Last Updated on July 11, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
Even if you study all the equipment released each season, you may have missed a few of the things that are going on behind the scenes. None of this information is actually secret; you’ll find it if you do enough research. We just saved you the work—here are 6 insider secrets about golf club manufacturers. Keep quiet. You may save a bit of money!
The Real Cost of Production
The actual cost to produce a golf club is quite low. These clubs have very high markups (because they can get away with it). However, the real reason you see all the markups is because of the marketing and endorsements.
You can rest assured that the steel used in your steel shafts is not all that pricy, but when Dustin Johnson says that he uses those, your price goes much higher!
Now, some golf clubs have manufacturing processes that do truly cost more but that’s certainly not every brand.
Marketing Over Innovation
Do you have any real way of telling if a new feature is truly new? How about the type of impact that it will have?
There are some years when a new technology comes out and really changes things. However, most of the time, the differences between one model year and the next are minimal.
Many times, the focus is on aesthetics and branding rather than an actual innovation.
Quality Control Variations
I’m sure quality control has improved over the years, and of course, some brands are better than others. However, I have a story about this that is worth telling.
I once hit a driver at a demo day years ago, and it was literally the perfect club for me. I tried to get the representative to sell me the demo, but he said he would order me a new one.
The new one came, and I could not hit it the same.
Not even close.
I actually took the club to him at his next demo day, and he let me test the original demo against the new one I had ordered, and even he was shocked by the difference.
He gave me the demo to keep.
Long story short, if something seems wrong about a club you purchase, have it checked out with a launch monitor, it could actually have a problem.
Shared Manufacturing Facilities
Many companies use the same facilities to produce their golf clubs. Of course, this isn’t a problem, but it does make you realize that the differences between one brand and another are minimal.
In fact, in some cases, the only real difference is the branding.
Therefore, being a true brand-loyal golfer really doesn’t make much sense. Instead, find the specifications, feel, and performance you need and, from there, pick the clubs that are best for you.
The Lifespan of Club Technology Is Longer Than You Think
Older clubs really aren’t as bad as they are made out to be. If you invested in a great driver 5 years ago, there is a good chance that it’s still working just fine for your game.
If you go to a fitting, you may find that you gained a few yards, the spin rates are a little better, or the dispersion is a bit tighter. It may or may not be worth the $600 upgrade.
Cheap equipment has a short lifespan. Premium equipment lasts a while, and you probably don’t need to upgrade it as often as you think you will.
Endorsement Deals Influence Design
Most golf manufacturers start with a model of a golf club built for professionals. They then take these clubs and tweak them to work for amateurs. Therefore, the model you are getting is probably not exactly what the tour players have.
My question for you as an amateur player is why you want what the tour pros have. Wouldn’t it be better to pick a club specifically built for a golfer like you? Let’s face it: You probably don’t have Bryson’s speed or Scottie’s accuracy. Why try to play with the same equipment they are using?
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, these secrets about golf club manufacturers (which really aren’t hidden secrets) helped to open your mind to the world of golf equipment. Average golfers invest over $100,000 into golf and golf gear over their lifetime, so pay attention to the little things to make sure you get a great deal.
