Opinion & Analysis

PXG and the Rise of Luxury Golf Equipment

Published

7 years ago

Apr 14, 2017

Karl Benz is widely credited as being the creator of the first practical motorcar. While Mercedes-Benz would spawn from Karl Benz original company, it was Rolls-Royce that made luxury synonymous with automobiles. Parsons Xtreme Golf is doing the same thing with golf equipment. This is a story about the niche market of luxury goods and how the principle of luxury has found its way into the mainstream golf equipment industry.

By the end of 1903, Sir Henry Royce had designed and built his own gas-powered automobile that boasted a 10-horsepower engine. Charles Rolls met Royce in 1904 and vowed to sell as many of Royce’s cars as the man could make. Thus, Rolls-Royce was born. In an early advertisement, the company called the six-cylinder Rolls-Royce, “Not one of the best, but the Best Car in the World.”

Today, if you’re searching for a Rolls-Royce on the company website, you won’t find a price on any of its vehicles, not even its pre-owned cars. Similarly, you can’t find a price for any golf clubs (save for the putters) on the website for Parsons Xtreme Golf. You can’t find a price because if you’re a serious buyer, the price is extraneous. The saying, “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it,” comes to mind.

If you have time, you should check out the Rolls-Royce website. The homepage has this elaborate short film where Kate Winslet narrates the story of Rolls-Royce. The short film opens with a view of the camera gliding through a cloudy sky with a fade-in title, House of Rolls-Royce Presents. “It may surprise you to know,” Winslet says, “There is, in this world, a place where beauty is made.”

On the other end of the spectrum, when you log on to Ford’s website, you see “A vehicle for every lifestyle.” Where Ford wants everyone to own one of its cars, Rolls-Royce wants to sell to people who settle for nothing less than the Best Car in the World.

***

For a long time, the golf industry has operated much like Ford. Most of the manufacturers have produced similarly priced clubs at a similar level of quality all aiming for a share of the same market. Boutique golf equipment manufacturers such as Scratch and Fourteen have built fantastic forged irons, but their price points still pitted them against the behemoths of the golf world. Miura and Epon stand out as companies that have successfully built a bridge between luxury goods and golf equipment with higher price points, but PXG took it to the next level.

Bob Parsons has driven his proverbial Rolls-Royce down Main Street with claims placed gracefully on the PXG About Page. He says PXG makes “the world’s sexiest, most forgiving golf clubs that launch higher, go farther, feel softer and have a sweet spot the size of Texas.” His colloquial description is my favorite.

“Simply put, PXG clubs are the Duck’s Nuts.”

Since PXG released its first line of clubs, its most popular being thin-faced, forged irons filled with a material called thermoplastic elastomer, the discussion has focused disproportionately on the price of the clubs and not the quality. The question most golfers have asked is, “Is there any way PXG clubs can be twice as good as anything else on the market?” It’s a fair question, but it’s irrelevant. Is a Rolex watch 10 times better than a Citizen? It doesn’t matter. Because if you’re looking at the price, then you can’t afford the Rolex, so your opinion of quality doesn’t really apply to the Rolex, does it?

Every article about PXG clubs I’ve read has some comment that resembles the following, “The price of these clubs makes no sense. This is Parson’s pet project and the company won’t be around in two or three years.”

Maybe it is just a pet project for Parsons, a billionaire with an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion, but the truth is, Parsons is a bit of genius. He’s not a genius because he has invented the greatest set of clubs in the history of golf, although some golfers do say that about his clubs. It’s because he identified a hole in the market, and he has filled it with a thermoplastic elastomer.

Another common tirade I’ve seen is something similar to the following: “The prices are laughable…You can only do so much with a technology…and there is only so much of a premium you can charge here today…”

The prices are laughable… for someone who can’t afford them. The observation about money running out is different because it shows the commenter doesn’t necessarily understand what Parsons is doing. Parsons has said over and over again, “I’m not competing with TaylorMade and Callaway because my target customers are major earners.” And that’s why he’s seeing success. In an interview with Michael Collins on The “Golf” Podcast, Parsons said the company is on track to reach $100 million in sales and will be profitable for 2017.

***

Bob Parsons, whatever your opinion of him is, is using the emotion of luxury to drive his success. In an article published in Psychology Today, Dr. Peter Noel Murray (Ph.D. in Psychology) discusses the emotion of luxury:

“…consumers also are rational beings; aware that they can buy products at mass market retailers which have aesthetics and features similar to luxury brands but are a lot cheaper…Is the rational mind more likely to choose mass market while our emotional mind yearns for luxury? Is it that simple?”

Dr. Murray goes on to say, “we can be emotionally drawn to good design, and then rationally decide whether the exceptional qualities of luxury design are worth the additional price versus the ‘good enough’ qualities of a mass market alternative.”

Golf is a brutal combination of the cerebral and the physical, and because of this players make club choices primarily on subjective and inherently emotional qualities. It’s why players can walk into a store, hit several models on a launch monitor providing all sorts of data and chose a club that might not produce the best data because it feels better.

“Purchase behavior is a direct result of how a consumer perceives that a brand delivers the emotional end-benefits of buying and owning,” Dr. Murray says. “The emotional end benefit is basically, ‘Who am I?’ And how does a brand help define who I am?”

People have an emotional connection to luxury brands. As Dr. Murray points out in his article, this connection typically occurs within the realm of people who have the financial means to purchase luxury brands. Rolls-Royce only wants those people. So too, does PXG.

When people who love cars watch Top Gear and see Jeremy Clarkson roll out in a brand new Ferrari, they don’t look at it and say, “The price on that car is ridiculous.” They say, “That car is amazing,” and then enjoy the test Clarkson puts the Ferrari through, watching in awe of its power and elegance. I know, I’m one of those car lovers.

***

So, why do we look at PXG and say things like, “Those clubs are ridiculous. There’s no way they could be that much better?” The comparative quality is irrelevant. Basic economics says that the market equilibrium lies where supply meets demand. Parsons doesn’t need the equilibrium because he’s not trying to scale; he’s trying to build clubs that people are willing to wait in line to get. That’s how luxury works.

As Dr. Murray puts it, “The luxury brands they [the consumers] treasure have the rare and intangible quality of truth…Luxury brand truth is a visceral connection between consumer and brand.” He goes on to say, “Truth is expressed in narrative and other communication which breathes life into the brand, evoking perceptions of authenticity and timelessness.”

What Parsons has done so well is ensure that his marketing matches his personal feeling about the product he’s created. Because without those two living in harmony, there would be no authenticity; without authenticity, there is no truth. The narrative Parsons tells with his marketing and his clubs is something those who can afford them relish. This narrative, coupled with successful use of the clubs by LPGA and PGA Tour players such as Lydia Ko and Zach Johnson, has given PXG the platform to take luxury golf equipment mainstream and that’s the gap PXG is bridging. Thanks to brilliant marketing and truly revolutionary designs, luxury golf equipment is no longer a fringe niche.

Welcome to the era of Rolls-Royce, Porsche and Ferrari in golf equipment.

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Adam Crawford

Adam Crawford is a writer of many topics but golf has always been at the forefront. An avid player and student of the game, Adam seeks to understand both the analytical side of the game as well as the human aspect - which he finds the most important. You can find his books at his website, chandlercrawford.com, or on Amazon.

107 Comments

jerseychris

May 6, 2017 at 10:35 am

Lemme know when the pros start paying for the clubs rather than getting payed to play them. Then I’ll take a look.

Reply Report comment
Guia

Apr 21, 2017 at 12:03 am

Is a Mercedes any better than a Chevy? Probably not, they both get you to where you are going.

The difference is what you can afford. Those that are well heeled usually want to drive something that doesn’t look like every other car on the road.

Just because you have expensive clubs it does not make you a player. But having less expensive clubs doesn’t either. Play what you want.

Reply Report comment
Joe

Apr 18, 2017 at 9:57 pm

I played with a friend the other day who bags PXG irons. He shot 107. I beat him by 29 strokes.

I’m serious.

Obviously I carry a lower handicap and play a lot more golf than he does. I’m not hating on expensive clubs (I play Miura irons). I’m just saying that you can’t buy a golf game.

