Question:
I can see the Nike club line right now. Eldrick Irons and Tiger Woods. — Allen Van Camp (To reply, replace spammers-are-scum with earthlink) Fairway? What’s a fairway?!?!
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Both Tiger and Nike officials have stated in interviews that their mutual interest is long term and definitely includes golf clubs. Nike is focusing right now on establishing its golf apparel and balls. Stuart Winsor
Response:
Actually Spalding is doing a VERY good job of design and marketing of Hogan
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For now, it looks like Hogan is the only successful brand bearing a player’s name. But Hogan is owned by Spalding – give Spalding a chance and it will run Hogan into the ground just like the rest of them.
Response:
Caught it on The Golf Channel tonight. Callaway has signed Arnie to a 12-year contract to have Arnie play the Rule 35 ball. The report says it signals the end of the Arnold Palmer golf company, which has been in something of a dismantling stage in recent years. Randy
Interesting stuff. I had noticed earlier in the year that Arnie was using the Hawkeye irons in a senior tournament. Joe Perez
Response:
Mark – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Organization: http://extra.newsguy.com Newsgroups: rec.sport.golf For now, it looks like Hogan is the only successful brand bearing a player’s name. But Hogan is owned by Spalding – give Spalding a chance and it will run Hogan into the ground just like the rest of them. Stuart Winsor Yeah I saw that too. And Jack’s Golden Bear company ain’t doing that great either. Is Ben Hogan the only successful company out there bearing a player’s name?
Response:
Back in the 60’s and even into the 70’s I believe, Arnold Palmer had his own line of golf balls. They were a low end ball. Arnie didn’t play them in tournaments. Stuart Winsor – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Saw that too and it got me to thinking that I can’t recall Arnie endorsing any golf ball in recent years though I have a vague recollection of him doing that years ago… maybe the only name player who isn’t featured by some ball company. I don’t think the Palmer Co. was in the ball business. Did he have a deal previously?
Response:
I always regretted the sale of Hogan to Spalding. Hogan clubs were one of my favorites. It’s just that I absolutely hate Spalding. About 5 years ago, I owned a bike shop. A Spalding rep in California saw my ads in a major cycling publication and inquired about a $3,000.00 bike. He was very manipulative and oozed slime with every word he spoke. He wanted to trade me a "truckload" of Spalding Top Flite golf balls for the bike (he bragged about getting them for free – not true unless he stole them from his employer). I refused his offer and stopped accepting his calls. One day, he shows up at my shop right at closing time to pick up his bike. There in the parking lot was his minivan stacked floor to ceiling and dashboard to tailpipe with golf balls. I refused his offer once again and ushered him out of the shop. He waited for me in the parking lot, screaming threats of "beating (me) with a baseball bat" if I didn’t give him "his" bike. I ignored him and got in my truck to go home. He kicked the door as I got in the truck. As I drove off, he grabbed a piece of angle iron lying next to the side of the shop (from remodeling activities) and hit my truck, causing over $1,700.00 damage. I took the rep and Spalding to court over this. In my present practice (forensic safety investigations and consulting to the sports industry), I appear in court quite often. Yet, I have never witnessed such unprofessional and contemptable behavior by corporate officers and attorneys as I did in my case against Spalding. I apologize to everyone if this post isn’t appropriate on RSG. I like to share this incident whenever possible with anyone who might use Spalding products (Spalding, Top Flite, Strata, Etonic, Hogan, etc.). At the very least, it’s very therapeutic….. Stuart Winsor
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think Spalding has done a great job in the last few years with Hogan. Hogan has completely turned around, and is doing great. The Apex and Apex Plus releases are doing excellent on the market. Spalding has been smart enough to let the Fort Worth group of very talented iron producing specialists do their own thing. My hope is that Hogan stays specialized on the quality components they build and deliver and don’t try to be a one-stop shop for all golfers from scratch to 30-handicaps. Daryl
Response:
[...much snippage....] The Hagen line was bought years ago by Wilson I think and from what I know is no longer in the business though Crenshaw used them for many years.
You can buy Hagen heads these days – forged blades and forged cavity backs, as well as a line of wedges. I don’t have the address at hand but I’m sure a quick look through the search engines might produce a result. If not email me. David — RSG Roll Call http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/sneddond.htm
Response:
Tommy Armour has turned around and is profitable again. Yeah I saw that too. And Jack’s Golden Bear company ain’t doing that great either. Is Ben Hogan the only successful company out there bearing a player’s name?
– Dan Driscoll Current USGA Handicap Index – 14.7 RSG Roll Call http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/driscolld.htm Keep Usenet Clean, Trash a Spammer!
Response:
I think Spalding has done a great job in the last few years with Hogan. Hogan has completely turned around, and is doing great. The Apex and Apex Plus releases are doing excellent on the market. Spalding has been smart enough to let the Fort Worth group of very talented iron producing specialists do their own thing. My hope is that Hogan stays specialized on the quality components they build and deliver and don’t try to be a one-stop shop for all golfers from scratch to 30-handicaps. Daryl
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For now, it looks like Hogan is the only successful brand bearing a player’s name. But Hogan is owned by Spalding – give Spalding a chance and it will run Hogan into the ground just like the rest of them. Stuart Winsor Yeah I saw that too. And Jack’s Golden Bear company ain’t doing that great either. Is Ben Hogan the only successful company out there bearing a player’s name?
Response:
For now, it looks like Hogan is the only successful brand bearing a player’s name. But Hogan is owned by Spalding – give Spalding a chance and it will run Hogan into the ground just like the rest of them. Stuart Winsor
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yeah I saw that too. And Jack’s Golden Bear company ain’t doing that great either. Is Ben Hogan the only successful company out there bearing a player’s name?
