[VIDEO] Taking on Titleist – Golf Ball Roundtable

Taking on Titleist can be done.

The problem: Titleist Pro V1 is the BENCHMARK against which other golf balls are measured. If you are selling a ball in the price range of a Pro V1, a customer naturally says: if I’m going to spend that much, I might as well buy Titleist. It’s the old “you can’t go wrong buying ______” reasoning.

Here’s what a company (we’ll use Callaway as an example) should do:

First, they need to create a ball that sells for at least $100 a dozen (and probably $120 so it will be a $10 golf ball). It must definitely not less.

I know there isn’t a big market for balls this expensive (if any), but that isn’t the point. If Callaway only breaks even (or even loses a little money), it’s OK.

Callaway should make this the best ball period. It should exceed the Pro V1 in every category: distance, durability, spin, consistency, whatever).

For this discussion, we’ll label the ball the “Callaway Elite 1” golf ball.

Callaway should send this ball to every reviewer they can find. Get the word out that Callaway has created a great ball. It may cost an arm and a leg, but it’s also BETTER than a Pro V1.

The point is to create a new BENCHMARK against which golf balls are compared–including the Pro V1.

Now, on their balls that compete with the Pro V1, they should mark them “with Elite 1 ball technology”.

Now, when customers picks up a box of Callaway golf balls, they aren’t comparing them to Titleist, they are comparing them to the Callaway Elite 1. And with that mindset, they are more likely to say “you can’t go wrong buying Callaway”.

I don’t believe Titleist has gotten to a point where they take their customers for granted. I believe even the retail golfer is not looking for a ball that behaves radically different from what they are used to.. Titleist has used the same names for their premium ball for decades. Pro V1, Pro V1x.. I doubt there are many who can discern the difference between a 2019 ball and a 2017 but if you come across one a couple of generations back you can. Steady improvement with the same philosophy has created and maintained their market. When I buy a Pro V1/V1x there are no surprises.

I agree with Mike, and no Dean Snell, whats that all about? I would like a much longer discussion. This was a tease to nothing!!1

This was.just salesmspeak. I would consider this more advertisement then “round table”

I thought that would be a much longer watch. The Bridgestone guy told me nothing, just corporate-speak. Thought the same of the Callaway guy until he mentioned about, what I inferred, types of balls that the pros wouldn’t play (i.e. etc soft). Titleist has a HUGE market share. On our course (upscale public), about 1 out of every 10 balls we find is a Pro V1 / Pro V1X. Not a just a Titleist, but specifically, a Pro V1. The second most premium bowl we find is a chrome soft. Would have loved to ask the Callaway guy, why did it take you guys so long to maintain a consistent name on your premium ball (like the folks at Titleist have done w/the Pro V1 name)? Callaway used to put out a different named premium ball every year.. There is power in a consistent brand name (see: Vokey).

Why is the video less then two min long? Super informative! 🙂

Is there a longer video that was not linked? Aren’t round tables typically longer than 90 seconds?

Do you recycle/reuse cover material in any way?