Why don’t more people play component golf clubs?

[woodriff]

I’ve played a number of name brands, and now play Maltby offerings. 
I can’t figure out why more people don’t play components? Wishon forgings are excellent. Maltby offers something for everyone. KZG are terrific. Price points are terrific. Shaft offerings are wide. 
I realize it’s all about marketing, but the above companies make terrific products that don’t break the bank.

Edited March 8, 2021 by woodriff

[cgasucks]

Their resale value sucks that's why.

[Multipass613]

Education IMO, I've played various Maltby irons and woods for 20 years, always on par with OEM gear except custom built for a fraction of the price.

 

My friends who I starch by 20 strokes a round with Maltby irons still have a hard time believing that a Maltby club would perform as well for them as the new Callaway, TM, Ping, etc.

 

People WANT to believe the hope that marketing gives them.

Edited March 8, 2021 by Multipass613

[Pepperturbo]

If you like component golf equipment, fine.  That is why Maltby and KZG exist.  Just because someone likes Kia doesn't mean everyone should run out and buy one.  I prefer Titleist, and my 620 series and Porsche.  Good luck with your clubs.

[PEI_Golfer]

For many it is harder to walk into a smaller shop vs. a bright big box store and feel the same excitement.  People also have a hard time with the word 'component' and equate it to 'knock off' even though that isn't the case.  Another hard pill to swallow is the end pricing when you add all things up and the perceived value of OEM is better regardless disappears as component set ups aren't always cheap.  

[Bad9]

I played components, mostly Maltby for years, then played mostly Pings for a number of years. Now back to mostly Maltby for many of the reasons you list pus I have always liked the look of the KE4 line specifically. However, if you tend to keep clubs for shorter periods of time(like many guys on here) cgasucks point is a big one. I would also like to point out that saying stuff like "Are golf consumers really that gullible ? " about someone's choice of equipment really doesn't put your argument in a positive light. 75% of the members here will read that and never visit this thread again.

[GHIN n Juice]

I think most people have no idea where to find components, test components and/ buy them.  The one thing big OEMs have is marketing and distribution to consumers.  Why go find Maltby when Callaway is right there?

[woodriff]

6 minutes ago, Bad9 said:

I played components, mostly Maltby for years, then played mostly Pings for a number of years. Now back to mostly Maltby for many of the reasons you list pus I have always liked the look of the KE4 line specifically. However, if you tend to keep clubs for shorter periods of time(like many guys on here) cgasucks point is a big one. I would also like to point out that saying stuff like "Are golf consumers really that gullible ? " about someone's choice of equipment really doesn't put your argument in a positive light. 75% of the members here will read that and never visit this thread again.

point taken, and edited. 
w

[skujan57]

So far I have only purchased shafts, adapters, and grips from GolfWorks and had them assemble as well. I know they can build Maltby clubs too. Something to consider.

[NRJyzr]

19 minutes ago, cgasucks said:

Their resale value sucks that's why.

 

If you look in percentage terms, it would appear so.  But if you look at actual dollars, they are better performing in the used market than they appear.

 

You can get a set of 3-pw forged CBs new for $380, plus $40 assembly charge.  

A 4-gw set of Mizuno JPX921 is $1400.

 

If you use each for 6 months, what sort of value hit will you take on each in resale?  Not percentage, but in dollars?

 

[Bad9]

Another point is that most players probably don't want to assemble clubs or try and figure out what they should get put together, they prefer to buy someting already assembled.

[grillnugz]

The main reason I haven't used component clubs is that 0.370" bore is rather common. I much prefer 0.355 and don't want to shim my brand new irons. Probably a silly reason lol.

 

Also, used OEM clubs can be rather cheap and good condition if you're willing to look around.

[idontnoh]

20 minutes ago, GHIN n Juice said:

I think most people have no idea where to find components, test components and/ buy them.  The one thing big OEMs have is marketing and distribution to consumers.  Why go find Maltby when Callaway is right there?

I had no idea about Maltby, Wishon, etc. until a few months ago. I started playing in mid-20s, took a decade+ off, and only started getting serious two years ago. Marketing plays a big deal. 

 

Just now, grillnugz said:

The main reason I haven't used component clubs is that 0.370" bore is rather common. I much prefer 0.355 and don't want to shim my brand new irons. Probably a silly reason lol.

 

Also, used OEM clubs can be rather cheap and good condition if you're willing to look around.

