Rory Going Full TaylorMade?

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

That's the rumor, as reported by Geoff Shackelford...

 

http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2017/5/8/rory-teases-new-driver-on-verge-of-announcing-mega-taylormad.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

 

Uhhh, this is kind of a big deal...

 

 

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[null]

Would be huge. Especially if it's truly full bag (wedges, irons, putter and ball in addition to woods).

[Golfspy_CG2]

I think this is huge.  The number TaylorMade hats on TV on Sunday's is increasing rapidly.   I'm really curious to see what finally happens with the sale, when and if it does. 

[ole gray]

It appears Rory follows Tiger in the equipment department.

[Shankster]

I see a Nike/TM Colab soon. Call me nuts, but Nike exiting and TM up for sale just seems like a perfect fit. I am most likely wrong, probably as far from right as you can get. But it would be cool.

 

 

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[null]

I see a Nike/TM Colab soon. Call me nuts, but Nike exiting and TM up for sale just seems like a perfect fit. I am most likely wrong, probably as far from right as you can get. But it would be cool.

 

 

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Nah - Nike couldn't get out of the hard goods space fast enough.  They'll continue to do soft goods and be indifferent to what their footware/apparel guys have in their bags

[Canucklehead]

I see a Nike/TM Colab soon. Call me nuts, but Nike exiting and TM up for sale just seems like a perfect fit. I am most likely wrong, probably as far from right as you can get. But it would be cool.

 

 

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I think a TM/Adidas divorce will have to happen before that happens

 

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[Tony Covey MGS]

It's happening, and it's happening in no small part because TaylorMade is willing to pay him, what I'm hearing is an obscene amount of money to play TaylorMade. Prepare yourself for the Tiger story all over again (once he hit our clubs he knew there was no other option). Just as was the case in January, that line is total BS. OEM tour spend is on the decline, and only TM is still willing to recklessly toss money at top talent. Even PXG does some common sense cost/benefit analysis.

 

The reality is that TM is losing market share to Callaway in their key category (metal woods), and with Epic a retail juggernaut there's not much evidence to suggest the trend is going to reverse itself anytime soon. And keep in mind that in 2016, Callaway over took and then opened up a sizeable lead in the iron category as well (on top of having the #3 wedge, #2 ball, and now #1 putter). None of this is good news for a company facing a day of reckoning under new ownership.

 

It's desperation more than anything. What does Rory give them that they don't already have? They already have 100% of the tour validation they need. Worth mentioning, TaylorMade and Titleist are the most heavily invested in the tour in their respective key categories (Titleist/ball, TaylorMade/Drivers), both are loosing share. Apparently, TM thinks more tour is the solution. I'm willing to bet it isn't.

My thoughts, other than the millions they're going to pay him, they don't lose anything by signing Rory, but the pyramid of influence and the market as a whole has changed, so it's not going to get the much in the way of sales either.

[Philly Golf Guy]

Didn't Rory say though that at this point, money is a secondary consideration and he's more interested in using equipment that puts him in the best position to win?

 

Obviously the pros can play well with any equipment, so some may say they simply follow the money when signing with an OEM, but these guys also seem to know they need any advantage possible with the competition doing the same, so wouldn't they select equipment they feel gives them that edge?

 

Is it possible Rory simply didn't like any other brand better than TM and signed based on his preference for their equipment?

[null]

Didn't Rory say though that at this point, money is a secondary consideration and he's more interested in using equipment that puts him in the best position to win?

 

Obviously the pros can play well with any equipment, so some may say they simply follow the money when signing with an OEM, but these guys also seem to know they need any advantage possible with the competition doing the same, so wouldn't they select equipment they feel gives them that edge?

 

Is it possible Rory simply didn't like any other brand better than TM and signed based on his preference for their equipment?

 

And it's not like TM was the only company courting him - hell, Callaway made him custom prototype irons

[Tony Covey MGS]

And it's not like TM was the only company courting him - hell, Callaway made him custom prototype irons

 

True, but Callaway and nearly everybody else takes a much more pragmatic approach to the tour. Whether it's Rory, Tiger, or pick a name out of a hat, I'm guessing they have a reasonable number they won't exceed, and I'm sure it's far below what TM was willing to offer.

 

So let's look at this a couple of different ways...if we believe that the TaylorMade choice was born out of performance and not the extra money, why doesn't nearly every other tour player forgo contracts to bag TM driver. Granted...that's tough to conceptualize given how many guys TaylorMade pays to play their drivers, but there are plenty of guys who win with other stuff. Hell...Rory won with Titleist, and then he won with Nike. I'm guessing he's pragmatic enough to believe he'll win with anything, so why not maximize the payout?

 

So I let me ask it this way... Rory made about 5.5 million on the PGA Tour last year. Try and put yourself in Rory's shoes...what kind of guaranteed contract money does it take for you to say 'close enough' on performance and take the money? 

 

My guess is your number is lower than then really solid ballpark estimate I have on actual number.

[null]

Oh it wouldn't surprise me if the equipment deal is 8 figures. Not at all.

 

And I agree that TMaG can't sign him and think that this will cure their piss poor approach to marketing.

[Golfspy_CG2]

I'd guess 25 Million over 5 years. . May be way off, but I don't think it's impossoble.

[Shankster]

I play mostly all TM products. But I bought them before I had a clue who their staffers were. I took an extended golf break. But I remembered Ernie Els playing Taylormade which made my dad buy a set for himself. The Burner Bubbles, probably the best clubs TM ever made. So I followed suit and hung the Titleists up for my TM gear. R1 this, Mini Driver that, PSI, rbz, 750... what ever it is they Mass produce the crap out of their clubs more than any brand that I am aware of. So their stuff sits on shelves for a bit. They need to hire s new marketing and sales team. It's slowed down a bit, but man. I'm telling you, "irons week" was a perfect time to launch some gear. Hyped it all up with a dud ending. I'm available TM if you need me. I'll take half of whatever you pay your least paid staffer.

 

 

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[Brjpool]

I think Taylormade is just going to continue to have to raise prices to keep posting pros. If Rory really thinks that TM is his best equipment great, good for him. If it's just money I wouldn't do it

 

 

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[Miboy62]

TaylorMade seems to be in the mind set, wins on Sunday equals sales on Monday.

TaylorMade's building up their stable to show any potential buyers. Look who you have under contract already.

 

Just my thoughts.

[Shankster]

Show me the TM Rory Blades. I'm waiting TMag. And waiting. And so is DJ. Upgrade the mans set for goodness sake. You're out there competing as the #1 in the world with 4 year old blades in the bag, not good for "sales". Slap some new paint or something on them, pull an apple and do a S upgrade. Something other than those Jetson's things you have out now.

 

 

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[MDGolfHacker]

Anybody know what DJ and Jason are getting? I'd say Rory is probably around the same + a million.

 

MDGolfHacker

[bkelley3769]

He just hit an iron 330 today.

 

 

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[bluesmandan76]

TaylorMade seems to be in the mind set, wins on Sunday equals sales on Monday.

TaylorMade's building up their stable to show any potential buyers. Look who you have under contract already.

 

Just my thoughts.

I've never heard the win on Sunday adage used for golf equipment. Appropriate, but it got a chuckle out of me.

 

 

 

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