Volume 1 | July 2019
Ever since the inception of Golf Stix Value Guide, our primary goal has remained constant: Provide Golf Professionals and courses with value-added services while providing the highest level of customer service possible. To complement these efforts and to keep our partners abreast with what's going on in the world of Golf Stix, we are excited to present a quarterly White Paper. In this inaugural edition, we will introduce our 14 new Brand Ambassadors, provide some best practices for taking trade-ins and inform you of recent and upcoming product launches. Additionally, we'll give you hints on how to fit your members into the top five drivers of 2019 and highlight one of our most valuable partners, 2nd Swing Golf. We hope you enjoy!
Golf Stix News
Golf Stix adds to its exclusive list of Brand Ambassadors
We are pleased to announce our list of official Brand Ambassadors for 2019. This select group of individuals is comprised of PGA Professionals that have been long-time supporters of Golf Stix. Together, they represent the thousands of Golf Professionals and courses we have had the privilege to work with.
They have been hand chosen by our team to help grow the Golf Stix brand and make our services known to others in the industry. In addition, their continuous feedback will enable us to tailor our services in order to better suit the needs of current and future Golf Professionals and their facilities that they represent.
Current Ambassadors (2+ Years)
Cary Cozby - Southern Hills Country Club
Chandler Withington - Hazeltine National Golf Club
Tony Pancake - Crooked Stick Golf Club
Karl Bublitz - Grey Oaks Country Club
Nathan Ollhoff - Interlachen Country Club
Steve David - Denver Country Club
Nick Papadakes - Onwentsia Club
Jason Martin - Sunnehanna Country Club
To meet all of our Brand Ambassadors, click here.
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Recently Added
Larry Dornisch
Muirfield Village Golf Club
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Matt Fuller
Caves Valley Golf Club
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Mike Scully
Reynolds Lake Oconee
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Dan Colvin
Fishers Island
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Will Hutter - Olympic Club
Steve Houg - Valhalla Golf Club
Doug Doxsie - Seattle Golf Club
Gordon Johnson - Houston Country Club
Jeff Dotson - Country Club of North Carolina
Joe Connerton - Hartford Golf Club
James Swift - Belfair
Andy Warren - The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe
Scott Pansch - Green Bay Country Club
Patrick Markley - Barton Hills Country Club
Chris Cover - Happy Hollow Club
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Best Practices
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Why trade-ins are becoming increasingly important
With increasing retail prices, there is more demand from members (and every-day golfers) who want to trade in. Allowing your members or customers the opportunity to trade in their old club(s) towards credit on their new purchase is not only a cost-saving benefit for them, but it's a value-added service that is easier to provide than you might think.
We asked Golf Stix Brand Ambassador, Karl Bublitz, why he believes trade-ins are such an important tool and the various ways that offering such a program has positively impacted the club and its members.
"Letting our members know up front that we can trade in their current equipment, checks the box in their decision-making process about what to do with their current set, and consequently, moves the purchase decision along that much faster. From the Club's point-of-view, we want to be our member's complete equipment service provider and making the sale is only part of that. The trade-in opportunities have undoubtedly been a positive and I wish I could quantify what it has meant to our bottom line but unfortunately, I cannot. We honestly do not have many that would buy if we could not do something with their existing equipment. I can say that we have been able to maintain continuous growth with our hard good sales for the past four years. Four years ago, we sold $300,000 in equipment and this year we will likely reach $700,000 in equipment sales."
