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Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
PXG and Bob Parsons Mark 10 Years Of Proving The Industry Wrong
It's an odd phrase to define a brand premise, but one that makes complete sense for Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG). The maxim embodies a commitment to quality, excellence and accountability, and essentially means that if something is just 'pretty' clean, it's actually dirty. PXG is a black and white universe where gray doesn't exist, where there is no place for 'pretty' good, only the best. 'That can be seen across our entire brand because we take our time,' explained Leela Brennan, vice president of Brand Communication and Engagement. 'We pour every ounce of innovation into every new club that we're working on. We don't leave anything on the table.' Since the first PXG product line, the PXG 0311 Gen 1 irons, was released 10 years ago, the company has experienced explosive growth. The impressive journey began with a small staff working in humble trailers bordering Scottsdale National Golf Club, then progressed to assembling clubs in motorcycle build bays, to the current headquarters campus in Scottsdale, AZ. Five sleek, modern structures house the PXG retail experience, engineering, club assembly, build shop, apparel design studio, and distribution warehouse. The company's global reach now includes 26 brick and mortar stores in the U.S. and two internationally (London and Tokyo). Those branded locations offer the same complete and immersive fitting experience as the PXG flagship store. Brennan also pointed out that PXG has more than 200 third-party hub locations that offer customers the opportunity to book a fitting through the website and connect with mobile fitters who provide year-round service. The original bare bones staff that assembled their own desks in a trailer has now grown to approximately 680 employees worldwide. By now, most readers (especially golfers) know the story of PXG founder and CEO Bob Parsons, a multi-billionaire entrepreneur, philanthropist, author (Fire In The Hole) and visionary who just happens to be a golf addict. His business ventures include the world's largest Harley-Davidson dealership (and 22 franchises), Scottsdale National Golf Club and more than a dozen companies operating under YAM Worldwide, Inc. The U.S. Marine Corps veteran, recipient of a Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam, epitomizes entrepreneurship. He was an IT pioneer, establishing and ultimately selling Parsons Technology and GoDaddy for massive profits. With an estimated real-time net worth of $3.9 billion, his success enabled him to seriously indulge his passions for golf and philanthropy. After investing hundreds of thousands of dollars on golf equipment that overpromised and underdelivered, he believed he could create something entirely different that would change the game. The 74-year old Baltimore native is anything but traditional in his approach to business. His goal for PXG was, and remains, to create the very finest products without constraints of time, expense or immediate ROI. Ingenuity, imagination and innovation would be the secret sauce. There's magic in those cubby holes. Candace Oehler The golf industry was stagnant when PXG was born. Explained Caleb Kroloff, director of Woods Research and Development, 'Our R&D group was based around our frustrations with the golf industry and the box of 'this is the way it's always been done.' ' Added Product Manager Brad Schweigert, who was lured to PXG from PING along with colleague Mike Nicolette, the golf industry is monotonous. 'It's like you're building out five-year product plans. You have everything planned out before you even start the design, and you kind of know what your price point needs to be,' he said. There is no box at PXG. Parsons is committed to the idea that 'if it's not better, it won't be released,' an almost unheard-of concept in the competitive golf equipment landscape. Regardless of time, PXG products are only brought to market when ready. Along with flexible product release cycles flexible, PXG differentiates itself from traditional club manufacturers in other significant ways. Unlike the majority of OEMs, PXG is a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) company that will never distribute its clubs through big box stores. Instead of fighting for shelf space and adhering to an arbitrary retail price point and release schedule, PXG focuses on consumers and serving people one-on-one. The PXG consumer experience is also unique. Products are engineered to be custom fitted and dialed in to meet the needs of a particular individual's swing. They don't make men's clubs, women's clubs, junior or senior clubs, just clubs for golfers. Said Brennan, 'We know that performance doesn't care how you identify, it cares how you deliver the golf club.' PXG initially focused on re-inventing irons, primarily because that category had seen the least amount of innovation over the longest period of time. Designers and engineers were tasked with creating an iron that looked like a blade but performed like a cavity back. Parsons also mandated that it needed to feel better than any golf club he'd ever hit, and it needed to look unique, sexy even. 'It represented the greatest opportunity for our engineers to really lean in and achieve something that was new, which is exactly what we did,' said Kroloff. 