Justin Rose to Honma

[JonnyKrasnodar]

Nothing on the putter confirmed but PGA Tour and Golf Magic said the final number isn't confirmed and that some TM clubs may remain in the bag for the first few tournaments of the year.

 

If he is that particular about Honma looking, performing and feeling the way he wants he would surely put them in play right away. You can't replicate tournament pressure and you can only test and practice with new clubs so much before having to bite the bullet and see what happens.

 

Maybe Rose is a little unhappy on how the P730s were supposedly primarily designed with Tiger and Rory in mind. But he was part of the design team for the P730s: https://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/gear/gear-news/justin-rose-whats-in-the-bag-2018-153341#O1LShwlhmIVVD5h2.99. Rose went to #1 in the world playing them, so how disappointed could he really have been or is he just a little mad that he wasn't given a new deal with TaylorMade?

 

So I looked over his stats and his SG: Approach has suffered playing with the 730s the last couple of years compared to his last 5 or 6 years on Tour. Rose's putting is what brought him to #1 in the world.

 

It could be either couldn't it. Given his calibre and all round class it was always going to generate discussion firing off a tweet like that.

 

Agreed his putting has been really quite incredible in the last 12-14 months or so. One of his weaknesses for me was always how he'd miss his fair share inside of 10 feet despite being one of the best ball strikers around. I never really had him as a "big" name because of that - he'd hit stunning iron shots but you knew he'd not make the putt.

 

Recently though it's been a different story, particularly on long par save putts a few stick out in the memory because he'd rarely ever make them.

 

In my opinion I think it's to do with not being renewed. If he's been testing since July then he must have been told early on that an offer wasn't on the table. 6 months is a long time to provisionally be testing equipment you're possibly not going to use. Pros know what they're getting into when they sign multi/full club deals so for him to suggest or imply he was playing gear that he didn't like or didn't perform as he wanted seems sour lemons.

 

It has at least got me looking at Honma clubs, going to check a few reviews later too. NY day is always a slow one with the family up from morning until night....was perfect weather for a round of golf too!

 

All the best to you for 2019.

[jll62]

Nothing on the putter confirmed but PGA Tour and Golf Magic said the final number isn't confirmed and that some TM clubs may remain in the bag for the first few tournaments of the year.

 

If he is that particular about Honma looking, performing and feeling the way he wants he would surely put them in play right away. You can't replicate tournament pressure and you can only test and practice with new clubs so much before having to bite the bullet and see what happens.

 

Maybe Rose is a little unhappy on how the P730s were supposedly primarily designed with Tiger and Rory in mind. But he was part of the design team for the P730s: https://www.golf-mon...wlhmIVVD5h2.99. Rose went to #1 in the world playing them, so how disappointed could he really have been or is he just a little mad that he wasn't given a new deal with TaylorMade?

 

So I looked over his stats and his SG: Approach has suffered playing with the 730s the last couple of years compared to his last 5 or 6 years on Tour. Rose's putting is what brought him to #1 in the world.

 

It could be either couldn't it. Given his calibre and all round class it was always going to generate discussion firing off a tweet like that.

 

Agreed his putting has been really quite incredible in the last 12-14 months or so. One of his weaknesses for me was always how he'd miss his fair share inside of 10 feet despite being one of the best ball strikers around. I never really had him as a "big" name because of that - he'd hit stunning iron shots but you knew he'd not make the putt.

 

Recently though it's been a different story, particularly on long par save putts a few stick out in the memory because he'd rarely ever make them.

 

In my opinion I think it's to do with not being renewed. If he's been testing since July then he must have been told early on that an offer wasn't on the table. 6 months is a long time to provisionally be testing equipment you're possibly not going to use. Pros know what they're getting into when they sign multi/full club deals so for him to suggest or imply he was playing gear that he didn't like or didn't perform as he wanted seems sour lemons.

 

It has at least got me looking at Honma clubs, going to check a few reviews later too. NY day is always a slow one with the family up from morning until night....was perfect weather for a round of golf too!

 

All the best to you for 2019.

 

I don't understand why people are focusing so much on what he tweeted. Every player who signs a deal with a new company says it's because of the equipment or some other opportunity related to the company. It's marketing, nothing more.

[Holy Moses]

Nothing on the putter confirmed but PGA Tour and Golf Magic said the final number isn't confirmed and that some TM clubs may remain in the bag for the first few tournaments of the year.

