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Golfsmith Sinks into the Mire

Tuesday November 21, 2006 | 11:31:11 pm 433 words, 2499 views  

I am so pissed. In a recent visit to my favorite golf shop, a local custom club fellow in Pacific Grove, Calif., Brad showed me a copy of the latest catalog from Golfsmith. In it, they tout a “new” technology they feature. A cheap rip-off counterweight from a fellow who will remain simply, “the thief.”

The originators of today’s most sophisticated counter-weighting system comes from Balance Certified Golf.

Two former NASA engineers (yes, they worked on the Space Shuttle) left NASA after discovering what quantifies “feel.” They determined that proper counter-weighting can be manipulated in all clubs with the proper weight in the butt of the club. They developed an elegant testing system called Motion Balancing™and have over 500 dealers worldwide. They have been on all Tours for 6 years and have such major endorsers as Scott Hoch and Tom Jenkins (with over $5M in earnings with BCG onboard) on their team. MacGregor Golf, SeeMore Putters, Pinfire Golf, Ray Cook and YES use their system each week on Tour to perfect their putters for their professional players. Over 160 Tour players use their system.

In 2004 Golfsmith was sent a kit to test for placement in their catalog. At the PGA Show in 2005 I was in the meeting where their “product team” met with Jeff Lindner and John Cranston, the true developers of the product. It seemed to me at the time that they were fishing, not shopping. In my opinion, they wanted a cheaper solution and a “one size fits all” solution. It is not possible since every club and every golf swing is different.

The product in the catalog is, in my opinion, a clear patent violation as it is a direct cheap a** copy of the BCG original. The tightening screw may lead to damaging shafts since it is such a cheap screw that it is not fine enough to tighten in the same “fine” manner as the BCG product. It is made offshore, of course. The BCG “drop-in” insert is made in the USA, installed by a qualified dealer base, and they provide a great do-it-yourself kit.

The fact that such a giant can do this to a real contributor to improved play because they are a small company is counter to the integrity of this game. So, if you believe in fair play, and you believe in supporting the good guys, avoid products from this ghoul of a company.

If you, dear reader have some suggestions on how to stop this type of behavior…fire AWAY! Or, if you have a “bad” experience in dealing with Golfsmith, let it fly.

Permalink 6 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Kevin O'Sullivan [Visitor]
So you were in the meeting at the 2005 PGA Merchandise Show where they met with Lindner and Cranston? Why? Where do you fit in all this, really, CB? Is there a relationship here that you're not disclosing that we should know about? How objective are you in this?
PermalinkPermalink 11/22/06 @ 05:39
Comment from: RonMon [Visitor] · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/ron.mon
Kevin O'Sullivan woke up on the wrong side of the wife this morning, I see. So CB was involved in Watergate, Iran-Contra, and Feder-Gate...doesn't make him an accomplice in all this, does it? Some murky shadow figure? Actually, I envy CB his link to the companies of the golfing industry, K-Sud, and you should, too. Objectivity is not called for in this instance, but rather, the passionate response of a pissed-off, vengeful man with a golf shaft! I'm not sure, though, that Golfsmith and BCG are not already talking about some resolution to the matter; it seems that, by the time the public is made aware of an issue, a deal or solution is already in the works.
PermalinkPermalink 11/22/06 @ 07:10
Comment from: Booger [Visitor]
To hell with all the companies......except Louisville Golf.
PermalinkPermalink 11/22/06 @ 08:13
Comment from: CB Maxwell [Visitor]
I love Louisville Golf! My 7 Niblick is my favorite club. As for the "meeting," I set it up. No secret about it, I have been an avid supporter of BCG since the day I met them at the PGA show in '01. My first experience watching John Cranston work the putting green with the pros was at the St. Jude FexEx Classic in Memphis. I have a great photo of Bobby Grace having a putting duel with the BCG testing system on his putter.

I also am the "bag man" with the Brittany sex tape, but I haven't watched it. Other confession: I invented the internet; but Al Gore ripped me off.
PermalinkPermalink 11/22/06 @ 11:15
Comment from: Derek [Visitor]
I have taken a few shots with a balance certified club and can attest to CB's
claim that it is a quality product. I also know that CB (my father in law) has been
involved with the company since 2001, so anyone that comes alolng with the
system in 2005 is definately ripping it off.
PermalinkPermalink 11/26/06 @ 23:23
Comment from: Brandon Tucker [Visitor] · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/brandon.tucker
You invented the internet?

Explain to me this then: how come certain hotels have internet for free for guests, yet others charge 20-30 euros per 24 hours? It's the same internet. When I use these 4-5 star hotel's connection that rip me off, it's no faster than a 2-star's free Wi-Fi. And you would think for that outrageous cost they'd filter out Ron Mon's blogs. But they don't.



PermalinkPermalink 11/28/06 @ 21:54

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CB Maxwell CB Maxwell

a WorldGolf.com Blog

CB Maxwell's golf blog covers everything from the PGA and LPGA tours to the golf equipment and course reviews. A lover of the game, Maxwell brings his passion for golf to WorldGolf.com.