I’ve hit his clubs. They’re fine. They feel pretty soft. A bit large for my taste. Are they better than other clubs on the market? No. Not whatsoever.

Reply Report comment
TeeBone

Apr 18, 2017 at 4:35 pm

Nothing new here. There’s a sucker born every minute. Single clubs have been selling for thousands of dollars in Japan for a long time. Why? Because people will pay it. Not because they’re worth it. Why do they pay it? Because if it costs so much, it must be better. Brilliant!

Reply Report comment
Lowell

Apr 17, 2017 at 1:16 pm

I just think that you can only make the bow that much better with price when in fact the Indian needs some lessons.

Reply Report comment
rich

Apr 17, 2017 at 1:06 pm

I will put my Apex Edge pro’s up against these any day. I bet they play no differently when I strike the ball in the middle of the face or high on the heel. If the PXG 7 iron goes 10 yards farther than my 7 Iron, I will pull out my 6 iron. I just don’t get it, no need to spend this much money on clubs. They don’t make you better, you should spend that extra money on lessons. I see the PXG’s in the classified section and laugh at the ball marks all over the toes of the clubs. Yeah, you hit those clubs well…lolll

Reply Report comment
- ooffa
  
  Apr 18, 2017 at 6:18 pm
  
  The PXG’s are better. You will just never know.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Dave
    
    May 7, 2017 at 9:26 pm
    
    Agree completely.
    
    Reply Report comment
Caroline

Apr 17, 2017 at 11:37 am

Life is short play what you want and can afford period. Nothing is golf is more FUN then making the tee time…getting up and going to the course…after that the pressure builds and the fun leeks away. Having a bag full of sticks you are proud to call your own and playing the ball you adore just make the game so much more enjoyable…less then 5% of golfers are playing at any sort of top level golf where every little variable in equipment makes a difference between getting that second shot close enough to make eagle on the 600 yard par 5 or just a birdie putt. owning PXG equipment is just another example of having fun with the game, for me I am happy as heck when I pull that Ping 9 iron out on the short par 3.

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Mr Muira

Apr 17, 2017 at 8:14 am

Shank Shank Shanketty Shank Shank.

Reply Report comment
PGA

Apr 16, 2017 at 12:23 am

Play Golf America! :-p

Reply Report comment
- PGA
  
  Apr 17, 2017 at 9:56 pm
  
  You mean SCREW RULES? >
  
  Reply Report comment
Martin T

Apr 15, 2017 at 4:06 pm

I own PXG irons for more than a year. All I can say is that I look forward to PXG smaller iron heads as even 311T are too big and have a fat sole. I think this is what PXG will do soon, smaller heads as they have to know currenlty that for some better players their clubs may feel clunky. It is the same why so many best golfers decide to play real blades with small MOI and not heads that are visibly game improvement stuff.

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Mark Walgren

Apr 15, 2017 at 2:24 pm

People are idiots for spending that much on irons, lol… $3000 for a set of irons?! I get collecting fashionable watches, high-end watches and cars but these are golf clubs… they go into the dirt and poop… these are not fashion items nor are they collectable.

Reply Report comment
- ooffa
  
  Apr 16, 2017 at 6:33 am
  
  I feel badly for you.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Apr 16, 2017 at 2:43 pm
  
  Mark the same thing can be said about Cameron putters.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Jim
    
    Apr 16, 2017 at 10:45 pm
    
    ….especially when they don’t perform better on off center hits….
    
    Reply Report comment
Patrick norm

Apr 15, 2017 at 1:53 pm

I get where Bob Parsons is coming from. Americans don’t have a premium golf brand like a Miura or other high end Japanese manufacturers. Clearly he has the resources to withstand the start up costs and build up of his brand. Clearly the PXG clubs perform at least as well if not fractionally better than the top mainstream brands. And b cause the price is a premium he’s not aiming for the masses. Just the demographic that won’t flinch at $300.00 for an iron or $800.00 for a driver.
Here in Canada the Callaway Epic Driver retails for $695.00 Canadian dollars at Golf Town or about $520.00 USD. That’s a lot of money regardless but Goof Town is selling many of these new drivers. I’ll wait a couple of years.
If I had the money, I may treat myself to these PXG clubs but for now I’m mainstream. I’m not a PXG customer, I’m a Callaway, Taylor Made ” last year’s model at 60% of the original price guy”.
Personally , I’ll spend my extra golf money of lessons. I know it’s the best way to improve.

Reply Report comment
Billable Hours

Apr 15, 2017 at 12:52 pm

I’m getting fitted for PXG’s next week. If they perform, price doesn’t matter. The difference between them and Mizuno/TM etc is more or less one month’s club bill, and if $2k is that significant to you you probably shouldn’t be spending $1k on more traditional OEM golf clubs.

That said – if they don’t perform, I won’t buy them.

Reply Report comment
- Kevin
  
  Apr 15, 2017 at 11:54 pm
  
  Do yourself a favor and try out some of the other high end brands available here in the states. There is better equipment available.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Desmond
    
    Apr 16, 2017 at 11:13 pm
    
    Do yourself a favor and recognize that the best equipment is what fits an individual golfer. Better is what fits. If PXG fits the gofler, so be it.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Mr Muira
  
  Apr 17, 2017 at 8:17 am
  
  Sure, PXG is going to have your swing path fixed, the face fixed and you’ll be hitting it out of centre all day long…lol.
  
  Reply Report comment
Rod

Apr 15, 2017 at 9:03 am

The question, is PXG or will it ever be a profitable entity? The luxury car and or other luxury manufacturing co’s have struggled throughout time. Will PXG make it or will Mr. Parsons continue to carry it with his other entities, which I believe he could do for quite a while. Has not the golf hard goods business seen shake-ups where each time it emerges with fewer contestants battling for market share or will the game of golf ever be able to truly grow and sustain the growth and create and maintain demand for clubs. The problem is that golfers start playing,without proper instruction spend dollars upon hundreds of dollars on equipment rather than instruction, get frustrated due to lack of progress or improvement and quit. The manufacturers, now mostly all publicly held must produce profits at certain levels as mandated by wall street, have changed to a strategy of marketing prowess rather than true innovation to sell clubs to impatient participants who believe that everyone can become a tour level player without practice or physical restraints. It can be compared to spalding holding a power forward or centers basketball camp for high school seniors that are five feet tall. The manufacturers must stop the snake oil sales approach to selling product. Wake up consumers and smell reality and be content with enjoying the game at your skill level.

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Ian

Apr 15, 2017 at 7:12 am

How do you become a millionaire? Start by being a billionaire and then release a line a of duck nut clubs…

Reply Report comment
Matt

Apr 15, 2017 at 2:24 am

Golf equipment is super affordable compared with a lot of sports and pastimes, so dunno what all this fuss is about – I’m fine with spending a few grand to get set-up with nice equipment (albeit it probably won’t be PXG as I can’t handle the look of all those screws but if it plays good for some then never say never).

Reply Report comment
Dan

Apr 15, 2017 at 12:54 am

As my aunt used to say, ‘If you have it, flaunt it’ and if you have the money then by all means buy what you want. If that means PXG, Honma, Miura go for it. I’m on SS now and couldn’t have afforded them even when I working and I was making real good money then. I just had other priorities like paying the house payment, feeding the family, college tuition, etc. I have always bought the best clubs I could afford and got fitted. I do keep my fingers crossed that the weekly or bi-weekly player who is the backbone of golf doesn’t get priced out of quality golf equipment and playing golf because of rising green fees. Go Cobra Golf, high quality product at a fair price IMHO!

Reply Report comment
Dat

Apr 15, 2017 at 12:12 am

PXG is garbage. This native content needs improvement.

Reply Report comment
- cray
  
  Apr 15, 2017 at 10:31 pm
  
  troll alert. Obvious.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Desmond
  
  Apr 16, 2017 at 11:14 pm
  
  Your comment is garbage – serves no purpose.
  
  Reply Report comment
alan

Apr 14, 2017 at 11:05 pm

spilt your lungs in blood and thunder when you see the white whale. break your backs and crack your oars man if you wish to prevail. this ivory leg is what propels me harpoons thrust in the sky.