 

If he is that particular about Honma looking, performing and feeling the way he wants he would surely put them in play right away. You can't replicate tournament pressure and you can only test and practice with new clubs so much before having to bite the bullet and see what happens.

 

Maybe Rose is a little unhappy on how the P730s were supposedly primarily designed with Tiger and Rory in mind. But he was part of the design team for the P730s: https://www.golf-mon...wlhmIVVD5h2.99. Rose went to #1 in the world playing them, so how disappointed could he really have been or is he just a little mad that he wasn't given a new deal with TaylorMade?

 

So I looked over his stats and his SG: Approach has suffered playing with the 730s the last couple of years compared to his last 5 or 6 years on Tour. Rose's putting is what brought him to #1 in the world.

 

It could be either couldn't it. Given his calibre and all round class it was always going to generate discussion firing off a tweet like that.

 

Agreed his putting has been really quite incredible in the last 12-14 months or so. One of his weaknesses for me was always how he'd miss his fair share inside of 10 feet despite being one of the best ball strikers around. I never really had him as a "big" name because of that - he'd hit stunning iron shots but you knew he'd not make the putt.

 

Recently though it's been a different story, particularly on long par save putts a few stick out in the memory because he'd rarely ever make them.

 

In my opinion I think it's to do with not being renewed. If he's been testing since July then he must have been told early on that an offer wasn't on the table. 6 months is a long time to provisionally be testing equipment you're possibly not going to use. Pros know what they're getting into when they sign multi/full club deals so for him to suggest or imply he was playing gear that he didn't like or didn't perform as he wanted seems sour lemons.

 

It has at least got me looking at Honma clubs, going to check a few reviews later too. NY day is always a slow one with the family up from morning until night....was perfect weather for a round of golf too!

 

All the best to you for 2019.

 

I don't understand why people are focusing so much on what he tweeted. Every player who signs a deal with a new company says it's because of the equipment or some other opportunity related to the company. It's marketing, nothing more.

 

They do, but not many people take a shot at their former club sponsor like Roe did. A little unusual, but Rose has put out a few zingers the last few years.

[jll62]

Nothing on the putter confirmed but PGA Tour and Golf Magic said the final number isn't confirmed and that some TM clubs may remain in the bag for the first few tournaments of the year.

 

If he is that particular about Honma looking, performing and feeling the way he wants he would surely put them in play right away. You can't replicate tournament pressure and you can only test and practice with new clubs so much before having to bite the bullet and see what happens.

 

Maybe Rose is a little unhappy on how the P730s were supposedly primarily designed with Tiger and Rory in mind. But he was part of the design team for the P730s: https://www.golf-mon...wlhmIVVD5h2.99. Rose went to #1 in the world playing them, so how disappointed could he really have been or is he just a little mad that he wasn't given a new deal with TaylorMade?

 

So I looked over his stats and his SG: Approach has suffered playing with the 730s the last couple of years compared to his last 5 or 6 years on Tour. Rose's putting is what brought him to #1 in the world.

 

It could be either couldn't it. Given his calibre and all round class it was always going to generate discussion firing off a tweet like that.

 

Agreed his putting has been really quite incredible in the last 12-14 months or so. One of his weaknesses for me was always how he'd miss his fair share inside of 10 feet despite being one of the best ball strikers around. I never really had him as a "big" name because of that - he'd hit stunning iron shots but you knew he'd not make the putt.

 

Recently though it's been a different story, particularly on long par save putts a few stick out in the memory because he'd rarely ever make them.

 

In my opinion I think it's to do with not being renewed. If he's been testing since July then he must have been told early on that an offer wasn't on the table. 6 months is a long time to provisionally be testing equipment you're possibly not going to use. Pros know what they're getting into when they sign multi/full club deals so for him to suggest or imply he was playing gear that he didn't like or didn't perform as he wanted seems sour lemons.

 

It has at least got me looking at Honma clubs, going to check a few reviews later too. NY day is always a slow one with the family up from morning until night....was perfect weather for a round of golf too!

 

All the best to you for 2019.

 

I don't understand why people are focusing so much on what he tweeted. Every player who signs a deal with a new company says it's because of the equipment or some other opportunity related to the company. It's marketing, nothing more.

 

They do, but not many people take a shot at their former club sponsor like Roe did. A little unusual, but Rose has put out a few zingers the last few years.

 

I truly believe you're reading too much into it. Think about how this looks and the questions people will be asking: "Justin Rose, you obtained number one in the world recently, have had a number of top 10s in your last X starts, etc. Why on earth would you switch equipment companies when you're playing this well???"

