Question:
The low prices on these components just seem too good to be true. The heads obviously are made to mimic the Ping, Callaway, TM, etc. name brand clubs, but is one of these assembled clubs really comparable to the "real" thing costing hundreds more? Are they any different than some of the other K-mart, Sports Authority knock-offs? I’d love to think that an Integra is going to be reasonably close to the performance of a TM 300 series, but the "if it sounds too good…" rule often applies. Anyone on the list ever make a direct comparison between the name-brand clubs and the Dynacraft/Diamond Tour/Golfsmith/K-mart imitator? TIA
Response:
dynacraft and golfsmith knockoffs? lmao. i’m telling ya. once you step into the realm of component equipment (and i’m not even talking about building ur own here), you’ll never go back to OEM again. my whole set is components, except my strong 3 and my LW. and that’s only because i bought those before i bought my other clubs. wish i hadn’t
Response:
Anyone on the list ever make a direct comparison between the name-brand clubs and the Dynacraft/Diamond Tour/Golfsmith/K-mart imitator? TIA
You take that back! Lumping K-Mart blue light specials in with the former three is simply too low a blow. I for one am deeply offended. — Scott E. http://www.nettally.com/edmo/tlhasc.htm http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TallahASCee_Cigar_Group
Response:
The low prices on these components just seem too good to be true.
Actually, the high prices of OEM equipment is what is too unbelievable to be true. The best thing to do, Gort, is play ‘em and make your own mind up. The heads obviously are made to mimic the Ping, Callaway, TM, etc. name brand clubs,
Some are, but many are original or other designs. but is one of these assembled clubs really comparable to the "real" thing costing hundreds more?
In some cases, no. They’re better, and cost hundreds less. Are they any different than some of the other K-mart, Sports Authority knock-offs?
Now that’s different. Many of those really cheap clubs are just that. Sometimes manufacturers will use really cheap components, assembly could be better, and the "sets" may not be well matched for swingweight or other factors. Shafts that manufacturers would reject for various imperfections tend to go into those clubs. I’d love to think that an Integra is going to be reasonably close to the performance of a TM 300 series, but the "if it sounds too good…" rule often applies.
I’ll stack my Integra up against any of those "big name" clubs. I was hitting my Integra side-by-side with a Big Bertha last weekend; the BB hit very well; so did my Integra. No difference in terms of feel (both were eminently hittable), and I was longer w/ the Integra. Think about how you’ve come to believe that OEM equipment "must be better." Who told you that? The manufacturers, of course. Anyone on the list ever make a direct comparison between the name-brand clubs and the Dynacraft/Diamond Tour/Golfsmith/K-mart imitator?
You do a disservice categorizing Dynacraft, DiamondTour, and Golfsmith with KMart. They’re not the same thing. Kmart sells cheap sets of clubs from who knows where. The others offer quality components which can be mixed and matched in endless combinations. By using components, clubmakers can FIT a golfer to very precise specifications; the junk you can buy at KMart is just, well, some parts that were put together. I hit Mizuno MP-14 irons. Very expensive clubs (I got mine used). If you buy a single club, I believe you’ll pay as much as $129 per club. And what’s in that club? A head, a ferrule, some lead putty for swingweighting down the shaft, a shaft, and a grip. The grip is a maybe $2 grip. The shaft is a True Temper Dynamic Gold shaft, which you can buy from any component house for under $8. The ferrule is worth maybe 25 cents, the grip tape and putty swingweighting insert maybe 50 cents. That adds up to perhaps $11. The rest is assembly (in mass production, how much can that cost? $10?), and the head. Just for the sake of argument, what makes that head worth in excess of $100? While it is a very good head, do you think it plays that much better than the Golfsmith forged heads which go for $26.50? My gosh, Scott Verplank plays Golfsmith forged irons on Tour. How bad can they be? And KZG forged heads are supposed to be the best there is. Gort, today I hit some drives with my Integra like I’ve never hit before. One was 250+ yards into a 2-club wind. In another case, I hit a 253-yard drive uphill on our 18th hole (it’s uphill almost all the way, and there’s no roll to speak of, if you get my drift). I put that ball today at a place I’ve NEVER been before hitting the Integra. I had some helping wind, but it was probably 25 yards beyond anything else I’ve ever hit on this hole, wind or not. Is that any good? You decide. The mystery to me is why anyone would pay more than the $90-120 it costs to build one (depending on what shaft you use). So, Gort, you can get an entire SET of both woods and irons, very good components, very high quality, for what you’d pay for a *single* expensive OEM driver. And that OEM stuff won’t play one bit better. Mike (FIAC head clubmaker and spiner) Mike Dalecki RSG-Wisconsin 2001 Info: http://dalecki.net/rsgwis I do not patronize spammers! Help keep RSG clean. Expect the same etiquette from me on RSG as on the golf course. RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/daleckim.htm
Response:
Integra heads are used by several players on the pro long driving circuit. Scott Verplank uses Golfsmith equipment. Many of the component parts are at least the equal, if not better than the OEM clubs, especially considering the shafts that go into some of the OEM equipment. Brad Swanson
