Tour players' equipment endorsement

I was watching the Australian PGA last night and seeing so many players on the leaderboard using Titleist clubs, it got me thinking about something... do the players go seek contracts with equipment that they want to use or does the manufacturer go after the player (in this case, does the player need to make the equipment work for him no matter what?)?

A few other cases which made me think, why did the player switch equipment? e.g. Els to Callaway - clearly he's not getting the same result as when he was using Titleist. Ok, many other factors here... injury, personal matter with his kid... but he's through that now, right? Should be able to focus on his golf, but his game is no where near the same standard when he was challenging at almost every other tournament.

Care to discuss?

$$$

Agree, just $$$. only exception is Ryan Moore on US PGA tour... he did not renew his Ping equip contract, played 2009 seaon on clubs that he like... but I think for 2010 season, he will be contracted to Scratch Golf equip...

Its all about $$$$$....tats why I try to remind myself that the equipment that the pro uses are because they are good....and their talent and investment in training is not similar to mine which is the opposite of theirs...no talent and no training....

Just like Mr. Woods, does not matter whether he play Dymo or R9 driver...as long fitted properly...he still can hit......

botak wrote:

I was watching the Australian PGA last night and seeing so many players on the leaderboard using Titleist clubs, it got me thinking about something... do the players go seek contracts with equipment that they want to use or does the manufacturer go after the player (in this case, does the player need to make the equipment work for him no matter what?)?

A few other cases which made me think, why did the player switch equipment? e.g. Els to Callaway - clearly he's not getting the same result as when he was using Titleist. Ok, many other factors here... injury, personal matter with his kid... but he's through that now, right? Should be able to focus on his golf, but his game is no where near the same standard when he was challenging at almost every other tournament.

Care to discuss?

Most players on the Aussie tour that use Titleist do not receive any money, in fact some only receive free balls, gloves, shoes, hats, not hardware. Most will use Titleist because of performance. I was with Titleist when in Oz and this was the case. Obviously your Adam Scott type players will be paid but your lower level pros, not the case. I now use Callaway as my brother works for them and I get it at next to nothing price. I do not like Callaway and am going to change to Titleist or Mizuno even if it means having to pay. Interesting how Els, Appleby have done nothing since going to Callaway. Mickelson on the other hand, obviously likes the stuff.
So I think most go to a brand for the $$$. Those guys are that good, they could play with a set of Slazengers as long as the specs are set up for them. I really hate the Callaway ball as well. Prov all the way.

Paul, r u using X-22 tours?

The Tour Authentic X Prototype irons are pretty sweet! It was a toss up between that set, Muira Forged blades or the Mizunos.

I went with the cheapest with everything in.

S70B wrote:

Paul, r u using X-22 tours?

The Tour Authentic X Prototype irons are pretty sweet! It was a toss up between that set, Muira Forged blades or the Mizunos.

I went with the cheapest with everything in.

Hey Rex
I use the X 20 Tours. Before that I had the X forged which I like alot more. As I am not practising and playing much theses days I thought a little more forgiveness would be a better option. The best irons I used were the Titlesit 990's when they first came out. I am leaning towards the Mizzies for my next set

As far as I know with most guys with titleist on the Asian tour, they do not get paid but do get bonus for finishing top 10 in the order of merit or winning an event. However most pros choose to use their equipment because they have the best stuff you can find out there and golf ball wise, why wouldn't you want to use a titleist?