Rory McIlroy signed with TaylorMade (MERGED)

[third-times-a-charm]

So did callaway not pony up, or did he like taylormade gear better, or both? Remember when he said he wasn't going to sign an equipment deal for a year or two?! Lol

 

He said the ball was the deciding factor for everything. Who knows if it was really that or the money or both...

 

Apparently he also stockpiled like 100 cases of Nike Platinum balls...guess TM didnt want to see any more swooshes and made him sign up with their balls, too.

[KK44]

TM trolling Callaway by using the Epic green on some of the RORS stampings? I hope so bc it looks awful with the red. Minor detail that was bugging me.

[nmorton]

It'll be interesting to see how this affects the bags (and minds) of TM's staff. Rory coming in with his own blades has to hit the egos of their other players. But then again they are all making serious coin. I find it interesting that he talked about more distance being the big factor. With his length already I would've thought accuracy and control would be more important.

[JoeyD12]

It'll be interesting to see how this affects the bags (and minds) of TM's staff. Rory coming in with his own blades has to hit the egos of their other players. But then again they are all making serious coin. I find it interesting that he talked about more distance being the big factor. With his length already I would've thought accuracy and control would be more important.

 

Carefully worded responses to help sell clubs. We're all ho's, he just gets paid more.

[Rig14Port]

I'm wondering if the blades were already in the works and they were hoping to call them the TIGER PROTO. Guessing they didnt wantt to wait on Tiger's unforeseeable future and decided to go a different route. I think it's a great move for Taylormade... Rory seems to draw lots of consumer interest with his club changes. Probably wouldn't have hurt to work with DJ on the same iron given that he's world #1, but he has not historically been the club junky that RORS is and, therefore, does not generated as much "club buzz"

[JessWilder711]

now that TM is taxing people for up to 20% interest on their "Turn" program they can open that checkbook up even more.

 

If you're dumb/desperate enough to finance golf clubs you probably deserve to overpay.

[D0ch0l1d4y]

His Spider Tour

 

 

 

 

When we were in Carlsbad, one of our hosts made a comment that the then "world #3" was expected to put a Spider Tour in the bag. Cool to see it coming to fruition.

 

Is it me, or is the epoxy/caulking/filler job on the wings of that thing look really sloppy?

[Mob]

While Rory is saying all the right things, this came down to money not the ball or anything else. Callaway declined the number that his agent was asking/demanding. Just spoke with a friend at Callaway who confirmed.

[Sniperman]

Less interested in this than what Callaway brass is thinking at this moment

?

 

"Wait...WTF just happened?!"

?

[dan250yds]

Why didn't Rory consider a reunion with Titleist?

 

Tag is a good landing spot though...great one actually

[Redbird]

10yr/$100mil?

[tbowles411]

Why didn't Rory consider a reunion with Titleist?

 

Tag is a good landing spot though...great one actually

Straight cash homie. Titleist doesn't pay big bucks for anyone.

[JoeyD12]

While Rory is saying all the right things, this came down to money not the ball or anything else. Callaway declined the number that his agent was asking/demanding. Just spoke with a friend at Callaway who confirmed.

 

This.

[Wdwfreak]

His Spider Tour

 

 

 

 

When we were in Carlsbad, one of our hosts made a comment that the then "world #3" was expected to put a Spider Tour in the bag. Cool to see it coming to fruition.

 

Is it me, or is the epoxy/caulking/filler job on the wings of that thing look really sloppy?

 

 

always looks like that, but cant see it on the black version, its not really epoxy or caulking its rubbery material that i think might be vibration dampening, the wings and the face are two separate pieces

 

Rory also sounds a little skeptical of the spider too, after a lot of use i have had trouble with fast greens and lag putting with the spider, it wasnt ideal last week on brutal greens for my college conference championship, back to the DH89 for now

 

PGATOUR.COM: What's your impression of the Spider Tour putter?

McILROY: “I've been playing around with it. I want to try some different inserts because that putter has such a different feel from what I'm currently using. But I got them to make up a red Spider Tour for me that has a long line on the top.

“That's one of the reasons I went to the mallet — I sort of figured it helped me align better and helped with my aim. It's awesome with the Spider because you set this thing up and you know exactly where you're aiming, and it sits so square with that flow neck. I've got one in the bag that I'm trying out, but I want to try and see if I can find one that feels a little more familiar to me.”

[BDubya]

I would bag those irons immediately

 

Interesting how he has the non-tour 3w but the tour 5w

 

I hit the m1 2017 3HL and it was very solid ... more TM creeping into the bag ,,,, it will be like 1992 all over again !!!

