Ryan Moore with Ping irons (merged)

[rjklein4470]

Wow, what would have happend if he had won.

[Huntingchris0000]

Rymail00 what do you have in the defense of scratch if it doesn't matter to you then why are you defending it so much?
I think there has to be more to it than what is being shown.

[rymail00]

I am not quite sure where my defense of Scratch is, I said play want you want, not what someone else is playing.

My responses are to the people that are blowing things out of proportion. People saying well "i would not buy something because someone else choose not to play them just seems silly. I am referring a few posts not all. There is no defense, people can play what they want. Its just funny how 1 pic has caused such an outburst.

JMHO.

[Huntingchris0000]

True I understand that. Who cares what RM plays??? I guess alot more people care than I thought or maybe it is that scratch has a large following or lack there of???

[Arafel]

[quote name='OneBowTie' timestamp='1288325101' post='2764518']
[quote name='SPY ZINGER' timestamp='1288323073' post='2764468']
Ryan got a ton of press in the golf media this year when he became a part owner of scratch and began playing their irons. It's clear he had one of his best years of his career on tour playing with Scratch equipment. Not only is he their marque player, he has a vested interest in their successes and failures.

Sure, Ryan marches to his own beat with his clothes, attitude and approach to the game. However, this move is just plain stupid. Nothing good can come of his decision to put another company's irons in play. It's got to be the one of most uneducated and irresponsible move I have ever seen a tour player make. He's not just a staffer, he's part owner. Can you imagine Ely Callaway showing up to play Aviara 15 years ago with a bag full of Taylor Made irons?

I was looking at a set of DW customs grinds for 2011 to complement my Scratch Wedges, but the price had me really looking twice. Now if a PGA Tour professional and part owner of the company chooses not to put them in play, why should I. He can have his fit and finished to perfection, just like I can and he chose not to.

Am I the only one who thinks this is a bigger deal than it is? It's just a loose cannon move.
[/quote]

Spy Zinger..... I think you have hit it dead solid perfect..... and unfortunately, there will be the typical fan boy response of " your a scratch hater" or something to that effect.

I am not sold on that its all RM acting as a loose cannon as you put it..... because as the other owner of scratch has stated, RM is having the best year of his career, why would anyone banking the best year of their career just up and ditch the irons of the company you supposedly own...... it almost looks as if what we all thought or were originally presented as to who, how, or what role RM would play for scratch may not actually be the same today.... and perhaps RM is putting his feelers out now or auditioning letting it known that he is available...... because I would think that even the other equipment companys out there were under the impression that RM was contractually bound for his irons and wedges...... [size="3"][color="#ff0000"][b]me thinks that there will be a parting of company in the not too distant future
[/b][/color][/size]
who knows.... all speculation, but I'm with you.... if RM is truely any kind of owner of scratch, its not a very good business decision to help grow the company you own....... I am having a hard time with the smell test on this move
[/quote]

And if history is any indicator this will end badly.

[OneBowTie]

[quote name='rymail00' timestamp='1288325911' post='2764538']
LOL, honestly would not care if he showed up w/ Acuity irons. I just dont understand why people think this is such a big deal. I am sure Scratch will do fine w/ or w/o RM playing their irons. He is wearing a hat and has the staff bag thats what 95% of viewers see, not the s56's during a swing.
[/quote]

I am not sure anything is a major ordeal...... but Its not out of the norm for people on a educated golf site to chatter about a company, especially one that is a sponsor and regular posting contributor. And it does seem out of the norm for a part owner to just suddenly ditch what clearly has been working for him to play with a competitors product..... if this was some other obsure player loosly tied to a product, then I would not think anything odd.....

after reading this post made by the CEO of scratch...... I can't help but see the possible change in RM's role with the company and the companys dependance on RM

[color="#1C2837"]"Hey guys, I am on the road and just saw this during a spare second. [color="#FF0000"]Our agreement with Ryan has centered around our wedges[/color], which is the product that we have made our name on. [color="#FF00FF"]Ryan has tinkered around with many many different clubs all year including about 10 different sets of irons that we have made for him.[/color] With this event in Malaysia, our Tour rep wasn't there to talk to Ryan or see what irons he has in play this week but[color="#FF8C00"] I do know that he has played Scratch irons for the bulk of 2010 and has had the best year of his career[/color]. Ryan played great yesterday and I hope he continues his great play throughout the weekend!

[color="#0000FF"]No need to worry about Scratch as a company. We have had by far our best year ever in 2010, more than doubling our sales from 2009 despite the supply problems that we have faced this year. We are not going anywhere and you can expect some really exciting things from us in 2011, both club wise and on Tour. "[/color]

[/color]

[rymail00]

[quote name='Huntingchris0000' timestamp='1288326822' post='2764554']
True I understand that. Who cares what RM plays??? I guess alot more people care than I thought or maybe it is that scratch has a large following or lack there of???
[/quote]


I agree. I do play Scratch but I could care lese if someone likes them or not. Although it does seem that their may be people hoping something bad does happen, but thats their perspective and they are entitled to it.

