tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7347482.post-71741103326572629582008-01-28T05:04:00.000-08:002008-01-28T05:04:00.000-08:002008-01-28T05:04:00.000-08:00very interesting post. i have felt for the past few years that titleist has become increasingly out of "sync" with the golfing marketplace. They paid very little attention to the game improvement and mid-range handicapper markets as they developed and left that space to callaway, taylormade, nike, cleveland, adams, cobra - just look at how they completely missed the hybrid market - now hybrids are used by most pro's on all the tours - what all golfers see (including pro's) is that the real innovation is happening all around titleist but not at titleist - remember how dominant mcgreagor was in the 60's, 70's and then declined in the 80's? what happened? they didn't innovate. titleist is in the same position now with respect to their equipment- cept for golf balls - but callaway has very innovative golf ball products as does nike and bridgestone. titleist may have the market now but these guys are chipping away with more innovation - the dynasty is in decline and pro v1 franchise is next to fall - within 5 years the picture will be very different. their market leader arrogance will blind them to the fact that while they still have a solid lock on 50+ year old golfers, the younger guys don't see them as leaders - just look in the bags and golf ball choices of the 35year and under crowd (esp. the better players) - i see more nike and callaway balls in the hands of these guys and as for equipment- forgetaboutit - it's callaway, nike, cleveland and taylormade - and hybrids, hybrids and more hybrids. and where is titleist? - resting on their laurals and remembering the dominant days of the 1980's and 1990's. <BR/><BR/>The ghost of mcgregor is looming over the titleist empire!looper[email protected]