When he was still with Nike, there was a time that he had the Vapor Pro Driver in his bag and the Vapor Speed 3-wood. When asked about it, he said he didn't like the adjustable head/shaft on the 3-wood, so he went with the Speed because it was non-adjustable.

[Tcann32]

The TP5x is one of, if not the best ball I've ever hit, and I'm not surprised one little bit that that's been his choice. Fairway woods are as personal of a preference as a wedge, IMO, and there's plenty of great things to be said about the M2 fairways, and driver, but I still think that the M2 probably takes the cake in terms of consistency in terms of stock models (which we all know stock is far from what these guys have in their hands) but either way, you pretty much see an Epic, or an M line driver in most people's and Pro's bags at the moment, and Ror's sided with TM, and good for him.

 

Now, I am skeptical about the article shared here from golf digest, and what Rory was quoted saying in it about inconsistencies, etc.. They're MB's in the hands of one of, if not the best player in the world (ignoring OWGR when I say the best), and if they're inconsistent, it's not because of the irons, and any adjustment needed could've easily been done to make them suit his eye better, but in the case of MB's, it'll always be the indian. I'm calling the iron's talk as a flat out sales quote.

 

All that being said, I'm a fan of Rory and I'd love to see him do the things he's capable of, no matter what he puts in the bag.

[Bob57]

Rather than using DJs 2014 MBs they created a new Rors prototype and in the podcast Rory said as soon as DJ saw them he was on the phone asking for a set..

 

You can doubt what was reported about inconsistencies in golf digest, but there is a podcast where he says exactly what they reported.

 

Now all the droolers on this site can stop having a stroke about when the Callaway MB will be coming to market and they can get rid of their Epic drivers and switch to M2s and start the whining about when will the Rors protos be available..

 

Maybe Jack will switch to an M2 now that Rory has switched, so Rory can show him how to adjust it for next years Masters ceremonial drive..

[nikegolfer1983]

Dustin Johnson

Rory McIlroy

Jason Day

John Rahm

Sergio Garcia

Justin Rose

Paul Casey

 

Wow what a staff! 7 of the top 14 in the world and world #1, #2, and #3.

 

That is some stable!

 

 

Is Paul Casey on TMAG staff? I thought just woods, because he has Mizuno Irons and still using a white Nike bag

[jaymayor]

How long until we see pictures of DJProtos, JDAYProtos, and (maybe eventually) TIGERProtos popping up?

 

wouldnt be surprised if these used to say Tiger Protos on them.

 

his comments about DJ making a call means... he will be playing these too i assume?

 

Def not right away anyways, especially after his last 5 tournaments resulting in a 3, 1, 1, 1, 2. I bet he ordered them to start practicing with them and use them as a backup set.

[pheenomz4774]

While Rory is saying all the right things, this came down to money not the ball or anything else. Callaway declined the number that his agent was asking/demanding. Just spoke with a friend at Callaway who confirmed.

 

And not a thing wrong with that on either of their parts. Good for both, Callaway didn't reach out of its comfort zone and Rors found somebody who would sign him to the number he was looking for.

[jimb6golf]

While Rory is saying all the right things, this came down to money not the ball or anything else. Callaway declined the number that his agent was asking/demanding. Just spoke with a friend at Callaway who confirmed.

 

As someone else said, how can TM afford to pay all these players when they lose money every year and no one wants to buy them either. Also looks like Callaway got used pretty badly here after making custom clubs, etc. for him he just turns away towards the bigger paycheck. Pretty shallow.

[JoeyD12]

While Rory is saying all the right things, this came down to money not the ball or anything else. Callaway declined the number that his agent was asking/demanding. Just spoke with a friend at Callaway who confirmed.

 

As someone else said, how can TM afford to pay all these players when they lose money every year and no one wants to buy them either. Also looks like Callaway got used pretty badly here after making custom clubs, etc. for him he just turns away towards the bigger paycheck. Pretty shallow.

 

That's one-sided. Clearly Rory and his agent thought they were being low-balled and opted for the bigger contract.

[cvhookem63]

While Rory is saying all the right things, this came down to money not the ball or anything else. Callaway declined the number that his agent was asking/demanding. Just spoke with a friend at Callaway who confirmed.

 

As someone else said, how can TM afford to pay all these players when they lose money every year and no one wants to buy them either. Also looks like Callaway got used pretty badly here after making custom clubs, etc. for him he just turns away towards the bigger paycheck. Pretty shallow.

