Poulter leaving Cobra, Big Deal or No Big Deal?

[RoverRick]

Poulter is leaving Cobra.  Do you care?  Where do you think he will be a good fit?

 

 

http://www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/news-and-events/equipment-news/2014/october/ian-poulter-leaves-cobra-puma/

 

 

 

[RoverRick]

I personally do not see this as a big deal.  Cobra is Puma/Cobra and he has his own line of clothing.  Since this is the case, I would think he is a bigger catch for a club only OEM.  That means TMag, Nike, Cobra/Puma should all give him a pass.

 

This opens the door for Titleist, Ping, and Mizuno or even Cleveland (do they still make clubs?) or even Bridgestone.

 

He plays the Titleist ball so it will be a bigger deal to switch that also.

 

I see this as a huge gain for a club and ball only like Bridgestone or Cleveland/Srixon.

[JBones]

No big deal, he's a pompous a$$.  He's one of those guys that their mouth way exceeded their ability.

[Mr_Theoo]

No big deal, he's a pompous a$$. He's one of those guys that their mouth way exceeded their ability.

Agreed, outside of the Ryder Cup he hasn't done anything

[The Dansome]

Agreed, outside of the Ryder Cup he hasn't done anything

 

This is true

[Maverickping]

I think it depends on what a company is looking for with him. He does have some cache for a variety of things inside and outside of the Tour. I could see him with TM. Sergio has the same kind of love , hate thing with people and the two of them could be a good marketing play for TM. We shall see.

[Aotearoa_Brad]

I would think that TM would want him playing their ball. Doesn't sound like that will happen - he's already filmed an advertisement for the 2015 ProV1 which hasn't played yet. My guess would be a full Titleist deal, but who knows. I don't think its a major loss - he has the attitude of a loner, and seems pretty self-serving.

[Hula Rock]

Srixon..... would be my guess.

[RoverRick]

I would think that TM would want him playing their ball. Doesn't sound like that will happen - he's already filmed an advertisement for the 2015 ProV1 which hasn't played yet. My guess would be a full Titleist deal, but who knows. I don't think its a major loss - he has the attitude of a loner, and seems pretty self-serving.

 

I would think that could cost him money to change sponsors after he filmed and ad.  He might get a court date along side Rory and GMac.

[markb]

I think he probably wanted a much bigger deal than Cobra was willing to give.   Poulter probably perceives that he moves the dial more than he did before, what with his RC success and his high social media presence.   This is true, but he is aging and Cobra/Puma skews super young.   They want the youngest rising stars they can find.  I don't know that Poulter will get big money from anyone.   Maybe a Japanese company looking to increase its presence worldwide.   Bridgestone/XXIO.   He'll probably keep Titleist and return to Foot Joy, I think.

[ZenGolfer]

No big loss.  Other than Ryder/Presidents Cup play, he's never really won anything.

[Kenny B]

I think it might be a good move for Cobra.  Depends on the replacement, but a good young player would fit their image.

[BK in TEXAS]

No big deal....he's not on my favorites list though so I don't pay much attention to him.  I'd venture to guess he's more popular over in Europe.

[furu]

My impression is that he's not a big name in continental Europe and the Nordic countries. Blixt and Fowler are Cobra Puma here.

 

Maybe Callaway because he's definitely a bigger name in the UK.

 

Wilson needs a new name. Lawrie, Harrington, Wall, Hartø isn't really working out for them. 

 

It's a bit harsh to say that he's done nothing other than Ryder Cup. 12 victories on the European Tour. Some big tournaments. But last win was 2-3 years ago, I think.

[BIG STU]

I am going to throw my hat into the ring on this and I may be very well in left field maybe into the parking lot. I think first off he may go with someone like Fourteen Golf on the irons etc with maybe his bag bearing his company design logo or maybe a JDM company.

[ZenGolfer]

It's a bit harsh to say that he's done nothing other than Ryder Cup. 12 victories on the European Tour. Some big tournaments. But last win was 2-3 years ago, I think.

Hows his record in majors?  At the end of the day, thats all that matters.

[westy]

Well yes badger he's not won a major - but then again plenty of players have never won a major. i doubt he will win a major.

 

I can't say I'm a big fan of poults he's a bit loud for my liking - but is he any more so than a Pat Reed or in fact plenty of other players from any country?

