RUMOR: Major OEM to enter Ultra-Premium Club Market
News

RUMOR: Major OEM to enter Ultra-Premium Club Market

RUMOR: Major OEM to enter Ultra-Premium Club Market

You think PXG isn’t having an impact? Ask some of the boutique brands what their sales numbers look like since PXG entered the marketplace.

While not confirmed, the proverbial word on the street is that PXG is blowing away initial projections, and that’s likely due to its unique position as a performance brand in what has traditionally been a lifestyle-driven market.

PXG has few, if any real competitors, but that could be about to change.

Last night a source with a solid track record reached out to tell me that one of the biggest names in the golf equipment industry is preparing to go toe to toe with PXG. A line of ultra-exclusive clubs is in the works, with the retail price point for a driver said to be in the $1000 ballpark, while irons would sell for ±$2500.

Per the same source, the company’s plans haven’t been announced internally yet, but if the information proves correct, we can expect more details to start leaking early next month, with a public announcement to follow sometime around mid-summer.

As rumors go, this one is believable, even likely, but certainly not 100%. That said, it does raise an interesting question:

Is there enough demand in the ultra-premium space for one of the industry’s major players to make the R&D investment necessary to jump in and be competitive? The high-end market appears to be growing, but what happens if supply surpasses demand?

Yes, I know that’s two questions, but regardless, we might soon find out.

Have Your Say

Do you think it’s possible for a mainstream brand to be successful in the ultra-premium market? Is this something you’d like to see?

For You

For You

Golf Bags
Apr 29, 2024
STITCH Upgrades Popular SL2 Golf Bag
News
Apr 29, 2024
No Comparison at All: A Closer Look at South Carolina’s Newest Golf Courses
Golf Wedges
Apr 28, 2024
Testers Wanted: Titleist Vokey Wedges
Tony Covey

Tony Covey

Tony Covey

Tony is the Editor of MyGolfSpy where his job is to bring fresh and innovative content to the site. In addition to his editorial responsibilities, he was instrumental in developing MyGolfSpy's data-driven testing methodologies and continues to sift through our data to find the insights that can help improve your game. Tony believes that golfers deserve to know what's real and what's not, and that means MyGolfSpy's equipment coverage must extend beyond the so-called facts as dictated by the same companies that created them. Most of all Tony believes in performance over hype and #PowerToThePlayer.

Tony Covey

Tony Covey

Tony Covey





    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

      choppersmakemelaugh

      8 years ago

      I usually don’t chime in on these feeds, I just read them for a good laugh. Due to the many ignorant comments here though I will shed a little light on this gear.

      First, I bet many of you own an expensive watch or an above average car which can be construed as unnecessary in many opinions as well. That being said you can afford these clubs if you so choose. The companies numbers are up every month and their tour staff is near the top of the leader board every week. So to all the haters out there, stop hating and just try them. You might sell that over priced watch or trade in that automobile because you realize it’s cooler to play good golf than waste money on something considered materialistic in most eyes…

      Second, I’ve hit the clubs and played everything from A-Z this industry has to offer. No one and I repeat “no one” has created a club that performs like these due. At least in the irons. They have more ball speed, better spin rate, better feel than straight blades, more forgiveness, and fly straighter than anything i’ve ever hit. I’m not saying others don’t make good gear, I’m saying plenty of people in this game have a lot of money and want to play better golf. So they better better clubs…

      Technology is so involved in the game of golf now that anyone who says it doesn’t matter either can’t hit the center of the face to tell the difference, or they don’t love to hit good golf shots enough in order to re adjust their yearly budget.

      Personally I’m thankful someone finally created something that they don’t need to copy in a different paint color or slot or aero dynamic every three months and try to trick consumers into buying the next latest and greatest, when it’s the same thing in a different outfit….