'And the sciences that came out of that first iron really put PXG on the map, but it also changed the industry.' PXG was the first to produce forged, hollow-body irons with a polymer on the inside that made the club face much thinner, while giving it a soft feel. Subsequent Generations have evolved with new materials, polymers that better transfer energy, inventive designs and the addition of several lines of drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, wedges, putters and even a mini-driver. Many product designs never even make it to market, due to concepts that might be more theoretical than practical, elements that don't add to performance, or don't promote good sound and feel. The new GEN7 irons feature QuantomCOR technology. Courtesy of PXG But at PXG, failure IS absolutely an option. According to staff, Parsons is a big believer in the value of moving forward, even if it's in the wrong direction. The PXG launch was also an industry first. Parsons explains in his autobiography that he deliberately chose a significantly higher market price point for their products. Industry experts were skeptical, but PXG branded itself in the 'luxury business' and found plenty of consumers ready to pay for quality and the PXG experience. The stable of professional ambassadors has grown strategically and now includes PGA, LPGA and Korn Ferry TOUR players like Eric Cole, Christian Bezuidenhout, Jake Knapp, Zach Johnson, Auston Kim, Celine Boutier, and more. Like all successful entrepreneurs, Parsons populates his environment with hand-picked associates who share his passion and are capable of executing his vision. Mike Nicolette, senior director of irons research and development, left a 23-year position at PING to join the PXG start-up. The 68-year old former PGA TOUR player, who won the 1983 Bay Hill Classic, was excited enough about the PXG concept that he sat out for a non-compete year, as did his colleague Brad Schweigert. The chance to create something from nothing appealed to the industry veterans. And to do it with unlimited time and money was an opportunity neither could pass up. The PXG culture starts at the top. Parsons' enthusiasm is described as 'contagious' and can be felt the minute you walk into the flagship headquarters. Associates appear to love what they're doing, want to be there, feel empowered, and take enormous pride in their work. Explained Nicolette, 'Mr. Parsons has a certain personality, and we love it. Every day he's waking up thinking about golf. How can we do this better? What can we do? And we all kind of have that same passion.' Parsons' subscribes to the philosophy of 'hire great people and give them the freedom to be awesome.' Added Korloff, 'He is demanding, but in a way that he always gives you the resources and the opportunity to make sure you can go out and do what you need to get the job done.' Staff opinions are valued in the decision-making process, making them feel personally and emotionally invested in helping shape the company's growth. 'Everybody has a seat at the table and everybody is part of making this company go,' said Brennen. 'And when things are hard, we're all doing it together as well.' PXG has expanded its products to include apparel, golf balls, hats and accessories. Apparel, in particular, has gained momentum since 2019 under the direction of Renee Parsons, PXG chief marketing officer. Lindsay Weart, senior vice president of apparel, and Jose Vega, vice president of design and production are former New York City luxury lingerie designers who were recruited and charged with creating an apparel brand from, surprise, scratch. The result is clothing that, like the golf equipment, stands out for its performance, feel and look. According to the designers, this is largely due to Renee, who Lindsay describes as a 'chic fashionista with an incredible eye.' 'She gives us so much leeway to design and to learn, which is super important.' Custom prints with intricate details and luxury fabrics set the line apart. Like the industry, golf and sport fashion apparel was pretty much a yawn for many years. The PXG collections – spring and summer, capsule and core collections, plus pop-ups – tap into a fashion-conscious market of men and women who want distinctive, unique clothes with a 'preppy-modern,' yet classic look that is never one-note. Parsons is as renowned for his generosity as his business success. He and his wife established the Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation in 2012, a 100% pass-through foundation of their personal wealth. He explained in his book, 'I like lifting people up. That makes me happy. And it's a genuine happiness that doesn't leave me the next day. It's the kind of happiness that fuels me to keep doing the things that fill my bucket.' Since 2012, the foundation has awarded nearly $300 million to more than 100 charities and organizations worldwide. The Parsons are not afraid to embrace unpopular causes, especially those that affect marginalized, underserved and underfunded communities. They champion LGBTQIA+ youth, DREAMERs, foster children, immigrants, the unhoused, and psychedelic assisted therapy for PTSD and trauma. The Foundation is also a major supporter of the Semper Fi Fund that serves all branches of the military. The PXG Heroes Program is a separate initiative established to get PXG equipment into the hands of active and retired miliary, first responders, law enforcement, and now teachers and nurses. Clubs are offered to them at a discount, but they still receive the same fitting experience as a full price consumer. Said Special Director Col. Kevin Hudson (Ret.), 'Our team is passionate about this program and the people we serve, especially the people who have done so much to protect all of the freedoms that we enjoy.' He added, 'Golf is truly a means to allow these men and women to get out and kind of release stress. You know, nobody's shooting at you on the golf course last time I checked. ' Hudson also directs the PXG Heroes Squad, made up of wounded warrior 'ambassadors,' good amateur golfers who play PXG clubs and sport the apparel. Parsons' dedication to serving veterans was recognized in 2019, when he was surprised and honored with the 'Marine for Life' award at a special ceremony aboard the USS Intrepid, at an event that also celebrated the Marine Corps 244th birthday. PXG was originally perceived as an elite brand for well-to-do men. Advertising was bombastic, aggressive, loud and macho. Over the decade, however, a kinder, gentler PXG has emerged, with more pricing options, more inclusive marketing and more club lines, especially for casual golfers. One thing that will never change is Bob Parsons' love of swimming upstream against a current of sharks and doubters. 'We're still very much a startup business. We're still scrappy, we still pivot quickly. And we are still adapting every day to be able to serve our customers better,' concluded Brennen.
