Sergio Garcia and TaylorMade Surprise Golfers at Bethpage

[Tony Covey MGS]

It's reasonable to say that Sergio Garcia hasn't always been the most popular PGA Tour player to ever step foot on the famed Black course at New York's Bethpage state park. He's been heckled mercilessly basically every time he steps foot on the course, and that includes two US Open appearances (2002 and 2009), but thanks to a cool little TaylorMade promotion, Garcia could find his name rising up the popularity list.

 

 

The short of it is that Garcia walked on to the driving range just like you or I would. As word spread and a crowd gathered he hit a few balls (again, probably just like you or I would), before grabbing a megaphone and announcing that everyone present was about to get fit for a new SLDR Driver.

 

But wait...there's more.

 

TaylorMade also provided a true PGA Tour experience on the first tee (which probably helped give the golfers a sense of what Sergio faces). Golfers were greeted by a gallery, cameras, quiet signs, and even a starter who announced them on the first tee.

 

 

Cool (though disappointing from my media guy perspective), this wasn't your average TaylorMade dog and pony show. Rather than put on a media spectacle, TaylorMade wanted to make this unannounced event a bit more organic. I'm told there weren't any media invites for this one, and that (in addition to the obvious marketing aspect) the goal was to provide a memorable and genuine experience for the golfers fortunate to be in attendance.

 

 

Just a casual FYI for those who keep track of such things, the SLDR remains the current flagship driver in the TaylorMade line, and despite being on the market for 9 months now, pricing has held at $399 since launch.

 

 

[jpcgolf]

I wish I was there.  That sounds like a very nice, fun event.  I notice that everyone was getting fitted for the sldr S, and isn't that head a little different from the SLDR.  Doesn't it have a higher spinning head?  I was just wondering why I did not see any of the 'original' SLDRs in that video.

[JohnBarry]

Very, very awesome, Taylor made making some strides in marketing I actually like? Not the "bad guys" of golf anymore?

[gunmetal]

Love Sergio.  Glad to see him in the doing a solid with the public.

[ANGRYGOLFHULK]

An amazing experience for those people I'm sure.

[JohnBarry]

Never been a huge fan of Sergio and his mannerisms but he has seemed to make huge strides the last few years.