Brand vs. Feel "trap"

Have you ever fallen into the brand vs feel "trap"? Let me try and explain this. Some people (myself included) believe that certain brands give you better play because of what you read, have heard etc. However, golf is a very individual game. Good and well-known brands may work for many but not for all. So, in buying a good branded item, you convince yourself that the item is great because the brand is well-known etc and reviews are very positive. But, in reality, the item may not suit you (even though it suits many others). But you plow away at what is a popular item but not ideal for you and you wonder where the mistakes lie.

Case in point, my SC putter. Now, before I offend the long list of SC putter-owners here, let me first caveat this by saying that I really like my SC putter. In fact, I think it's one of the better putters out there. But, in some ways, I was convinced that I could putt better because it was a SC and you can't go wrong with a SC. I didn't struggle but I didn't get as good a feel from the putter. Perhaps I was rushed into buying it... it was the "in thing" and I was influenced by the many rave reviews, recommendations, articles etc. I admit that it was my fault since I never really got to try the putter in the field... I tested it quite a bit at the store and the Den etc.

I've recently picked up the Yes! Abbie forged putter and I love it. I feel that it plays better for me. I have a better feel with the putter and am able to stroke the ball more confidently. I also need to work on the distance but so far (my last 2-3 outings since I bought it), it's worked well. Oddly enough, I never saw myself as a Yes! putter holder. Don't get me wrong - they are great putters but I was "blinded" by SC.

So... to cut a long story short, before you go out there and spend on any item (golf or otherwise), make sure you feel comfortable. Great reviews and great branding doesn't make the item great for you. What's great for you may not be something which is well-branded (or perhaps, as well branded as others). Golf is a remarkably individualistic game and you have to get gear which suits you, not the masses.

Before I end my lengthy observation, I want to say that SC putters are great. They work wonders and give you an air of confidence not seen in other lesser known putters. But, they didn't work for me even though I was convinced that they should.

Happy golfin'

Agree on your post absolutely .. i always find myself in such a predicament ... i like my Rife putters more than my SCs ... maybe as DGman put it , i am a mallet head man ....

Lamts18 wrote:

Agree on your post absolutely .. i always find myself in such a predicament ... i like my Rife putters more than my SCs ... maybe as DGman put it , i am a mallet head man ....

Thanks, Mr. Lam. I also want to say for the record that DGMan did ask me to try as many putters as possible to see which suited me best. But, NO, I was convinced that with a SC... I would be well on my way to Q-school. Serves me right, I suppose.

My SC now sits in its SC plastic bag with the SC head cover. It'll come out to play some day but for the moment, my Yes! putter will lead the way.

Talk to them .... and tell them if they perform they they will win a place in your bag ...

Lamts18 wrote:

Talk to them .... and tell them if they perform they they will win a place in your bag ...

I speak to them constantly and let them watch the Golf Channel too in hopes that they can see how their "brethren" work

use whatever work...having an SC in your hands is no guarantee for the 3 footer.

its the 6 inch between your left and right ear and the right putter make it happen...

DGman

DGman wrote:

use whatever work...having an SC in your hands is no guarantee for the 3 footer.

its the 6 inch between your left and right ear and the right putter make it happen...

DGman

How true ... seeing the tops pros sometimes missing their putts though excruciating , make us feel we are human after all ... its in the mind ...

I think it is a matter of evolution.....let me elaborate this golfer called Me

1. Started golf....since no PGA winner is fm Japan, that means Japan products not well....u know...so die die must be ala PGA winner lor..
2. 4 year into the golfing 'amateur' career.....knowledge a bit more than #1...so realized, that I am not like PGA winner...both in built and natural ability...so need to find something more appropriate
3. >5 year into golfing 'amateur' career....I F-care.....anything that I am comfortable with and get me into the hole faster than others,.....I am OK....
4. More than 5 but < 10 years...backside itchy....gave up #3 and listen to ego.....then start fm #1 again...sighhh

LOL! Good one, DS.

Technospaz wrote:

Have you ever fallen into the brand vs feel "trap"? Let me try and explain this. Some people (myself included) believe that certain brands give you better play because of what you read, have heard etc. However, golf is a very individual game. Good and well-known brands may work for many but not for all. So, in buying a good branded item, you convince yourself that the item is great because the brand is well-known etc and reviews are very positive. But, in reality, the item may not suit you (even though it suits many others). But you plow away at what is a popular item but not ideal for you and you wonder where the mistakes lie.

Case in point, my SC putter. Now, before I offend the long list of SC putter-owners here, let me first caveat this by saying that I really like my SC putter. In fact, I think it's one of the better putters out there. But, in some ways, I was convinced that I could putt better because it was a SC and you can't go wrong with a SC. I didn't struggle but I didn't get as good a feel from the putter. Perhaps I was rushed into buying it... it was the "in thing" and I was influenced by the many rave reviews, recommendations, articles etc. I admit that it was my fault since I never really got to try the putter in the field... I tested it quite a bit at the store and the Den etc.