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The low prices on these components just seem too good to be true. The heads obviously are made to mimic the Ping, Callaway, TM, etc. name brand clubs, but is one of these assembled clubs really comparable to the "real" thing costing hundreds more? Are they any different than some of the other K-mart, Sports Authority knock-offs? I’d love to think that an Integra is going to be reasonably close to the performance of a TM 300 series, but the "if it sounds too good…" rule often applies. Anyone on the list ever make a direct comparison between the name-brand clubs and the Dynacraft/Diamond Tour/Golfsmith/K-mart imitator? TIA
Response:
Trust me, although the name brand clubs are generally top quality, the "cheap" $50 titanium driver heads generally work just as well, and occasionally better. Plus it’s not the end of the world if you wind up with a $80 driver you don’t like. I have a bunch of drivers (for a left handed swinger anyway) and I don’t think that aside from fit and finish issues the name brands have any major advantage. -joseph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The low prices on these components just seem too good to be true. The heads obviously are made to mimic the Ping, Callaway, TM, etc. name brand clubs, but is one of these assembled clubs really comparable to the "real" thing costing hundreds more? Are they any different than some of the other K-mart, Sports Authority knock-offs? I’d love to think that an Integra is going to be reasonably close to the performance of a TM 300 series, but the "if it sounds too good…" rule often applies. Anyone on the list ever make a direct comparison between the name-brand clubs and the Dynacraft/Diamond Tour/Golfsmith/K-mart imitator?
Response:
The low prices on these components just seem too good to be true. The heads obviously are made to mimic the Ping, Callaway, TM, etc. name brand clubs, but is one of these assembled clubs really comparable to the "real" thing costing hundreds more?
You’ve got 3 kinds of components: 1). OEM components (Golfsmith, Golfworks, Dynacraft). They manufacture their own designs. Golfsmith has to especially be careful, as their also are an authorized retailer for other OEM products (Titleist, Callaway, etc.). 2). Legal components. Distributors, such as M&M Golf, B&M Golf Co., Golf Supply America, etc., market the component heads (of which Integra is a major manufacturer) which may be influenced by the designs of pro-line OEM clubs, but not totally infringing upon those OEM patents. 3). Illegal components. These are heads that have been manufactured to look identical to their OEM counterparts and have been the subject of raids by U.S. Customs Agents. The legal components that are offered by reputable dealers when combined with top quality shafts (with your favorite grip) can offer an excellent custom fitted golf club at at half the cost (or less) than pro-line OEM’s. One thing you should know about pro-line OEM’s, they often skimp on the shafts and grips, so you’re basically paying for the clubhead.
Response:
I believe you are correct, and I did lump all the lookalikes together and didn’t mean to offend anyone. Nevertheless, it’s obvious that the TF 360 is clearly a "copy" of the TM360, the "NHP" of the "ERC" and the "Z tour 3" a look-alike to the Ping driver. Just as the Wilson Invex looks like the Ping driver, and there’s those "Orbiter" and "Knight" clubs at Sports Authority… Indeed many designs are more original, and bear little resemblance to other name-brand clubs. Having built fishing rods since I was a teen, I understand the satisfaction of taking your own handiwork into the field and having it work well. I’m sure that’s what keeps many builders in the workshop for hours on end. I do understand that tremendous $ go into marketing clubs to players, and many golfers have the means to go out and try to "buy" a better game. I’m certain some guys feel that a club can’t be any good at all unless it costs $400. I’m not ready to spend $400 on one club – but I’m not ready to spend $100 on one that’s not going to play any better than the driver that came with my $200 Spalding set from Costco (not really a bad set, by the way…) I may just give those look-alikes a try, though, I’d feel a whole lot better if I had the chance to try one out first. Thanks for all your replies.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The low prices on these components just seem too good to be true. The heads obviously are made to mimic the Ping, Callaway, TM, etc. name brand clubs, but is one of these assembled clubs really comparable to the "real" thing costing hundreds more? You’ve got 3 kinds of components: 1). OEM components (Golfsmith, Golfworks, Dynacraft). They manufacture their own designs. Golfsmith has to especially be careful, as their also are an authorized retailer for other OEM products (Titleist, Callaway, etc.). 2). Legal components. Distributors, such as M&M Golf, B&M Golf Co., Golf Supply America, etc., market the component heads (of which Integra is a major manufacturer) which may be influenced by the designs of pro-line OEM clubs, but not totally infringing upon those OEM patents. 3). Illegal components. These are heads that have been manufactured to look identical to their OEM counterparts and have been the subject of raids by U.S. Customs Agents. The legal components that are offered by reputable dealers when combined with top quality shafts (with your favorite grip) can offer an excellent custom fitted golf club at at half the cost (or less) than pro-line OEM’s. One thing you should know about pro-line OEM’s, they often skimp on the shafts and grips, so you’re basically paying for the clubhead.