Golf Gear News

The Price Of Gas Will Affect Your Game

Here in Minnesota, a gallon of gas costs $2.69/gallon. A dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls are $43.99. Expect that price to go up. Not because of demand, but because of the price of gas. Like everything else, the cost of golf balls, bags, shoes and umbrellas will be more expensive in 2006. Many golf components are made from materials that start as high-priced petroleum. Steve Pike's article Crude Awakening from PGA Online highlights some of the increasing costs that manufacturers like Footjoy, Bridgestone, Ping and Wilson are currently swallowing.

Frank Simonutti, manager of recreational golf ball development for Wilson Golf's says that their rubber prices are "about 80 percent higher" than in 2004. Footjoy's President Jim Connor says "We use an extensive amount of thermoplastic urethanes in our outsoles....and those costs from makers such as DuPont and BASF have risen dramatically in the last six months."

In addition to the already high cost of brand name equipment because of marketing and sponsorships, you'll be seeing a price hike because Katrina, Rita and the Iraq War have all pushed up the price of a gallon of gas as well as the price of that Pro V1 that you just hit into the water.

posted by Golf Gear News @ 2:54 PM