Stricker signs with Odyssey

[JaNelson38]

Steve Stricker hasnt played under a club contract for a couple of years now, but Odyssey announced today that they've signed him to an exclusive putter contract. One has to wonder if he will help develop some sort of putter design for Odyssey or Toulon down the road.

 

I think this might be something you will see more and more of on the PGA Tour with regards to putter exclusivity.

 

https://sports.yahoo.com/steve-stricker-signs-one-most-160000983.html

[semarlor]

Seems odd to pay him to use a putter he would play anyway. I know he's switched a few times but always comes back. And it's not like he is super marketable...so I doubt you'll see him in ads and stuff. Good for him but just seems like an unusual move for Callaway/Odyssey.

[cardoustie]

I think its a great move

One of the best putters ever, big US Open win, captain of some big event coming up in 2020

[JaNelson38]

> @semarlor said:

> Seems odd to pay him to use a putter he would play anyway. I know he's switched a few times but always comes back. And it's not like he is super marketable...so I doubt you'll see him in ads and stuff. Good for him but just seems like an unusual move for Callaway/Odyssey.

 

That's why I wondered out loud if he's going to help develop Odyssey or Toulon with development of some sort of putting line. Stricker putting his name behind a line of blade putters would be instant legitimacy, similar to Phil's PM Grind wedges.

[semarlor]

> @JaNelson38 said:

> > @semarlor said:

> > Seems odd to pay him to use a putter he would play anyway. I know he's switched a few times but always comes back. And it's not like he is super marketable...so I doubt you'll see him in ads and stuff. Good for him but just seems like an unusual move for Callaway/Odyssey.

>

> That's why I wondered out loud if he's going to help develop Odyssey or Toulon with development of some sort of putting line. Stricker putting his name behind a line of blade putters would be instant legitimacy, similar to Phil's PM Grind wedges.

 

Good point about the PM wedges....but just curious since he has used the same style for so long, how much input he would add in developing new products? Not arguing with you, just also thinking out loud. Card also makes a good point above, 2 senior majors this year, Ryder Cup coming up, his reputation on the greens....might be more marketable than I gave him credit for.

[JStang]

He's going to dominate the Champions tour. Why not run a few ads per tournament with him as the face of their brand while he is raking in the cash?

[JaNelson38]

> @JStang said:

> He's going to dominate the Champions tour. Why not run a few ads per tournament with him as the face of their brand while he is raking in the cash?

 

His couple of AVIS commercials a few years back we're actually pretty good. The "I'm a savage" one actually stuck with him for a while.

[jamie]

> @JaNelson38 said:

> > @JStang said:

> > He's going to dominate the Champions tour. Why not run a few ads per tournament with him as the face of their brand while he is raking in the cash?

>

> His couple of AVIS commercials a few years back we're actually pretty good. The "I'm a savage" one actually stuck with him for a while.

 

I agree on the commercials haha

[grm24]

Intesesting twist to his deal with Odyssey.

 

https://www.golf.com/gear/putters/2019/07/02/steve-stricker-putter-deal-odyssey-golf/

 

_The deal makes Stricker an Odyssey staff professional when he’s on the Champions Tour, meaning the putter manufacturer will be able to use his name and likeness when he wins. The current agreement does not, however, extend to the PGA Tour, where Stricker continues to play a reduced schedule._

[Maximilian]

I’ve always wondered if he is going to become a short game guru after his playing days are done? He has the potential for it.

[OutBackHack]

Stricker is a real needle mover.

[musclefront]

> @OutBackHack said:

> Stricker is a real needle mover.

 

He’s a savage.

[PowderedToastMan]

> @Maximilian said:

> I’ve always wondered if he is going to become a short game guru after his playing days are done? He has the potential for it.

 

He’d make a good modern day Phil Rodgers. He’s still too good to go that direction though.

 

 

[Tasals]

> @semarlor said:

> Seems odd to pay him to use a putter he would play anyway. I know he's switched a few times but always comes back. And it's not like he is super marketable...so I doubt you'll see him in ads and stuff. Good for him but just seems like an unusual move for Callaway/Odyssey.

 

They cant use him in marketing unless he signs with them. When you can plaster stricker on ads, and have him holding an oddessy putter and blurb of 2 senior majors in 2019 it looks really good.

[dalehead]

My guess is he will be the face of Odyssey putters. Not sure about him designing a line of putters though. Might be a credibility problem for Steve trying to sell folks on buying a new $300 Odyssey.

“What do you use Steve?”

“Oh, this 15 year old model you can pick up at 2nd Swing for 40bucks.”

