Running 2021 Golf Thread

There's the sport of golf and the business of professional golf. That line has always been slightly blurred, but it went completely out of focus during Tiger's incredible run when millions of weekend hackers ran to the local muni or bought into country club memberships in order to play like Woods.

The golf industry has profited like crazy on the myth that if you buy the same brand of clubs -- not even close to the actual set, mind you -- that Tiger or Rory or Jordan or Phil are using (or balls or clothes or fricking shoes!), you'll magically become a great golfer. Just watch how many BS Sham-Wow like ads for fixing your slice/distance/chipping/putting run repeatedly on Golf Channel. It's a massive delusion when statistics show 90 percent of all golfers will never break 90 consistently.

It's analogous to believing you're driving the same Ford Taurus or Chevy Monte Carlo that just won the Daytona 500.

But the whole scheme -- buy another new product because the one you bought last year is already obsolete -- has made people a lot of money. All you need to do is spend a day or two at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando some January to realize how much of a money grab this all is.

Golf isn't the only culprit. Hobby Lobby and fabric stores have made zillions on bored middle-aged women who glom onto the next big crafting craze.

 

This is not PC but I’ve always believed about golf “it’s the Indian not the arrow.”

 

I agree, but didn’t the beginning of the end for Duval start with switching clubs?

 

Look, there's no question that the technology of golf HAS improved life for the average hacker. Just the introduction of hybrid clubs alone has saved countless strokes for the masses. I'm 70, and when I make contact with the driver (TaylorMade) it goes farther than it did when I was 55. That's not natural. So it's not a total scam. It would be interesting to have a tournament where the touring pros had to play with off-the-rack equipment, though.

 

Fishing is also a master at this. There are tons of lures that may or may not catch fish, but sure as hell can hook fishermen.

 

I went into a PGA SuperStore last week. My ancient pitching wedge is rusty and WD-40 won't work cleaning it anymore. I also wanted to add a lob wedge to my bag. I got a gift card for my birthday so I went there. Prices, IMO, were unbelievable. Wedges for $250+. I ended up with 2 used Callaway clubs that were about $100 each (a 48 and a 54 degree). Several years ago, I went to a golf store in North Las Vegas and came out with a driver, hybrid and new Footjoys for $135 total.

 

eBay my friend.

As for technology, yes ball and drivers are big helpers but I still hit my 7 iron same 30 yrs later. Scotty Cameron putter has been one big splurge past 25 yrs and that was purely for feel not performance.

 

I've had my Wilson 8802 putter for decades. See no reason to change.

 

I'm looking for an old man driver myself. My Callaway FITiq doesn't have enough pop for my pop-gun swing.

I recently splurged on expensive balls, big step up from the recycled balls I had used.

 

You might want to look at 13-15 degrees of loft. As you likely know, getting a good fitting is critical.