Taylormade Staffers

[TheClaw]

Do TM staffers have it written into the contract that they have to change their equipment as its released?

Noticed a lot of players switching from R1 to SLDR...and Sergio using the new Ghost Tour putter.

Can it be that they are better clubs? Do players not get used to clubs and stick with them these days? Or is it so easy to fit new clubs to players preferences that it all doesn't really matter?

 

[Foxholer]

In the case of Drivers....

I doubt they are.

But they'll have been testing it for a few weeks or more and will certainly be encouraged to use them.
I have heard of Staffers continuing to use 1 particular style head until there is no stock left!

For Putters....

Almost certainly won't be contracted, on paper, at all - as it's such an important club. There'll probably be some 'try ours first' wording though.

Sergio has been very faithful to TM, having tried virtually every putter they have. But if he was contracted to them for a putter, I reckon both parties would be happy to lose that club from the contract! Though he's putting particularly well this week - and has been since going 'Claw'.

For other brands
Tiger has finally gone completely Nike, but that will almost certainly have been negotiated after his fling! Rory still uses a Scotty.

 

[Ethan]

TM likes to have 14 club contracts with staffers, and generally does. They don't contract players to switch up, but they do persuade them quite hard, and take them to their ultra luxurious fitting facilities and get their NASA scientists to fuss over them until they get a spec they like. Then they paint the shaft in TM colours so Joe Public thinks it is one they can buy in their pro shop. Which it often isn't.

Some other manufacturers, for example Mizuno, only have 10 club deals, really to cover the irons and wedges. So their staffers may or may not play Mizuno woods and putters. Luke Donald, for example, gets a hefty sum from Taylor Made to play their driver. Chris Wood, another Mizuno staffer, does play their woods.

 

[Holey]

Luke Donald, for example, gets a hefty sum from Taylor Made to play their driver.

But he does have Mizuno headcovers on his TM driver and 3 wood... sneaky Mizuno

 

[Ethan]

But he does have Mizuno headcovers on his TM driver and 3 wood... sneaky Mizuno

That is what they all do. Players almost always use their staff head covers, but surely nobody really thinks Luke plays a Mizuno driver?

 

[Allanxyz]

but surely nobody really thinks Luke plays a Mizuno driver?

Why not, as you say Chris Wood plays a Mizuno driver (although he plays a G25 3 wood I think). Ok, when he takes the headcover off and it's white then of course nobody is thinking that's Mizuno... but the figures between a Mizuno driver and TM probably aren't much different...just the amount they are paying you to use it.

 

[Rooter]

They have not asked me to upgrade to the SLDR yet...

 

[CMAC]

They have not asked me to upgrade to the SLDR yet...

they asked me :ears: Awkward!

 

[Ethan]

Why not, as you say Chris Wood plays a Mizuno driver (although he plays a G25 3 wood I think). Ok, when he takes the headcover off and it's white then of course nobody is thinking that's Mizuno... but the figures between a Mizuno driver and TM probably aren't much different...just the amount they are paying you to use it.

The white thing is a bit of clue indeed.

Funny also that the SLDR has a silver streak on it that is rather visible on TV too. Those TM guys don't miss a trick.

 

[Rooter]

they asked me :ears: Awkward!

LOL brilliant! thats only because Jess has a soft spot for you! oo eeer!