CBC
22-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Wooden clubs a game changer for Manitoba golfer
The steel golf clubs of today are very different from the wooden ones used more than a hundred years ago. A West St. Paul resident who has made it his mission to breathe new life into these old clubs.
Forbes
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
The Best Golf Clubs For Beginners, According To Golf Pros
Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods, Annika Sörenstam—every great golfer was once a beginner, learning the basics as they picked up their first set of clubs. If you're ready to take that first swing, we've got you covered with the best golf clubs for beginners, based on expert-backed recommendations. According to the pros we spoke with, the Callaway Edge 10-Piece Club Set stands out as the best set for beginners, offering performance and forgiveness in one sleek package. And for those on the lookout for value that doesn't sacrifice quality, the Top Flite XL 13-Piece Complete Set is another great option. A set of beginner golf clubs makes it easier to learn and enjoy the game. As tempting as it may be to buy cheap clubs, doing so can establish bad habits and take the fun out of those first few rounds. 'Golf is a journey, not a race—start with clubs that help you enjoy every step,' says Julieta Stack, an LGPA professional and director of instruction at the Baltimore Golf Academy. Whether you're a youngster, a senior or somewhere in between, we've rounded up the best beginner golf clubs to help you come out swinging and start hitting shots with confidence. Amazon Club count: 10 | Shaft material: Graphite | Flex: Stiff | Bag included: No | Left hand available: No The Callaway clubs that make up this 10-piece Edge set are true winners. The set has all the sticks an amateur golfer could possibly need, including an Edge Driver with a huge titanium head and deep center of gravity that sends balls flying off the tee and soaring toward the green. Six, seven, eight and nine irons, along with a few woods, give you plenty of choice as you close in on the cup, and of course there are wedges and a putter tossed in for good measure. While the set doesn't come with a bag, you can usually pick one up secondhand and save some money. 'The one set I suggest most, and I have no affiliation, is the Callaway Edge,' says Justan Johnson, PGA associate and golf instructor at Troon Golf Administration. 'This set offers 10 clubs, driver to putter, and you have all the clubs you'll need for a beginner or intermediate golfer. You can keep it for a while and not have to purchase an upgrade set like you would once you outgrow your starter set.' Keep in mind these clubs are on the stiffer side, which can be a deterrent to some novice golfers who prefer a more flexible shaft and forgiving face. That said, many experts advise using stiff clubs even as you learn because you won't have to replace them down the road as you get better. Dick's Sporting Goods Club count: 11 | Shaft material: Graphite/steel | Flex: Regular, senior | Bag included: Yes | Left hand available: Yes If you want a complete set of golf clubs and don't want to spend much cash, this set from Top Flite is a real ace. While the most fully-stocked golf bag have 14 clubs, experts agree that most new golfers won't use nearly that many. 'Newer golfers typically use five to seven clubs per round,' says Johnson, so this 11-piece set will certainly suffice. (It's called a 13-piece set because of the included bag and club covers.) The driver is made from a composite titanium material and measures a whopping 460 cubic centimeters—the largest driver size allowed by the USGA,. And it's a size that ensures maximum connectivity and power delivery. Plus, it's a size most new golfers prefer. Once you're on the green, you'll appreciate the visual markers etched into the putter that help you line the head up for a clean, well-aimed tap. And as you move between holes, you'll take full advantage of the bag's many pockets and its broad carrying strap. You won't get hundreds of rounds out of these clubs—they're just not as durable as beginner sets that cost twice as much. But if you want to hit the course with your own set and give golf a try, this is a smart buy. Callaway Club count: 6 | Shaft material: Graphite | Flex: Light | Bag included: Yes | Left hand available: Yes Any woman looking to hit the course with top-quality gear in hand should choose clubs specifically designed for female athletes, and this Callaway set fits the bill perfectly. It features a flexible driver shaft, irons tailored to match the average female swing speed and a putter inspired by insights from LPGA pros. Essentially, it's a set built to help women succeed on the course. 