I didn’t get to play golf with NGCOA members before the 2023 Golf Business Conference. Unfortunately, it seems a now-deceased rodent in my garage had other ideas. Note to self - I should have eaten that Clif bar when I had the chance.

And, sure, I could have rented clubs. But what you see to your left is a full set of fitted PINGs I got during Covid, along with my classic Orlimar Tri-Metal 7-wood. I couldn’t get myself to play with just any old set in front of so many accomplished NGCOA members. 

Amongst the many golf emails I get every week is the Monday “WITB” breakdown of winning professionals’ treasured tools of the trade. It’s a big deal for the equipment and ball companies to be associated with winners. So too, is it a big deal for their customers to feel good about their equipment selections. So I was curious – what did NGCOA member-players have in their bags? And I took it upon myself to find out in a very informal, personal survey where I had the pleasure of meeting so many members I did not know.

I did not ask about specific model names but rather just the manufacturers of drivers, irons, putters, and balls. I got 58 responses from people boarding the bus at the Rosen Centre, at breakfast, on the range, and at the carts. Excluded were people who rented clubs at the resort.

Every major manufacturer was represented in one form or another. But the ball category stood out and was dominated by… Titleist, with 66% of the players. And it’s not just “Titleist,” it’s the Pro-V1 ball that everyone identified by name. No one said “AVX,” “Velocity,” “Tour Soft,” or any of the other Titleist ball types. It’s a testament to the quality of the ball and the strength of Titleist’s marketing. Callaway was a distant second with eight. Bridgestone counted for two – and how much are they paying Tiger? 

So, yes, we can safely say that the Titleist Pro-V1/Pro-V1x is the number one ball of the NGCOA at GBC23.

TaylorMade won the driver count with 19, followed by Callaway (13), PING (9), and Titleist (8). But Callaway won the iron count with 13, followed by Titleist (12), PING (11), and Taylormade with 10. Callaway also won the putter count with 14, followed by TaylorMade (11), PING (10), and Scotty Cameron/Titleist (8). Throw in a couple of PXGs, a Sacks Parente, and a Bettinardi, and the putter group was the most diverse.

Only a handful of players “played through,” that is, had just one brand in their bags from driver to ball. I recall full Titleist, Callaway, and TaylorMade devotees. And I was surprised at the number of players who had to think a bit when asked, “what’s in your bag” – some weren’t quite sure. Maybe they had their seldom-used travel bag. Or perhaps it indicates their hard work resulting in limited play. A couple of bags looked like they had grabbed the lost-clubs bag as they ran out their shop door.

I’ll conclude with a suggestion. NGCOA should recruit one of the major equipment folks as an event sponsor (along with Yahama) and set up a demo area on the range. Maybe hand out its newest ball iteration (unless it’s PING). After all, the players are the people selling equipment and balls in their golf shops – what better place to gain some loyalty or new friends? And then I’ll be back with my PINGs and Pro V1Xs, and papa will have a brand new bag.