Reply Report comment
Fredo

Apr 14, 2017 at 10:59 pm

HATE! Or what, ain’t no big deal. The numbers for my swing pointed towards PXG, and I honestly thought they were hideous looking. But looks aside, irons this forgiving were NOT staying out of this hacks bag. Result: dropped from a 12 handicap to a 9. End of story

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Dave R

Apr 14, 2017 at 10:05 pm

They are more than likely a very good product but cost is rather high. But then if you feel comfortable and it gives you confidence and your a young up and comer go for it. And all the best in your endivors.

Reply Report comment
Kip

Apr 14, 2017 at 9:39 pm

I saw a Korean lady at the range today with these clubs and a cheap beat up golf back. Talk about sending a mix message. I understand the premise. If you was to broadcast to the world that you have money to burn these are the clubs for you. They are good clubs, but there are a lot of great clubs out there. You cannot compare these clubs to a Ferrari as it is a car that is at top of the food chain in terms of luxury and performance. There are not many cars on the market that out perform Ferrari therefore the price is justified. As for these clubs, it’s a status symbol and nothing more. It’s known that PXG spend millions to get players to use their club. If I was offered a million or 2 million to use a golf club I would sacrifice and play poorly for a while to get that check and that is what you are seeing on the LPGA and PGA. I don’t blame them as I would do the same thing. The sad thing is that you will have people who really don’t have the money go into debt to get these clubs just to make it look like they are wealthy. The sport of golf is an after thought. I wish PXG the best. I checked them out for my daughter and she didn’t like them. We are now looking at the Mizuno JPX 900’s which are beautiful to look at and a joy to hit. Also checking out Fourteen. My daughter is getting amazing results with their wedges. If PXG ever gets to the point where is performs like a Ferrari and leave practically everyone in the dust I will take another look at them.

Reply Report comment
- Jim
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 10:03 pm
  
  Without a doubt…go with the Fourteens…their proprietary graphite shafts are simply excellent. The tolerances blow Mizuno away…..Honma, Miura, Epon & Fourteen use only the finest Japanese steel selected in smaller batches
  
  Reply Report comment
Miuralovechild

Apr 14, 2017 at 8:22 pm

Got fitted recently and the PXG driver performed the best for me. Very rock solid and forgiving. Hell yeah it was worth the money. I’m hitting over 80% of my fairways. I went into the fitting completely open minded. Hit the Epic a little further but less accurate. Went with Oban Kiyoshi black SST pured. Wish I would have gotten fitted a long time ago. The irons felt nice but not any better than my Miura’s. Can’t wait to see my numbers with the lower spinning 0811x. I’ll do whatever it takes to play better and have more confidence. I grateful my club fitter has EVERYTHING to try.

Reply Report comment
- Jim
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 10:57 pm
  
  That’s the key…”Everything to try” – including shafts. Even better – indoor outdoor full length range…we use ‘better’ yellow balls for the fittings (B6’s) so they’re plucked out at the ball washer from the range balls and only used for fittings. Having ‘everything’ to try is a substantial investment by your professional fitter, and testing on Trackman against ‘all comers’ over a 60 or 90 minute session proved that club & shaft combo DID work best for you. Period. Great choice going with the Oban too…they’re awesome & when SST Pured, even more consistent.
  
  I’M a total Miuta guy, but got an awesome full staff Callaway deal and the Apex Irons with 110gr RECOIL shafts are killer.
  
  While I always say I personally don’t care for the TOO soft feel of the PXG irons, they crush everything else on OFF center hits, even my beloved Miura’s and now Apex irons….
  
  Let’s remember the cat who ‘created’ them was a chopper, and if I have a sweet spot the size of Rhode Island, and miss it, I’ll take my licks – so to speak and go hit it again….I always figured a 90 yrs worm burner from a swing that deserved it was better than a GI iron getting it airborne and sending it 45 yrds longer into the woods or the rough
  
  Reply Report comment
JOEL GOODMAN

Apr 14, 2017 at 7:44 pm

SLUGS THAT WORK THERE DO NOT PLAY GOLF.

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ooffa

Apr 14, 2017 at 6:03 pm

They are the best clubs I have ever owned. Most definitely worth the money. If you can swing it you owe it to yourself to get a set of these.

Reply Report comment
Matt

Apr 14, 2017 at 5:11 pm

Dunno why golfers are such tight arses sometimes. Golf equipment isn’t expensive compared to a lot of sports. Cycling for example; bikers who don’t even race the lowest category (or race at all) are rolling around everywhere on USD $5,000 – $15,000+ pro bikes. I don’t have a set of PXG clubs, but appreciate great gear and companies who make it (nb. just got fit and bought a GBB Epic which feels like an instant classic, but the rest of my gear is tried and tested new+older stuff) as well as appreciate the look and feel of old hand made persimmon’s and forged blades. Ultimately, there’s always gonna be an affordable end of the market for equipment so if you’re on a budget there are tons of options – don’t see the point in running down a favourite pastime such as golf…

Reply Report comment
Barry

Apr 14, 2017 at 4:59 pm

Rolls Royce, Bugatti, Laborghini, LV etc. is for russian & chinese wannabes, maybe some degenerated upper class from the middle east. Come on, real guys don’t need that embarrassing stuff for their egos. Same with PXG!

Reply Report comment
- Tal
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 8:32 pm
  
  Your comment only holds water if you yourself can afford a Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc. but choose not to buy one. Otherwise it sounds like you’re just trying to make yourself feel better.
  
  Reply Report comment
Taffy

Apr 14, 2017 at 3:57 pm

Status status status. You have all missed the point. PXG is selling exclusivity. Quality performance or anything else are not as important as showing you are wealthy enough to buy them. It makes a statement about you. Clever clever Mr Parsons!

Reply Report comment
Flyer7

Apr 14, 2017 at 3:06 pm

Mizuno all day every day!

Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 4:51 pm
  
  https://youtu.be/qWmQKwLnc1Y SHAZAAM!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Brian
    
    Apr 14, 2017 at 9:21 pm
    
    Comparing a blade to a cavity and a hollow iron design?
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Tom
      
      Apr 14, 2017 at 10:57 pm
      
      Brian it was a side by side due to the results of a golf wrx poll. Inquiring minds wanted to know.
      
      Reply Report comment
  - Jim
    
    Apr 14, 2017 at 10:35 pm
    
    Without a doubt…go with the Fourteens…their proprietary graphite shafts are simply excellent. The tolerances blow Mizuno away…..Honma, Miura, Epon & Fourteen use only the finest Japanese steel selected in smaller batches
    
    Reply Report comment
Hohohon

Apr 14, 2017 at 2:22 pm

PXG is junk
http://g3.globeride.co.jp

Reply Report comment
- Patrick norm
  
  Apr 15, 2017 at 1:06 pm
  
  I don’t what language this is but I thought this company made sound equipment? And how do these clubs measure up to Titleist Callaway Ping Taylor Made, etc. ?
  
  Reply Report comment
Robert Morgenthal

Apr 14, 2017 at 2:13 pm

Rolls Royce and Ferrari don’t have media ads with their founders as their spoke person. Tacky ads do not convey Luxury, Exclusivity or Limited availability. Even Lincoln uses Matthew McConaughey.
Food for thought…

Reply Report comment
- Adam Crawford
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 2:16 pm
  
  That’s because Rolls-Royce was founded in 1904…The founders were in the original ads.
  
  Reply Report comment
BD57

Apr 14, 2017 at 1:55 pm

The comments by people slamming PXG are funny ….

PXG doesn’t care what anyone who isn’t interested in buying their stuff things about their stuff.

All they care about is whether ENOUGH people are interested in buying their stuff.

That they’ve signed a representative tour staff says their stuff is “good enough” for these tour players to risk their livelihoods on it.

I don’t play PXG. Thus far, haven’t wanted to spend that kind of money . . . . but if I went for a “blind fitting” (one where any head and any shaft would be tried in any combination) and the PXG stuff performed best, I’d sure think about it.

Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 4:52 pm
  
  Bazinga!
  
