Biggest Flops - Equipment, Sponsorships, etc...

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04-13-2006 10:50 AM
fundonny

Biggest Flops - Equipment, Sponsorships, etc...

Just thought it would be fun to go down memory lane and remember some of the bad decisions that have been made in the past. Whether it was an OEM that made a brutal club, a terrible sponsorship signing, a bad business decision, along those lines.

For me:
Fred Couples buying Lynx back in the early 90's;
The fantastic (:thumbsdow ) Tommy Armour Morph irons;
Callaway and Charles Howell III, big money contract and he's no where near worth it these days;
Oh, and Fuzzy's comments about the Masters dinner back in '97.
04-13-2006 10:53 AM
Nat Williams

Most Ping Drivers pre-G2/G5
04-13-2006 11:50 AM
LobWedge

Corey Pavin leaves Cleveland to sign with PRGR.
Payne Stewart (RIP) playing that stupid Spalding driver that looked like a soup ladle. (oddly enough Cleveland's new driver looks frighteningly similar...)
Ray Cook Titanic (all titanium) irons.
The Bass Ackward putter.
The POD driver.
Macgregor letting Nicklaus and Norman walk.
Ryder and Presidents Cup players asking for money.
PGA Tour players not backing Greg Norman in his bid to create a world tour.
USGA taking Ping to court (and losing) over square grooves.
PGA Tour taking Casey Martin to court (and losing) over cart issue.

I know I'll come up with more...
04-13-2006 12:47 PM
1972Apex

The Amazing Wilson Invex Titanium driver. Never met anyone other than John Daly who could actually hit one.
04-13-2006 02:49 PM
Andru

- Callaway 1 million Dollars to Ty Tryon.
- Nike 5 million to David Duval
- Callaway 2 million to John Daly
- The Hammar Driver POWWWW WOOOO!
- Jean Van De Velde hitting driver on 18 at Carnoustie... with a 3 shot lead. oi.
04-13-2006 02:51 PM
fundonny

Well... c'mon, when Nike signed Duval, he had some good golf ahead of him. Plus he's still a draw, somewhat.

The other stuff is hilarious!
04-13-2006 02:52 PM
Kilroy

Greg Norman's meltdown at Augusta. Saddest thing I ever saw in golf.
04-13-2006 02:56 PM
fundonny

Payne Stewart's drive on the back nine (Sunday) at the 98 US Open that landed in a sand filled divot. Cost him the tournament, Lee Janzen won. Of course that wasn't a flop, just bad luck. But I digress...
04-13-2006 02:59 PM
Kilroy

As I remember, that was the time Nicklaus got heat for saying that a sand filled divot should be ground under repair. Which it is!
04-13-2006 03:06 PM
B Nation

Quote:

Originally Posted by fundonny

Well... c'mon, when Nike signed Duval, he had some good golf ahead of him. Plus he's still a draw, somewhat.

Very true, he was decked out in Nike gear when he won the British.

A couple equipment flops that come to mind:

The first Forged Nike drivers were awful.
Taylor Made's Inergel Ball, or any other ball they have created for that matter.
04-13-2006 03:17 PM
spidey

Those pathetic VAS irons Pavin used to win at Shinnecock. Now those were butt-ugly.
04-13-2006 04:03 PM
LobWedge

Quote:

Originally Posted by spidey

Those pathetic VAS irons Pavin used to win at Shinnecock. Now those were butt-ugly.

They couldn't have been that bad, they also worked for him at the 1995 Ryder Cup.
04-13-2006 04:06 PM
spidey

Quote:

Originally Posted by LobWedge

They couldn't have been that bad, they also worked for him at the 1995 Ryder Cup.

Maybe not.... but I can't remember a single pro other than Pavin who used them... and working or not, they were freaks.
04-13-2006 05:10 PM
LobWedge

Quote:

Originally Posted by spidey

Maybe not.... but I can't remember a single pro other than Pavin who used them... and working or not, they were freaks.

That's it! The freaky space-age set!

Woods: Wilson Invex
Irons: Cleveland VAS 792
Wedges: Alien Ultimate
Putter: Daito Genesis or Stealth
Ball: Volvik Crystal
Shoe: Adidas Tradewind silver

p.s. I'm taking "bets" on the over/under for how long till the beatdown for this guy when he shows up at the first tee with this gear. ;)
04-13-2006 08:30 PM
Paulio

Were the VAS's those weird headed purple inserted clubs? I think I seen a used set at Chuck's once and I was wondering what in the hell they were, since they were a little before my time.
04-13-2006 10:20 PM
spackler

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulio

Were the VAS's those weird headed purple inserted clubs? I think I seen a used set at Chuck's once and I was wondering what in the hell they were, since they were a little before my time.

yup.

http://www.clubscouter.com/clubs/66094.jpg
04-13-2006 10:24 PM
Big Johnny69

UGLYYYYYYYYYYY! :thumbsdow
04-13-2006 10:25 PM
spackler

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff Johnston

UGLYYYYYYYYYYY! :thumbsdow

And you were once "Cleveland Man", FOR SHAME!!!! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
04-13-2006 10:30 PM
Big Johnny69

A TA1, 2 and 3 lover. Not those hideous things. :rolleyes
04-14-2006 02:13 AM
jonf

hmmmm, i bet i could get those pretty cheep:scratchch
04-14-2006 06:52 AM
1972Apex

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff Johnston

A TA1, 2 and 3 lover. Not those hideous things. :rolleyes

Yeah, but with the offset hosels they are virtually 'shank-proof'. You should pick up a set :-).
04-14-2006 06:56 AM
fundonny

I actually had a Cleveland VAS putter. I think my old roommate still has it. When I worked at sports experts, i got it at cost. We sold some dynamite stuff. Wilson Killer Whales that kept being returned with busted shafts.
04-14-2006 07:50 AM
Golfbum

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reid Masson

Yeah, but with the offset hosels they are virtually 'shank-proof'. You should pick up a set :-).

OUCH :laughing: Geoff can you reach behind and pull the knife out of your back? :-)
BTW I remember a guy years ago at the local muni playing those VAS irons, first time I saw them come out of the bag I thought WTF are those things? But he actually hit them good.

I also recall the time Payne Steward swtiched to TopFlite clubs and balls, and man he went into a slump for awhile.

Another sad day in golf? When Mike Weir handed Vijay our National Open at The Abbey :( Mind you Vijay was #1 at the time, and was on a tear. But Mikey should not have missed those putts.
04-15-2006 12:30 PM
dan_670_12

Quote:

Originally Posted by B Nation

Very true, he was decked out in Nike gear when he won the British.

A couple equipment flops that come to mind:

The first Forged Nike drivers were awful.
Taylor Made's Inergel Ball, or any other ball they have created for that matter.

taylor made has a new ball out now it sounds preety good
04-15-2006 03:39 PM
RangeRat

According to the OEM companies anything prior to this years addictive lineup for all the Club Ho's out there. :redface
04-16-2006 02:50 PM
sandbagger72

they look like those old alien irons
anyone have any of those
04-17-2006 06:30 AM
rgk5

Quote:

Originally Posted by LobWedge

That's it! The freaky space-age set!

Woods: Wilson Invex
Irons: Cleveland VAS 792
Wedges: Alien Ultimate
Putter: Daito Genesis or Stealth
Ball: Volvik Crystal
Shoe: Adidas Tradewind silver

p.s. I'm taking "bets" on the over/under for how long till the beatdown for this guy when he shows up at the first tee with this gear. ;)

The Volvik ball is one of the best sellers in N. America. It is in the top five at all our GT stores.