Ask Steve Dodge about Vibram Disc Golf

[StevenDodge]

Hello All,

The US arm of Vibram has asked me to consult with them to determine their viability in the disc golf market. As you may or may not know, Vibram makes shoe soles and is world renowned for their quality and craftsmanship. Their goals in entering the disc golf market are three fold.

1. Expand the appreciation for and knowledge of the Vibram brand
2. Utilize their ability to create innovative, quality products for the disc golf market
3. Grow and support the sport

We are currently testing the first disc that is planned to be released, a stable to overstable putter named the V.P. (Vibram Putter).

In addition to our lab testing, we are looking for ten to fifteen folks that would be interested in seriously testing the V.P. We will provide a handful of discs (in your desired weight and stiffness) as well as a "Vibram Tester" t-shirt. All that we require is an honest assessment of the disc.

If you would be interested in helping us, please send me an email or PM with your disc golf resume and why you would be a good Vibram disc tester.

[johnrock]

Steve,

Let me be the first to reply here that I have been a VIBRAM fan for many, many years. I have golf shoes with their soles, work boots, and other footwear products. They have been intertwined with Disc Golf more than they could have ever imagined. To hear that they are interested in taking that relationship another step farther is FABULOUS!!!
Way to go STEVE!
I would love to help with any testing, but I am kind of partial to my 86 mold Softie.

[keithjohnson]

Hey Steve, could you ask Steve the TD to possibly check the Vibram Open Tournament thread once in a while please?

Thanks!

Keith Johnson
Hopeful Vibram Putter tester.

[mf100forever]

Steve, do you have any info about the latest Vibram putter, the Summit, supersoft plastic, how does it perform?

[shteev]

Steve,

I sent you a pm but also wanted to add and can't believe i forgot to mention my love for the shoes i have with the best treads made by, none other than Vibram. As I said i am very interested in testing the V.P. and have good local players who can help me do the same. thanls.

from a steven to a steve

[Karma Police]

I would love to help! Love my Vibram '5 fingers' and the comments I get about them all of the time are priceless. Even got another person in my office to buy two pair! I'm not playing a lot of tournaments this spring so using a different putter for a while would not be a problem at all... especially if they were black! If you need me to test just let me know!

[StevenDodge]

Hey Steve, could you ask Steve the TD to possibly check the Vibram Open Tournament thread once in a while please?

Thanks!

Keith Johnson
Hopeful Vibram Putter tester.

I've got hotel RFPs out that I should be collecting back in the next two weeks.

Steve.

[StevenDodge]

Steve, do you have any info about the latest Vibram putter, the Summit, supersoft plastic, how does it perform?

The Summit is planned to be a stable putter at lower speeds (and/or less wind) than the V.P. Current thoughts are to design it in two firmnesses, but everything beyond the concept is still in initial testing. If the disc is released for general consumption, it would probably be in the late summer, early fall.

One thing the Vibram folks have impressed me with is their desire to get a product right rather than getting it to market quickly. (Their slogan is "Tested where it matters" and so far, they really live up to it. I will see if I can get approval to show off some of the testing that these folks do.)

[keithjohnson]

I've got hotel RFPs out that I should be collecting back in the next two weeks.

Steve.

Thanks Steve!

I plan on spending MOST of my time at the course, but like when I visit the Grange in Virginia, it's nice to have someplace quiet to go to when I'm done having fun.

Keith

[maikyle]

steve, any updates on the "dubs" vibram dvd? i heard early 2009. thanks

[shteev]

not that i am one...but when can people expect to hear about being a tester for your putter or have the "select few" already been chosen? thanks steve

Steven

[StevenDodge]

Hopefully late March will still count as early 2009.

[StevenDodge]

not that i am one...but when can people expect to hear about being a tester for your putter or have the "select few" already been chosen? thanks steve

Steven

We sent out the first round of invites last night. We would love to develop a core group of solid disc testers and reviewers and be able to rely on them for more testing in the future.

[gdstour]

Hey Steve,
Did I happen to get a few Putters to test?

What does it take to Qualify?
Does being a part of a company that makes discs Dis-qualify me??


Here is a list of credentials:
I have just about every basket style ever made so I can test the putter by throwing it into no less than 6 different chain configurations?
I have quite a bit of experience in polymers used for Disc golf Putters.
I can Throw a putter well over 300' and also have thrown in more 60-80 footers than anyone I know.
I can get the putters in the hands of MANY top players,, mid-level ams, recreational and even 1st time players within days of receiving the discs for others to review.
we have 3 baskets at the factory and we are putting into them every day.

[tokyo]

I am excited just got the 08 DVD and looked at the spot about the company and would love a shoe that is made just for disc golf to my specifications. Good luck and i will do what I can to keep supporting.

[StevenDodge]

Hi Dave,

I think you owning a conceptual competitor did rule you out as a tester. Hopefully you'll get your hands on one (your sneaky like that ) and let us know what you think.

--------

Regarding the disc golf shoes, we talked about these today and the field testing is going well. There are many steps after field testing (especially since Vibram makes just the soles and does not actually make the shoes), but I'll definitely keep folks informed as this project proceeds.

[CGPRush]

We sent out the first round of invites last night. We would love to develop a core group of solid disc testers and reviewers and be able to rely on them for more testing in the future.

Steve,

maybe you can describe what kind of testing you expect the testers to do, like number of putts, a document of some sort to fill out and return with observations, etc.

Thanks!

[shteev]

there are and will be.

[StevenDodge]

We will be providing two questionnaires with the test discs. One for initial reaction and one for reaction after using the discs for a month.

[StevenDodge]

The 169-172g discs have been produced. We will be making the 173-175g discs next week. Testers, look in your mailboxes around March 10th. Here we go.

[dgdave]

WooHoo!!!

[born2lose]

<-------------Jealous

[MattyInRR]

Sweet

[two5twosix9]

Looking forward to it!

[gippy]

I wanna be a tester send me one please

[gdstour]

any testing results yet??

[shteev]

testing results will be back once the testers get the discs and can test them. we are anxious to let you know how sweet they are.

[StevenDodge]

Testers should be getting them next week.

[J_VanOver]

Awesom, I can't wait. I have already been talking to some local 1000s about it.

[MattyInRR]

Awesom, I can't wait. I have already been talking to some local 1000s about it.

same here... there is some interest for sure...