 

What's he going to say, "They offered more money?" He has to say something that makes it look like the grass is greener on his new side. He has to answer in a way to make it look like he's getting something here that he didn't have before. That's all he did. Maybe there's a bit of truth in what he said, but overall it's mostly spin. And that's okay.

[Holy Moses]

I just can't remember many golfers who were playing really well with their former OEM and then took a shot at them out the door. I don't have a problem with that because what Rose said is true. Yeah we're probably blowing it out of proportion, but that's what we do on message boards.

[UnderPar18]

My bet is the irons were designed for TW and Rory and the rest fitted in. All the efforts to get Tigers irons from nike etc etc and the Rors proto nonsense. Then the putter attention for the red spider the Day got......Rose maybe felt a bit sidelined despite being the more consistent performer ?

 

Not good for spirit or motivation in the camp. Probably doesn't bother DJ

 

There's absolutely no way this move was about equipment. The Rose protos were made to the exact shape, specs, and performance he wanted, as were the protos for all the other guys. It was never a situation where he was forced to play a club designed for someone else. And putter attention? Huh? Were they supposed to promote the ARC more when he used that, or the Ardmore 2 after that? I don't understand that comment at all.

 

Look, it's pretty clear that this was a business decision. Rose likely wanted #1 in the world, DJ/Rory type money and TM was unwilling to pay that. Their endorsement strategy has definitely changed since the divestiture from adidas. Mark King has a past relationship with Rose and wanted to make a big splash for Honma, so he brought in someone with whom he has a prior relationship...and just happens to be one of the best players in the world over the past few seasons.

 

I wish JR nothing but the best. I hope he gets what he wants out of this deal.

 

I actually think it’s less about Rose wanting DJ/Rors type money being #2 in the world and more about Taylormade wanting to cut costs to get younger players who are going to make a splash on Tour. If TM were to get rid of Rose they can use that money for multiple big rookies who have the potential of being the next Rors or Rahm for example.

 

I’m not saying Rose didn’t want his fair share, I’m sure he values himself highly, but I think this was more of a TM decision. Rose knew the writing was on the wall and jumped on a great deal with Homna. Would be fantastic to see him use irons and wedges and then use different woods and putter.

[JonnyKrasnodar]

Nothing on the putter confirmed but PGA Tour and Golf Magic said the final number isn't confirmed and that some TM clubs may remain in the bag for the first few tournaments of the year.

 

If he is that particular about Honma looking, performing and feeling the way he wants he would surely put them in play right away. You can't replicate tournament pressure and you can only test and practice with new clubs so much before having to bite the bullet and see what happens.

 

Maybe Rose is a little unhappy on how the P730s were supposedly primarily designed with Tiger and Rory in mind. But he was part of the design team for the P730s: https://www.golf-mon...wlhmIVVD5h2.99. Rose went to #1 in the world playing them, so how disappointed could he really have been or is he just a little mad that he wasn't given a new deal with TaylorMade?

 

So I looked over his stats and his SG: Approach has suffered playing with the 730s the last couple of years compared to his last 5 or 6 years on Tour. Rose's putting is what brought him to #1 in the world.

 

It could be either couldn't it. Given his calibre and all round class it was always going to generate discussion firing off a tweet like that.

 

Agreed his putting has been really quite incredible in the last 12-14 months or so. One of his weaknesses for me was always how he'd miss his fair share inside of 10 feet despite being one of the best ball strikers around. I never really had him as a "big" name because of that - he'd hit stunning iron shots but you knew he'd not make the putt.

 

Recently though it's been a different story, particularly on long par save putts a few stick out in the memory because he'd rarely ever make them.

 

In my opinion I think it's to do with not being renewed. If he's been testing since July then he must have been told early on that an offer wasn't on the table. 6 months is a long time to provisionally be testing equipment you're possibly not going to use. Pros know what they're getting into when they sign multi/full club deals so for him to suggest or imply he was playing gear that he didn't like or didn't perform as he wanted seems sour lemons.

 

It has at least got me looking at Honma clubs, going to check a few reviews later too. NY day is always a slow one with the family up from morning until night....was perfect weather for a round of golf too!

 

All the best to you for 2019.

 

I don't understand why people are focusing so much on what he tweeted. Every player who signs a deal with a new company says it's because of the equipment or some other opportunity related to the company. It's marketing, nothing more.

