Bomb, Gouge & Adjustable Golf Clubs

Justin Blair of Three Rivers, Michigan sends a candid assessment of the Bomb & Gouge article in the April Golf Digest in which Bomb supported and Gouge opposed the new adjustable clubs that have reached golf store shelves this season. At the risk of cross-blogging (Bomb and Gouge do an equipment blog on this site), we obtained a response from Mike "Bomb" Johnson, equipment editor of Golf World.

First, Justin:

I just want to say: Bomb is an idiot, but Gouge, you are a genious!  The stance you've taken on the new adjustable shaft golf clubs (April 2008) is right on the mark.  I have yet to hear anyone put it as succinctly as you.  People at these golf magazines wonder why so many "Average Joe's" leave the game year in and year out, well, that's your answer.  The game is getting too expensive for regular golfers, and these new-fangled "ideas" do absolutlely NOTHING to help us out.  Club manufacturers want to help?  Try cutting your costs, especially with these idiotic "ideas"!

Again, Gouge, a BIG "thank you" for being realistic about this new club fad.  At least you have the guts to look into our best interests, and not the manufacturer's.  Sorry to be so harsh Bomb, but try learning a few>

things from your partner.

Now Mike, er, Bomb the idiot:Â

Hi Justin: No offense taken. As I noted in the article, the cost of these adjustable clubs is somewhat obscene. But that doesn't detract from the fact that, if you put cost aside (and some golfers do), these clubs can possibly help. Now everyone has to do their own cost-benefit analysis on that. And I would certainly agree that the number of folks buying into adjustability at this price tag will be extremely low. And I think that's good. I am in total agreement with you and my partner (who I also agree is a genius) that the cost of equipment is approaching out of control. It is why we both regularly tout fine, affordable equipment such as that produced by Adams and Tour Edge, to name a couple of companies.

But I don't believe that we should stymie innovation just because the initial cost of products is sky-high. If the price offends you, simply don't buy it. But remember that DVD player you have in your house would not have been made possible if someone hadn't started the idea more than 20 years ago with those old betamax tape machines—which, at the time, cost more than $2,000. In short, I'm more a fan of the possibilities of adjustability down the road than I am of the current offerings.

Thanks for writing, Mike.

Thank you both. I'm heading off now to change the weight on my Zebra.

--Bob Carney