Thursday, June 12, 2008

Attack of the Clones

I think we'd all agree that Yoda is pretty high on the Universal Coolometer. It's true that he has the same voice as Grover, but the Fuzzy Blue One's killing powers didn't include stuff like this:



(On the other hand, who knows what SuperGrover was capable of?)

So the fight scene above is from the movie, Star Wars 2: Attack of the Clones, which was known in some markets as Star Wars 2: 52% Fewer Muppets than Star Wars 1.

So on that very thin connection, I want to ask for some advice on a thing that I'm thinking about now.

Clone Clubs.

I know we've talked a lot about clubs this week. We'll move on once I actually go and play some more golf, which will be after work on Friday. (I'm thinking of going to the Forum and buying a sacrifice weasel.)

Ok, so clone clubs are copies of more expensive clubs, without the brand name. For example, Pinemeadow Golf has this set of clubs, which they suggest you compare to this set, from Taylormade.

I suppose they could have suggested I compare it to a room full of trunks full of cartoon gold coins and jewels, Uncle $crooge McDuck-style. I would have rejected that suggestion.

But the suggestion that these clubs might be basically the same as a set that are hundreds and hundreds of dollars more expensive and that the only reason everyone's not buying from them is that everyone's either too superficial or lazy to know better, that's a suggestion I am susceptible to. (Not that I think people are generally superficial and lazy, but I'm trying to justify something without a rational basis for it, so I'm being generous.)

This is not like those Chinese counterfeiters that try to sell you Birkin Sticks. Pinemeadow and their ilk and not trying to pretend to be Taylormade. They're just saying they can use the same technology and make clubs that are just as good, without all the overhead of the big companies. Things like TV commercials, elaborate displays at golf shops, and the exorbitant protection money anybody in the golf equipment racquet has to pay to Nick "Nicky Nails" Faldo. (That's a little fact the Golf Institute people don't want you to know about him.)

Thoughts? Could these clubs be comparable in quality or is it just wishful thinking? Even if they turn out to be good, would it just be the placebo effect of thinking they're good?

I await your thoughts.

And you can await real-time postings, results and film from the course tomorrow night!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

In the immortal words of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, "Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby."

Princess Sass of Frass said...

And now I am understanding why the HT sent me your link. I don't live minutes from Pebble Beach for nothing...

Head here:
http://www.clubs4less.com/knockoffclone.htm

The clubs can still only be as good as the one swinging it though. Personally I like showing up with clubs nabbed from the local mini golf place and wearing the most obnoxiously colored argyle I can find (which is fairly easy to do).

If y'all ever feel like heading up to the area (Monterey/Carmel/Pebble Beach) to play just give me a heads up, I can get deals on lodgings and local courses. And no, I did not just invite myself along.

Tommy Mac said...

So, do you think I made a good purchase when I ordered my clubs from "My First Swinging Session"? The club choices were great(I even got the stiff-flex shafts and oversized heads!), but the images were a little out of focus and concerning.

Yakherder said...

I've never used clone clubs, but I have a few friends who swear by them.

Personally, I need the shiny, expensive clubs so I look good when I skull that approach shot 20 yards past the green

Jim McCarthy said...

It'd take more than fancy clubs to make you look good, Yak Herder.

Jim McCarthy said...

<3 sassie, what's the name of your blog? I'll be happy to link it if you like.

And, yes, if I'm in Carmel, let's go!