 

They do, but not many people take a shot at their former club sponsor like Roe did. A little unusual, but Rose has put out a few zingers the last few years.

 

Why? Because he's the recent world number one, a stand up guy and one of the classiest acts on Tour. You can't just take a pop and put it down to "marketing." If it was just marketing, his tweet would have ended "I believe Honma equipment/craftsmanship will make me better."

 

Saying these clubs look and feel how he wants suggests he has a bone of some sort to pick with TM.

 

Either way, what's it to you if we're discussing the tweet? It's a golf discussion forum. You want to write it off as marketing fine. I have a different opinion, as will others.

[jll62]

My bet is the irons were designed for TW and Rory and the rest fitted in. All the efforts to get Tigers irons from nike etc etc and the Rors proto nonsense. Then the putter attention for the red spider the Day got......Rose maybe felt a bit sidelined despite being the more consistent performer ?

 

Not good for spirit or motivation in the camp. Probably doesn't bother DJ

 

There's absolutely no way this move was about equipment. The Rose protos were made to the exact shape, specs, and performance he wanted, as were the protos for all the other guys. It was never a situation where he was forced to play a club designed for someone else. And putter attention? Huh? Were they supposed to promote the ARC more when he used that, or the Ardmore 2 after that? I don't understand that comment at all.

 

Look, it's pretty clear that this was a business decision. Rose likely wanted #1 in the world, DJ/Rory type money and TM was unwilling to pay that. Their endorsement strategy has definitely changed since the divestiture from adidas. Mark King has a past relationship with Rose and wanted to make a big splash for Honma, so he brought in someone with whom he has a prior relationship...and just happens to be one of the best players in the world over the past few seasons.

 

I wish JR nothing but the best. I hope he gets what he wants out of this deal.

 

I actually think it's less about Rose wanting DJ/Rors type money being #2 in the world and more about Taylormade wanting to cut costs to get younger players who are going to make a splash on Tour. If TM were to get rid of Rose they can use that money for multiple big rookies who have the potential of being the next Rors or Rahm for example.

 

I'm not saying Rose didn't want his fair share, I'm sure he values himself highly, but I think this was more of a TM decision. Rose knew the writing was on the wall and jumped on a great deal with Homna. Would be fantastic to see him use irons and wedges and then use different woods and putter.

 

It's all related, which is what I alluded to in the post you quoted. I mentioned that TM's endorsement strategy appears to have changed in the last couple of years since the divestiture (and likely before as they were being shopped around). They didn't keep Sergio when Callaway offered him big money, and they didn't keep Xander when Callaway offered him big money, etc. TaylorMade now seems to be focused on a core group of superstars and then a limited set of younger names that could have huge value in the future (e.g., Hossler).

[dunn]

I've heard paul Casey is the other player for honma

[Jagpilotohio]

Well well we’ll, he didn’t waste any time signing that deal.

 

This deal was done months ago. Worst kept secret in golf.

[Jagpilotohio]

Goodbye Rose from top 5 in the world, hope it was worth it

 

Hahaha. All the doom and gloom from so many people. So funny. They will custom grind him anything he wants. He’ll be fine.

[ago33]

they can grind his irons any way they like. Except for PXG.

 

Only concern is the woods

[Golfingfanatic]

Close up pics of the blades on Rose’s IG. They look really good.

[MakersMarsh3]

Here ya go

[TheMoneyShot]

Here ya go

 

Nothing special there:(

[scottb15]

Rose proto..how unique

[ian-500]

Look good to me.

[JonnyKrasnodar]

Here ya go

 

Lovely looking iron. Not keen on the TW// markings but the logo is fairly clean. Nothing revolutionary looking but if he's happy that's all that matters.

[dunn]

There isnt anything revolutionary about any MB iron, lol

[zeke66]

Tayloremade strategy smart. They are going to focus on a few guys. All the young kids will want to play tmade... so when guys get good and could switch or sign a contract tmade will be the elite boutique that everyone wants. Kind of what PXG can or is trying to do. They can trim the fat a little and rebuild with a name or two.

[bladehunter]

So .... how long until the deal is done with Parsons buying Taylormade ?

 

Call it a feeling.

[bladehunter]

Here ya go

 

 

A lot like the 2014 Tm mb. Looks good.

[Holy Moses]

Are they hollow and filled with goup? Speed slots? Jacked lofts? Flexible faced? Forged by Miura? 50 yards longer than the last model?

 

How's he ever going to win again with these??!!

