Generic vs. Name Brand

Name Brand versus Generic. It’s a decision people face every day – at the supermarket, at the pharmacy and at the hardware store. For some golf course superintendents and lawn care professionals, the choice of which chemical to use is simple. For others, the issue is more complicated.

For some, making the decision between a Generic or Name Brand chemical simply comes down to cost. Some Generic or "post-patent" products can cost 50% less than their Name Brand counterparts. And now, more than ever, the ability to save money and make your budget go further is not only important, but a MUST.

Some professionals aren't convinced to use Generics, even despite the potential cost savings. Just as there will always be people who prefer the name Craftsman or Dewalt when it comes to tools, there will always be lawn care professionals who prefer the name Banner Maxx over Propiconazole, etc.

For those of you who may be on the fence when it comes to choosing a Name Brand or Generic product, my advice is to try a generic equivalent to a Name Brand product you use and see how it works for you. Only in a self conducted experiment will you be able to truly know how the Generic product does in terms of application rate, length and quality of control, cost, etc.

For more information and reviews on Generic vs Name Brand - check out this article by Golf Course Industry Magazine.