      I can’t wait to buy a set of these clubs so I can keep them for a few years because they are pure quality WITH technology that can’t be duplicated with smoke and mirrors. IMO

      Reply

      James

      8 years ago

      Srixon already has an ultra premium line in XXIO and has started bringing that to the US market. I wouldn’t be surprised if another company did it too. As has been mentioned, this is really no different than Toyota producing Lexus. Lexus is a niche brand and Toyota the mass brand. Lot of profit in those niche brands.

      Reply

      MARCUS SYNEGAL

      8 years ago

      There is a reason that Toyota produces Lexus. No one cries that the same owners make a 2 door sedan and one sells for $25K while the other sells for $55K.

      If I had to guess TaylorMade could be the brand that does this. Many of the players have been dying for the TP line to come back in full force. With some recent shifts to their framework and their players winning on tour.. I could see it happening.

      Hey, we all know there is a 30 handicap with a 80 MPH swing speed playing a Titleist ProV1x somewhere and we all know they play it because that’s what the tour players play.

      I’m just saying maybe we aren’t as rational as we all think.

      Reply

      mcavoy

      8 years ago

      Remains to be seen but IF TMAG is shopping TM that won’t be happening.

      Reply

      john

      8 years ago

      it’ll be Callaway, probably releasing a new Legacy range.

      Reply

      Jimbo

      8 years ago

      For $1000, is the price sticker permanently affixed to the club so everyone can see it?

      Reply

      ComeOnSense

      8 years ago

      I knew this was going to happened, and it wont stop here, all of the companies will sooner or later have a Greed line of clubs in their inventory. Another sad day for golf. I would like to know who’s this Greedy … (#@&/^).

      Ps. It’s not fair to call it Greedy since they are going to be using the finest and purest materials known to men.

      Reply

      Tony Worland

      8 years ago

      Seems like a lot of love for PXG at WGC match play this week – Kirk, Z Johnson…..hat & bags, not sure if playing clubs though

      Reply

      Alex Shattuck

      8 years ago

      They are playing the clubs. Zach has been showing a lot of love for the clubs, the Driver especially

      Reply

      Large chris

      8 years ago

      Well in terms of performance, it’s all about the numbers ain’t it MGS?

      And after a year of hype…. No numbers seen.

      Reply

      P.J.

      8 years ago

      What a BS article. Your email says “What major OEM is going toe-to-toe with PXG?”
      But there’s no real information – just ‘one of the biggest names in the golf equipment industry is preparing to go toe to toe with PXG’.
      Why even bother?!? A reliable source…hah! Not reliable enough to provide any meat.
      MGS – shame on you. This type of sensationalism to draw in readers is something the National Enquirer might try, but you guys?!? Really….how disappointing and shameful.
      I usually look forward to your insight articles, but this one feels cheap and deceitful just to pull in readers. I was going to come here anyhow, why lie about it?!?

      Reply

      Sk

      8 years ago

      Agreed…

      Reply

      Terry

      8 years ago

      I’m all for Premium clubs. I trust that their ultra-tech research will filter down to those clubs we peasants play.

      Reply

      john hoare

      8 years ago

      if you go into the pro shop at royal melbourne you will find XXIO drivers and clubs at prices that only our visitors from ASIA have the funds to purchase, in all i think its the brand name and not the price, if PXG clubs found there way down here i am not sure people would play better golf using them or just enjoy the fact they are using something that most of us hear about but dont ever get to see

      Reply

      dcorun

      8 years ago

      My Cleveland 588 MT are working fine for now and I will be looking at the G30 and M2 before year end. Even If I wasn’t on Social Security, those clubs are out of my price range. They were when I was still working. I can shoot in the eighties and even break 80 every once in awhile. Don’t need to eat Ramen noodles to buy PXG and still shoot the same score. LOL

      Reply

      Jason Purk

      8 years ago

      I love my 588 MT Irons ! I admit there may be alot more expensive and cosmetically better options out there but as far as performance these 588’s are top notch and will never leave my bag. I’m currently only averaging 2.6 yards off center line. The accuracy is amazing.