I've recently picked up the Yes! Abbie forged putter and I love it. I feel that it plays better for me. I have a better feel with the putter and am able to stroke the ball more confidently. I also need to work on the distance but so far (my last 2-3 outings since I bought it), it's worked well. Oddly enough, I never saw myself as a Yes! putter holder. Don't get me wrong - they are great putters but I was "blinded" by SC.

So... to cut a long story short, before you go out there and spend on any item (golf or otherwise), make sure you feel comfortable. Great reviews and great branding doesn't make the item great for you. What's great for you may not be something which is well-branded (or perhaps, as well branded as others). Golf is a remarkably individualistic game and you have to get gear which suits you, not the masses.

Before I end my lengthy observation, I want to say that SC putters are great. They work wonders and give you an air of confidence not seen in other lesser known putters. But, they didn't work for me even though I was convinced that they should.

Happy golfin'

dump this way la..

We all have different views and different feel. I find that most of it is actually based on popular perception. Here are a few examples:

I personally have always made it a point to try all the mizuno clubs that launches. Firstly, because Mizzy has established themselves as a premier iron company. Secondly, cos everyone I know who owns them raves about how great they are. Other than the MP32s which felt ok but were short and the MX-25s which I thought were great beginner to intermediate clubs, I have been disappointed with the rest of the offerings EVEN TODAY.

WRT to Yes! putters. I got my Yes! Tracy within weeks after watching Retief Goosen win the US Open in 2004. A couple of poor putting months later, I got the Yes! Dianna because I saw that they had inter-changeable weight ports at the bottom (which SC finally decided to follow suit in 2008) Fooled around with them for a while with atrocious putting results too. I almost went back to putting with my old Wilson 8813 out of desperation.

The 2 latest brand disappointments here in US have been Muira and Scratch. I nearly got a set of used Scratch SB-1s in a spur of the moment thing this week. After much thought, I decided to go test try it first.

The shop near my place happened to be a Scratch distributor. I picked up their demo SB-1 in DGS300 for a few knocks and was duely disappointed - feel was muted and dull. The impact sound was weird and there was no 'soft' feel like what my Ikasus or AP2s felt (I miss those 2 sets of clubs). Well, trying them out 1st saved me a good USD$700.

Next to the demo SB-1 was a used set of Muira CB-202. I took the 5 and 7i for a try at the net and the feeling was actually marginally better than the Scratch clubs. Just to prove to myself that my hitting wasn't off that day, I grabbed a used TM Tour Preferred ( ) 7i to hit some and was relieved that these cast irons still felt good. Still, with all the rave reviews these 2 jap brands have been getting worldwide and in particular here in US, I thought I was crazy to not be blown away by them.

Now, don't get your panties in a bunch as I am not dissing all these brands. I know I am just the minority that feels that these brands are much overhyped. I always hope to be proven wrong because I will always check out all their latest stuff. I am still waiting for that day where I will be impressed by them again.

Point in hand is that no matter how much you read on the forums and the internet about how great and highly recommended a certain product is, its best that you go try it out yourself. The difference can be huge. It will certainly also save you alot of money. The power of marketing and advertising is also very good but ultimately, what transpires thru your fingertips at impact will immediately let u know whether u will love it or hate it.

i only buy the clubs that i can afford and make the best of out it.


so having budget constraints are a good omen to me at least.

i still carry a ping anser who is at least 20 years old, prior to my mx25, i was using ping eye 2 and was loving every moment of it till i lost two of the irons.

i also added some weights to my old putter to suit my preferance... and i really dun see the point of spending 350sing for a putter when i know at the back of my mind , it is the basics that i need to perfect. well at least, not at this point.

ditto.... i haven changed my clubs since i started about 5 years ago..=p i dun even know what brand it is! lol. maruman i think.

it aint the brand nor the clubs. I've played with pretty good players whose clubs are in the worse conditions...=p

joleelyn wrote:

ditto.... i haven changed my clubs since i started about 5 years ago..=p i dun even know what brand it is! lol. maruman i think.

it aint the brand nor the clubs. I've played with pretty good players whose clubs are in the worse conditions...=p

chocoman wrote:

i only buy the clubs that i can afford and make the best of out it.


so having budget constraints are a good omen to me at least.

i still carry a ping anser who is at least 20 years old, prior to my mx25, i was using ping eye 2 and was loving every moment of it till i lost two of the irons.

i also added some weights to my old putter to suit my preferance... and i really dun see the point of spending 350sing for a putter when i know at the back of my mind , it is the basics that i need to perfect. well at least, not at this point.

Spoken like a true PGA pro!