2019 Equipment Contract Changes

[dalehead]

It’s not necessarily that bc Tour Pro Steve plays a brand you will buy it. The player endorsement’s true value is the constant marketing of that brand on Saturday and Sundays from 2-6p and the highlight shows all week after.

 

It’s rarely a straight line; more of a constant drip to at least get you to “think” of their brand when it comes time to make a purchasing decision.

 

This. ^^^^^

 

It’s not necessarily that bc Tour Pro Steve plays a brand you will buy it. The player endorsement’s true value is the constant marketing of that brand on Saturday and Sundays from 2-6p and the highlight shows all week after.

 

It’s rarely a straight line; more of a constant drip to at least get you to “think” of their brand when it comes time to make a purchasing decision.

 

This. ^^^^^

 

Exactly. There are some guys who buy equipment because their favorite pro plays it, e.g. some of the Tiger fans who suddenly discovered Nike clubs were the best for their game. Or all the Ardmore 3 putters that flew off the shelves when Tiger gamed one. As for the guys who say Tour use has no effect on their buying decisions, be honest. You have never considered buying a club because you saw it used by a Tour player? Maybe you bought it, maybe you didn't but you thought about it. This is the process the OP talks about. Apparently it works for the equipment makers. Either that or they are run by a bunch of idiots who are wasting their companies money on player endorsements with no return.

 

Here's a prediction for 2019. We will see many discussions here on Golf WRX about Honma equipment, including guys who have purchased it. In contrast you could probably fit the clubs Honma sold in the US in 2018 in my garage. The difference? Justin Rose.

[stanger37]

It's not necessarily that bc Tour Pro Steve plays a brand you will buy it. The player endorsement's true value is the constant marketing of that brand on Saturday and Sundays from 2-6p and the highlight shows all week after.

 

It's rarely a straight line; more of a constant drip to at least get you to "think" of their brand when it comes time to make a purchasing decision.

 

This. ^^^^^

 

It's not necessarily that bc Tour Pro Steve plays a brand you will buy it. The player endorsement's true value is the constant marketing of that brand on Saturday and Sundays from 2-6p and the highlight shows all week after.

 

It's rarely a straight line; more of a constant drip to at least get you to "think" of their brand when it comes time to make a purchasing decision.

 

This. ^^^^^

 

Exactly. There are some guys who buy equipment because their favorite pro plays it, e.g. some of the Tiger fans who suddenly discovered Nike clubs were the best for their game. Or all the Ardmore 3 putters that flew off the shelves when Tiger gamed one. As for the guys who say Tour use has no effect on their buying decisions, be honest. You have never considered buying a club because you saw it used by a Tour player? Maybe you bought it, maybe you didn't but you thought about it. This is the process the OP talks about. Apparently it works for the equipment makers. Either that or they are run by a bunch of idiots who are wasting their companies money on player endorsements with no return.

 

Here's a prediction for 2019. We will see many discussions here on Golf WRX about Honma equipment, including guys who have purchased it. In contrast you could probably fit the clubs Honma sold in the US in 2018 in my garage. The difference? Justin Rose.

 

I was one of those Nike kids. My first tax return as a freshman in highschool went to my first set of new clubs and went Nike because I didn't know anything else and I saw Tiger using them. Figured if they were good enough for Tiger, good enough for me. Completely ignorant, I just wanted a new set, I liked the colors and knew nothing of performance. By the time I replaced them, I knew a little more, got fitted and did more research. Nike to this day still has a place in my heart and love the Vapor Fly line. Still use the woods to this day. It'll be a sad day when I finally hang them up for something new. (mostly because when I purchased them, you didn't have to withdraw from your 401k to afford them)

 

And to piggyback off what you mentioned, "never considered buying a club because you saw it used by a Tour player" there is a thread on here that is called "brands you won't play" and a lot of reasons are because they don't like a tour player that uses them. So it works both ways. Either lean towards a brand or against a brand because of the players that play the clubs for whatever reason.

[jimb6golf]

Crossfield switched to FJ clothing and shoes. Sorry all I could think of.

[MattyO1984]

Crossfield switched to FJ clothing and shoes. Sorry all I could think of.

 

Did they just get him to wear all the old stuff that he used to wear?

[57Seve]

And Toulon putter!

 

Molinari? Isn't he a brand ambassador for Bettinardi?

 

He signed with them this past season.

