2020 Equipment Free Agency

[lc1342]

Some of you care and some of you don’t care. Thought I would start the discussion for January 1, 2020. Most already know that Dufner signed with Cobra. Here’s the link:

 

https://www.golf.com/gear/pros-bags/2019/11/12/jason-dufner-signs-cobra-clubs-rickie-bryson/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

 

[capking]

Who else is up?

[lc1342]

Only guys that I know of for sure are Koepka, Fleetwood and Scottie Scheffler. Have been playing mixed bags since Nike closed shop. I’m sure there are quite a few more.

 

I’d be curious to know what free agents get signed for and what their bonuses are. Never hear of things like this unless it’s a big name.

[naromgerg]

I feel like Koepka and Fleetwood like being able to adjust their bags and play the clubs they want to play or that work for them. Both of those guys probably don't need to be staff players because their contract from Nike is, presumably, big enough. Fleetwood had a great showing at The Open with his mixed bag, and you know how Koepka has done. I also feel it makes it a little more interesting when they aren't staffed by a particular company to see what clubs the players would play given free choice.

[MidwestGolfBum]

> @naromgerg said:

> I feel like Koepka and Fleetwood like being able to adjust their bags and play the clubs they want to play or that work for them. Both of those guys probably don't need to be staff players because their contract from Nike is, presumably, big enough. Fleetwood had a great showing at The Open with his mixed bag, and you know how Koepka has done. I also feel it makes it a little more interesting when they aren't staffed by a particular company to see what clubs the players would play given free choice.

 

From what I remember, the Nike guys were going to have their contracts paid out until they either reached the end of the current deal or signed with a new company. If that really is the case, playing whatever you want to, while still getting paid like you had a bag deal makes perfect sense to me. It's not like any of the guys out there can't go to a trailer and have club work done for them, especially when you're a name like Brooks or Tommy.

[Lacey Underall]

Wish I knew how to find out who the free agents were cuz I luv these kinds of threads. No clue where to get that info.

[freeze16172002]

I know that Ryan Palmer was paid a million a year to have the star on his bag. A club contract has to be in the millions per even for a average tour pro

[dalehead]

> @freeze16172002 said:

> I know that Ryan Palmer was paid a million a year to have the star on his bag. A club contract has to be in the millions per even for a average tour pro

 

Don’t have any inside knowledge but I doubt the average tour pro has a club contract in the millions. It just doesn’t add up. Take Callaway Golf. How many pros do they have contracts with? Let’s just consider their top 50 guys and say they average on the low end of “millions per”, two million per year. That’s $100 million. Callaway’s annual sales are about $1.2 billion. That would mean those contracts take 9% of their total sales. Maybe the top guys like Phil, Sergio, Xander get multi millions but I’m thinking it falls off steeply as you go gown the list.

[pcs11]

The free agents have the most interesting WITBs - so I hope they all stay free agents haha.

[tungstenplug]

Most of the contracts are between 200k - 400k per year, with the top guys making more than that and even into 7 figures. Obviously the top of the top players are making beyond that, as they should. Ryan Palmer making $1 million is very surprising to me, but if you know this to be true than I believe you

[mocokid]

There's an article about Jason Dufner on the home page, just signed with Cobra.

[dalehead]

> @pcs11 said:

> The free agents have the most interesting WITBs - so I hope they all stay free agents haha.

 

I know. There’s nothing more boring than a WITB from a TM, Cally, Titleist player. No surprises.

 

 

[sdandrea]

I got a different deal than Dufner...................I had to pay for my Cobra bag (and clubs). ;)

[lc1342]

Reavie, Kokrak and Dahmen signed with PXG.

[bmac27]

Anyone have anything as pending, equipment clothing, etc. Would also be interesting to get a full list of who had their contracts expire.

[Holy Moses]

I believe Jonathan Wall compiles a list, but it might be a bit early for it now

[Jigga]

My things have changed—a few years ago there would be a thread that wold be 20 pages deep by now. It was golf’s version of the Hot Stove League.

[grm24]

Kokrak was gaming PXG in 2019.

[lc1342]

Yes. I don’t believe he was paid to play the clubs though or at least under contract.

[Holy Moses]

Maybe we are just between big equipment free agency years, but I still don't think the money is going to be like what it was 5-10 years ago for the foreseeable future unless you are big-name player

[J13]

All new signings or at least big signings will be know by end of month. Sometimes OEM"s wait for the PGA Show to unveil stuff. Either way I don't think there are any big changes this year. Just a bunch of "B" level players.

[tacklingdummy]

Not sure about the star endorsement, however, here is a podcast of Ryan Palmer in 2018. At that time, he didn't have a club contract, but talks a lot about free agency and club contracts in the podcast. Very interesting to hear the insider info from a veteran PGA tour player.

[grm24]

Makes you wonder. He was wearing a PXG branded hat last season. That is prime space for a pro golfer for endorsement money. I can't see him doing that for free. PXG used his name on Twitter posts last season when he played well.

[lc1342]

I thought it was odd as well but they never had him on their website. Now they announce it to the public? It’s odd.

[lc1342]

Did a little digging. I remember Sabbantini wearing a PXG hat and not being compensated. Maybe that’s what Kokrak was doing as well. Played well and now they want to use his name?

https://mobile.twitter.com/jonathanrwall/status/1083506173016457216?lang=en

[grm24]

Great find. Here is a tweet from last summer where PXG congratulated Kokrak on his play and for using their irons. Rare for a touring pro these days to allow the use of their name by a company for promotion without being compensated for it. PXG and Kokrak must have had some agreement.

[lc1342]

Really odd. But I guess so. Something was agreed to.

[iBanesto]

Mark Crossfield to Srixon/Cleveland.

[sk33tr]

Read that non-staff players can get upwards of $100K from an OEM if they use their name. I'm sure he got paid. The article was about how much $$$ Brooks left on the table after his wins.

[tiderider]

i haven't made my decision yet ... i will update the board as needed ... thanks for all your wishes on the upcoming season ...