WHIRLD SPORTS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

[jamhi5]

Last week at The Memorial in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills, AZ, Whirld Sports opened for business with brand new technical gear for the serious disc golfer.

Visit www.whirldsports.com!  View the video introducing The Scepter Disc Golf Caddie^tm and take a look at the NexTEE^tm, which has been designed to solve one of the most basic problems on a lot of disc golf courses.

Don't forget to check out the personal gear, as well!  Show off your love for this awesome sport!

[smyith]

that caddie thing is dumb. sry, if your to lazy to bend over and pick your disc up then you got issues. and for $89!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats crazy, thats alot of plastic, a new bag, and/or some clothes.
the nextee is ok. but i see it getting covered up quickly and not being easily visible.
well good luck to you. i hope it goes well.

[Jeff]

Hey, that's no problem... Anyone who wants to continue to bend over and pick ups disc is welcome to. If you have no problem jumping fences, climbing trees, getting onto roofs, or sticking your face and arms into these lovely thorn bushes in the Midwest, then the Scepter is not for you. We see a need and we hope to fill it. Remember, it wasn't too far in the past when people were saying "who the he'll would want 100 channels on their tv!"

As for the NexTEE, prototypes are on the site. The final, for sale to the public, will have the "T" part coated in yellow vinyl and that way it will stand out more, as well as being a little more friendly to discs.

Thanks for the feedback. Keep em coming.

[Brad]

No one in this sport has or would be willing to spend $90 somethin like this, sorry.  It also looks like a hassle to carry on your bag.  I can always find a good stick to do the job that I could see myself using this for.

[Jwt4412]

Whirld Fellas...

Advanced Masters/Masters players would love something like that...

Guys who actually do their field work would like something like that...

We are thinking about hosting a Masters tourney in SPI - would you guys be interested in a sponsorship arrangement?

Just askin'.

[jamhi5]

JWT...when you talk to John, bring this up with him as well.  Thanks for the interest!

[ChrisE]

I can see the caddie being more useful in Arizona than in the midwest.  Several courses I have played out in Arizona have cacti growing on the edges of them, and sometimes very thick.  I have seen discs just laying there because it just isnt worth the pain to try and enter the cactus field to get it out.  Midwest, there is nothing I can compare to that, yeah there is poison ivy, and some thorns, but it has never made me question whether or not to get the disc, but in places like AZ, I can see it being used by people who frequent those courses

[jamhi5]

Yes, in "rescue mode" the number of uses the Scepter gets is very much dependent upon the geography of the area and the specific courses.  At home for me in Illinois, I have yet to use it for a water rescue simply because there are no actual water hazards on the courses I play.  But, in just one 18 hole round at Fountain Hills at the Memorial I made 5 rescues from the water for my foursome, and one more for the guys throwing behind us.  I also shagged two out of a palm tree, 12 feet up.

In all though, the use of the Scepter for rescuing pales in comparison to the benefits it will provide as a shagger.  For someone who is serious about improving through practice, the Scepter as a shagger will allow you more time to practice simply because you will spend less time shagging.  Plus, how many disc golfers skip practicing all-together simply because its a hassle to walk all over the place and pick up your discs by hand.  With the Scepter, you can shag your discs without even having to break stride.  Pop, pick it up...put it in your bag and squeeze to release, all while you are walking to where the next disc is lying.

Thanks

[mheise]

Midwest, there is nothing I can compare to that, yeah there is poison ivy, and some thorns, but it has never made me question whether or not to get the disc, but in places like AZ, I can see it being used by people who frequent those courses

I can agree with that. Some courses in Texas we ridiculously thick with shrubbery.....("We want....a shrubbery!!!") For the price, however, you could essentially replace that lost disc...four or more times.

[ChrisE]

Midwest, there is nothing I can compare to that, yeah there is poison ivy, and some thorns, but it has never made me question whether or not to get the disc, but in places like AZ, I can see it being used by people who frequent those courses

I can agree with that. Some courses in Texas we ridiculously thick with shrubbery.....("We want....a shrubbery!!!") For the price, however, you could essentially replace that lost disc...four or more times.

haha very true, but for those of us idiots who cannot stand to see a disc and not go get it....haha, so many painful trips into fairfleids swamps.  But I cant see carrying it.  It would have to be kept in the car and could be a long walk there. 

[jamhi5]

"But I cant see carrying it.  It would have to be kept in the car and could be a long walk there."

Not sure if you've seen it or not, but we also created the Scabbard.  It is specifically designed to carry the Scepter, so you don't have to.  It fits right inside Standard, Deluxe and Competition style bags. 

If you have a backpack style bag, or a fanny pack style, yes, you would have to carry it.  But carrying something with you is not unheard of in this sport (IE: umbrella and/or chair).

And, since the price has been brought up again, please help us with some "market research"...what price point would need to be reached in order to seriously think about, or actually, purchase one?

Thanks for the feedback!  Please keep it coming.

[KenGmoney1]

I worked at a sport store for 10 years and that thing looks just like a golf ball retriever with a suction cup on the end.

you can but one for $13
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/180-5200779-0849652?asin=B000FI57J6&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=|B000FI57J6&CPNG=sports&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

I would not pay $90

[Dan Michler]

Kenny, don't hate on the Scepter.  I personally have it on my birthday list.  Expect to see me at tournaments this year with some extra pep in my step because of the energy I'll be saving by having the Scepter shag my discs for me.

