They make a difference for sure,they don't jar your hands nearly as bad as a cheap bat either,most people that buy these $300 bats can use them for a season or two can sell them for around half price when it's time to upgrade,people kill me worrying about what other folks spend their money on,you don't need a $300 bat,you don't need a yeti because an igloo is better,you shouldn't drive a new truck and so on,these folks work for their $$$ so it's nobodies damn business what they spend it on