SWING AT THE TOP

In the world of the high-end golfer, Bentley golf clubs help the distinguished set rise above it all.

Technical achievements abound in today’s golf equipment. Multi-material club heads, carbon composite graphite shafts, intricate centre of gravity designs to promote optimum launch – but they’re all features touted by every brand in the market today. 

So what is a self-respecting golf aesthete to do if he wants something in his bag that no commoner has? At January’s PGA Merchandise Show, Bentley unveiled its very own line of golf clubs and accessories. True to form, a standard set of eight irons retails for about US$3,500 (S$4,700), more than thrice that of an otherwise high-performance set of clubs from one of the popular golf brands. The price escalates if frills like alligator grip and US$10,000 custom carbon shafts are added. 

Why would a car manufacturer venture into a market that has seen better times? “Most Bentley owners are using clubs that probably aren’t in line with the rest of their lifestyle, in terms of the watch they wear, the holidays they go on or the car they drive,” says Peter Lord, director of Professional Golf Europe, which holds the licence for sale of Bentley golf equipment and apparel. 

Of course, you can rationalise that the clubs are made in a Japanese town famed for making samurai swords. In a world where almost all other clubs are manufactured en masse in China, that is a cache that should warrant the price tag. Then again, the elites of the world probably don’t need an excuse to spend money, as long as what they get for it sets them apart. For sure, Bentley golf clubs will do that, and likely help with their games as well. 

Buyers can opt to match grips to their car’s Mulliner Bespoke Hide interior.

The adjustable weight system, which is at the back of the club head, is located low and to the rear of the sole for a higher launch angle with low spin.The forged titanium body has an ultra thin crown for a low centre of gravity that enables a higher launch off the tee. The club head is fully hand polished as no paint is used. But if preferred, paint on club heads and shafts can be customised to match the owner’s car.

Proprietary multi-directional layer graphite shafts are made with Japanese materials exclusive to the Bentley range. Buyers are flown to Japan for an extensive analysis of their swings at Seven Dreamers Laboratories, Inc that will then customise graphite shafts for the clubs.