[rjklein4470]

who knows what this is really about, but Ryan is waring a scratch hat, and with a ping iron in his hand he is getting attention. Is this bad, who knows, depends on what he says when asked about the question. He could be working on a new project with DW. You never really know how good your irons are until they are tested in playing conditions. But Ryan if you are listening I will trade you a couple of killer golf outfits for your flghted set of irons from scratch.

[Redman]

I really can't see this as an issue with wanting more forgiving clubs as was mentioned earlier. If that were the case he would have just switched to the ARs or EZs and still represent HIS company! This is all very strange to me as well. Will it become a mainstream story - probably not since this tournament is in Malaysia and I haven't even seen coverage of it on the The Golf Channel, but the FACT remains that nothing makes sense about this. Why in the world would a player who is part owner of a golf club company use another company's irons when, as the CEO stated, has had the best year of his career using Scratch clubs. I'm with BowTie and Jason on this....and expect that we will be hearing a lot more about this by year's end.

[kemau]

if matt o'brian, the vp of sales at scratch golf, has given his direct number for questions about this why hasn't anyone called?

[mshills]

It is a bit odd, I suppose. Ari, thanks for chiming in. It [b][i]does[/i][/b] sound like you are backing off of the connection with Moore. I won't actually call it a backpedal, but...

Those of you on this forum who are small business owners, would it bother you if you saw one of your partners with a similar ownership stake in the firm using a competitor's product or service? Especially if that person's job was to use that product or service in the public eye?

From my perspective, I'm sure that Moore has license to do whatever he wishes for his clubs other than wedges, but to my mind that is a very odd relationship. I would expect a part owner of Scratch to play Scratch clubs and nothing but Scratch clubs (with the obvious exception of the clubs that Scratch does not produce.)

I do not have a dog in this fight but knowing the history of acrimony or worse between Scratch and Nead, Scratch and Slighter, Scratch and Billings, it makes one wonder.

[chickenpotpie]

Bad PR is bad PR, period. This has a similar feel as the CEO of Pepsi sitting down to drink a Coke in public. Maybe not the same magnitude, but you get my point. There very well may be no issue here, but that's not important.....the mere perception that there is an issue is the problem.

I don't really care enough to call Scratch directly about it...I'm not looking to buy any of their products right now, and this really would have no impact on my decision anyway. I'd think they'd want to get out in front of this a bit more though. Just my $.02.

[joekelli]

Whats funny is, if it wasn't for this thread I would have never known he was playing Ping irons this week!

Maybe he was having a bad ball striking week and wanted to go with something a little more forgiving when the tournament started? Maybe thats all this was?

[jebb]

It strikes me as a huge public relations own goal for Scratch and very unfortunate given the great PR with Duval playing the irons, Christie Kerr doing so well and Ryan Moore having a good year.

I don't understand it. Ari says he has had 10 sets made and presumably has access to unlimited equipment with arguably the games' greatest grinder/clubmaker on hand to make whatever he wants. And then he plays Ping.

The whole thing with Moore and Scratch was that he was more involved and a part-owner; not just somebody who threw a couple of wedges in the bag.

Granted most of the golfing public wont even realise he is playing Pings this week and it is more likely to be folks on here who will know. trouble is it is affciainados on here that are the likely csutomers for Scratch.

And when the argument has been that RM refuses the big sponsor money to play the clubs that will help him most what does this say? Not good PR at all for the brand.

[rlynham]

[quote name='Redman' timestamp='1288334545' post='2764631']
I really can't see this as an issue with wanting more forgiving clubs as was mentioned earlier. [b]If that were the case he would have just switched to the ARs or EZs and still represent HIS company! [/b]This is all very strange to me as well. Will it become a mainstream story - probably not since this tournament is in Malaysia and I haven't even seen coverage of it on the The Golf Channel, but the FACT remains that nothing makes sense about this. Why in the world would a player who is part owner of a golf club company use another company's irons when, as the CEO stated, has had the best year of his career using Scratch clubs. I'm with BowTie and Jason on this....and expect that we will be hearing a lot more about this by year's end.
[/quote]


RM has played both AR1s and EZ1s during this past year. His AR1s were DW customs, and i saw a thread recently that showed a yet another new set of custom iron heads for Ryan.

Then he shows up playing Pings? I agree not a good look for a part owner after only 1 year representing Scratch.

[moonshine]

You guys make me giggle when talking about forgiving irons. It's the indian, and scratch could make him as forgiving a set as anyone else. It's everywhere like stink in the wind, we would all be better with sgi irons! Lol

[chip75]

[quote name='jmorr81' timestamp='1288279769' post='2763333']
Ryan Moore can tinker all he wants, but in my opinion it should be done during his personal rounds where there are no cameras. Imagine if Phil or Tiger were seen at a tourney with Titleist MBs in their bag. I'm sure that wouldn't go over real well with the execs at Nike and Callaway.
[/quote]


It would because we'd tell everyone about it. Didn't Phil get caugt out? The most important thing is the bag and the hat in sponsorships and we all know Scratch make great clubs. And been an investor or part-owner doesn't make much difference remember Sir Nick and Adams? He wasn't to keen on their stuff at the time. It could be any number of reasons maybe the Scratch clubs soles just don't gel with the different conditions this week.