Going back to marketing -- most amateurs don't know about the difference between .370 and .335. The marketing of a club, without the finer details, makes it easier to pull the trigger and buy a set of irons.  

[sevenfourate]

Snobbery. Its because of brand snobbery.......

[PEI_Golfer]

24 minutes ago, GHIN n Juice said:

I think most people have no idea where to find components, test components and/ buy them.  The one thing big OEMs have is marketing and distribution to consumers.  Why go find Maltby when Callaway is right there?

 

I think this is likely harder than just finding a place to purchase.  I'm sure each place has a few clubs made up, but unless they are using clubconex or some other adaptor, it would be harder to try out heads with a variety of shafts.  The cost would be just too great for the Component OEM's to put out fit carts of all their offerings like the main OEM's do.

[lefthack]

Sometimes off the rack just works.

 

<edit> and the lack of lefty options. Have you seen all the iron sets Maltby offers in left? Doesn't take long to look. 🤣

Edited March 8, 2021 by lefthack

[NRJyzr]

1 minute ago, lefthack said:

Sometimes off the rack just works.

 

For most of my golf life, I've been in a position where it doesn't.  And, I'm actually glad about that....

 

If it would have been easier for me to acquire clubs when I was in full club ho mode, it would have been a lot uglier than it was.

 

[Break68]

I played Maltby wedges for along time, I find OEM clubs easier to get access to and buy.

 

[MattM97]

Resale is hot garbage water on them.

 

Most golfers buy OTR and if these are not in stores people will not buy them.

 

These are not in many fitters who do carry them so few people can test them. 

 

These are aimed at a very narrow segment of golfers and I'm sure that segment enjoys them but for the masses it's not worth it no matter how cheap they are. 

[lefthack]

2 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

 

For most of my golf life, I've been in a position where it doesn't.  And, I'm actually glad about that....

 

If it would have been easier for me to acquire clubs when I was in full club ho mode, it would have been a lot uglier than it was.

 

 

As a lefty, my options are limited to start with. Not much better at big box and custom shops still might only have a couple on hand. So "trial and error" is basically buy and resell.

 

Lucky for me I tend to buy low and sell high, so it works for me.

[forrester_fire]

So, so many reasons, in no particular order...

1. You can't walk into your local PGA Superstore and walk out with a set
2. Low prices lead to them being perceived as lower quality
3. Poor resale
4. Most golfers, except the hardest of the hardcore equipment junkies, have even heard of them
5. Zero Tour presence. 
6. Yes, brand snobbery/loyalty

Edited March 9, 2021 by forrester_fire

[Pepperturbo]

Resale value is seen by different people, different ways. 

 

My $1300 irons with after market $650 shafts, cost $1950+.  I could buy component set for under $400.  I surely wouldn't put a $650 set of shafts in components heads.   For that matter I wouldn't put a $350 set of shafts in a $300 component heads.

 

If I were to sell my clubs today, I'd get $1000-$1200, and they'd sell quickly.   The aforementioned component set a year later +/- $200, and it would take much longer to sell them.  All depends on what someone can afford.  

 

 

[MtlJeff]

I couldn't care less about resale...I don't sell or trade my clubs in anymore. They either sit in a closet or i'll give them away to kids or others taking up the game. 

 

There's nothing wrong with component clubs, i've used Wishon clubs in the past. 

 

But there's nothing wrong with big OEM clubs either. It's not like they make trash. They made quality products and not all of them charge stupid prices for them. My last 2 iron sets (Ping G410 and Cobra Forged TEC) were both on the low end of the cost spectrum 

 

Not that you shouldn't pay more if you want either. Some of the best looking clubs on the market are made by big OEMs, and if you want to pay the prices by all means do it

[br61]

I could care less on the resale value. I want clubs that will get my shots from Point A to B consistently as possible. I've had some nice component clubs in the past, I still have some love for Nakashima irons that was really good for me.

Edited March 8, 2021 by br61

[Kingcat990]

Ah, the same can be said for us idiots who purchase and play boutique Japanese equipment. Not many have heard of them, and the resale is just as poor. It's as they say; it's a stick with s°°° on both ends. 

[LUXOR54]

I think they definitely have their place. Just purchased a set of 6-GW Maltby STi2 irons for my mother. with assembly, her grip of choice, and an appropriate shaft it came to about $450 CAD, which is a fantastic deal considering most other USED sets we could find in ladies left with graphite were either Cobra F series, or taylormade SIM irons and around $800-1000 for a similar makeup. 

