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Read Golf WRX Q&A with BombTech Golf Founder “Sully” Sullivan
If you’re into golf equipment, you can probably name several small companies that make putters, irons and forged wedges. Now name a small company that makes drivers. Yes, it’s much more difficult.
BombTech Golf is on the short list of small golf equipment companies that produce metalwoods, and it’s almost certainly the smallest. Founder Tyler “Sully” Sullivan is a true one-man show, building and shipping every club himself.
Sullivan’s story goes like this: His niche was long drive, and he broke several drivers that another club builder had built for him in a span of two months. He thought he could do better, so he started to start his own custom-fitting company in 2011. A few months later, he had what he calls ” a crazy and expensive idea.” He wanted to design his own driver.
The idea became less crazy when he reached out to his alma mater, the University of Vermont, whose engineering department agreed to co-design the golf club that ultimately became BombTech’s Grenade driver.
College kids and professors designing golf clubs? That’s out-of-the-box thinking, which is why Sullivan likes it.
“The reason I use the University of Vermont instead of golf engineers is that they’re not in golf.” Sullivan says. “They can come up with ideas that people in the golf industry might not.”
Sullivan, 30, says business is good, especially considering the difficulties the large equipment manufacturers have had selling their products. He guarantees every BombTech clubs he sells — drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and putters — and says his return rate is miniscule, roughly 1-to-5 percent depending on the month.
Sullivan expects to shed his one-man show persona in 2015 and hire club builders and shippers to meet increased demand. One thing the former salesman says he never let go of, however, is his role in customer service.
“I PROMISE TO BE THE PERSON WHO TAKES THE PHONE CALLS AND CALLS AND DOES THE CUSTOMER SERVICE,” SULLIVAN SAYS. “THEY’RE BUYING FROM ME, SO THERE’S A CONNECTION. THAT’S ONE OF THE REASONS THINGS ARE GOING SO WELL.”
Learn more about Sullivan and the BombTech brand in the Q&A below.
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ZK: Every major golf equipment manufacturer seems to have its own view on what will create more driver distance. For TaylorMade, it’s a driver with a low, forward center of gravity (CG). At Ping, it’s a driver with a low, rearward CG. Other companies such as Callaway believe that different golfers need different types of drivers to hit their longest drives. What’s your take?
Sully: There’s all this talk about center of gravity (CG), but there are two things missing. The first is the production process. Here’s the question to ask: Is your driver manufactured out of two pieces or four pieces.
Most companies use a four-piece forged technique because it is more affordable, but tolerances will be wider. Why is this important? A two-piece driver has tighter tolerances for loft, weight and most importantly COR or CT. A four-piece driver has wider tolerances. As you may have guessed, the Grenade is manufactured using a two-piece cast with a plasma weld. This is not propriety to us, but most companies that use it charge double what we do.
The second thing missing is design. Yes, TaylorMade is now using a low-and-forward CG and Ping’s are low and back. Low and back would be considered the traditional placement for CG. Our Dual Cavity design offers a CG that is low and back with an intersection with the face at true center. The benefits are increased club head speed due to the reduction in drag, which leads to high ball speeds. Our design also offers unique accuracy benefits as well, due to airflow.
Bottom line? We don’t promise 20 more yards, but we are so confident that you will add distance and accuracy that we offer a 60-day money back guarantee. We want you to try it, and then you can decide.
ZK: How did you come up with your design?
Sully: All of our products are co-engineered with the University of Vermont. This unique relationship takes the marketing piece out of the equation.
We could have designed a golf driver that was adjustable, but our testing found that a bonded driver creates better numbers in all categories. Our pure engineering approach has proven that with high quality materials, production processes, and a great design, you can compete with the big brands.
ZK: We’ve found that the biggest advantage of adjustable drivers is that they allow golfers to fine tune the launch conditions that help them hit their longest, straightest drives. How do you fit someone for a driver without them hitting it?
Sully: Adjustable drivers are a great option for fitters, but we tested our bonded driver versus adjustable options and saw better ball speeds and tighter dispersions with our bonded driver versus a driver with an adjustable hosel. For this reason, we engineered a driver that you can’t adjust. Adjustability is/was hot, but we don’t let marketing influence design.
Each BombTech golf club is hand assembled in Vermont for the individual customer. This custom build approach gives the consumer more control over their golf club. Especially with regards to shaft length — this is rarely talked about but has a huge impact on performance.
Since each club is custom built, we offer a free online fitting service. This online fitting helps insure that you find the proper specs for your unique goals. We’ve found that many golfers are playing shaft flexes that are too stiff and too long. Our online fitting helps address that and insures increased performance without adjustability. In addition to the online fitting, we are available to communicate directly. Call us to discuss your driver, what you like, what you don’t and what you want out of your next club.
ZK: Do you measure the loft and face angle of the drivers you sell? Do customers ask for specific lofts and face angles?
Sully: Yes. It is not extremely common, but some of the more experienced golfers know exactly what loft and/or face angle works best for their swing. For these instances, I gladly will spec out a driver head for their exact needs. So if you want a 10-degree loft, 1 degree open, it can be done. This type of “hand picking” is offered at no costs.
ZK: You’ve recently partnered with World Golf Hall of Famer Chi Chi Rodriguez. What kind of relationship is it, and what does he bring to BombTech?
Sully: It is a dream come true to have Chi Chi on our team. Chi Chi is an unbelievable golfer, person and representative for our brand and he brings wisdom and input that others couldn’t possibly offer.
Golfers have been asking for more shaft options and I honestly have tested hundreds of different combinations, but it wasn’t until we brought Chi Chi on board that we found a shaft technology that was worthy of the upgrade cost.
Chi Chi, Matrix Golf Shafts and I worked together to make a lighter shaft that would still be stable. The new Chi Chi Signature Series Shaft is 5-to-7 grams lighter depending on flex but is actually more stable due to the HD technology that Matrix designed. The lighter shaft is a benefit to those that want to increase club head speed and it surprisingly has been popular with our higher swing speed players as well.
Bottom line, I am humbled to have the opportunity to work with a true legend in the game of golf. Welcome to the team CHI CHI!
ZK: What’s next for you and BombTech?
Sully: The answer to that questions changes daily! But right now, I am working with the University of Vermont on a new wedge design. The goal is to increase spin and forgiveness and will certainly be a challenge for the Engineering students and department. Potential launch date is May 2015.
In addition to new product expansions, I personally am making an effort to ask as many questions as I can from our fans and loyal customers. It is my hope that I can give our current customers and potential future customers a golf equipment experience that they enjoy.
If anyone from WRX has feedback, please let me hear it!
ZK: Thank you, Sully.
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