'My students have almost exclusively been women, and keeping that in mind, I cannot recommend the Callaway Women's Reva complete set more highly,' says golf instructor Douglas Bennink of 'This set gives the beginner golfer the confidence to move from the practice range to the course in one fell swoop.' It's worth mentioning there are just six clubs in this set, which is sufficient for most golfers but hardly ample, and it isn't a cheap set either. Still, if you find yourself in need of a club as your game levels up, you can simply add it to the mix—these grow with you, so there's no need to replace them as you get better. Dick's Sporting Goods Club count: 10 | Shaft material: Graphite, steel | Flex: Stiff, regular | Bag included: Yes | Left hand available: Yes Callaway's XR line is specifically aimed at mid-to-high handicappers looking for distance and easy-to-hit clubs. It's not a cheap set, but if you're struggling to improve your score, you'll want to get your hands on top-notch clubs designed to be forgiving and easy to use. Callaway's XR irons in particular are well-suited for high handicappers because they are designed as game-improvement irons, offering features like a large sweet spot, forgiving face technology and a high launch trajectory. All of these factors make them easy to use, help you get the ball in the air and down the fairway with more reliability, each and every swing. The fairway woods are also designed with forgiveness in mind, featuring a channel that helps send a ball straight down the line even after an off-center hit. And the massive 460cc driver will help you gain extra yardage off the tee. Finally, a putter designed for precision and control will help you inch closer to—and someday below—par. Again, these clubs are on the expensive side for a beginner set, but if you've been out on the links enough times to know you need better gear, go ahead and treat yourself. Amazon Club count: 7 | Shaft material: Graphite | Flex: Regular | Bag included: Yes | Left hand available: Yes This set from Tour Edge is available in different sizes for different age ranges, including kids three to six, five to eight, seven to 10, nine to 12 and 11 to 14, so no matter how young your aspiring golfer may be, you can match them with a set that fits just right. There are the seven classic clubs needed to constitute a complete set here, including a driver with a 350cc head—a great size for young players. Meanwhile, the irons have oversized heads with extra large sweet spots that make it easier to strike the ball with accuracy. The included golf bag has plenty of pockets and a built-in stand, and it features a dual-strap carry system that helps evenly distribute the weight. The driver isn't all that durable, as evidenced by several verified buyers who reported signs of damage with moderate use, so if you have a young golfer who seems committed to the hobby, consider leveling up. Otherwise, this is a fantastic set that helps them learn the basics without burning a hole in your pocket. Amazon Club count: 12 | Shaft material: Graphite | Flex: Senior | Bag included: Yes | Left hand available: No The 'senior' golf club flex is specifically designed for older golfers with swing speeds between 70 and 85 miles per hour. It offers a good balance of flexibility and weight, making it easier to generate club speed and send the ball a good distance. And of course, it's the exact flex you'll find in this 12-club set from Tour Edge. The total number of clubs means you can always choose the best tool for the shot at hand, whether you're teeing off, halfway down the fairway or digging your ball out of a bunker. Many golfers who have used these Bazooka clubs call them forgiving and comfortable, though we do have to flag that among the many five-star reviews, several people reported breaking the heads off their irons during normal play. Obviously, this isn't what you want to see when you shell out $600 for a new set, but these occurrences are rare, and Tour Edge offers a lifetime warranty on its clubs for added peace of mind. The gear team at Forbes Vetted conducts thorough research before recommending products to our readers. We read scores of customer reviews, cross-reference brand claims with online comments and speak to experts with extensive subject knowledge. Golf is one of the more intimidating sports to pick up because it requires a certain level of commitment. Sourcing all the gear, booking a tee time, learning the jargon and making mistakes on the course are all a part of the process. That's why we've chosen the best golf clubs for beginners based on factors like shaft flex, head size, club selection and more, so you can spend less time worrying about your equipment and more time enjoying the process. You don't need a 14-club set to get out there and start working on your golf game, but you do need a basic assortment of options. 'I always suggest purchasing a new set that contains at least a driver, three wood, hybrid, five iron, seven iron, nine iron, pitching wedge and putter,' says Johnson. With that said, many pros are also comfortable recommending a seven-club set, though Johnson adds that eight-club sets truly provide "all the clubs you'll need for a beginner or intermediate golfer.' It's imperative that you invest in golf clubs suitable for your body. 'Get clubs that fit you,' says Stack. 'If you are above or below average height, it's worth getting a basic fitting or selecting clubs labeled as 'long' or 'petite' to better match your body type." Clubs of the right height can drastically impact and improve your game. Golf club 'flex' refers to the degree of bend—or lack thereof—in a golf club's shaft. This affects how much the shaft bends during a swing, influencing factors like club head speed, distance and accuracy. Shafts are categorized by flex with options ranging from extra stiff (X) to ladies flex (L). Stiffer clubs are faster and hit harder, but they're generally considered harder to control and better-suited for experienced golfers. Steel shafts are strong and stiff, albeit heavy, delivering power and speed to the ball when handled well. Graphite club shafts are much lighter in weight and allow for fast swings with reduced effort, but they don't deliver as much power. Composite shafts, usually made of a blend of both materials, fall somewhere in the middle, balancing speed and power.
