Callaway staffers using Titleist ball...

[WMcDonald4]

I have noticed over the past few years that a lot of Callaway staff pro's are still using Titleist golf balls. (Harris English, Chris Kirk, and Colt Knost, etc...) I know that a while ago Callaway required all staffers to play the ball without exception. I heard that Colt's contract stated that he had 2 years to "work into" the Callaway ball. Is this something that Callaway is willing to bend on to get more players? I just thought it was interesting...thoughts?

[Marmion]

Watch callaway talks with Harris English... I believe it's so he can keep something constant while changing clubs - I.e. A baseline test. Once he has everything dialed in he'll change the ball by the sounds of it

[broth518]

Looks like Stenson isn't changing away from the Titlesit ball and Chris Kirk never switched and still uses a Pro V1

[Waterboy]

Might be a contract issue with the ball company. Might be easier to let the contact run out rather then buy it out.

[VinceRKG]

must be cause they like it and it fits them better. but no way i dont buy that lol kidding kidding..some topics are just funny lol

[Lefty94]

Yeah and as stated by others it could be a consistency thing. They have brought a lot of players on this year and most if not all went straight 14 clubs or close to it. Thats a lot to change. For most of those guys the ball is more important than the clubs. Just look at the number of guys who still play the 09 or 07 version of the pro v1, because they are so comfortable with it's performance. They know no matter what they do that the ball will do the same thing every time.

[oaklandgolfer]

Brian Stuard was gaming a Titleist for sure on the weekend....

[bubbagump]

I think you answered your own question.

[color=#282828]"I heard that Colt's contract stated that he had 2 years to "work into" the Callaway ball. Is this something that Callaway is willing to bend on to get more players? "[/color]

[tbowles411]

[quote name='bubbagump' timestamp='1389647159' post='8453785']
I think you answered your own question.

[color=#282828]"I heard that Colt's contract stated that he had 2 years to "work into" the Callaway ball. Is this something that Callaway is willing to bend on to get more players? "[/color]
[/quote]
I think looking at Rory McIlroy is living proof that you can change everything but until you get used to the ball nothing else really matters.

[J13]

The ball is a hard thing to change at the same time as 12-14 clubs.

[pinetreecc7003]

[quote name='broth518' timestamp='1389644294' post='8453517']
Looks like Stenson isn't changing away from the Titlesit ball and Chris Kirk never switched and still uses a Pro V1
[/quote]
Chris Kirk did switch balls when he first got on staff. He just switched back to the Titleist ball towards the end of the year last year.

[Marks23]

I also wonder if the clickiness of prior offerings put off some players from switching. I think the new speed regime with its improved sound might help quicken the transition to a new ball. Just speculation on may part.

[KYMAR]

This is ridiculous, these guys should change all 14 clubs and ball immediately if they know whats Good for them!

Sincerely,

Rors

[Oakey90]

I think its sensible to accept that some players won't to change balls, not only do they have a preference and know the sound/feel and how the ball will react. They may just prefer the Titleist

Players like Henrik Stenson have been with Titleist for around 5 years so would make sense they wouldn't want to change if they don't have to.

So many players use Titleist balls that don't play the clubs

I'm sure Colesaerts was playing the Pro V well into his Callaway contract looks like he may have switched now though.

Probably the case that Callaway get them on board with all the clubs/bag/hat as this is what the fans see mainly and then worry about the ball when the existing contract expires, cheaper for them, player gets time to get used to the clubs before changing the ball. Win win.

[BlkNGld]

I think they're flexible in not bringing too much on at once. It was different before the wraparound schedule and you had a lot more time to acclimate.

If Callaway's new staffers get off to a fast start with lots of wins or top 10s, you'll be seeing plenty of hats, bags, and headcovers on TV.

By comparison, the logo on the ball is really, really small.

[mgholda]

[quote name='Oakey90' timestamp='1389654675' post='8454489']
Probably the case that Callaway get them on board with all the clubs/bag/hat as this is what the fans see mainly and then worry about the ball when the existing contract expires, cheaper for them, player gets time to get used to the clubs before changing the ball. Win win.
[/quote]
Good thing no one saw Tiger's ball when he chipped in at the Master's in 2005. His Titleist clubs and Pro V1 ball had Nike logos.

In all seriousness, you are probably right. Most fans assume they are using the ball if they have the hat, glove, and bag. Until they see Titleist pimping those same players in a Pro V1 commercial. Then most fans are so confused they don't know what to think. Thank god for WRX! We can help talk them through the complexities of player OEM contracts.

[playa]

I think its more ball than brand. I wiuld guess all thes guys would be playing old models and would change to a cally before changing to a nw pro V. Or maybe they are just usd to getting tee up money from Titleist which Cally won't match. Titleist buys the tour ball count and has don for years. Tee up money is the sole reason titleist wins the count every week. If they took away tee up money and another oem started paying it, there would be a new favourite ball on tour overnight. These guys could hit any brand ball, it's absurd to think any one ball is better than the rest.

[Oakey90]

[quote name='playa' timestamp='1389678908' post='8456851']
I think its more ball than brand. I wiuld guess all thes guys would be playing old models and would change to a cally before changing to a nw pro V. Or maybe they are just usd to getting tee up money from Titleist which Cally won't match. Titleist buys the tour ball count and has don for years. Tee up money is the sole reason titleist wins the count every week. If they took away tee up money and another oem started paying it, there would be a new favourite ball on tour overnight. These guys could hit any brand ball, it's absurd to think any one ball is better than the rest.
[/quote]

Very true, if they are getting paid good money to play a ball they are used to then they are unlikely to be in a rush to change!

Also if they are paying many of the top names to play their ball including lots who don't play their clubs i.e. lots of the PING and Mizuno guys then they are likely to get a lot of Ws on the board

[playa]

[quote name='Oakey90' timestamp='1389690566' post='8457073']
[quote name='playa' timestamp='1389678908' post='8456851']
I think its more ball than brand. I wiuld guess all thes guys would be playing old models and would change to a cally before changing to a nw pro V. Or maybe they are just usd to getting tee up money from Titleist which Cally won't match. Titleist buys the tour ball count and has don for years. Tee up money is the sole reason titleist wins the count every week. If they took away tee up money and another oem started paying it, there would be a new favourite ball on tour overnight. These guys could hit any brand ball, it's absurd to think any one ball is better than the rest.
[/quote]

Very true, if they are getting paid good money to play a ball they are used to then they are unlikely to be in a rush to change!

Also if they are paying many of the top names to play their ball including lots who don't play their clubs i.e. lots of the PING and Mizuno guys then they are likely to get a lot of Ws on the board
[/quote]
Simple mathematics will tell you that if you have more people playing your ball you will get more wins. I pay very little attention to ball counts or wins when judging equipment.