Do you think it is time for Upper Deck to Consider Golf Cards again?
Golfcollector
Posts: 1,369 ✭✭✭
Being basically a golf card collector, I have thought about this quite a bit the last couple of years. While my main focus is vintage golf cards, I of course also collected the UD Issues starting in 2001 and going through 2005.
Golf Cards had taken a break since the Donruss sets of 1981 and 1982 up until Upper Deck made there first set in 2001. While golf cards will never be considered mainstream, the Tiger Woods craze obviously fueled the production of Upper Deck cards in 2001. Heck his Sp Authentic Rookie card numbered to 900 still sells for huge money, although like a lot of "hot modern" cards, the combination of his "issues of the course", not playing as good of golf, and the economy has cooled it off a bit in the recent months.
Since there has not been any cards issued since 2005, a number outstanding players have come on to the golf scene. Both in the LPGA and PGA tours. Players such as Michelle Wie, Rory McIlroy and apparently after this week.....Rickie Fowler would make up a dominating young crowd who have not had cards made of them yet. Of course inclusion of your typical Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson (who is as popular as ever) would likely drive sales without needing a lot of assistance. I am sure we would also get the normal sprinkling of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer cards, which are always popular, especially anything that is autographed.
I also wanted to bring this up knowing the issues that UD has had with licensing in other sports. It seems like them perhpas persuing to get back into golf may be a good idea for them and a chance to make some money in sales. Of course I have no idea what the PGA or LPGA might be asking in terms of licensing for doing trading cards again, and maybe that is where the hold up is. But with the commisioner issues last year with the LPGA, and the PGA seemingly wanting to be as fan friendly as possible, I would think these issues could be overcome by a card manufacturer without a lot of difficulties if they wanted to produce the product.
Just interested to see what others out there think. I think the market is overdue for a golf offering and I personally think if done correctly would be extremely successful. Truth is a lot of these issues seem to still do well in un-opened form on line...especially the later issues after 2002 when it appears the print runs were reduced by quite a bit by Upper Deck.
I appreciate all comments, hope to get a fun discussion going here about something a little different.
Golf Cards had taken a break since the Donruss sets of 1981 and 1982 up until Upper Deck made there first set in 2001. While golf cards will never be considered mainstream, the Tiger Woods craze obviously fueled the production of Upper Deck cards in 2001. Heck his Sp Authentic Rookie card numbered to 900 still sells for huge money, although like a lot of "hot modern" cards, the combination of his "issues of the course", not playing as good of golf, and the economy has cooled it off a bit in the recent months.
Since there has not been any cards issued since 2005, a number outstanding players have come on to the golf scene. Both in the LPGA and PGA tours. Players such as Michelle Wie, Rory McIlroy and apparently after this week.....Rickie Fowler would make up a dominating young crowd who have not had cards made of them yet. Of course inclusion of your typical Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson (who is as popular as ever) would likely drive sales without needing a lot of assistance. I am sure we would also get the normal sprinkling of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer cards, which are always popular, especially anything that is autographed.
I also wanted to bring this up knowing the issues that UD has had with licensing in other sports. It seems like them perhpas persuing to get back into golf may be a good idea for them and a chance to make some money in sales. Of course I have no idea what the PGA or LPGA might be asking in terms of licensing for doing trading cards again, and maybe that is where the hold up is. But with the commisioner issues last year with the LPGA, and the PGA seemingly wanting to be as fan friendly as possible, I would think these issues could be overcome by a card manufacturer without a lot of difficulties if they wanted to produce the product.
Just interested to see what others out there think. I think the market is overdue for a golf offering and I personally think if done correctly would be extremely successful. Truth is a lot of these issues seem to still do well in un-opened form on line...especially the later issues after 2002 when it appears the print runs were reduced by quite a bit by Upper Deck.
I appreciate all comments, hope to get a fun discussion going here about something a little different.
Dave Johnson- Big Red Country-Nebraska
Collector of Vintage Golf cards! Let me know what you might have.
Collector of Vintage Golf cards! Let me know what you might have.
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Comments
mike
just a chance to pull a Tiger? 99.9999999% of the other cards are worthless. Do we really care about the new crop of RC"s who will never make a cut on tour?
Matter of when I have pulled a tiger auto cards in the past with the various products I did open, I was happy to flip it quick for a chance to pick up either more vintage golf cards! I was never fortunate enough to pull the SP authentic on my own, but obviously I would have kept that one as it is part of the set.
For the "collector" I think based on some of the things I mentioned earlier there would be enough appeal, especially after a 5 year lay off. Mcilroy is already ranked in the top 10 worldwide rankings, I Michelle Wie is here to stay and of course there are and will always be other up and coming youngsters..
Collector of Vintage Golf cards! Let me know what you might have.
And women's golf has even bigger problems. The tour is down to 25 events world wide and there is not a good American swing like there is in the mens tour (The California swing, the Texas swing, etc.)
From UD's standpoint; they have to, in light of the ramifacations that have occured this year with their issues, come up with profitable products. I don't think Golf will be their magic elixir.
Regards
Rich