Question:
It seemed to a concern to him. That was what I am referring to. B Terry
Response:
I know the consensus on r.s.golf is for components
I don’t think that there is a consensus. There are more than a few name brand people here. Just look at all the posts that rave about their Callaway, Taylor Made etc. equipment. but I think the discussion has left out a crucial factor – resale value.
Actually, I raised this point not too long ago. It will be true that components will fit better at a lower cost. But isn’t it true that unless you are unusually gifted (height, build, etc. that varies significantly from the ‘norm’), shouldn’t *one* of the various pro-line clubs have the right combination of factors swing-weight, lie, loft, etc.) that would ‘fit’ you, since the manufacturers are shooting for the norm;
No. The opposite is true, unless you have the make-up of the "standard average player" it is unlikely that a standard set will fit you in all respects. also, although it’ll cost extra, can’t you get a pro to adjust things like lie? So basically, you can get pro clubs to fit just as well for more money.
Sometimes. There are some manufacturers who will ship clubs that can be specially ordered for shaft type, flex and length, grip size, and lie. Moreover, a good and well-equipped pro or clubfitter can also make some adjustments. However, a custom component clubfitter can do things that usually aren’t available from the factory. For example: trimming a specific amount from the tip and butt ends of a shaft to produce a specific flex/frequency, or making up a partial set, or a set with wedges and short irons that have stiffer shafts and/or higher kickpoints. However, if your point is that even name brand clubs are made up of components, I totally agree. Take the head off an iron, and you have a head, whether it is made by Ping or Golfsmith. But I don’t think you’re talking about rebuilding a club from scratch. I disagree to the extent that you imply that you can always get stock equipment to fit if you just spend enough money. In the resale market, pro clubs will retain more value simply because component clubs are taxed for precisely the reason that they are special in the first instance – they are individualized in make-up, so they will not have wide market, not to mention the brand name effect. An adjusted pro set will have ready buyers, even though it has specs that differ from OEM. My personal feeling is that this differential on resale will at least make up the price differential at the time of purchase. Comments?
Since you asked . . . First, you contradict yourself by arguing that component clubs are taxed because they are individualized but then assert that tweeked name brand equipment does not have this problem. This simply makes no sense. If a club is 1.0 inch shorter than standard, a specific subset of buyers will reject that club for that reason whether it is component or name brand. Have you ever tried to sell used clubs? I have, both component and brand name. Here’s a real life example. I had a driver totally custom made for me for $140 using quality custom components. At about the same time, I purchased a Callaway Big Bertha Warbird Deuce for $240.00. I outgrew the regular graphite shafts on both of these clubs, and tried to sell them at Play it Again Sports. The component driver did not sell at all. The Callaway took 4 months to sell, and I got $85.00 for it. If you assume that I would be willing to give away the component driver for $10-20, you can see that the resale differential wasn’t even close to the $100 purchase differential. I was thinking of getting some irons, and feel this is my dilemma: should I get pro-line clubs (TM, Callaway, Titlelist, etc.) or component clubs from the local Golfsmith center?
Since you’re lucky enough to have a local Golfsmith center, you can try before you buy. Performance should be a much more important criterion than resale value. If I were you, I’d demo clubs until I felt comfortable making a choice. Then I’d buy a set that fit. Good luck.
Response:
I just measured my 10 year old clubs on a swingweight scale after I weighed the grips that went on for consistency. My Spalding Tour Editions vary from D2 to D6. Some workmanship! Also, since I ordered them 3/4" longer, they weren’t adjusted for lie and are therefore to flat. I don’t know what I’ll see on a frequency meter.
Response:
If you are concerned about resale value, buy pro-line clubs that you like and have them fitted by a pro. Fitting is important! BT
Response:
Not everybody Buys clubs for resale. I still have two sets of proline clubs that are 30 years old. But I play with components.
Response:
If you are concerned about resale value, buy pro-line clubs that you like and have them fitted by a pro. Fitting is important! BT
I don’t get it. You’re saying if you’re concerned about resale value, then you should buy the more expensive clubs because they will be worth more when you are ready to sell them? If I spend $600 on new pro-line irons, how much will they be worth in one year? I have a sneaky suspicion that if I subtract that value from the original $600, the difference will be more than enough to buy a good set of fitted, component clubs brand new. So what if the component clubs’ resale value goes to $0? You’re still money ahead. — Barry Smith