  Reply Report comment
Tom54

Apr 14, 2017 at 1:23 pm

If ever PXG starts making a dent in the golf market all the other major manufacturers have to do is come out with a spinoff luxury line of clubs and charge 2-3 times the price. Kinda like Toyotas Lexus brand, Hondas Acura brand etc. As far as I’m concerned these well know club makers are the top of the line anyway. PXG could be the next Delorean of the club market.

Reply Report comment
- Jim
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 2:04 pm
  
  They already are….’cept they were chasing Callaway when ‘the plans were laid’ – hence the jumps of between 2-450 per set with ‘Tour Select /limited/ etc.
  
  For years we’ve known the big 4 OEM (not inc ping) “best” @999 were actually pretty poorly manufactured mediocre heads Mr. Miura would’ve tossed back in the smelter….They can’t increase their ‘special’ hand picked for tour staff & family lots to maybe sell a thousand or two @ 300 club if the other guys do too
  
  Reply Report comment
- KCCO
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 3:33 pm
  
  They have….if they are gonna show profits in 2017 they put a dent. Article could not have explained any better. A z06 will ride right along side of a Porsche GT3 on a track. At half it’s price. Someone prefers the Porsche, so be it. Their money, let them spend it. They obviously perform, Ryan Moore demonstrated at the masters, who cares how some spend their money. In regards to golf, their are guys with 6 figure numbers in putters. (On this site) Is that any diffferent? Or buying a TMAG tour head for $800 vs. retail $450 W/shaft? I could careless if someone wouldn’t care to pay the price for my golfbag. I could careless to pay the price for the limited edition Ruger. Perform any better than my Sig? Probably not but that’s his thing, this is mine. Enjoy the finer things in your passion as your only here so long to enjoy. Careless what others opinion are about your spending. It’s for your pleasure, not theirs.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Geoff
    
    Apr 14, 2017 at 4:15 pm
    
    Re: your claim that they have made a dent, all the article “explained” was that Parsons told someone they were going to be profitable this year. That doesn’t mean it will happen.
    
    Evidence that they perform is Ryan Moore at the Masters? That’s the best you can come up with? I guess I can say PXG sux. Just look at Zach Johnson and James Hahn at the Masters.
    
    Reply Report comment
Jamie

Apr 14, 2017 at 1:08 pm

pretty sure i could get a master fitting into mizuno, tm, titleist etc w/ custom shafts and still be paying way less than PXG. so why go pxg?

now the analogy to other luxury products… i can’t get my toyota camry to behave or feel anywhere remotely close to a Bentley.

Reply Report comment
Shallowface

Apr 14, 2017 at 12:55 pm

I can afford them, but the reason I can is that I’ve made a lifelong habit of avoiding frivolous purchases.

Reply Report comment
GMatt

Apr 14, 2017 at 12:47 pm

So according to the author (and Bob Parsons) Iif I buy PXG irons and hit my 7 iron 340 yards, and win every tournament I enter because they are the best….LOL
I’ll bet Parsons also has some land in Florida to sell that MIGHT have a slight drainage problem

It’s a luxury product (actually more of a status product “I’m rich and can afford them”) I’m sure they are good clubs but they don’t seem to be outperforming anything else out there now and their tour pros certainly aren’t dominating, if you can afford them kudos to you but don’t brag to me that they are they best performing….Save your breath

Reply Report comment
Geoff

Apr 14, 2017 at 12:35 pm

GolfWRX must’ve emailed emailed their contributors and asked who would be willing to ball wash Parson’s duck nuts. This guy was the first to respond.

Reply Report comment
- sleeper
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 1:27 pm
  
  So the whole point of this article is higher price = greater luxury, which somehow = business success? PXG may cost more, but until they prove themselves to be superior at anything (performance, looks, durability, whatever) the brand won’t be known for anything other than its price. And as soon as the status-seeking or try-everything consumer segments are tapped out, we’ll know whether PXG has a future. I kinda doubt it.
  
  Reply Report comment
BigSeanM

Apr 14, 2017 at 12:26 pm

PXG clubs are the best, know why mean. I am going to get a set when my settlement comes in.

Reply Report comment
Ryan

Apr 14, 2017 at 12:24 pm

So, I’d love for the author to qualify this statement: “This narrative, coupled with successful use of the clubs by LPGA and PGA Tour players such as Lydia Ko and Zach Johnson, has given PXG the platform to take luxury golf equipment mainstream and that’s the gap PXG is bridging.” To what success are you referring, please?

Reply Report comment
- KCCO
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 3:52 pm
  
  Did Schwartzel play well in masters? I think he did fine. Moore? Clubs didn’t hurt him either. Can’t knock their staff. Once they profit, more players will get contracts. Just because Parson’s has money doesn’t mean he is gonna just start throwing huge contracts at whomever? He’s doing things smarter than anyone would have thought. After 2017 he will let “PXG” pay for more staffers, you will then see how smart and how long this company is here to stay. If someone one the masters playing PXG anything, he would be profiting yesterday.
  
  Reply Report comment
Mike

Apr 14, 2017 at 12:20 pm

I can’t say if the PXG products are any better or worse than other equipment manufacture’s. I do see tour pros who are under contract with other manufactures for bag and however many clubs putting PXG equipment in the bag. This tells me that the PXG equipment is at minimum equal, but if it was equal why not just stay with the current brand, so there must be some benefit that the PXG equipment offers over the current brand. I read a reference to Lydia and her recent struggles. I am no expert, but with her swing changes and coaching changes, I am not surprised to see some decline. I think we have all seen players make a change, have a performance drop in competition and then once the changes are ingrained and trusted in competition perform at a higher level than prior to the changes. I believe it has little to do with the PXG equipment she changed to. The PXG brand has been interesting to follow, from the design and looks of their equipment to the Tour players they are signing, it’s definitely been a quick rise. I look forward to the next chapter

Reply Report comment
- Rod
  
  Apr 16, 2017 at 7:22 am
  
  Would Lydia play PXG if she had not been paid to do so? I think not. They are clearly good clubs but so are Mizuno, Titleist, Ping, TM and the others. If they are so special, I wonder why Cristie Kerr is no longer using them? She won today using Ping I believe.
  
  Reply Report comment
Mower

Apr 14, 2017 at 12:13 pm

In my opinion, PXG has missed-the-mark… aesthetically. The overuse of screw heads makes their clubs look over-machined or something the military would come up with. Their logo branding is another aesthetic abomination. The chunky, Iron Maden-like design does not exude a professional grade product. If anything, it makes them look like they should be selling in Walmart stores.

What brands do exude professionalism? Answer: MIURA & FourteeN.

How to avoid making your product look like a Tonka toy? Answer: Hire a graphic designer and not a family member who’s feelings you don’t want to hurt because they have delicate sensibilities.

Reply Report comment
David

Apr 14, 2017 at 12:12 pm

I don’t like this article. For many reasons. everyone stated them well already and I agree. expensive things are about performance or looking cool. These things don’t perform and yes they are hideous.

Reply Report comment
bob keane

Apr 14, 2017 at 12:07 pm

Funny how all of their staff players are doing worse than before they switched to PXG.

Reply Report comment
Shortside

Apr 14, 2017 at 12:06 pm

Different strokes. Personally not a fan of all the screws. To my eye they look like unfinished prototypes.
Now the Titleist C16’s? Gimme some a dat all day.

Reply Report comment
Mark

Apr 14, 2017 at 11:59 am

Bling is not quality. Some designer brands make mediocre clothing…RL and Hilfiger shirts wash out of colour and shape faster than chain stores. Same with sports gear. Nike bling or Saucony and Brooks technology? Some of the wealthiest guys in our club use 10 year old sets of clubs and laugh at the guy with a maxed out credit card and a new set of clubs.

Reply Report comment
BarryLA

Apr 14, 2017 at 11:48 am

Rolls Royce, Bugatti, Laborghini, LV etc. is for russian & chinese wannabes, maybe some degenerated upper class from the middle east. Come on, real guys don’t need that embarrassing stuff for their egos. Same with PXG!

Reply Report comment
Tyler

Apr 14, 2017 at 11:48 am

I was recently fit for new irons. I test PXG irons and found them to be no better than the Srixon 765’s I eventually went with.