[Nic1972]

Here ya go

They look a bit like Srixon 945.

[Mitchell]

Those that are so concerned about a potential switch in future to Honma woods must not have hit the Tour World line- one of my all-time favorite drivers is the TW717 430, so solid.

[Oaks]

His right sleeve looks to have BONOBOS on it. Maybe he is out with adidas

[radiman]

Nothing on the putter confirmed but PGA Tour and Golf Magic said the final number isn't confirmed and that some TM clubs may remain in the bag for the first few tournaments of the year.

 

If he is that particular about Honma looking, performing and feeling the way he wants he would surely put them in play right away. You can't replicate tournament pressure and you can only test and practice with new clubs so much before having to bite the bullet and see what happens.

 

Maybe Rose is a little unhappy on how the P730s were supposedly primarily designed with Tiger and Rory in mind. But he was part of the design team for the P730s: https://www.golf-mon...wlhmIVVD5h2.99. Rose went to #1 in the world playing them, so how disappointed could he really have been or is he just a little mad that he wasn't given a new deal with TaylorMade?

 

So I looked over his stats and his SG: Approach has suffered playing with the 730s the last couple of years compared to his last 5 or 6 years on Tour. Rose's putting is what brought him to #1 in the world.

 

It could be either couldn't it. Given his calibre and all round class it was always going to generate discussion firing off a tweet like that.

 

Agreed his putting has been really quite incredible in the last 12-14 months or so. One of his weaknesses for me was always how he'd miss his fair share inside of 10 feet despite being one of the best ball strikers around. I never really had him as a "big" name because of that - he'd hit stunning iron shots but you knew he'd not make the putt.

 

Recently though it's been a different story, particularly on long par save putts a few stick out in the memory because he'd rarely ever make them.

 

In my opinion I think it's to do with not being renewed. If he's been testing since July then he must have been told early on that an offer wasn't on the table. 6 months is a long time to provisionally be testing equipment you're possibly not going to use. Pros know what they're getting into when they sign multi/full club deals so for him to suggest or imply he was playing gear that he didn't like or didn't perform as he wanted seems sour lemons.

 

It has at least got me looking at Honma clubs, going to check a few reviews later too. NY day is always a slow one with the family up from morning until night....was perfect weather for a round of golf too!

 

All the best to you for 2019.

 

I don't understand why people are focusing so much on what he tweeted. Every player who signs a deal with a new company says it's because of the equipment or some other opportunity related to the company. It's marketing, nothing more.

 

They do, but not many people take a shot at their former club sponsor like Roe did. A little unusual, but Rose has put out a few zingers the last few years.

 

Am I missing something? The only tweet I see regarding this, besides his proro irons, says nothing negative about TM. A generic statement bragging about his new equipment is kind of the standard.

[liongolf_ike]

His right sleeve looks to have BONOBOS on it. Maybe he is out with adidas

 

I thought I saw the same thing...

[GoGoErky]

My bet is the irons were designed for TW and Rory and the rest fitted in. All the efforts to get Tigers irons from nike etc etc and the Rors proto nonsense. Then the putter attention for the red spider the Day got......Rose maybe felt a bit sidelined despite being the more consistent performer ?

 

Not good for spirit or motivation in the camp. Probably doesn't bother DJ

 

There's absolutely no way this move was about equipment. The Rose protos were made to the exact shape, specs, and performance he wanted, as were the protos for all the other guys. It was never a situation where he was forced to play a club designed for someone else. And putter attention? Huh? Were they supposed to promote the ARC more when he used that, or the Ardmore 2 after that? I don't understand that comment at all.

 

Look, it's pretty clear that this was a business decision. Rose likely wanted #1 in the world, DJ/Rory type money and TM was unwilling to pay that. Their endorsement strategy has definitely changed since the divestiture from adidas. Mark King has a past relationship with Rose and wanted to make a big splash for Honma, so he brought in someone with whom he has a prior relationship...and just happens to be one of the best players in the world over the past few seasons.

 

I wish JR nothing but the best. I hope he gets what he wants out of this deal.

 

I’m thinking it was more of a business decision on TM part to not resign him and therefore logical that former TM bids now with Honma gets him to come over. Rumor is TM is signing some pros in non traditional roles. Sounds like Fowler is going to be playing their ball. Rose doesn’t fit into the pic if they are signing guys they can market better and signing Rickie to play the bsll is huge

[ZBigStick]

So where’s this tweet we are talking about?