The golf equipment industry is constantly evolving, with new ideas and innovations aimed at improving the game for both amateurs and professionals. While most products are successful and well-received by consumers, there are instances where things don’t go as planned. Whether it’s a product that doesn’t meet the required standards, infringes on patents, or simply fails to execute its purpose effectively, these equipment fails can have long-lasting consequences for the companies involved. Let’s take a look at the 16 biggest epic fails in golf equipment history.
Orlimar, a prominent player in the fairway-wood market in 1999, decided to expand its product line by introducing golf balls packaged in pop-top cans, similar to tennis balls. The company claimed that this packaging would help keep the balls dry. However, their plans were quickly halted when TaylorMade sent them a cease-and-desist letter, alleging that Orlimar’s packaging infringed on their patent for InerGel Moisture Block packaging. As a result, Orlimar’s golf balls never made it to market, and the incident marked the beginning of a decline for the company.
In January 1999, TaylorMade introduced their InerGel golf balls with great enthusiasm, with their president predicting that the company’s ball business would generate $100 million in sales. The balls were marketed as having a plastic Moisture Block packaging that prevented moisture from affecting the ball’s performance. However, TaylorMade’s venture into the ball business did not live up to expectations and did not achieve the projected sales figures.