Don’t get me wrong, the Parson’s were awesome. If they would have gone farther or felt better I would have got them. I have a credit card. But they didn’t. The Srixon’s outperformed and suited me better. More expensive doesn’t always mean better. I think we all know that already though.

Reply Report comment
WarrenPeace

Apr 14, 2017 at 11:39 am

I notice Zach Johnson isn’t doing so well since moving from Titleist? If the clubs create confidence….great..but on a technical level, the swing produces good and bad shots, not the tool. Its an emotional buy for sure and if you have the dough- get some. Your game will still suck until you fix the mechanics.

Reply Report comment
Chubbs

Apr 14, 2017 at 11:19 am

One key point the author forgot to include about luxury brands: they are exclusive. Exclusivity breeds a feeling of desire by those that can’t afford the product. And those that buy PXG probably gain a sense of superiority from this exclusivity.

Reply Report comment
- Adam Crawford
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 11:32 am
  
  That’s a great point! You’re right, I didn’t spell that out but it’s a critical part of the Psychology with luxury.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - new stuff!!
    
    Apr 14, 2017 at 12:26 pm
    
    exclusivity also breeds feelings of contempt – haters are always gonna hate – especially stuff they can’t afford, they need to convince themselves that it’s not worth it to make them feel better that they can’t afford it. just lots of noise. for us who understand the PXG business model just ignore the noise, to fight is futile.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Lester Diamond
      
      Apr 15, 2017 at 6:05 am
      
      Well golly gee, aren’t you f*&%$in’ precious.
      
      Reply Report comment
- Robert
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 12:08 pm
  
  The problem with this theory is there is absolutely nothing to gain from PXGs. Titleist MBs feel better and I don’t even like Titleist. Is the ballspeed just as good? Yeah, for me, it was similar ballspeed (TM). When I buy a Ferrari, I know it’s superior to a Toyota Corolla in many many ways. IMHO, I personally don’t feel like you get that when you buy PXG clubs.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - farmer
    
    Apr 14, 2017 at 6:22 pm
    
    Actually, a Corolla is better for going to the grocery store. The Ferrari would win coolest-milk-run-ride-ever contest, hands down.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Geoff
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 3:52 pm
  
  Exclusivity only breeds a feeling of desire when the brand in question has an established reputation, especially by those who cannot afford it, that the high price is justified. “I can’t afford it, but if I could, I would definitely buy it.” PXG is miles away from acquiring that kind of reputation.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Adam Crawford
    
    Apr 14, 2017 at 9:04 pm
    
    Not going to argue with that, however, what I find interesting about PXG, and what prompted his article, is that the company is creating a scenario in golf where this can happen. They do have a ways to go, but they’ve made it further than many other companies because they understand their market.
    
    Reply Report comment
Myron miller

Apr 14, 2017 at 11:18 am

My issue with them is some of the advertising is that they are the “best clubs money can buy”. That implies that they are better than any other clubs technically. And technically does count in this or else its a clear FTC case of false advertising.

With Epon and Miura, they are clearly and proven better technically than standard mass-market clubs. Are they worth the significant price difference they have or just somewhat better. that’s a debate that can’t be won or decided. Yes, they are definitely better but worth the extra money more, who knows.

Whereas PXG advertises on its site: “PXG WAS DEVELOPED WITH ONE GOAL IN MIND: TO CREATE THE BEST-PERFORMING GOLF EQUIPMENT ON THE PLANET, WITHOUT REGARD TO COST”. So clearly the difference in performance versus the cost is a factor in people’s mind. Are they definitely better technically. That’s as indicated by the comments above a real question.

Reply Report comment
S Hitter

Apr 14, 2017 at 11:15 am

Another terrible self-aggrandizing advert-iclie.
And PXG is not the first, the Japanese have been doing for decades. At least in Japan they have gold-plated, gold-painted, beautiful looking, nice-feeling, nice-to-hold, great-performaning, worth-the-money golf equipment that will make you feel good and make you look good, like a Rolls or a Ferrari. And the Japanese ones cost about 10 times as much as PXG.
Here’s an example. http://g3.globeride.co.jp
And, at least the Japanese are up front and honest about the specs of their products.

Reply Report comment
Richard

Apr 14, 2017 at 11:15 am

Spot on. Not sure why all the haters… if it works for you and can afford them, go for it. Love them.

Reply Report comment
Brian

Apr 14, 2017 at 10:56 am

Ferrari and Rolex watches are beautiful works of art in combination of being of fantastic quality and performance. PXG clubs are, in my opinion, ugly clubs that perform no better than any other iron out there.

If a Ferrari was no better in quality and artistic value than a Toyota Camry, then yes, we would talk about the ridiculous price of the Ferrari.

Reply Report comment
- Mower
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 11:51 am
  
  Aesthetically they’re missing-the-mark with the generous use of screws heads. It makes them look over machined, like military grade and does not exude a ‘professional quality’. On top of that, their logo branding is horribly designed. Big, blocky Iron Maden-looking chunkyness does not help their goal.
  
  Who does exude a professional quality? Answer: MIURA, FourteeN.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Jeff
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 12:59 pm
  
  Eh, I was gifted a $10k Rolex and my Casio keeps better time and date by far. I still wear my Rolex more. The brain is odd.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Adam Crawford
    
    Apr 14, 2017 at 1:07 pm
    
    Right, and that’s the whole point. It’s not a quality discussion, it’s an emotional/status discussion. Some people are able to separate emotion from consumer decisions, but most aren’t, myself included.
    
    Reply Report comment
Kevin

Apr 14, 2017 at 10:49 am

Only problem with your comparison is a Rolls-Royce is actually a higher quality product than a Ford. Where PXG is of the same quality as all the OEM equipment.

Nothing revolutionary about what PXG has done. Take some outdated technology, thermoplastic whatever, and call it a brand new idea. Throw a ton of money into advertising with false claims about the quality and watch it sell. You are not paying for quality like you do with other high-end brands, you are paying Zach Johnson to keep missing cuts and paying for ads on TV.

Reply Report comment
- Adam Crawford
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 11:17 am
  
  You can’t claim that their quality is the same as other OEMs because that’s subjective, just like I didn’t claim it was better than other OEMs. Those are claims that can’t be objectively made so they are irrelevant to the discussion. The idea of luxury is all about how the person feels owning whatever luxury item. It has nothing to do with objectivity in quality.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Steve Rawlinson
    
    Apr 14, 2017 at 11:29 am
    
    Whereas you *can* claim that the quality of a Rolls Royce is higher than that of a Ford.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - tourgrinder
    
    Apr 14, 2017 at 11:39 am
    
    The problem is, you DID claim that, by implication. I quote, “Most of the manufacturers have produced similarly priced clubs at a similar level of quality all aiming for a share of the same market.” Thus, the clear implication that all other OEMs are all basicaslly in the same boat as per quality-for-price and just not quite up to the quality level of PXG. As a 40+ year verteran in marketing, communications, advertising and promotion, including some years with quality manufacturers such as Ram and Wilson, your points are all well-taken, but actually bordering more closely to the writings of a PKG press release, or some hired PR and publicity gun for Bob Parsons. Nothing wrong with that, really. It is the business you’ve chosen, as some “Godfather” character once said. I’ve written comments before on this website about several PXG-related articles. Since my earlier comments, I’ve actually had an opportunity to hit demos of PXG irons. They feel very solid and even slightly “soft,” although that may be the wrong word. However, in truth, I would say I also have several sets in my closet — Ram Tour Grind irons from the 80s and Ram Pro-Set irons from the early 90s. They all feel just as solid and just as ‘soft.’ Several of these sets are like new and hardly used. I cordially invite Mr. Crawford, or Mr. K from Golfwrx, to buy any of these sets I have in my closet for $3,000 a set.
    