      Reply

      dcorun

      8 years ago

      YAHOO! Another Cleveland lover. I’m really upset about what Srixon is doing to what I always felt was an underrated golf company that made outstanding clubs and maybe the best wedges out there including Volkey. I guess you need lots of money and be in the BIG 3-5 companies to get any credit for a well made golf club. I agree with you, I haven’t found another iron in 2 1/2 years that I’d replace my MT’s with. The only reason I’ll be looking at Ping and TM is because of what’s happened to Cleveland. Jason, have a great golf season.

      tiger168

      8 years ago

      Honma has been making gold plated clubs priced over $10,000 for decades. I don’t see anyone owned those clubs played any better.

      Other JDM clubs which priced over $1,000or $2,000 are not uncommon. Include US brand and top Japanese sport equipment makers. After a while, the hype will die down and reality syncs in, Cheap Mizuno rules the market now.

      US companies are know to waste investment and marketing dollars for a finite market which are already saturated. Unless you get new golfers, the market will not change.

      Premium clubs for the ultra rich are already here, not just PXG. Nice display in the office or at Wenworth club, but, they are custom made and not shelving product for ordinary consumers. Hope they can make money for that niche market and stay around.

      Branding like Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura, Nissan/Infinity, Chevy/Cadillac, Ford/Lincoln never proven worked well. Except spending hard earned shareholder profits. Never made sense to me.

      Complete separate labels like LV, Gucci, Hermes versus Zara, H&M, Target fashion, do make sense. And each has it’s niche market. Nike, Adidas, create $500 sneakers, and mark them limited editions and make you get up 6AM to shop online or wait in a long line in the rain, does not make sense to me. Youngsters in the school get kill for less. Hope no one come and grab your $1,000 golf shoes on the course.

      I never liked chrome finish clubs, partly I lost a few tournaments because of it. Torching and make my club rust never made sense to me either. Satin or dark non-reflective under the sun finishes are my choices. The wedges now a days spin so much, it won’t make sens to rust my wedges and I won’t hear my wife call out to me to sell those clubs in the garage just rusting out. So PXG black finish without just a cheap pain that wears out in a couple of round does appear to me, but, those finish can be cheaply obtained in the top 10 companies Tony introduced here not long ago, for far less. I ask the local metallurgy shops, they all can help golfers do some exotic finishes for a fee, far less than what PXG added to the normal product.

      In fact, the sand blasted raw finish is the cheapest the best looking finish if you like it raw. Make sure you baby it with baby oil before the rust get out of hand.

      With how PXG guys perform in this weeks match play. I think it will draw serious attention to the clubs. But, it just those guys are awesome at the end of the day. To me, that is.

      Love the discussion here. Keep it going. The provocative strategy is working!!

      Reply

      Rusty

      8 years ago

      Rusty wedges don’t spin more than non-rusty wedges.

      Reply

      JBones

      8 years ago

      Can we just drop the “ultra premium” and call it what it really is…”ultra exclusive”? Premium makes it sound like it will perform better than anything else, which everyone knows isn’t true.

      Reply

      JWells

      8 years ago

      Performance is almost purely subjective, so it doesn’t matter either way. I think Ping S55’s are the best iron out there but some people can’t stand them. It’s all a matter of opinion and most will never have the chance to try PXG out, hence “exclusive” as you mentioned. But you can’t say that it doesn’t perform better with any grain of certainty.

      Reply

      Justin

      8 years ago

      Exactly. If someone beats me on the course, it was because they were the better player… not because they spent more on their clubs.

      Reply

      Jones

      8 years ago

      So, if you use my 1965 Haig Ultra irons and woods and I use PXG’s and beat you by 5 strokes it’s because I’m the better player?

      cksurfdude

      8 years ago

      Agree: “exclusive” being the key operative term here.
      ( the ultra-rich need to own things the rest of us commoners cannot)

      Also, Yeah, PXG will get noticed since they signed Zack Johnson and other already great players. Truth is – the tour pro guys and ladies can play better than you and I using a broomstick!