 

For me personally however, I like to see, feel, and hit before purchase. We all know that pictures online don't always translate well to what the product actually looks like in person, especially irons at address. It's much easier for me to either go to the local golf box store, or the local used store and sort through everything and find something I prefer. What's my other choice, go all in on components and fingers crossed I like it, if I don't then I have no resale. Or just purchase a 7 iron to my specs and hope that works out or it's a $100-150 lesson learned. I'd rather spend the $600 on a used set of Titleist or Mizuno irons, play with them and sell them down the line for not all that much less. Just like cars, let someone else take the biggest depreciation hit.

[Aviador Naval]

Happy for folks to play what they want but there are (once again...) some common themes in this thread that don’t match reality.

 

A few years ago I inquired about a Wishon fairway wood.  Spoke to a few guys and at the time was looking at installing a $45 Aldila NV shaft.  Cost of the Wishon with said shaft was more than the latest OEM offering.  The ‘builders’ regaled me about the value of custom fit, blah, blah, blah.  None of which applied to my situation.  Simply assemble and ship.  They wouldn’t budge.

 

The idea that there is a critical mass of truly skilled craftsman around that can assemble components with the same consistency as a major OEM is folly.  There are certainly some but they are not giving away that service for free.  On the other hand, if one wants to do it for themself they could with a little practice - but how much sunk cost will there be in swingweight scale, ferrule finishing, loft/lie machines, etc?

 

The constant refrain that OEMs deliver stuff off speck is one of my favorite.  It’s the WebMD of the golf world.  A company building sets with standardized equipment and processes being evaluated by the guy that watched a You Tube video that ‘measures’ loft/lie with a bending machine he bought off Craigslist is priceless.

 

Again, use your own disposable income as you see fit and rest assured equipment - type, brand, or set make up - is not indicative of value of a human or skill as a golfer.  Just please spare us the I’m smarter than everyone else because I’ve broken free of the OEM brainwashing mantra.

Edited March 8, 2021 by Aviador Naval

[achappy]

I was a LONG time component player. Started out as a hobby but then the value proposition at the time was hard to beat. Golfsmith and it's fantastic forgings (Pro Forged, 600B/C, 675) and Wishon made it really easy to build a high quality bag at a fraction of the price.  And those components still had great resale value (Maltby still does).  Played some of my best golf with a Wishon 919 driver, 949 3W, 575MMC irons and some Maltby Wedges.

 

But then the OEMs flooded the market and the used club market took a huge off and now with so much NOS or several year old OEMs on eBay the components no longer have the value over OEM.  My G30 driver and 3W cost way less with the Ping Tour 65 shaft than it would've cost to build new and will be easier to sell.   

 

So I'm not against components, but it would have to be an outstanding club to take the plunge.

[grillnugz]

I just priced out some Maltby TS-1 Forged. 4-P, with Modus 105 and z-grips were ~$690. Making them about $100/club built buy Golf Works. The new Srixon zx7 irons are $163/club and they have many custom shaft option upgrades at no additional cost and can build to spec. Ping i210 4-P with TT dynamic gold 120 are $875 or $125/club on TGW right now.

 

I never found the cost savings to amount to enough to justify component clubs. The real cost savings comes in if you use generic/cheap grips and shafts with the component heads. 

 

I can attest to the low resale value though. My first set of irons were Callaway knock offs and were very cheap ($100 3-P). Nice, high quality clubs too.

[dlygrisse]

My first real set of clubs back in the '80's was a set of Golfsmith Tour Model II irons I built myself, my second set was a custom made set of TA 845 clones that were great clubs.  I have played mostly name brands since then, except for a few random FW's/hybrids and a KZG driver I used for a couple years.  

 

The best way to buy clubs is to have them custom built by a fitter, and we have a local guy who can get name brand components, which is the optimal route.  Technically all clubs are components if you go to a place like this, some just cost more than others.   

 

Some people like a brand new Mac Book, some like to build a computer from components as well, the list goes on with things that can be built vs. purchased.  I had an uncle who built his own house, my guess is most of us just bought one already built.  

 

Nothing wrong with Maltby clubs etc. if you like to dabble in that kind of thing and have the equipment to do it right.  Slapping a set together is not difficult, doing it so the swingweights, frequencies and lie angles etc. are correct takes more than some epoxy and a shaft cutter.  I still regrip my own clubs, and I have changed a few shafts over the years, but I leave most of it to the pros now.  

Edited March 8, 2021 by dlygrisse