    Reply Report comment
- John
  
  Apr 15, 2017 at 7:20 pm
  
  I have a set of 0311t irons, my taylormade mc irons which were fitted had lofts and lies all over the place (6 & 7 irons nearly the same loft but EIGHT degrees different lie angle)…. Pxg’s were perfect out of the wrapper (had them checked on arrival). The quality IS better – hard pill to swallow for the cheap skate but it’s the truth. If you want an angle you can argue? They don’t make you shoot lower scores – it’s the Indian not the arrow, you can’t buy a golf game.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Kevin
    
    Apr 16, 2017 at 12:07 am
    
    LOL. Having proper loft and lie out of the box is not what I would call quality. Sounds like you drank the full bowl of kool-aid.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - John
      
      Apr 17, 2017 at 6:20 am
      
      I would say quality of manufacture and build ARE indicators of quality by definition.
      
      Reply Report comment
    - ROY
      
      Apr 17, 2017 at 10:02 am
      
      SO what would you call having a 6/7 iron “nearly the same loft” with lie angels 8 degrees apart?? Just a bad break from a top quality manufacturer??
      
      Reply Report comment
Jay

Apr 14, 2017 at 10:45 am

I own a luxury car because of the performance and it looks nice. I’ve tried PXG woods and I can honestly say the performance wasn’t as good as the big name brands, and I didn’t really like the way it looked. Oh well. Besides that doesn’t PXG use the same shafts as everyone else? Shaft = engine. That’s where the car analogy goes astray.

Reply Report comment
Ryan

Apr 14, 2017 at 10:41 am

I will say, the one guy at our course who has PXGs also has a staff bag and drives an E63 AMG Black Series. Not only high earners, but people who want you to be WELL AWARE that they are high earners.

Reply Report comment
Rich

Apr 14, 2017 at 10:38 am

Over rated and way over priced. What happened to “The sexiest clubs” claim?

Reply Report comment
TigerArmy

Apr 14, 2017 at 10:26 am

Porsche over Ferrari every day!
Mizuno over PXG every day!
iPhoneve Samsung every day!

Reply Report comment
- Jack Hammer
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 10:51 am
  
  Looks like your iPhone auto correct is not that good.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - TigerMom
    
    Apr 14, 2017 at 11:08 am
    
    LOL!
    
    Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 11:17 am
  
  https://youtu.be/qWmQKwLnc1Y
  
  Reply Report comment
  - TCJ
    
    Apr 14, 2017 at 1:48 pm
    
    Good comparison. Me thinks they are all pretty much the same. So you’re paying Rolls Royce prices for Ford performance, awesome!
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Tom
      
      Apr 16, 2017 at 2:41 pm
      
      same theory applies to Cameron putters
      
      Reply Report comment

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19th Hole

Vincenzi’s 2024 RBC Heritage betting preview: Patrick Cantlay ready to get back inside winner’s circle

Published

3 days ago

Apr 15, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

Just a two-hour drive from Augusta National, the PGA TOUR heads to Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Hilton Head Island is a golfer’s paradise and Harbour Town is one of the most beautiful and scenic courses on the PGA TOUR.

Harbour Town Golf Links is a par-71 that measures 7,121 yards and features Bermuda grass greens. A Pete Dye design, the course is heavily tree lined and features small greens and many dog legs, protecting it from “bomb-and-gauge” type golfers.

The field is loaded this week with 69 golfers with no cut. Last year was quite possibly the best field in RBC Heritage history and the event this week is yet another designated event, meaning there is a $20 million prize pool.

Most of the big names on the PGA Tour will be in attendance this week with the exceptions of Hideki Matsuyama and Viktor Hovland. Additionally, Webb Simpson, Shane Lowry, Gary Woodland and Kevin Kisner have been granted sponsors exemptions.

Past Winners at Harbour Town

2023: Matt Fitzpatrick (-17)
2022: Jordan Spieth (-13)
2021: Stewart Cink (-19)
2020: Webb Simpson (-22)
2019: CT Pan (-12)
2018: Sotoshi Kodaira (-12)
2017: Wesley Bryan (-13)
2016: Branden Grace (-9)
2015: Jim Furyk (-18)

In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).

Key Stats For Harbour Town

Let’s take a look at key metrics for Harbour Town Golf Links to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their past 24 rounds.

Strokes Gained: Approach

Strokes Gained: Approach is exceedingly important this week. The greens at Harbour Town are about half the size of PGA TOUR average and feature the second-smallest greens on the tour. Typical of a Pete Dye design, golfers will pay the price for missed greens.

Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds

Scottie Scheffler (+1.27)
Tom Hoge (+1.27)
Corey Conners (+1.16)
Austin Eckroat (+0.95)
Cameron Young (+0.93)

Good Drive %

The fairways at Harbour Town are tree lined and feature many dog legs. Bombers tend to struggle at the course because it forces layups and doesn’t allow long drivers to overpower it. Accuracy is far more important than power.

Good Drive % Over Past 24 Rounds

Brice Garnett (88.8%)
Shane Lowry (+87.2%)
Akshay Bhatia (+86.0%)
Si Woo Kim (+85.8%)
Sepp Straka (+85.1%)

Strokes Gained: Total at Pete Dye Designs

Pete Dye specialists tend to play very well at Harbour Town. Si Woo Kim, Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk and Webb Simpson are all Pete Dye specialists who have had great success here. It is likely we see some more specialists near the top of the leaderboard this week.

SG: TOT Pete Dye per round over past 36 rounds:

Xander Schauffele (+2.27)
Scottie Scheffler (+2.24)
Ludvig Aberg (+2.11)
Brian Harman (+1.89)
Sungjae Im (+1.58)

4. Strokes Gained: Short Game (Bermuda)

Strokes Gained: Short Game factors in both around the green and putting. With many green-side bunkers and tricky green complexes, both statistics will be important. Past winners — such as Jim Furyk, Wes Bryan and Webb Simpson — highlight how crucial the short game skill set is around Harbour Town.

SG: SG Over Past 24 Rounds

Jordan Spieth (+1.11)
Taylor Moore (+1.02)
Wyndham Clark (+0.98)
Mackenzie Hughes (+0.86)
Andrew Putnam (+0.83)

5. Greens in Regulation %

The recipe for success at Harbour Town Golf Links is hitting fairways and greens. Missing either will prove to be consequential — golfers must be in total control of the ball to win.

Greens in Regulation % over past 24 rounds:

Brice Garnett (+75.0%)
Scottie Scheffler (+69.9%)
Corey Conners (+69.0%)
Shane Lowry (+68.3%)
Patrick Rodgers (+67.6%)

6. Course History

Harbour Town is a course where players who have strong past results at the course always tend to pop up.

Course History over past 24 rounds:

Patrick Cantlay (+2.34)
Cam Davis (+2.05)
J.T. Poston (+1.69)
Justin Rose (+1.68)
Tommy Fleetwood (+1.59)

The RBC Heritage Model Rankings

Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (24%), Good Drives (20%), SG: SG (14%), SG: Pete Dye (14%), GIR (14%), and Course History (14%)

Shane Lowry
Russell Henley
Scottie Scheffler
Xander Schauffele
Corey Conners
Wyndham Clark
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Matt Fitzpatrick
Cameron Young
Ludvig Aberg

2024 RBC Heritage Picks

Patrick Cantlay +2000 (FanDuel)

With the exception of Scottie Scheffler, the PGA Tour has yet to have any of their star players show peak form during the 2024 season. Last week, Patrick Cantlay, who I believe is a top-5 players on the PGA Tour, took one step closer to regaining the form that’s helped him win eight events on Tour since 2017.

Cantlay limped into the Masters in poor form, but figured it out at Augusta National, finishing in a tie for 20th and ranking 17th for the week in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. The former FedEx Cup champion will now head to one of his favorite golf courses in Harbour Town, where he’s had immaculate results over the years. In his six trips to the course, he’s only finished worse than 7th one time. The other finishes include three third places (2017, 2019, 2023) and one runner-up finish (2022). In his past 36 rounds at Harbour Town, Cantlay ranks 1st in Strokes Gained: Total per round at the course by a wide margin (+2.36).

Cantlay is winless since the 2022 BMW Championship, which is far too long for a player of his caliber. With signs pointing to the 32-year-old returning to form, a “signature event” at Harbour Town is just what he needs to get back on the winning track.

Tommy Fleetwood +3000 (FanDuel)

I truly believe Tommy Fleetwood will figure out a way to win on American soil in 2024. It’s certainly been a bugaboo for him throughout his career, but he is simply too talented to go another season without winning a PGA Tour event.