      Separate track: I like the way Troy Merritt swings and hits the ball; but he plays .. egad! .. Wilson Staff…

      Another “exclusive” analogy: I play public courses for between $18 to about $55 per round. If I played at one of the “ultra-premium” and very highly exclusive private clubs near me – would I then play better golf???????

      Reply

      joro

      8 years ago

      You say what major and then don”t say. To me that is a non question seeing you do not say. And I am sure PXG is a fine club, like many others but you seem to be really pimping then.

      Reply

      Michael

      8 years ago

      I do think that the OEM’s will begin producing “upscale” golf equipment even if it is only an experiment. This concept at least in golf is unproven as a market model. However, there will always be those where price is no object and will just spend the money cause they have it. As far as performance improvement………probably not. If it were possible to have improved performance to any significant degree wouldn’t they have already have done that and word of mouth would have gotten around that brand x is so much better than anything else out there. Highly unlikely. All clubs these days have miniscule difference in true performance. Can feel be different? Yup. Can they be fit to your swing characteristics and be better for you? Yup. Will there be a discernable difference in clubs any properly fit ones? Don’t really think so.

      Reply

      Jimmy O

      8 years ago

      It’s been a few years since I’ve been in the business but even then, experimenting with premium materials and manufacturing techniques would benefit a certain percent of golfers. The reason you didn’t see them in the market is because the manufacturing cost to selling price ratio didn’t make sense from a business standpoint. The potential to charge multiple times more for clubs will have manufacturers chomping at the bit. Will they be multiple times better? Probably not- thanks to design limitations and what people expect/want to see when they look at a club. But it should lead to more options for golfers and gets us talking. So overall I’d call it a win- even if I can’t afford it…

      Reply

      Rangefinder Reviews

      8 years ago

      Absolutely Agree

      Reply

      Jack

      8 years ago

      My Ping G2’s are just fine. No need to drop 2500 on new sticks

      Reply

      Benseattle

      8 years ago

      Here, I think, is your real problem: all the top OEM’s have been clearly touting their gear as “the finest.” Include with a custom fit and You Just Can’t Do Can’t Better. However, by now producing a new line of high-end gear, you’d be telling customers “our regular stuff is junk so now buy our over-priced line (suckers.)”

      And as for PXG, Blowhard Bob Parsons can charge anything he wants, he can claim anything he wants but until there is independent testing that provides clear and convincing empirical data that PROVES his clubs are somehow superior, I’ll just let the boys who are desparate-to-impress fall for the hype and the illusion of exclusivity.

      Reply

      RAT

      8 years ago

      Amen Brother!

      Reply

      Ron

      8 years ago

      Reminds me a little of The Donald – big claims and hype with no data to support..

      Greg

      8 years ago

      Well it could have adverse effect on price of PXg irons if OEM steps in and offers their premium irons for say 250 and iron or 200 an iron.

      Sort of undercutting PXG.

      I wasnt overwhelmed by the PXG irons so its mute pioint here

      Reply

      DougE

      8 years ago

      That would be a “moot” point. Sorry. Grammar police, on patrol. ;-)

      Reply

      Christopher Hamelink

      8 years ago

      If Titleist jumped in on this, they might have success based on their customer loyalty and fanaticism. We get customers who will sell their soul for anything with that name on it. Most of them insist on being “team Titleist” from head to toe. And the TMB irons are about the most expensive irons offered, except for pxg, miura, and the other exotic club makers. While PXG has raised questions in our area, it hasn’t generated enough serious interest to warrant offering their brand.

