Give Love to the Little Brands

Nothing screams “validation” for the big OEMs like wins on the PGA TOUR.  And whether you agree or disagree, it’s hard to argue when golf enthusiasts make a big deal over Tiger Woods signing deals with TaylorMade and Bridgestone Golf or when a [Insert OEM Company Name] staffer wins the [Insert PGA Event].

But something interesting caught my attention with Patrick Reed’s victory at the Masters and, more recently, Satoshi Kodaira’s victory at the RBC Heritage.

With respect to Reed, The Masters’ Champion has opted to not enter an equipment sponsorship deal with Callaway expired earlier this year.  Instead, Reed went entirely brand agnostic into the Masters, sporting what he felt best complimented his game:

A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx) on Apr 7, 2018 at 4:06pm PDT

• Ping G400 LST Driver
• Nike VR Pro Ltd. Edition 3 Wood
• Titleist 716 T-MB 3-Iron
• Callaway X-Forged 4 Iron, Callaway MB 5-PW
• Artisan 51° and  56° Wedges, Titleist Vokey SM5 61° Wedge
• Odyssey White Hot Pro 3 Putter

Notably, the Artisan wedges Reed used are from a brand with a small following, but can trace its roots back to Nike Golf and Ben Hogan Golf.

Likewise, Satoshi Kodaira competed in the RBC with a bag largely built around a brand that is largely unknown here in the US: PRGR.

A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx) on Apr 15, 2018 at 12:15pm PDT

• PRGR RS Prototype Driver
• TaylorMade M2 3 Wood
• PRGR ID Nabla Black 5 Wood
• PRGR ID Nabla RS 3 Iron, PRGR Forged 4-PW
• PRGR ID Nable Tour 52° Wedge, Fourteen RM 22 60° Wedge
• Scotty Cameron Prototype Putter

Now the reason why I find this so interesting is because how many of us look to buy new golf equipment, whether it be a new driver, a set of irons, or even golf balls, we only look at 1 or 2 particular brands.

There is nothing wrong with that, but I’d simple like to point out that it’s entirely possible that you’re missing out on a whole spectrum of options that might better compliment your game (and sometimes, even save you a few bucks).  In fact, when I was custom fit last year for irons, it turned out that Srixon Z765 forged cavity backs were not only the best performing option for me, but also were a little less expensive than the next best option.

And while I was completely sold after reviewing all the indisputable data and falling in love with how great they felt, I’m 100% sure that I never would’ve considered Srixons if I had just shopped for irons on my own instead of getting fit and trying virtually every option available.

While Srixon is a bigger brand, BombTech Golf is a perfect non-OEM example that immediately comes to mind.  In fact, if you dig back almost 3 years ago, Golficity did a review on the original BombTech Grenade Driver, and since then, BombTech has updated and expanded its product line, which now includes the Grenade 2 Driver, 3 and 5 Woods, Hybrids, Driving Irons, Iron Set, and Wedges.

In sum, you can basically have an entire bags of BombTech gear except a putter (ironically, BombTech briefly made milled putters a few years ago).  I personally have used the BombTech Wedges, and while there’s only 3 loft options (52°, 56°, and 60°) and no grind options, they’re quality clubs at an unbeatable price of $130 for all 3 wedges.

As a result, BombTech might be an excellent option for someone who’s just getting into golf or needs some wedges to add to their set of irons.

A post shared by Sully (@bombtechgolf) on Mar 22, 2018 at 5:04pm PDT

Likewise, Golficity has also discussed Lynx Golf’s renty into the golf club marketplace.  With respect to Lynx’s irons offerings, the Prowler VT (a 2-piece clubhead, featuring a forged face and cast steel body), Prowler Forged cavity back irons, and Lynx Tour Blades provide great options for someone who’s still looking for a quality iron at a more affordable price point.

We’re keeping our fingers crossed, but Golficity might have the opportunity to review these clubs in the near future.

A post shared by Lynx Golf (@lynxgolfuk) on Jan 2, 2018 at 7:46am PST

Ironically, amateur golfers are probably most familiar with the smaller market companies selling golf balls, including Snell Golf, OnCore, and Vice Golf.  While there’s no disputing the R&D and quality checks that the mainstream OEMs can provide, like Titleist with the ProV1, it’s hard to ignore some of these smaller brand alternatives.

In fact, while testing the Snell MTB Black and Red golf balls, I was really amazed with how well they performed, especially considering you have the option of purchasing a quality 3 (MTB Black) or 4-piece (MTB Red) golf ball at a price point that’s traditionally reserved for 2-piece golf balls.

A post shared by Snell Golf (@snellgolf) on Jan 17, 2018 at 12:52pm PST

At the end of the day, play the equipment that gives you the best results for your budget.

For some of us, that might mean going outside our comfort zone and trying something we haven’t previously considered or even knew existed.  But there’s nothing wrong with that.

If you’re getting new clubs, get custom fit: you’ll honestly be amazed at how much of a difference it’ll make and how confident you’ll be on the course when you know that club was spec’d out for you.  And if you’ve been playing the same golf ball since Vietnam, maybe it’s time to consider buying a few sleeves (or boxes) of a couple different balls and just try chipping and putting with each one.  Hell, hit up a Par 3 course and play a few holes with each.

Regardless of what you’re trying out, it’s inevitable that you’ll start find something that you gravitate towards and performs a little better than the rest.  Then stick with that one.

But don’t tie yourself to a brand name.  There’s a lot of different golf brands out there, pick the one that best meets your goals.

Cover Image via Instagram