At last week’s Masters Tournament, Fleetwood made a Sunday charge and ended up finishing T3 in the event, which was his best ever finish at The Masters. For the week, the Englishman ranked 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 10th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking and 16th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Harbour Town is a perfect layout for Fleetwood, and he’s had relative success at this Pete Dye design in the past. In his four trips to the course, he’s finished inside of the top 25 three times, with his best finish, T10, coming in 2022. The course is pretty short and can’t be overpowered, which gives an advantage to more accurate players such as Fleetwood. Tommy ranks 8th in the field in Good Drive % and should be able to plot his way along this golf course.

The win is coming for Tommy lad. I believe there’s a chance this treasure of a golf course may be the perfect one for him to finally break through on Tour.

Cameron Young +3300 (FanDuel)

Cameron Young had a solid Masters Tournament last week, which is exactly what I’m looking for in players who I anticipate playing well this week at the RBC Heritage. He finished in a tie for 9th, but never felt the pressure of contending in the event. For the week, Young ranked 6th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 6th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.

Despite being one of the longest players off the tee on the PGA Tour, Young has actually played some really good golf on shorter tracks. He finished T3 at Harbour Town in 2023 and ranks 20th in the field in Good Drive% and 16th in Greens in Regulation in his past 24 rounds. He also has strong finishes at other shorter courses that can take driver out of a players hand such as Copperhead and PGA National.

Young is simply one of the best players on the PGA Tour in 2024, and I strongly believe has what it takes to win a PGA Tour event in the very near future.

Corey Conners +5500 (FanDuel)

Corey Conners has had a disappointing year thus far on the PGA Tour, but absolutely loves Harbour Town.

At last week’s Masters Tournament, the Canadian finished T30 but ranked 20th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach. In his past 24 rounds, Conners ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 3rd in Greens in Regulation % and 24th in Good Drive %.

In Conners’ last four trips to Harbour Town, his worst finish was T31, last season. He finished T4 in 2021, T12 in 2022 and ranks 8th in Strokes Gained: Total at the course over his past 36 rounds.

Conners hasn’t been contending, but his recent finishes have been encouraging as he has finished in the top-25 in each of his past three starts prior to The Masters, including an impressive T13 at The PLAYERS. His recent improvement in ball striking as well as his suitability for Harbour Town makes Conners a high upside bet this week.

Shane Lowry (+7500) (FanDuel)

When these odds were posted after Lowry was announced in the field, I have to admit I was pretty stunned. Despite not offering much win equity on the PGA Tour over the last handful of years, Shane Lowry is still a top caliber player who has the ability to rise to the top of a signature event.

Lowry struggled to score at The Masters last week, but he actually hit the ball really well. The Irishman ranked 1st for Strokes Gained: Approach on the week and 7th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. As usual, it was the putter that let him down, as he ranked 60th in the field in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Harbour Town is most definitely one of Lowry’s favorite courses on the PGA Tour. In his six starts there, he’s finished in the top 10 three times, including third twice. Lowry is sensational at Pete Dye designs and ranks 7th in Strokes Gained: Total in his past 36 rounds on Dye tracks.

Lowry is perfect for Harbour Town. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 5th in Strokes Gained: Approach, 2nd in Good Drive% and 5th in Green in Regulation %. If he figures it out on the greens, Shane could have his first win in America since 2015.

Lucas Glover +12000 (FanDuel)

This is one of my weekly “bet the number” plays as I strongly believe the odds are just too long for a player of Glover’s caliber. The odds have been too long on Glover for a few weeks now, but this is the first event that I can get behind the veteran being able to actually contend at.

Glover is quietly playing good golf and returning to the form he had after the understandable regression after his two massive victories at the end of 2023. He finished T20 at The Masters, which was his best ever finish at Augusta National. For the week, Lucas ranked 18th for Strokes Gained: Approach and 20th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.

Over his past 24 rounds, Glover ranks 9th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 13th in Good Drive %. Harbour Town is a short course that the 44-year-old will be able to keep up with the top players on Tour off the tee. He’s played the course more than 20 times, with mixed results. His best finishes at Harbour Town include a T7 in 2008, but recently has a finish of T21 in 2020.

Glover has proven he can contend with the stars of the Tour on any given week, and this number is flat out disrespectful.

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19th Hole

Vincenzi: The 6 biggest takeaways from the 2024 Masters

Published

3 days ago

Apr 15, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

The 2024 Masters offered up plenty of excitement throughout the week with Scottie Scheffler delivering when it mattered to live up to his pre-tournament favorite tag. With the year’s opening major now in the books, here are my six biggest takeaways from the 2024 Masters.

Scheffler In a League of His Own

In the most impressive way possible, Scottie Scheffler won the Masters without having his absolute best stuff. For the week, Scottie ranked 19th in Strokes Gained: Approach, which is a category the number player in the world typically dusts the rest of the field in. After a strong approach day on Thursday, the 27-year-old lost strokes to the field on approach on Friday and Saturday, before gaining on Sunday. The iron performance was more than solid, but it was an all-around game that helped Scheffler get it done around Augusta National.

For a year or more, the narrative around Scheffler has been, “With his ball striking, if he can just putt to field average, he’ll be unbeatable.” At Augusta, his ball striking came back down to earth, but his touch around the greens and ability to manage the golf course demonstrated why he is the best player on the planet right now. For the week, Scheffler ranked 1st in the field in Strokes Gained: Around the Green and 24th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

For the time being, there is a major gap between Scottie Scheffler and the second-best player in the world, whoever that may be.

The Future is Now

Ludvig Aberg went into his first back-nine at the Masters with a legitimate shot to win the tournament. When he teed it up on the treacherous 11th hole, he was one behind Scottie Scheffler, who had just stuck one to a few feet on the 9th. By the time he approached his tee shot, which was perfectly striped down the left side of the fairway, he was two behind. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old got too aggressive with his approach at the 11th and found the water, making double bogey. Ludvig rebounded nicely and finished the event in solo second place.

With the Masters now in the rearview, it’s never been more evident that Ludvig Aberg is no longer an “up-and-comer” — he has arrived. The Swede has been an integral part of a winning European Ryder Cup team and has now contended at Augusta National. With a calm demeanor, a picture-perfect swing, and a build and stature that appears as if it was built in a lab, Ludvig Aberg is already amongst the world’s best. I’d be extremely surprised if he wasn’t in the mix at next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

Nostalgia Wins

I try to avoid as many cliches as possible, but there’s something about the Masters that brings out the sentimentality in me. Tiger Woods strategically making his way around Augusta National without all of the physical tools that made him arguably the most dominant athlete in the history of sports will always be riveting, regardless of what score he shoots. Woods made it interesting until a tough stretch of holes on Saturday, but he ultimately wore down, shooting 16 over for the week in difficult conditions. It’s remarkable that the 15-time major champion was able to put together a few solid rounds of golf despite barely playing any competitive golf in 2024. As long as Woods tees it up at Augusta, we will all continue to be mesmerized by it.

Verne Lundquist’s 40th and final Masters Tournament was also a must-watch aspect of the event. The iconic voice of Lundquist and his calls throughout the years still give me chills each time I hear them. Verne is an icon of the game and will be missed in future renditions of the Masters.

The Masters also brings another element that is unique to the tournament. Former champions turn back the clock to battle with the golf course again which creates some amazing stories. There are a few that stick out this year and were an absolute pleasure to witness. 61-year-old Vijay Singh made the cut for the first time since 2018 and shot a pretty incredible even-par, 72 on Sunday. 58-year-old José María Olazábal made the cut as well, reminding us why fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm sought his valuable advice prior to his Masters victory in 2022.

Regardless of who wins, the Masters always delivers.

Bryson Moves the Needle

Plenty will disagree with me on this point, but outside of Tiger Woods, and potentially Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, no one moves the needle in golf as much as Bryson DeChambeau. The uniqueness in which Bryson approaches the game has always been fascinating, and if he gets near the top of the leaderboard at any major championship, whether it’s to root for him or against him, people are interested.