      Reply

      Michael Billings

      8 years ago

      Well, as a consumer, if company X who has been selling me $600 drivers, suddenly comes out with the nuclear powered, dolphin safe, neutral carbon footprint $1,000 ‘uber’ driver which goes 325 yards if you blink 3 times quickly, we are going to have a problem. Why? Well obviously my $600 driver was not your best work. As someone who has been playing for 40 years now, and watched a million ads for longer clubs, hotter faces, better golf balls, and 5-10 more yards over the last version, I should be hitting my tee shots 600 yards with the arc and velocity akin to an ICBM. My wedges should be punching through greens and burrowing back under it, before appearing back in the daylight mere inches from the cup! Yes high tech is nice. Gimmie an M1 in a year or so when it’s half price, drop a $300 shaft in it, and you have a much better driver than the stock one you can buy today. Between now and then, take $400 worth of group lessons (so maybe 10) specifically to help your driver game, and maybe you will hit 325 yards. Just buying the $1000 driver and hoping won’t get you there.

      Reply

      Hula_Rock

      8 years ago

      Referencing the recent MGS “Mythbusters” JDM article written by Chis Nickle, couldn’t you just cut and paste JDM with “PXG”? I would like to here his thoughts on that…….

      Reply

      BenB

      8 years ago

      Excellent Point

      Reply

      Murv

      8 years ago

      I saw this coming and posted it. If PXG was even slightly successful the other OEM’s would believe they were not getting enough money. The cost of all equipment will increase with no performance gains. Who wants to play with second class clubs? You mean to tell me that OEM’S knew they could make better equipment if they could charge a higher price?

      Murv

      Reply

      Gregory M Platupe

      8 years ago

      Can’t justify $2500+ for a set of irons . I’ve met someone who has these and swears they are the holy grail. Whatever

      Reply

      Dominic

      8 years ago

      Tried PXG clubs today, honestly unreal! Kudos to Bob Parsons! Great businessman! I also checked out the Bentley Clubs at the PGA Show. They are honestly not very good, they look like crap. Just expensive because of the name. PXG’s are the real deal, I won’t be buying them because if the steep price tag, but if anyone is considering them or just would like to try them. Go do it! They are some of the best clubs in golf!

      Reply

      Chris Bourquin

      8 years ago

      I don’t get it, you can say anything is premium and price for a different demographic. There will always be those willing to spend and those willing to save and buy last year’s greatest ever. Congrats to those with the means. If I chose to I suppose I could buy them too and still be just as crappy.

      Reply

      purkjason

      8 years ago

      Say what you want but PXG is a Joke. There isn’t much original in their iron design in my opinion. I remember Nickent have their ARC series of irons that was internally filled with a nice looking green elastomer compound to increase feel , create a better sound etc. Nickent was way ahead of their time. I would rather own a set of Arc Blades over the over priced not so original blades that simply has holes drilled into them and then have a couple dollars worth of machine screws inserted into them that has more to do with looks over function.

      Reply

      JWells

      8 years ago

      “Nickent was way ahead of their time”

      Really worked out for them didn’t it? Hahaha. Mickey started out as a company that “copied” big OEM designs and even gave them similar names. I have no respect for companies who do that and apparently most people feel the same way.

      Reply

      Jason Purk

      8 years ago

      Nickent is still alive and selling putters here in the U. S. And they are still doing quite well with the Asian Market. Just because they don’t sell well doesn’t necessarily mean there product is/was garbage. Most of the time it’s just a lack of marketing. I’m not sitting here saying that Nickent was the cat’s ass and I admit I don’t own a single Nickent club , all I’m saying is Nickent made some very nice clubs in the past. Those ARC Blade irons were “Ahead of Their Time” as far as design goes. Nickent made some very nice hybrids in the past and currently makes a very nice putter as far as feel goes with their Omen Series of putters. But I appreciate you taking time out of your day to laugh at me and trying to hurt my feelings lol.

      mcavoy

      8 years ago

      Isn’t Nickent now a house brand of Dick’s and GG?

      dr. bloor

      8 years ago

      “Is there enough demand in the ultra-premium space for one of the industry’s major players to make the R&D investment necessary to jump in and be competitive?”