Response:
Both Tiger and Nike officials have stated in interviews that their mutual interest is long term and definitely includes golf clubs. Nike is focusing right now on establishing its golf apparel and balls. Stuart Winsor – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greg Norman sold his interest in Cobra. If you look around, Nike has a "small" interest in Tiger. I believe Tiger still has a contract with Titleist on clubs(at least for now). When that is desolved(probably not far off), Nike will most certainly get something developed. Carl
Response:
Caught it on The Golf Channel tonight. Callaway has signed Arnie to a 12-year contract to have Arnie play the Rule 35 ball. The report says it signals the end of the Arnold Palmer golf company, which has been in something of a dismantling stage in recent years.
Saw that too and it got me to thinking that I can’t recall Arnie endorsing any golf ball in recent years though I have a vague recollection of him doing that years ago… maybe the only name player who isn’t featured by some ball company. I don’t think the Palmer Co. was in the ball business. Did he have a deal previously? Too bad to hear of the end of the company in some ways… around here they must have good reps because their clubs are fairly popular at the lower end of the market and seem to perform well. I wonder if Callaway will keep the brand as an entry-level line? Odd how none of the name players have made a go of it in the equipment business as someone else said. Cobra did great at the height of the Norman era but has gone into decline recently — not sure whether his selling out had anything to do with that or not. Nicklaus bought Toney Penna years ago but has never been able to really make much of an impression. While the Hogan Co. has carried on they have had a checkered history after Mr. Hogan sold out to AMF in the 60s or early 70s and were nearly defunct a couple of times after continually changing ownership. A shame because their products have been great for the most part. The Hagen line was bought years ago by Wilson I think and from what I know is no longer in the business though Crenshaw used them for many years. Bob Toski clubs are still around though not much of a presence. There must be others that I’m missing. Interesting discussion — I’m an equpment junkie. 
Response:
Greg Norman sold his interest in Cobra. If you look around, Nike has a "small" interest in Tiger. I believe Tiger still has a contract with Titleist on clubs(at least for now). When that is desolved(probably not far off), Nike will most certainly get something developed. Carl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yeah I saw that too. And Jack’s Golden Bear company ain’t doing that great either. Is Ben Hogan the only successful company out there bearing a player’s name? Cobra has a few Greg Norman models. I believe he has some financial interest. Just wondering when someone will pay a fortune for the "Tiger Woods range" of merchandise. Wouldn’t be too hard for a nifty Tiger logo to be developed and marketed, much along the lines of the Shark brand. Cheers Colin Wilson Australian handicap: 10.1 RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/wilsonc.htm
Response:
See Titelist’s CEO’s open letter on the Tiger subject on their website. A sort of swipe at Tiger (or his management), and I doubt if things are as rosy as they once were. Not that Tiger need worry, anyone would sign him up for their products. And Norman now owns Cobra Australia, and soon after it was announced that Cobra and Titleist would be distributed in Australia by Norman’s new business. Shows how Greg makes the right business decisions. Dunlop – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greg Norman sold his interest in Cobra. If you look around, Nike has a "small" interest in Tiger. I believe Tiger still has a contract with Titleist on clubs(at least for now). When that is desolved(probably not far off), Nike will most certainly get something developed. Carl Yeah I saw that too. And Jack’s Golden Bear company ain’t doing that great either. Is Ben Hogan the only successful company out there bearing a player’s name? Cobra has a few Greg Norman models. I believe he has some financial interest. Just wondering when someone will pay a fortune for the "Tiger Woods range" of merchandise. Wouldn’t be too hard for a nifty Tiger logo to be developed and marketed, much along the lines of the Shark brand. Cheers Colin Wilson Australian handicap: 10.1 RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/wilsonc.htm
Response:
Greg Norman sold his interest in Cobra.
In Australia, iirc, he has the sole distribution rights to Cobra, as well as Titleist, through his wholly-owned Cobra Australia. If you look around, Nike has a "small" interest in Tiger. I believe Tiger still has a contract with Titleist on clubs(at least for now). When that is desolved(probably not far off), Nike will most certainly get something developed.
Although I know Tiger wears Nike, I was also thinking of all those Shark-type things … hats, caps, shirts, clothing etc … that Greg Norman seems to very successfully market (there’s even Greg Norman wine now). Tiger clothing and attire, as well as equipment, would make a market killing, especially among the 20-somethings. BTW, Greg Norman is no business bunny. Cheers Colin Wilson Australian handicap: 10.1 RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/wilsonc.htm
Response:
Caught it on The Golf Channel tonight. Callaway has signed Arnie to a 12-year contract to have Arnie play the Rule 35 ball. The report says it signals the end of the Arnold Palmer golf company, which has been in something of a dismantling stage in recent years. Randy NEW & IMPROVED WEBSITE!!! http://wwwgolfer.home.mindspring.com RSG Roll Call profile: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/brownr.htm RSG FAQ: http://ttsoft.com/thor/rsggolf.html
Response:
Yeah I saw that too. And Jack’s Golden Bear company ain’t doing that great either. Is Ben Hogan the only successful company out there bearing a player’s name?
Cobra has a few Greg Norman models. I believe he has some financial interest. Just wondering when someone will pay a fortune for the "Tiger Woods range" of merchandise. Wouldn’t be too hard for a nifty Tiger logo to be developed and marketed, much along the lines of the Shark brand. Cheers Colin Wilson Australian handicap: 10.1 RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/wilsonc.htm