation of equipment already in my bag.

[Kanoito]

Hype like Nike's Covert

Reviews like MGS's Rocketbladez

Looks like the Mizuno MP line

[Lambo]

Good reviews,from a great web site (MGS!!)

Another golfer playing it, and saying that he/she likes it.

Just curiosity of new equipment.

[Walkerjames]

I'm a Ho

[Tyk]

Curiousity and general interest

MGS Chatter

Brand Reputation

[GolfSpy WD]

First I have to be willing to be persuaded to buy (not the same thing as ready to buy, I take a LONG time to pull the trigger).

 

Then, it's pretty much hype. The reviews on this site (official and unofficial) are probably the biggest hype machines for me since I don't bother with other golf sites.

 

Once I'm in the store though, I'm a sucker for a pretty face

[Super Tuna]

Because I like knowing how every club performs

Forum member reviews from trusted posters

Shiny looks

Hype

[Blade]

First, can I stand to look at it?

 

Second, reviews.

 

Third, reviews.

 

The possible exception to that being that X Utility Callaway just released that I "know" I must have before it's been long enough to get reviews in!

[jayhawker]

New idea/supposed technology

 

If its got free stuff involved I'd demo a stick. So that will always get me to demo things

 

Reviews/.positive feedback

 

Promises of bettering something that would help my game, ie lower ball flight.

[ZenGolfer]

Brand, hype and word of mouth.

[hckymeyer]

I'm a Ho

 

+1 on this, I love trying new stuff.

 

My top three reasons to try a new club...

 

- I like the looks

- Has a new technology

- Great marketing

 

That being said, if I'm happy with what I currently have I still won't be trying anything new. I tend to only demo new stuff when I'm specifically looking for a change. I haven't demoed a driver in two seasons!!

[SPY ZINGER]

For me it's a combination of factors.

 

-I tend to stick with one brand to make things easier. I've been a lifelong player of Callaway Golf, and have been to their facility. Year after year, they've product quality offerings that stack up against all others (C4 excluded). I like the fact that their marketing and R&D folks are accessible to consumers via social media and you can ask questions, right at the source.

 

-A second factor is tour use. If a lot of guys are playing one brand that differs from the company that is paying them money (or at least on staff), then it's worth a look too. Adams Hybrids come to mind in this category.

 

-Without question, look at address.

[lmh3]

I will typically try any club that one of my sales reps brings in to my shop. Also, if it seems as though it is going to be heavily marketed or their will be high demand by my members, I will hit the club so that I have a base of knowledge and experience with it.

 

For me personally, if it is a new offering from the company I am on staff with it is automatic that I try it. If it is something that looks like it would provide a difference in my game, I will definitely give it a good test. I am looking forward to trying the Razr Fit Extreme when I get out to Callaway's facility in January.

[Firstkart]

The only time I go to a golf store is to purchase something specific. I dislike "shopping" immensely and avoid it like the plague. Hence I purchase 99.9% of my equipment online.

 

Currently I have a Miura 57 Series 6 iron on route for testing fitted with a KBS C Taper shaft to my specs. Length, lie, grip etc.

 

Why the Miura? I like the look of it and the theory behind the design.

 

Also since discovering MGS, my equipment purchasing has been based reviews on here.

 

AJ

 

 

 

[Blade]

The only time I go to a golf store is to purchase something specific. I dislike "shopping" immensely and avoid it like the plague. Hence I purchase 99.9% of my equipment online.

 

Currently I have a Miura 57 Series 6 iron on route for testing fitted with a KBS C Taper shaft to my specs. Length, lie, grip etc.

 

Why the Miura? I like the look of it and the theory behind the design.

 

Also since discovering MGS, my equipment purchasing has been based reviews on here.

 

AJ

If there was ever a club that would tempt me to spend way more than I could justify, it's those. Not that I'm some elite player that doesn't need more forgiveness than that. But those are sweeeet! I bet it doesn't get more butter smooth than a flushed shot with one of those!

[Matt Saternus]

Great responses so far, thank you.

 

Follow up/clarification question:

 

A lot of people said "hype." What creates hype in your mind? Is their a "hype hierarchy"? For example: "I don't give two rips about seeing a club in a golf magazine, but if I see it in some tour pics, I'm interested." Or, "Marketing creates hype for me but not as effectively as seeing (favorite tour pro) use it."