[jamhi5]

I worked at a sport store for 10 years and that thing looks just like a golf ball retriever with a suction cup on the end.
you can but one for $13
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/180-5200779-0849652?asin=B000FI57J6&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=|B000FI57J6&CPNG=sports&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001
I would not pay $90

I think you have failed to recognize that your comparison forgot this element.
http://www.golfballs.com/PM1380/Johnson-Golf-Ball-Shagger.html

The Scepter is not just a retriever.  As a matter of fact, we are marketing is as a shagger (about 85% of the time) AND a retriever (only 15% of the time).  You may throw several rounds at your course before you have to make a rescue, but then you might have to use it several times in one round.  Maybe the wind is howling, maybe a person you're playing with doesn't have great control.  But for rescues, I know that I am very content with knowing that I will never have to get wet feet again when a disc is lying 8-10 feet out in the water.  I won't have to mark my lie and retrieve my disc from inside a pine tree or a thorn bush, and I won't have to scale a fence or crawl on my belly, underneath a car either. 

I will throw thousands of practice shots over the next several years and not have to stoop or bend over to grab a single one.  Value placed on an item is related to it's expected return.  It's a new product and I know it may SEEM a little pricey but once you start using it you'll realize it is worth every penny, and much more!   When practicing means just throwing and not bending and stooping, and you remove the effort of having to shag, you'll find you're practicing more...twice the practice with half the effort.  We think this is invaluable to those who wish to gain the most and benefit as much as possible from their time in the sport.

[acesandchains]

I have to jump in here with a few comments:

When I first saw this item, I was very excited about it. I have a bad back, which I try to take care of so I can continue to play the game I love. However, price WAS prohibitive, even considering the value I would get out of it, which is considerable.

The problem, as I see it, is that you are a small company so far, and therefore, your manufacturing costs are considerably higher than a larger company selling more volume. This is the one excuse I will offer for why your price is so high. Otherwise, the cheapskate in me says $90!, You have GOT to be kidding me!

Hopefully, this item willl take off so that you can get costs down to a more reasonable level......say $49.99. At that price, I would jump on one and be grateful to Whirld Sports for offering a great idea to save my back. (And yes, I do practice a lot, and shagging discs is a pain.)

Keep working at it. Hopefully, you can sell enough of these to ramp up manufacturing and lower costs till we all decide we have to have one.

One last thing.....your responses read a bit snippy (both here, and in your next tee posts). I'm sure you've worked hard on your product, and I think it's a great idea. Let the criticisms roll off your back. If you let any percieved anger into your posts, it won't help your business. Just my two cents.

[jamhi5]

aceandchains,

Thanks for the words of encouragement and the words of advice.  This type of feedback is both necessary and constructive.  I do not disagree with your assessment of some of my responses, and I hope that hasn't kept people from looking into our products.  I have to admit, we were ill prepared for the negative replies.  Will try to let those roll in the future.

Thanks for understanding the position we are in, and thanks for the encouragement to keep going.  We truly believe in what we say about these products.  Establishing the value they add to your/the game is a difficult thing to do.  However, as we continue with business, we will strive to find the right balance in price for both our customers and Whirld Sports as a business.

And lastly, these forums and message boards have turned out to be a place a great way to steer people to our website and ramp up our visibility.  When a negative comment gets posted, we've tended to respond as if someone verbally attacked our children...again, we'll try to let that be expected from some people and let it roll.  Thanks again.  2 cents well spent!

[acesandchains]

"When a negative comment gets posted, we've tended to respond as if someone verbally attacked our children"

Lol. That is understandable. I'm sure you have put in many hours coming up with the ideas for these two products.......they ARE your children.

Just keep plugging. You really do have some good product there, and you are finding a niche that no one else has filled. I hope it works out for you.

In response to the comments about how to carry this item, I noticed it has a loop at the top of the handle. The Sceptre could easily be carried the same way we all carry out stools......by hanging it off our bags on a clip. At least, that seems like the best solution to me.

[dana]

I picked up the Am version ($30) of The Scepter this past weekend.  First off, I practice a TON in the field and in the yard putting.  My last 3-4 putting sessions have been great with The Scepter.  No more bending over to pick up missed putts is awesome.  Some days I'm out putting for 2-3 hours and it gets tiresome bending over and picking up missed putts.  I just lean the Scepter on my chair where I set my putters and if I miss it is right there within arms reach.

I haven't took it out to the field yet, but next time I'm out there I plan on testing it out.

[jamhi5]

Yes, the Scepter S-1 Disc Golf Shaggers are here!  http://www.whirldsports.com/technical-gear/s-1  I think Dana picked his up after the Majestic last month in Minnesota. 

I also wanted to respond to let you know that we now have our "Second Run" Scabbards on sale for $25.  These new one's give you easier access to your putters, and we've added more room for those who have 2-putter pockets on their bag. 

Check them out at http://www.whirldsports.com/technical-gear/scabbard. 

Thanks!

Jeff

[DougEDawg]

imho, i would market this more to the H2O disc rescue side as that is the most common hazard worldwide.  Can you lower price to a better psychological level.  Say 39.99?