2020 Equipment Free Agency

[tiderider]

watched his video last night ... surprised he changed putters, though i guess that's part of the deal for a simple coach/media person ...

[J13]

hahaha

[DukeOfChinoHills]

I said this on YouTube last night and I'll say it here too. I think Mark Crossfield is a smart guy and he's come a long way from his old videos at the driving range. He figured out a way to get paid, and I'm glad for him. But it's hard to watch his videos now KNOWING that he's shilling for one specific company. I'm a Titleist homer, so I was thrilled when he was with them and had access to their pros. Now the shoe is on the other foot, and although I've played Cleveland clubs in the past (Launcher driver and hybrids) I don't care anymore. Mark doesn't make "club review" vids anymore, he makes commercials. Rant over.

[GoGoErky]

So because he was schilling for a brand you like all was good and now that he has anew sponsor and nothing is going to change about what he does it’s not good and it’s hard to watch. That’s some good logic there

[Golfingfanatic]

His reviews were not bad when he was with Titleist and I am sure they'll stay the same going forward.

[tbowles411]

Actually I've come to like his reviews. He's not on the level of TXG (Then again who is), but he's fair without being showy.

[JonnyKrasnodar]

He's consistent and always tries to constructively challenge the ignorance of the wider golfing public and the nonsense the marketing departments trot out. Yes, he gets way too defensive and can spit the dummy out of the pram (HSBC, Taylormade) but other reviewers for the most part say nothing of consequence and get lost in the "tech."

It pushes the boundaries a bit for Srixon and it is incredible exposure for them considering not all stores carry their products.

[tbowles411]

They're the best selling brand in our store after PING and Titleist. Their irons are outstanding.

[Zac1321]

i have no proof or inside knowledge but my guess is for all endorsements (not just clubs/equipment) only a small amount is guaranteed and the rest of the deal is variable ("bonuses") depending on tournaments played/Finish position etc as that is going to equate to more exposure for that brand in media. The top top tier guys might be the exception to this

[gunmetal]

Couldn't disagree more. He consistently calls it like it is. Essentially "Yeah the numbers are great, so it boils down to whether or not you like the looks and sound, then just get fit." That's what he says for Titleist, Callaway, point, Mizuno, everyone. And it's true. Everyone's making incredible stuff these days. Most other reviewers are trying so hard these days to validate tech claims that don't amount to anything tangible. TXG comes to mind. Perry funny actually.

[gunmetal]

18 years ago when I was working towards an MBA I had an accounting class and had to do a company financial portfolio comparison. I compared Adams and Callaway. At that time Callaway was spending right around 190MM in player contracts. They listed it under R&D which I thought was funny but justified it by saying that the pros gave them product feedback, etc. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they're paying their staff North of 200mm these days. Their sales dwarfed Adams in 2001, but I chose the comparison because Adams was not paying anybody to use their clubs. The same is probably true today if you compared Callaway with Tour Edge.

[tiderider]

i haven't followed him that much and generally watch the course vlogs, but he did really like srixon irons when he did the blade comparison video ... have no idea when that video was made, though ...

[doctormizuno]

A previous poster stated that, he thought he remember reading that Nike was going to pay players

thru the end of their contracts or until they signed a new one. I thought the reason for that was they

could keep those players dressed Nike from head to toe.

[OldTomMorris]

Charl Schwartzel appears to be gone from the PXG site. Any news on his equipment status?

[DON SVO]

He was photographed recently playing some ported Miura irons. Not saying he's Miura staff, but he was definitely no longer bagging PXG.

[GoGoErky]

Does he ever stay with a bag for more than a few seasons

[ecfritts]

Not to get too far off topic...I like his videos, especially his course Vlogs. I like that they are just "normal" guys out goofing off and playing nice golf courses. I also like they don't drive it 350 and hit their 8 irons 200 yards, I can kind of relate. He does get a bit moody sometimes but don't we all when we are playing bad?

His reviews are pretty good as well. He never says this club is 30 yards longer than club X. Most clubs are well made these days. Pick something that looks good to you, get fit for loft and lie and shaft and you will be good. They just seem like normal guys-not perfect but I like watching them goof off. Just my .02 cents.

[JonnyKrasnodar]

They're excellent. Just extremely difficult to get properly fit for is all given a lot of stores and pro shops don't carry them.

[tbowles411]

We see that a lot with most brands, not even Srixon specifically. Not only with the fit, but also the build. Every brand has their quirks, but we don't seem to have any issue fitting and building anything.

[BB28403]

Not PGA

but Mark Crossfield left Titleist and went to Cleveland/Srixon/Xxio/ASICS shoes for a 2 year deal.

which IMO his viewership can more afford those products than the Titleist ones. As it is kind of a comparison of $2k+ Fit bags with Titleist versus $1k+ fit bags with Cleveland.

[Langlands]

Eddie Pepperell posted on Twitter today that he has signed with Ping, having been a Mizuno staff player for the last few years.

[capking]

Interesting is Mizuno down to Luke Donald and Keith Mitchell now? Paid players anyways

[zonadub]

Lucas Glover, Chris Kirk and Oliver Fisher are still on their website too...

 

[GC70]

I wish all Pros were free agents with no club deals. The WITB threads would be great!

[MaineMariner]

Eddie Pepperell is also a loss for Bettinardi. His bag has a PLD mallet in it now.

[TimK1]

I always wonder why these companies pay anybody to use their stuff? Does it really influence what we play? Does it influence what you play? Do you go and try an iron or wood based on seeing a tour pro use them?

I have Hogan PTX pro irons. I love them and wouldn't consider changing. They are not a main stream company anymore. I was shocked at how much I liked them. I'll admit though, that before I pulled the trigger, it almost influenced me not to buy them because nobody uses them that I know of. I actually have all Hogan equipment now except for my wedges and Hybred. Price was a big issue for me also. I just have a hard time paying 1000 dollars or more for a set of irons. I don't make money playing golf. The pros are not buying there equipment. We are.

Before the Hogan's, I had Mizuno MP 14's for 23 years.

I do find it interesting what these guys play but does it influence what you play? It's fine if it does but be honest. I almost did me.

I'm a 2 handicap but nowhere near the level that even a good mini tour player is. I play with a few guys that played mini tours and they shoot 64 on my home course. I can par it but that's about it.

Do you think equipment is that important on a basic Am. Level?

[capking]

I think it adds a bit to watching if you have the same stuff. But having a tour player having new equipment is like 11th on the list of how I justify buying new clubs in my head haha.

[TimK1]

It must influence most people, otherwise, I don't think they would do it.

[zonadub]

Maybe not so much in choosing what to play as much as what not to play. If tour players use the brand, it gives credence to their quality.

Even though Tiger and Rory played Nike, along with other tour pros, they were not enough to keep Nike in the club business. Mizuno (with limited presence), Tour Edge (many years without tour players) and the new Ben Hogan companies will be the exceptions (if Hogan can stay in business).

Funny thing (to me) is that PXG claims to not pay the players “that much”. Maybe that’s why they seem to be gravitating to the LPGA (other than Parsons seems to like female endorsers like Danica Patrick and Paige Spiranac).

[BIG STU]

Well to answer your question to the average Joe player it is----- Most of the golfing public is not as educated and in tune with the game as folks who come on here and other golf sites