Karl Bublitz - Director of Golf
Grey Oaks Country Club, Naples, Florida
Golf Stix Brand Ambassador since 2017
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Industry Update
Product Launches & Price Drops
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RECENT
- Titleist TS1 & TS4 Drivers- $499.99
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UPCOMING
- PING G LE2 Woods, Irons & Putters - Aug. 1
- PING Glide 3.0 Wedges - Aug. 1
- Callaway Epic Forged Irons - Aug. 2
- Callaway Epic Flash Hybrids - Aug. 2
- Mizuno MP-20 Irons - Sep. 20
- Mizuno T20 Wedges - Sep. 20
- Titleist T100, T200, T300, 690 MB & 690 CB Irons - early Fall
- Titleist TS2 & TS3 Hybrids - early Fall
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Fitting Trends
What to know about the industry's hottest drivers
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Callaway Epic Flash
The introduction of Flash Face technology in the Callaway Epic Flash drivers will benefit golfers of all skill levels and swing types. Its unique design enhances ball speed and MOI in a variety of different ways, while maintaining customization in the form of Callaway's proven Adjustable Perimeter Weighting. Specifically, golfers who are searching for more distance and already maintain an average or low spin rate will be satisfied with the Callaway Epic Flash driver. However, golfers who want the technological benefits the Epic Flash offers and need a decrease in spin rate should take a look at Callaway's Epic Flash Sub Zero driver.
 Trade-in value of prior generation model $131*
Trade in now >
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Cobra KING F9
Cobra has had great success with its recent driver releases by utilizing low CG positions to reduce spin and increase distance. With its new KING F9 Speedback driver, Cobra has incorporated a new aerodynamic shape along with a low center of gravity to create what it believes is the fastest, longest Cobra driver ever. Also new with F9 is that there is no longer a standard and a plus model, as was the case with F6, F7, and F8, which means that the F9 with the right shaft and loft setting will be a great fit for players of all ability levels.
 Trade-in value of prior generation model $74*
Trade in now >
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PING G410 Plus
PING is attempting to reach as many golfers as possible with the new features installed in the G410 Plus driver while still exhibiting many of the excellent innovations from past PING drivers, such as the trademark turbulators on the crown that reduce drag. The G410 Plus offers customization that has never been seen before in a PING driver, which makes it a terrific choice for a wide range of swing speeds and playing styles. This driver is especially suited for players who do not have a consistent miss on the course and are searching for increased launch and forgiveness. However, for players who consistently find themselves missing due to an unwanted fade or block, the PING G410 SFT driver would also be worth a look.
 Trade-in value of prior generation model $108*
Trade in now >
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TaylorMade M6
As is the case with M5, the new M6 drivers also utilize TaylorMade's unique speed injection process to get each driver right up to the USGA limit for COR, which TaylorMade believes will ensure that every player gets as much ball speed as possible. Additionally, by utilizing a thinner clubface and then slowing it down as necessary, the sweet spot on the face of the M6 has been expanded to deliver faster ball speeds on shots played from outside the center of the face. The available D-Type version is designed to help players who struggle with a slice or a block combat that frustrating miss.
 Trade-in value of prior generation model $137*
Trade in now >
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Titleist TS2 & TS3
Both of Titleist's new drivers, the TS2 and TS3, were designed to give golfers faster ball speeds and more distance, but there are subtle yet important differences between the two as it relates to playability. For players looking for maximum forgiveness and a high-launching, low-spinning driver that will provide a naturally straight shot pattern in its standard setting, the TS2, which also has a slightly larger and more modern shape, will be the better choice. Golfers, however, who are looking for more options to optimize their launch and spin conditions, as well as additional shot-shaping ability, might prefer the more customizable, traditional shaped TS3.
 Trade-in value of prior generation model $74*
Trade in now >
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Partner Spotlight
2nd Swing Golf
Minneapolis-based 2nd Swing Golf is a specialty retailer and online seller of new and used golf equipment. 2nd Swing has five brick & mortar locations across the U.S., all of which have been recognized as Golf Digest Top Fitters of the Year among several other fitting and service related awards.
Leveraging the relationships that Golf Stix Value Guide has established with Golf Professionals and the nation's top courses as well as other industry partners, 2nd Swing strives to offer golfers with the best-in-class selection which includes over 80,000 pre-swung golf clubs, apparel & other golf accessories.
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NEW MEMBER BENEFIT |
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As a valued partner, all Golf Professionals are eligible for a 5% discount on used golf equipment. Looking for a replacement 9-iron for a member or a lightly used set of irons for someone new to the game? Visit 2ndSwing.com or contact your dedicated Golf Stix Representative today
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