 

Rory didn't owe Callaway anything. They got plenty of value out of him using their clubs free for months. An athlete went with the highest bidder for an equipment contract (that according to him fit his game the best) - how is that any different from what any other athletes do when deciding which sponsor to go with?

[dciccoritti]

While Rory is saying all the right things, this came down to money not the ball or anything else. Callaway declined the number that his agent was asking/demanding. Just spoke with a friend at Callaway who confirmed.

 

And not a thing wrong with that on either of their parts. Good for both, Callaway didn't reach out of its comfort zone and Rors found somebody who would sign him to the number he was looking for.

 

What is wrong is Rory's BS about testing equipment and going with what works best for his game. Not cool!

 

Why lie? Just wait for the best offer and sign on the dotted line. No need to BS anyone.

[Mob]

While Rory is saying all the right things, this came down to money not the ball or anything else. Callaway declined the number that his agent was asking/demanding. Just spoke with a friend at Callaway who confirmed.

 

As someone else said, how can TM afford to pay all these players when they lose money every year and no one wants to buy them either. Also looks like Callaway got used pretty badly here after making custom clubs, etc. for him he just turns away towards the bigger paycheck. Pretty shallow.

 

That's one-sided. Clearly Rory and his agent thought they were being low-balled and opted for the bigger contract.

 

Yes, my information is one-sided, as I stated above. I wasn't trying to make any bias judgement one way or the other, just that Callaway wasn't comfortable paying a player that kind of money, and this comes from one of the guys who makes these decisions at Callaway. Looks like TM was willing to do it.

[JoeyD12]

While Rory is saying all the right things, this came down to money not the ball or anything else. Callaway declined the number that his agent was asking/demanding. Just spoke with a friend at Callaway who confirmed.

 

As someone else said, how can TM afford to pay all these players when they lose money every year and no one wants to buy them either. Also looks like Callaway got used pretty badly here after making custom clubs, etc. for him he just turns away towards the bigger paycheck. Pretty shallow.

 

Rory didn't owe Callaway anything. They got plenty of value out of him using their clubs free for months. An athlete went with the highest bidder for an equipment contract (that according to him fit his game the best) - how is that any different from what any other athletes do when deciding which sponsor to go with?

 

Exactly. TM did not Don Corleone him into signing the deal. They just had the more appealing contract. Callaway could have easily matched or outbid but chose not to. If anything, Callaway comes out on top of this one. Sub Zeros were back-ordered for months?! Really?! They sold all of that equipment and didn't owe Rory a dime. Now they are sold out of drivers and don't have a $10M bill at the end of the year to pay. Not too shabby. The only guy that got hosed is the dude that is trying to sell the Rory MBs in the classifieds....

[Mob]

While Rory is saying all the right things, this came down to money not the ball or anything else. Callaway declined the number that his agent was asking/demanding. Just spoke with a friend at Callaway who confirmed.

 

And not a thing wrong with that on either of their parts. Good for both, Callaway didn't reach out of its comfort zone and Rors found somebody who would sign him to the number he was looking for.

 

What is wrong is Rory's BS about testing equipment and going with what works best for his game. Not cool!

 

Why lie? Just wait for the best offer and sign on the dotted line. No need to BS anyone.

 

It doesn't mean that all those other comments aren't true. He very well may feel that way about the golf ball as well. Sometimes we all need to justify our decisions so we don't look greedy.

[falken19150]

I love WRX!!

 

boring Tuesday just turned fun....

 

Best post of the year!

[MillerLowLife]

I can't help but wonder now, what will the price point be on new blades with TM? I wouldn't want to get my hopes up only to see them hit a price point upwards of 2k. I still like the MP18 looks better but it would boil down to price/feel.

[Z1ggy16]

While Rory is saying all the right things, this came down to money not the ball or anything else. Callaway declined the number that his agent was asking/demanding. Just spoke with a friend at Callaway who confirmed.

 

And not a thing wrong with that on either of their parts. Good for both, Callaway didn't reach out of its comfort zone and Rors found somebody who would sign him to the number he was looking for.

 

What is wrong is Rory's BS about testing equipment and going with what works best for his game. Not cool!

 

Why lie? Just wait for the best offer and sign on the dotted line. No need to BS anyone.

Yeah I don't buy it 100% either. He said it stemmed from The Masters, and his prov1x not performing... so you're telling me he got custom made irons and an endorsement deal probably worth well over $10M in just 3-4 weeks? No way. This has been in the works for many months and the ball is just the scapegoat.

 

Personally, I don't care about his rationale. TM makes good stuff and the guy has the right to get paid by whomever he chooses.