[whiskey golf]

- Looks good

- brand

- friend recommends it

- if lots of pros play it but aren't payed to play it

- has interesting concept

[whiskey golf]

Also forgot to mention that sights like MGS and their reviews make me want to try new stuff.

[GolfSpy WD]

New technology and anything that differentiates a product creates hype. (i.e. Nike Covert driver)

 

Even looks come into play here. If I'm going to pick between two shafts that perform the same for me (or close enough), I'm going with the one that looks better.

[MmmmmmBuddy]

What makes me try something new?? My desire to find something better than I currently play... I try to hit everything when it comes out, because you never know what might find its way into the bag next week...

[RoverRick]

I will test what ever appeals to my eye. It has to have a certain set up.

But to buy it, it also has to be a certain brand. Not just one, but one of the big ones. I am not likely to buy a new Dunlop driver.

[Firstkart]

If there was ever a club that would tempt me to spend way more than I could justify, it's those. Not that I'm some elite player that doesn't need more forgiveness than that. But those are sweeeet! I bet it doesn't get more butter smooth than a flushed shot with one of those!

 

I am expecting it in the post either today or tomorrow so expect to see a thread with some comments.

 

AJ

[hckymeyer]

Great responses so far, thank you.

 

Follow up/clarification question:

 

A lot of people said "hype." What creates hype in your mind? Is their a "hype hierarchy"? For example: "I don't give two rips about seeing a club in a golf magazine, but if I see it in some tour pics, I'm interested." Or, "Marketing creates hype for me but not as effectively as seeing (favorite tour pro) use it."

 

Hype for me can be a few different things. First is golf forums. If there are a bunch of people posting and raving about a certain club then I get intrigued and want to try it. Another is tour use, even if a company is in the pay to play model if they have a ton of use on tour I'll want to at least try it out. Last is hype around a product launch (TMaG and Nike come to mind). If a company is throwing that much money at a new product to get the word out I'll be more likely to try it out.

 

Examples...

 

Forum hype - Mizuno irons, C-Taper shafts, Piretti putters (actually pretty much all the smaller boutique putter shops)

Tour hype - Adams hybrids, everything TMaG

Product launch - everything TMaG and now Nike and Callaway

[TwoSolitudes]

It has to look cool to me, and be a bit unique.

 

Then I have to see some positive reviews about it and if so, I'll try it out.

 

Hype is a difficult word to use. It's about creating awareness, but awareness alone is not enough. TM clubs gets lots of hype, but I don't find them cool or unique and can't remember being exciting about a new model.

 

The Cleveland Classic driver didn't get much hype, but I think it's very cool and unique. It got great reviews so I tried it and bought one.

 

The new Nike Covert has done a good job on hype because I am aware of it, I also think its cool, unique and interesting. So I am very eager to see the reviews.

 

What has no impact on me at all is what individual tour players are using. I don't care.

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Being a chronic "ho," I'll look at almost anything, particularly hybrids, FW woods and drivers. Maybe it's the quest for "magic."

 

For some reason I like wedges that are out of the mainstream -- MGS is partly responsible for that. Scratch, Eidelon and Solus are gamers...but just picked up an old-but-still-in-good-shape Hogan. I do like old-school looks, too...

[Blade]

I am expecting it in the post either today or tomorrow so expect to see a thread with some comments.

 

AJ

Cool! Don't forget the pics!

[ofosho]

If it's easily accessible, I'll hit it.

 

If I go to the range and they are demoing ladies flex 15* drivers, as long as it's free, I'll hit it. Why not? To actually go and scout out a club, I would have to be in the market, and it would have to fit what I am looking for, ie the forged offering from XX company.

 

The reviews on this site also definitely have a direct effect on my ultimate purchase.

[Ice]

New idea/supposed technology

 

If its got free stuff involved I'd demo a stick. So that will always get me to demo things

 

Reviews/.positive feedback

 

Promises of bettering something that would help my game, ie lower ball flight.

 

Can you give an example of a club that has promised lower ball flight? I can't think of one... Most marketing and promises is thrown at the GI clubs which equals higher ball flight. Shafts are where lower ball flight comes from and you don't see a ton of promising there.

 

The clubs existence makes me want to try a club. There isn't a club on the rack at my pro shop I have not hit. I mean I have hit each driver, one wood and hybrid and iron and wedge, not every single numbered one. I like knowing the differences between them, seeing ow they perform, and I just like hitting clubs...