[NicholasP]

Maybe the guy just likes cast irons, Scratch has not produced a set for him yet??

I certainly agree that it seems a bit odd to see a guy who not only represents a company but is also part owner, playing another manufacturers irons when he has had plenty of success with Scratch.

[justhackin]

I would like to know why folks think Ping irons are any more "forgiving" or "advanced" than something like Scratch? I play Wishon forged cavity back irons and a friend has the Pings. I can promise you they are no more forgiving than mine. Just like the Wishon irons I would think the design of the Scratch irons has all the technology involved that any good iron head has.

The design makes the club not the window dressing .......

I am sure Moore can play either one just fine

hackin

[Thats_OB]

[quote name='bstarkey0' timestamp='1288291723' post='2763646']
This guy changes clubs like I change underwear.......
[/quote]

Once a week.

[Skins Game 5]

[quote name='Thats_OB' timestamp='1288356252' post='2764759']
[quote name='bstarkey0' timestamp='1288291723' post='2763646']
This guy changes clubs like I change underwear.......
[/quote]

Once a week.
[/quote]

It does seem as though Ryan changes clubs often, last year he won at Greensboro using Pings it was his last win and this
year he did not even make the cut, so maybe he just wants to WIN.

[MichMan123]

I wonder if when RM leaves scratch people will continue to love his "sense of style". You know wearing a shirt too tight over a belly too big tucked into pants too long all wrapped up with a tie that doesn't match.

[johnnythunders]

Style wise, totaly lame. Game, totaly lame for pro.

[youngwaldo]

This year I see RM as a Scratch endorser and part owner. This was portryaed to us when he signed. I can not believe we are on the 4th page discussing this topic. He is an elite tour professional and should be able to play any Scratch club let alone a broom stick with a shovel on the end. Any business should know RM playing Ping Not Good no matter how you coat it.

Wk

[Jordan J. Caron]

[quote name='sem i3' timestamp='1288270035' post='2763105']
Dont know about the irons, but that outfit sure looks stupid.
[quote name='tbarr15' timestamp='1288268370' post='2763079']
Looks like a Ping Iron to me...the new S-56?
[/quote]
[/quote]

Atleast he's trying to be different because every other player looks the same on the tour. Payne Stewart thought the same thing when he switched to the plus 4 look.

[slicktry]

If I was part owner of a golf company, I would definitely try other clubs. Just like other companies do. So what if it is in a tournament? No better time then when overseas when the main US public is not paying attention.

This just proves WRX'rs need to get out of their parents house more often!

God Bless
Jer

[philsRHman]

Can't see how anyone can defend Moore's decision here. He's Mr. Scratch, here and in the mainstream media. Every major outlet wrote about how he spurned all his sponsors, then made a big deal about how revolutionary his deal was with Scratch. Whether owner, endorser, or both, he has been out in front as the primary Scratch face.

To this day, can you imagine Michael Jordan wearing an Adidas golf shirt? Or anything not branded Nike? It's the first rule when you're the face of a brand -- you DON'T have you picture taken with the competition. Especially when Scratch has done nothing but tout itself as the anti-Ping, with custom grinds, great forgings, anti-mass produced.

Personally, I can't stand Moore. I'd be far more likely to hop on he Scratch bandwagon if they build around Duval and Kerr. Both much more likable than the dope surrounded by pothead rumors in the ill fitting clothes.

[jerryo]

Could you imagine if Hogan played a competitors iron when the Hogan Co. was in its prime producing irons. Hogan put everything he had into making sure he and his customers had the best irons possible. He was proud to bring them out to the course each and every round.

[cb_golfer]

For someone at his position at Scratch, I would expect him to eat his own dog food.

[albatrosser]

[quote name='slicktry' timestamp='1288361923' post='2764868']
If I was part owner of a golf company, I would definitely try other clubs. Just like other companies do. So what if it is in a tournament? No better time then when overseas when the main US public is not paying attention.

This just proves WRX'rs need to get out of their parents house more often!

God Bless
Jer
[/quote]

couldn't disagree more, and I might add that I'm really surprised at the personal insult directed to wrx'rs coming from you Jer. "Judge ye not lest ye be judged" eh Jer?? I would guess that less than 10% of this website live in their parents' home as you claim. Your claim is almost as absurd as the claim that RM playing Ping is "no big deal".

If I was part owner of a golf company the VERY LAST thing I'd ever want is to be caught and photographed playing a club from another manufacturer, particularly when the company I'm part owner of is a very small company trying to make their mark on a huge market. The comments on this thread alone should be enough to validate my point. It raises too many questions and they're questions that aren't positive for Scratch, a company that has had numerous issues already this year no matter what the owner may want to lead us to believe with comments such as "better sales this year than last".

I also have to believe that deep down, Ari and company aren't as nonchalant about this as we're being led to believe.