It began on Monday with a pretty bizarre story of DeChambeau using 3D-printed irons that got just got cleared for use by the USGA when the week began. It once again felt like a storyline that would only be possible with a character as eccentric as Bryson. He then raced off to a first-round lead in tough conditions, reminding the world of what made him such a great golfer to begin with. He made some mistakes on the weekend, but still finished a career best T6 at The Masters.

Bryson is more than just quirky; he is a former U.S. Amateur Champion and U.S. Open who I believe will contend for more majors in the future. I will continue to root for DeChambeau, but I’m perfectly content with the fact that plenty will root against him, and I encourage those people to do so. That’s what makes it fun.

LIV Walks Away Empty-Handed

Last year, there were a multitude of questions about LIV players coming into the year’s first major. They had played very limited tournament golf, and critics of LIV questioned whether the 54-hole events were enough to sharpen the players enough to compete against the best in the world on the biggest stage.

The results were fascinating, with LIV players all over the leaderboard. Brooks Koepka held the 36- and 54-hole lead, with Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed finishing T2 and T4, giving LIV three golfers in the top-4 of the leaderboard.

This season, with even more time removed and with some more massive additions to the roster, the intrigue surrounding LIV players at Augusta was once again palpable. While some players, including Bryson DeChambeau, exceeded expectations, I can’t help but walk away from the Masters feeling underwhelmed by the performance of the LIV players.

Brooks Koepka finished runner-up last season and is a certified major championship killer. The 5-time major champ was never involved and simply didn’t have it at Augusta. Dustin Johnson put together a putrid performance, shooting 13 over for his two rounds, making it fair to wonder if his days of contending at major championships are over as he rapidly approaches his 40th birthday.

Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann were both players who were amongst the favorites this week, but Rahm was faced with the daunting duties of defending champion and Niemann proved he was still not quite ready to master the quirks of Augusta National, bleeding strokes both around and on the greens.

To be fair, when all was said and done, LIV had four players in the top twelve at The Masters. Tyrrell Hatton stormed the leaderboard early on Sunday, finishing T9 and earning himself an invite back to Augusta next season. Cam Smith and Patrick Reed put together gritty performances, which isn’t too surprising considering the fact that they both absolutely love Augusta National, but neither ever felt a real threat to win. There’s no doubt the players on LIV are good, and that’s why some encouraging leaderboard positions aren’t enough. They needed to contend.

With no players part of the storyline on Sunday, I view the first major of the year as a disappointment for LIV. The players will head into next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla with a lot to prove.

Rory’s Struggles Continues

Rory struggling at Augusta National is no surprise at this point. The four-time major champion has now had 10 attempts to complete the career grand slam and has never had a chance to win. His T2 in 2022 was deceiving, the Northern Irishman stormed the leaderboard on Sunday, but was never in contention, and never got within three shots of the winner, Scottie Scheffler.

I didn’t expect Rory to win, but I have to admit that this year felt a bit different. McIlroy played the week prior to the Masters, which he typically doesn’t do, and finished third at the Valero Texas Open. He gained 7.56 strokes on approach and 2.0 strokes off the tee, which told me that his visit with world-renowned swing coach, Butch Harmon, after the Players Championship paid dividends.

McIlroy also approached the media quite differently. He cut his pre-tournament press conference short after only 10 minutes and seemed to be laser-focused on just playing golf.

Despite the different approach to the Masters, the results were the same. McIlroy struggled over the course of the week, finishing T22 (+4) and never sniffed a decent weekend position on the leaderboard. It’s back to the drawing board for McIlroy, and I have doubts that he will ever figure it out at Augusta.

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19th Hole

Vincenzi: The 8 best prop bets for the 2024 Masters

Published

1 week ago

Apr 9, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

We’ve finally reached The Masters and excitement is at an all-time high. The world of golf has been fractured for the better part of two years, but for a week at Augusta National, all of the outside noise will disappear. All of the best players in the world will be together seeking to make history.

RELATED: Vincenzi’s 2024 Masters betting preview: Niemann to play star role at Augusta National

In addition to betting on The Masters champion. This is one of the few weeks of the year where there are so many more markets to explore, with value to be had in plenty of different categories.

Throughout this article, I’ll discuss all of my favorite props and players for the 2024 Masters.

Placement Bets:

Tony Finau Top 5 +750 (DraftKings):

I badly wanted to include Tony Finau in my outright betting selections, but I simply ran out of room on my card. Additionally, it’s slightly difficult to see him hitting the putts necessary to win the Masters on back nine on Sunday. However, I do strongly believe he will play great golf this week at Augusta National.

In his past 24 rounds, Finau ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Approach is always amongst the best drivers of the golf ball in the game. Back in 2019, Finau had a great chance to win The Masters. I expect him to be hanging around over the weekend once again in 2024.

Gary Woodland Top 20 +550 (DraftKings), Gary Woodland to make the cut -110 (DraftKings):

Last season, Gary Woodland had his best ever finish at The Masters in his eleven tries. The 39-year-old finished T14 and played incredibly steady across all four rounds.

In Woodland’s most recent start at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, he struck the ball incredibly well. He led the field in Strokes Gained: Approach (+8.8) and Strokes Gained: Ball Striking (+10.0).

Gary has been working with Butch Harmon and absolutely flushing the ball both in tournaments and during practice.

Woodland appears to be healthy once again and in a great place physically and mentally. If he can build off his impressive performance at Augusta last year, he can place inside the top ten in 2024.

Additionally, the make the cut number on Woodland seems generous considering the number of players who miss the cut will be relatively small this week. Woodland is striking it well enough to make the cut even if he’s hindered by a balky putter once again.

Thorbjorn Olesen Top 20 +400 (FanDuel):

The Thunder Bear, Thorbjorn Olesen, made his Masters debut in 2013 and finished an incredibly impressive T6 for the week. In the two additional starts he’s made at Augusta National since then, the Dane has continued to be incredibly solid, finishing T44 and T21.

This week, Olesen heads into the week playing some good golf. He gained 3.8 strokes on approach and 5.52 strokes around the green at last week’s Valero Texas Open on his way to a strong T14 finish. Back in January, he won the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on the DP World Tour.

Olesen has the skill set to be successful at Augusta and seems primed for a good performance this week.

Top Nationalities:

Sergio Garcia Top Spanish Player +280 (DraftKings):

I believe Sergio Garcia can get into contention this week with the way he’s striking the ball in addition to his good vibes with a refurbished version of the Scotty Cameron that he used at the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah.

I am slightly concerned about the emotional letdown he may face after losing in a playoff at LIV Miami, but I believe a veteran and former Masters champion should be able to regroup and focus on an event far more meaningful.

This is essentially a tournament head-to-head with Jon Rahm at +280. While Rahm deserves to be respected this week, the history of the lack of success of defending champions at The Masters is difficult to ignore.

Joaquin Niemann Top South American Player -230 (FanDuel):

While I hate paying this much juice, I don’t see a world in which Joaquin Niemann isn’t the top South American this week at The Masters. Joaco comes in playing better golf than anyone in the world not named Scottie Scheffler and has a serious chance to win the green jacket.

He only needs to beat two players: Emiliano Grillo and Camilo Villegas.

Tournament Head-to-Heads:

Justin Thomas -110 over Collin Morikawa

JT isn’t having his best season but is playing a lot better than he is getting credit for at the moment. In the past three months, there are only six players on the PGA Tour who have averaged 1.7 Strokes Gained: Tee to Green or better. Justin Thomas (+1.7) is one of the six and is currently tied with Rory McIlroy (+1.7).

Morikawa, on the other hand, has been extremely poor with his irons, which is incredibly uncharacteristic for him. I can’t help but feel like something is completely off with the two-time major champion.

Tony Finau -110 over Wyndham Clark

I explained in the placement section why I’m so high on Tony Finau this week. With how well he’s striking the ball, it seems as if his floor is extremely high. I’m not sure if he can make the putts to win a green jacket but I believe he will be in the mix similarly to 2019 when Tiger Woods emerged from a crowded pack of contenders.

Clark is a debutant, and while some debutants have had success at The Masters, it certainly poses a challenge. I also don’t believe Augusta National suits Clark as well as some of the other major championship venues.

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