Checking Out one of "The Little Guys"

Posted Apr 20 2010, 09:07 AM by Cathy Erickson 
I was browsing through some golf links last night and came across an interesting blog.  The makers of Solus Wedges have created a neat web site and blog site to share their story of trying to make their mark on the Professional Tours.
 
I'll admit I've never heard of Solus (although I'm wondering now if they've had an infomercial?)...and if you read their blog, the Solus guys aren't all that surprised that they are still under the radar.  They have some very interesting commentary on the "big guns" in the equipment world and the challenges they face as they are trying to get their wedges into Tour bags.

From what I can tell (since I just started learning about them), the company started courting players in 2004 and has been working the Tours since 2005.  It looks like they have had several different models evolve since their beginnings and have a new "conforming" wedge for 2010.  They are in some golf bags, too!
 
I've got to tell you, I'm excited about going back and reading their blog posts starting in 2005.  These are the kind of golf stories I like to read - you know, the story behind the story!  Due to privacy and contract reasons they black out the names of players they have talked with (bummer!) but you can get the gist of the stories.
 
In one of their recent blog entries they have some photos of Rich Beem testing out their latest wedges...it was interesting to learn about the make-up and technical part of making the club do what you want it to do.
 
More interesting was their latest entry about getting into PGA events and getting their product in the hands of Tour players.  (see: http://solusgolf.blogspot.com/ ) I had always suspected that the major golf brands had some advantageous contract language, but the Solus blog confirmed that it's not that easy to get in a Tour bag.  Even if a guy loves the feel and performance, most likely there is no way they will be putting a Solus wedge in their bag because they are already covered by another equipment contract.
 
It's also very real that these guys are giving away a ton of clubs in order to try to break through.  No one on Tour is buying these babies...and I imagine it must be somewhat frustrating knowing that all the work that had gone into making a spec club for a Tour player to try out will most likely not lead to a spot in their bag.
 
But word of mouth has to be worth something...maybe a guy that knows he can't play the club (due to contracts) will share the news with someone else that can.  PR at its finest.
 
And guess what?  You and I can buy these wedges, too!  Solus has them on their web site, but you know me, I'm all about the sale!  Most of the web retailers carry Solus, but it seems like the current inventory is slim at best.  One of my favorite shopping sites, http://www.budgetgolf.net/ has one wedge, but it's a lefty.  Golfsmith has a couple of the Solus series, but the 7.1 is not on sale...and the 4.1 which is on sale only has a 47 degree.
 
I am really looking forward to reading up on the story of Solus...but it will have to be after my trip to Nashville...which happens to be the corporate headquarters of Solus golf!  And if Solus wants to mail me some wedges I'd be happy to write a review, because who doesn't need a gal from Minnesota passing on their golf story...to the world!
 
If you have time, check Solus out!
 
PS..update on Ken Green...Ken will be playing this week at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf in Georgia...he is partnering with Mike Reid for the 54-hole best ball event, and according to an article I read, Green is feeling better about his game after working with Peter Kostis recently.  You can the NY Times article here:  Ken Green   I'm hoping Green has a great showing this week!!
 
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Filed under: Cathy Erickson, Ken Green, wedge, Tour, Solus, equipment