 

Poults has made a good living despite having fewer weapons then many of the top players. I can think of players who've won very little who seem to be lauded. At least he's won 12 times on his home tour

 

My guess is that he and cobra/puma were never going to last, he's taking money away from them with his clothing line - Id guess clothing is more important to cobra/puma than clubs. Although happy to be corrected.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see him with loads of companies, he needs clubs, balls and shoes. So perhaps shoes and balls from titleist/footjoy - perhaps he goes the whole hog with Titleist but poults always like to be left field so frankly all bets are off.

[furu]

Hows his record in majors?  At the end of the day, thats all that matters.

 

Must admit that I had to look it up  

 

2012 was a pretty good year. Masters - 7, The Open - 9, PGA - 3. He's also got a handful top 10 finishes.

 

Europeans tend to look at it differently. Majors are important but not everything. It doesn't define a player. Greatness can be achieved in other ways, at least in some parts of the world. We don't say "who the f'''' is Monty" just because he didn't win a major.

 

If you only read headlines and never care about a players general performance in tournaments, personality, sportsmanship and achievements of the course - then yes, majors is the thing for you. 

 

I'm not saying that Poulter = greatness

[westy]

Yes just looked it up myself! I'd say your pretty good if you've won 2 WGC events and been ranked as high as 5th in the world.

 

I have a feeling that he'll be remembered more than someone like Luke Donald, unless Luke finds his game again and wins that major.

 

In an aside I have both Puma and IJP clothing items - IJP is at least as good for me, quite possibly better. Often pair up IJP trousers with puma shirt.

[RoverRick]

It is so great to hear things from the European perspective.

[ZenGolfer]

Well yes badger he's not won a major - but then again plenty of players have never won a major. i doubt he will win a major.

 

I can't say I'm a big fan of poults he's a bit loud for my liking - but is he any more so than a Pat Reed or in fact plenty of other players from any country?

 

Poults has made a good living despite having fewer weapons then many of the top players. I can think of players who've won very little who seem to be lauded. At least he's won 12 times on his home tour

 

My guess is that he and cobra/puma were never going to last, he's taking money away from them with his clothing line - Id guess clothing is more important to cobra/puma than clubs. Although happy to be corrected.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see him with loads of companies, he needs clubs, balls and shoes. So perhaps shoes and balls from titleist/footjoy - perhaps he goes the whole hog with Titleist but poults always like to be left field so frankly all bets are off.

I agree, he hasnt gotten as much love as others who have never won anything either but thats his fault.  When you run your mouth on social media like Poults does at times, you tend to rub people the wrong way.

I'll give him this: Poulter is a killer in match play.  I dont know if its playing for national pride or its just something else about match play that brings out the best in him but Poults is amazing in match play.

I also kind of feel like Poulter doesnt fit in with the imagine that Cobra/Puma are going for.  They are very much a younger brand and lets be honest, he's kind of the weird, old guy next to their young stars like Lexi and Fowler.

[mbrodeur86]

He doesn't need a shoe sponsor since, I believe, he's already with Oakley. I see him, possibly with titleist (because of the golf ball connection). I put that him leaving was a big deal to Cobra simply because he was their face for many years but with Rickie and even Lexi Thompson coming in, Cobra will be better off. 

[t5timesb]

This is a pure guess, but I am guessing he goes back to Titleist.

[finalist]

I say Yonex. I'd like to see him just fade away.

[The Dansome]

Seriously pleased to announce I will be a full staff @Titleist @FootJoy staff player for 2015 season. So excited. pic.twitter.com/baeNv7NrhL

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) October 21, 2014

[Aotearoa_Brad]

makes sense - good looking bag, and I bet he got a nice pay rise from Titleist/Footjoy - gotta pay for that ridiculously awesome garage he has!

[westy]

He could run amok with the myjoys couldn't he!

[RoverRick]

 

 

Thanks, That is a good looking bag.  I like Titleist.

[fozcycle]

Poulter just announced that He's all in for Titleist & Footjoy for 2015

[GolfSpy Dave]

I say Yonex. I'd like to see him just fade away.

I think that he will fade away at Titleist as well.

 

Seems like a strange fit unless he is toning down his style to fit the more classic Titleist/Footjoy palate.

Although, there are a lot of "Puma Colors" in the new Footjoy shoe lines...