By Scott Kramer
Golf industry people have long known that when high-end golf equipment is selling well among the public, then the American economy is likely in prime condition. And vice-versa. And that’s just what has been going on for the past 18 months or so. Luxury golf club brands, such as PXG, Honma and XXIO have made great traction in the U.S. market. And the likes of Titleist, Cobra and Callaway have introduced clubs with all of the highest-quality bells and whistles that command — and get — top dollar from amateurs.
Even brands with less of a foothold on American golfers are getting into the fray, as well. Case in point: Bridgestone Golf this week unveiled its TOUR B ADF set, a $2,800 bundled package of the brand’s most advanced clubs, a stand bag and custom Bag Boy travel case. The set includes a driver, fairway wood, hybrid, two driving irons, forged cavity back irons and wedges that were initially designed and developed in the Japanese market.
As a golf equipment writer, I’ve personally tried just about every product on the market. When Titleist’s hollow-body T-MB irons first came out in late 2015, they were part of the company’s then-new “Made Only to Order” program — available as a set of utility irons that cost $250 per club. That has transformed into a complete set — the 718 T-MB — that are utterly outstanding to hit, in terms of feel and performance. They now cost $305 per club and are some of my favorites on the market.
This past fall, I had the chance to travel to Hawaii and experience an upscale private course for a few days. The hosts suggested I keep my clubs at home, so they could set me up with PXG clubs they keep in stock for visitors. For those of you who don’t know, PXG produces some of the priciest golf clubs in America. The Phoenix-based company has an all-star roster of Tour pros using its gear. Before Hawaii, I had tried the irons once at a range for only a few shots and thought they were comparable to most competitors, with respect to performance and feel. But when I went on the course and played a full set of the clubs — the manufacturer’s original set — in Hawaii, I was wowed from the first tee shot. In fact, I played four rounds over three days and broke 80 each round. That’s pretty unheard of, when trying new clubs for the first time. Which makes me eager to test out PXG’s new 0311 GEN2 ($500/club in dark finish, $400/chrome) irons that recently hit the market. There are four versions available, delineated by a player’s skill level. The irons look sultry, and are weighted and shaped to perform well while feeling buttery at impact.
It’s not just clubs that are going upscale. Seven Dreamers is a four-year-old golf shaft manufacturer that’s selling its products for $1,200 and up — per shaft. The technology inside the carbon shafts is made to very tight tolerances using the best-possible materials. Each shaft is made in a unique way that removes imperfections. In fact, you’ll notice that the surface is completely smooth and even. All that leads to consistent performance and feel from one shot to the next.
While you certainly don’t need to use the priciest gear to enjoy the game, it can help you play better golf.
Scott Kramer is veteran, Southern California-based writer primarily versed in golf and personal technology. Studying Computer Sciences in college, and then working as a programmer/software engineer for about a decade, triggered my passion for today’s high-end, high-tech gadgets. I can’t help myself whenever I see any kind of cool new personal technology. I feel compelled to further check it out and see what it’s all about. And even if I have no use for it personally, I’m always thinking who it might best suit. There are exciting new innovations emerging daily that are shaping the future and simplifying life. And I hope to be your eyes to that world, through the words of this column.