 

Don't know how long contract is: https://www.pgatour....utter-deal.html

 

Guess the Betti deal is done now and he's full bag Callaway and Odyssey Toulon. Golf ball is the wild card.

 

Wow - can't believe switching up the putter after the year he had. Thanks!

 

Huge risk for him. That Betti was his light saber.

[57Seve]

How many of you that say amateurs don't buy based on what pros play bought a $300+ Scotty Cameron putter because Tiger made everything under the sun that he needed to? But never picked up a Tour Edge or the new Ben Hogan line because nobody on tour plays them?

Tour use is validation of the 'quality' of manufacture, whether subliminal or pure endorsement.

 

Own 1 Scotty, a Circa 62 that I bought used because I had it confused with a Circle T.

Currently own a Tour Edge driver and 3 wood.

First hybrid I ever bought was a Hogan.

 

I think (and hope) this line was meant to be the comedy gold that it is:

 

"Own 1 Scotty, a Circa 62 that I bought used because I had it confused with a Circle T."

 

Because this made me laugh, hard. Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant.

[57Seve]

How many of you that say amateurs don't buy based on what pros play bought a $300+ Scotty Cameron putter because Tiger made everything under the sun that he needed to? But never picked up a Tour Edge or the new Ben Hogan line because nobody on tour plays them?

Tour use is validation of the 'quality' of manufacture, whether subliminal or pure endorsement.

If I am not mistaken J J Henry plays the new Hogan equipment on tour---- But I buy clubs based on what I like > Personally I could care less what Joe Pro plays on tour. It does not influence me one iota

 

You're right BIG STU. Based in Fort Worth, so it makes sense.

[bg3putts]

Any final word on Sneds?

Sneds has a Workday deal for the bag and hat, he is using the Taylormade driver and the new Taylormade ball. He is playing a set of Ping irons but may have switched to Taylormade as he also had a set of those he was testing. He tried the Ping driver but decided to stay with Taylormade at least for the near term in Hawaii. Everything else is the same. He has been contacted by a Japanese company on irons, Honma, I think but was not too interested as yet.

[Holy Moses]

Any final word on Sneds?

Sneds has a Workday deal for the bag and hat, he is using the Taylormade driver and the new Taylormade ball. He is playing a set of Ping irons but may have switched to Taylormade as he also had a set of those he was testing. He tried the Ping driver but decided to stay with Taylormade at least for the near term in Hawaii. Everything else is the same. He has been contacted by a Japanese company on irons, Honma, I think but was not too interested as yet.

 

So he’s not using the Bridgestone irons that he posted on Twitter?

[57Seve]

Any final word on Sneds?

Sneds has a Workday deal for the bag and hat, he is using the Taylormade driver and the new Taylormade ball. He is playing a set of Ping irons but may have switched to Taylormade as he also had a set of those he was testing. He tried the Ping driver but decided to stay with Taylormade at least for the near term in Hawaii. Everything else is the same. He has been contacted by a Japanese company on irons, Honma, I think but was not too interested as yet.

 

So he's not using the Bridgestone irons that he posted on Twitter?

 

Those irons look like Bridgestone to me (in his Workday bag).

[kro88]

Saw on twitter that Ricky is switching to TM ball

[DRRicks]

Any final word on Sneds?

Sneds has a Workday deal for the bag and hat, he is using the Taylormade driver and the new Taylormade ball. He is playing a set of Ping irons but may have switched to Taylormade as he also had a set of those he was testing. He tried the Ping driver but decided to stay with Taylormade at least for the near term in Hawaii. Everything else is the same. He has been contacted by a Japanese company on irons, Honma, I think but was not too interested as yet.

 

So he's not using the Bridgestone irons that he posted on Twitter?

 

Those irons look like Bridgestone to me (in his Workday bag).

 

It looks to me like he just got a new bag deal...he’s even still using Bstone headcovers!

[cvhookem63]

Saw on twitter that Ricky is switching to TM ball

 

[pheenomz4774]

Saw on twitter that Ricky is switching to TM ball

 

That would be interesting, I thought he would be buried with a ProV1 in his hand.

[OldTomMorris]

^^ Seems odd but having gotten some insight into Team Molinari's approach and analytics via Denis Pugh on Sky Sports I'm 100% convinced its all planned to the finest detail.

 

Now there is a good change for 2019, no more Denis Pugh on Sky Sports!

 

Is that hope on your part or is he moving away from the TV work? Not my favourite but I found him OK.