[iBanesto]

White Hot for the win.

 

Affordable and a great putter.

[HackerD]

Putter was relatively new compared to his irons!

[Rangeballz]

> @cardoustie said:

> One of the best putters ever, big US Open win, captain of some big event coming up in 2020

 

Stricker won a US Open?

 

 

[sandtrap]

3 days ago, US Senior Open

[Bad9]

> @sandtrap said:

> 3 days ago, US Senior Open

 

Didn't even know they played it much less who won it.

[MidwestGolfBum]

> @semarlor said:

> > @JaNelson38 said:

> > > @semarlor said:

> > > Seems odd to pay him to use a putter he would play anyway. I know he's switched a few times but always comes back. And it's not like he is super marketable...so I doubt you'll see him in ads and stuff. Good for him but just seems like an unusual move for Callaway/Odyssey.

> >

> > That's why I wondered out loud if he's going to help develop Odyssey or Toulon with development of some sort of putting line. Stricker putting his name behind a line of blade putters would be instant legitimacy, similar to Phil's PM Grind wedges.

>

> Good point about the PM wedges....but just curious since he has used the same style for so long, how much input he would add in developing new products? Not arguing with you, just also thinking out loud. Card also makes a good point above, 2 senior majors this year, Ryder Cup coming up, his reputation on the greens....might be more marketable than I gave him credit for.

 

It's not like Stricker really needs the money anymore, but with the connection to Sean (SVP Callaway), I'm sure there were discussions going back a long time given he was already playing the putter. The fact that the contract was also only for the senior circuit may be a push for Odyssey to try to get into that demo more, as well. If they were to have some kind of branded line of Toulon/Odyssey putters seem like one of those things that would be best suited for a lot of those markets, as well, given the general demo who knows more about Stricker. Just my 2 cents, that probably aren't even worth that.

[GeorgeHWB]

I would be shocked if Stricker ever stopped using the White Hot putter he has in the bag (permanently anyway). Scotty Cameron could not get him to change to something else despite his best efforts and I doubt Sean Toulon can do it either.

[mcputter]

Stricker has switched from his PING Zing 2 putter? Asking for a friend.

[gunmetal]

> @semarlor said:

> Seems odd to pay him to use a putter he would play anyway. I know he's switched a few times but always comes back. And it's not like he is super marketable...so I doubt you'll see him in ads and stuff. Good for him but just seems like an unusual move for Callaway/Odyssey.

 

Not if they get that Odyssey logo on him - ESPECIALLY if it's on a Titleist hat. My guess is he'll have the logo on a sleeve or something.

[CCTxGolf]

Old guys watch golf. Old guys watch the senior tour. Old guys buy a lot of putters. Pretty easy

 

Then throw in his captaincy’s and the mad respect that guys like Tiger have for him and are vocal about. Sell even more putters.

 

Seems like a pretty good move by Odyssey

[shanx]

Wasn't he rolling the old school TriForce? I have one somewhere, really good concept, ball rolls really true with those..

[grm24]

> @gunmetal said:

> > @semarlor said:

> > Seems odd to pay him to use a putter he would play anyway. I know he's switched a few times but always comes back. And it's not like he is super marketable...so I doubt you'll see him in ads and stuff. Good for him but just seems like an unusual move for Callaway/Odyssey.

>

> Not if they get that Odyssey logo on him - ESPECIALLY if it's on a Titleist hat. My guess is he'll have the logo on a sleeve or something.

 

Stricker hasn't worn a Titleist hat for quite some time.

[Loki]

> @sandtrap said:

> 3 days ago, US Senior Open

Card said US Open. Sorry, it's not the same, he's confused.

[TheMoneyShot]

> @grm24 said:

> Intesesting twist to his deal with Odyssey.

>

> https://www.golf.com/gear/putters/2019/07/02/steve-stricker-putter-deal-odyssey-golf/

>

> _The deal makes Stricker an Odyssey staff professional when he’s on the Champions Tour, meaning the putter manufacturer will be able to use his name and likeness when he wins. The current agreement does not, however, extend to the PGA Tour, where Stricker continues to play a reduced schedule._

 

Now that’s an interesting clause to the contract..

[storm319]

> @shanx said:

> Wasn't he rolling the old school TriForce? I have one somewhere, really good concept, ball rolls really true with those..

 

He’s been gaming a plain old White Hot #2 for 15+ years with exception to a few short term switches to various Scotty Cameron and other Odyssey models. This deal is merely a formality so that Odyssey can officially market with his name when he wins on the Champions Tour. Doubtful that this relationship will amount in anything other than marketing press releases.