For this week’s MGS Debates question, we asked our staff the following:
Whether it’s apparel, equipment or something in between, what is the most underappreciated brand in golf? We’re looking for a brand that makes a great product/products but doesn’t get the level of recognition it deserves among the golfing public.
Sean Fairholm: I still feel like Srixon should get even more love. I’m not sure anyone makes a more reliably accurate set of player’s irons and the Z-Star golf ball line performed well in that crucial mid-swing speed category so many of us find ourselves in. Srixon is such a solid choice for many golfers but doesn’t necessarily have the brand profile others enjoy.
Bennett Green: COBRA might be the most slept-on brand. Their drivers have, in some cases, dominated testing, and I still feel like they’re not showing up in people’s bags. COBRA DS Adapt Max K took No. 1 for High Swing Speed Drivers, the DS Adapt Hybrid took No. 1 Overall Hybrid this year, and the LS was No. 1 for Mid Swing Speeds. Their R&D is every bit as sharp as Titleist or Callaway but their innovations never really get the credit they deserve, 3D irons and putters included. Marketing is a little quieter and quirky (always one step behind), but the performance is there.
Robert Colella: I’ll have to piggyback on Sean’s claim concerning Srixon irons across all the ZXi models. I had been a diehard Mizuno iron player since 2009 and hadn’t played anything different until two years ago when I dabbled in Titleist’s T100S. Now, I’m rocking the ZXi7s and love the irons.
On another note and within the same parent company are the Cleveland wedges. My first set of premium wedges were the Cleveland 588s and they were the wedge to have on tour for some time. Branding, name recognition and performance have thrust the Vokey to the forefront, but I still believe the current Cleveland RTZ wedges can perform and keep up with the Vokey series. Just need to have the wedge loft, lie and bounce that fits you.
The name stamped on a club doesn’t hit the ball for you. A crap swing with the best iron or wedge is still a “SHANK.”
Chris Nickel: Wilson Golf. I’m anticipating many readers responding with something like, “Seriously? Wilson?” But, yeah, underappreciated brands don’t carry the same name recognition as the big boys. Truly underappreciated brands probably require a bit of explanation.
Since the “Driver vs Driver” debacle, Wilson has continually invested in its metalwood lineup, making large strides in a very competitive category. Behind the scenes, investments in key R&D individuals and renewed efforts (aka dedicating more resources to the cause) should yield both short-term and long-term benefits. What continues to surprise me is how many better players—say single-digit handicaps—don’t understand how good the Wilson Staff irons are …. this might be more of a North American issue given Wilson’s relative popularity across the Atlantic.
Wedges are solid and the ball is among the best not named Titleist.
John Barba: While I could cop out and say direct-to-consumer brands as a whole, I’m going to be specific by giving the nod to Sub 70 by a hair over MacGregor/Ram/Zebra/Hogan. Jason Hiland has created a lineup of irons, wedges, metalwoods and putters that, from top to bottom, rival any of the mainstream brands in terms of value.
Sub 70 has a well-earned cadre of underground supporters and, while it’s not the least expensive of the DTC brands, it is the most consistent across the full scale of the product line. The TA III line of wedges and irons are sublime and you can certainly play good golf with the 699/699 Pro player’s distance irons. Hiland leverages relationships with the likes of Bob Renegar (co-designer and co-patent holder of the new 859 driver) and Tommy Armour III to create unique products that go well beyond the slightly modified open molds most other DTC companies offer.
Additionally, Sub 70’s level of customer service is in a league by itself, no matter its DTC status.
The MacGregor/Ram/Zebra/Hogan group isn’t far behind. You can play good golf with any of these products and save a nice chunk of cash while doing so. I have no quibbles with any of the other brands cited as underrated or underappreciated, but a good DTC brand can rival any of the mainstream OEMs. And specs from a good fitting can be transferred to any brand.
What do you think, MGS readers?
Let us know your picks for the most underappreciated brand in golf.
Krauter
7 months ago
As someone who loves everything Sub 70, they were my 1st thought, but I don’t think their underappreciated, as much as less known. So, I’ll go with Srixon in the US.