[North Texas]

How many of you that say amateurs don't buy based on what pros play bought a $300+ Scotty Cameron putter because Tiger made everything under the sun that he needed to? But never picked up a Tour Edge or the new Ben Hogan line because nobody on tour plays them?

Tour use is validation of the 'quality' of manufacture, whether subliminal or pure endorsement.

 

Own 1 Scotty, a Circa 62 that I bought used because I had it confused with a Circle T.

Currently own a Tour Edge driver and 3 wood.

First hybrid I ever bought was a Hogan.

 

I think (and hope) this line was meant to be the comedy gold that it is:

 

"Own 1 Scotty, a Circa 62 that I bought used because I had it confused with a Circle T."

 

Because this made me laugh, hard. Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant.

 

Naw, I'm embarrassed to admit I'm not that brilliant. I really thought I had found a steal in a little local golf shop. This was before I joined golfwrx so I'm a little more "educated" now when it comes to equipment, lol.

[cvhookem63]

Technically not equipment, but I just got an ad from Bonobos on Instagram officially announcing the Justin Rose sponsorship

 

[PhilWhitUK]

They must be assuming Rose will drive sales in the USA as you cannot order from the Bonobos Website in Europe....strange as I would have thought the market segment Rose influences would be business men in UK rather than kids who want to be Ricky or DJ....

[Holy Moses]

Woodland signed a 10 club deal with Wilson. He has a Cortex with him, not using it yet. Tim Clarke wants him to use the Cortex and has incentives for him if he plays it.

 

Nice job by Jonathan Wall in reporting. He's a great addition for Golf Magazine.

 

https://www.golf.com...f-signing-2019/

[Langlands]

^^ Seems odd but having gotten some insight into Team Molinari's approach and analytics via Denis Pugh on Sky Sports I'm 100% convinced its all planned to the finest detail.

 

Now there is a good change for 2019, no more Denis Pugh on Sky Sports!

 

Is that hope on your part or is he moving away from the TV work? Not my favourite but I found him OK.

 

He tweeted recently that he is finished as a regular studio guest. His daughter is getting married this year, and he wants to spend more time with his wife as she recovers from illness.

[maverick1st]

Saw on twitter that Ricky is switching to TM ball

 

 

He's no longer listed on titleist.com as a ball player...

[DRRicks]

Saw on twitter that Ricky is switching to TM ball

 

 

He's no longer listed on titleist.com as a ball player...

 

Thanks for clarification.

[kro88]

They must be assuming Rose will drive sales in the USA as you cannot order from the Bonobos Website in Europe....strange as I would have thought the market segment Rose influences would be business men in UK rather than kids who want to be Ricky or DJ....

 

he is wearing Morgan Stanley. Everyone on the Sell side wears Bonobos. He's appealing to the Wall Street golfer

 

Saw on twitter that Ricky is switching to TM ball

 

 

He's no longer listed on titleist.com as a ball player...

 

Thanks for clarification.

 

nice find - so twitter was right... shocker!

[lc1342]

Will Dufner be staying a free agent?

[agood3putt]

Kevin Tway to Titleist?

[CStephenson17]

Kevin Tway to Titleist?

 

No just playing woods and wedges. Still has mizuno irons

[Puttfordough91]

Kevin Tway to Titleist?

 

No just playing woods and wedges. Still has mizuno irons

On tv saw his name on a Titleist bag so must have some sort of deal with them

[williamsnrb]

There is a rumour floating around of Justin Rose moving to Honma

 

Might make sense with Mark King running Honma NA and they were rumored to be making a push onto Tour

 

Wow... This post was before its time! Well done.

[CStephenson17]

Kevin Tway to Titleist?

 

No just playing woods and wedges. Still has mizuno irons

On tv saw his name on a Titleist bag so must have some sort of deal with them

 

Ball, woods, wedges, bag, glove deal

[yourhonoryourhonor]

And Toulon putter!

 

Molinari? Isn't he a brand ambassador for Bettinardi?

 

He signed with them this past season.

 

Don't know how long contract is: https://www.pgatour....utter-deal.html

 

Guess the Betti deal is done now and he's full bag Callaway and Odyssey Toulon. Golf ball is the wild card.

 

Molinari is proof that these guys value money over success and what "works".

 

Cannot believe he is switching anything after having the year he just had...

 

- Josh

 

Obviously there are tour players who choose money over preferred equipment. I don’t believe that the top players are switching for money alone. They go through equipment and swing changes to get better.