      I certainly can’t see it, but I’m not in the biz. I think a bigger problem for an OEM getting into the lux line is establishing added value over their current top-of-the-line products that warrants doubling or tripling the price.

      Reply

      Craig Ryan

      8 years ago

      1000 for a driver… bargain

      Reply

      David Williams

      8 years ago

      Here is what I’m guessing. There won’t be much of an R&D increase as the OEM probably already had these clubs in the works but weren’t planning on charging near that price for them. Now that they’ve seen there is a market at that price they are going to gouge some customers by marketing them as a ultra-premium.

      Reply

      Devlin Keenoy

      8 years ago

      If a OEM company gets into this, their standard lines will be looked at as inferior in comparison. Very bad idea. Let PXG be, they aren’t a major threat to the current manufacturers. While their equipment looks awesome, 95% of us can’t afford it.

      Reply

      Josh Gold

      8 years ago

      So…same price to make…charge a lot…sell less…but make the same…genius

      Reply

      Chris Marcil

      8 years ago

      That’s like saying it costs the same to make a Caravan as it does to make a Range Rover.
      Even at it’s most base level, Callaway makes a couple hundred thousand sets of their top irons where an “Ultra Premium” brand might only manufacture 5000. That alone brings price up and you haven’y even started to talk about quality control and material grade….or patent protection….

      Reply

      GilB

      8 years ago

      There’s a market for everything, large and small. As long as the clubs conform to the USGA standards and limits, why spend an exorbitant amount of money on some ego stroking clubs? You’ll be able to play some lousy golf with these clubs too. All golf club manufacturers can price point a new set of clubs to some crazy limit and I suppose there’ll be someone who equates price with performance but when human talent, or lack thereof, is put into the equation, they’ll be woefully disappointed.

      Reply

      Christian Furu

      8 years ago

      Easy. Introduce TaylorMade Gloire to USA and Europe.

      Reply

      Shawn Allan

      8 years ago

      I think the premium club market is a Joke. None of these clubs perform any better than a fitted set of pretty much anything.

      Reply

      Kenny B

      8 years ago

      I suppose the question is “Are the ultra-exclusive line of clubs just exclusive in price only, or are real performance enhancements designed in to the clubs to justify the added cost?” Some people with disposable income are willing to pay for exclusivity and real performance gains (I’m not one of them.) If the cost is not justifiable, then they are made for suckers!

      Reply

      Thomas Ducey

      8 years ago

      XXIO was there before PXG, no?

      Reply

      Pete Ciambrone

      8 years ago

      Hey that’s why there are companies called Bugotti, Lamborghini, Farrari, some people have that kind of cash to spend, unfortunately I do not!

      Reply

      Parker

      8 years ago

      Bugatti, Ferrari. Ciambrone sounds pretty Italian.

      Reply

      Pete Ciambrone

      8 years ago

      A poor italian not an ultra premium italian

      mcavoy

      8 years ago

      Maybe Jabroni? I dunno…

      mcavoy

      8 years ago

      They should name the line OMG, since that will be most people’s reaction the the price.

      Reply

      Kanoito

      8 years ago

      Or WTF :D

      Reply

    Leave A Reply

    required
    required
    required (your email address will not be published)

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Golf Bags
    Apr 29, 2024
    STITCH Upgrades Popular SL2 Golf Bag
    News
    Apr 29, 2024
    No Comparison at All: A Closer Look at South Carolina’s Newest Golf Courses
    Golf Wedges
    Apr 28, 2024
    Testers Wanted: Titleist Vokey Wedges
    ENTER to WIN 3 DOZEN

    Titleist ProV1 Golf Balls

    Titleist ProV1 Golf Balls
    By signing up you agree to receive communications from MyGolfSpy and select partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy You may opt out of email messages/withdraw consent at any time.