Hovland to Ping and Wolff to TaylorMade

[StrokerAce]

Two of the most exciting golfers to come along in quite some time will be making their pro debut this week and both signed equipment deals.

Viktor Hovland with Ping and Matthew Wolff with TaylorMade.

These guys are going to be good real quick and I am looking forward to watching them.

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/viktor-hovland-matthew-wolff-turn-pro-at-travelers-championship-and-immediately-cash-in-with-equipment-deals

At the Travelers Championship, that has led to the professional debut—and equipment-deal signing—of two of the game’s top amateurs, Matthew Wolff and Viktor Hovland at TPC River Highlands.

Hovland, the low amateur at Pebble Beach last week, signed a multi-year deal with Ping to play a minimum of 11 clubs, including driver and putter, along with a Ping staff bag and logo on the hat. 

Wolff, meanwhile, joins perhaps the most high-powered tour staff in golf, signing a multi-year deal with TaylorMade, which counts Dustin Johnson, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Jason Day among its tour staff.

His deal with TaylorMade calls for him to play the company’s metalwoods, irons, wedges, putter and, eventually, golf ball. 

 

 

[StrokerAce]

Interesting that Wolff isn't playing the TM driver ... or at least the article didn't state that.  Wonder why?  Maybe he's trying the vertical groove ??  

[StrokerAce]

2 minutes ago, GolfSpy Stroker said:

Interesting that Wolff isn't playing the TM driver ... or at least the article didn't state that.  Wonder why?  Maybe he's trying the vertical groove ??  

Looks like he has the m6 in his bag... maybe that counts as a "metal wood"... I always thought that referred to non-driver woods.  Shows what I know.  

[gchester33]

Congrats to both of these guys on pocketing some money and free clubs. Hope they have some great success on tour.

[sixcat]

3 minutes ago, GolfSpy Stroker said:

Interesting that Wolff isn't playing the TM driver ... or at least the article didn't state that.  Wonder why?  Maybe he's trying the vertical groove ??  

Wolff had the M3 in the bag at the Waste(d) Management and currently has the M6 in the bag.  He's been playing TM drivers since high school.

[StrokerAce]

Just now, sixcat said:

Wolff had the M3 in the bag at the Waste(d) Management and currently has the M6 in the bag.  He's been playing TM drivers since high school.

Does TM classify a driver as a "metalwood" ??  Or maybe the author was just being lazy... seems like if they made a deal for him to play their driver it would have stated that along with the metalwoods (3/4/5/hybrid).  

His deal with TaylorMade calls for him to play the company’s metalwoods

[sixcat]

Just now, GolfSpy Stroker said:

Does TM classify a driver as a "metalwood" ??  Or maybe the author was just being lazy... seems like if they made a deal for him to play their driver it would have stated that along with the metalwoods (3/4/5/hybrid).  

His deal with TaylorMade calls for him to play the company’s metalwoods

I don't know the answer to that.  I based my response off the Global Golf Post piece when Wolff teed it up at the Waste(d) Management versus what is in his bag for the Travelers.

"Metalwood" does seem like an odd bit of wording considering TM want's everyone to believe they are the world leader in driver's.

[Berg Ryman]

Just now, GolfSpy Stroker said:

Does TM classify a driver as a "metalwood" ??  Or maybe the author was just being lazy... seems like if they made a deal for him to play their driver it would have stated that along with the metalwoods (3/4/5/hybrid).  

His deal with TaylorMade calls for him to play the company’s metalwoods

Knowing the business, it's more likely lazy writing than anything else.

Interestingly, Hovland is already pretty close. G410 Driver and Fairway, iBlades from 4-6, i210 from 7-pw. I'd assume he switches his driving iron from Callaway for a Crossover, switches his TM putter for a Ping since he has to, and then keeps his Vokey wedges.

[null]

Metalwoods is pretty common to describe all drivers/woods

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/pxgs-new-metalwoods-have-a-few-surprises-including-the-price

https://www.taylormadegolf.com/m-combination.html?lang=default

https://www.golf.com/gear/2019/01/07/mizuno-st190-st190g-metalwoods/

[StrokerAce]

1 minute ago, jlukes said:

Metalwoods is pretty common to describe all drivers/woods

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/pxgs-new-metalwoods-have-a-few-surprises-including-the-price

https://www.taylormadegolf.com/m-combination.html?lang=default

https://www.golf.com/gear/2019/01/07/mizuno-st190-st190g-metalwoods/

53 minutes ago, GolfSpy Stroker said:

 I always thought that referred to non-driver woods.  Shows what I know.  

[Shankster]

Knowing the business, it's more likely lazy writing than anything else.
Interestingly, Hovland is already pretty close. G410 Driver and Fairway, iBlades from 4-6, i210 from 7-pw. I'd assume he switches his driving iron from Callaway for a Crossover, switches his TM putter for a Ping since he has to, and then keeps his Vokey wedges.

Wait!!

He did the thing I said I would do with the i200’s! 4-6 iblade and 7-PW i210. I wasn’t crazy after all.

[RickyBobby_PR]

Matt Wolff’s witb

 

[Berg Ryman]

1 hour ago, Shankster said:

 

Wait!!

He did the thing I said I would do with the i200’s! 4-6 iblade and 7-PW i210. I wasn’t crazy after all.

 

Truly a man ahead of his time

[THEZIPR23]

2 hours ago, Shankster said:

 

Wait!!

He did the thing I said I would do with the i200’s! 4-6 iblade and 7-PW i210. I wasn’t crazy after all.

 

Not sure this removes the crazy tag, but it was a good idea. 

[mr.hicksta]

Good signings for Ping and TM and I certainly hope both of them have long, successful careers on tour. For Wolff, I hope he stays true to what he's succeeded with up to this point because I'm sure the naysayers will be out in droves. I absolutely love Hovland's attitude as well so hopefully he keeps that outlook over the grind of a PGA Tour season! 

[juspoole]

Surprised to see Hovland's deal included a switch to a different putter.  Putter and wedges are usually not something guy's like to change.

[mr.hicksta]

8 minutes ago, juspoole said:

Surprised to see Hovland's deal included a switch to a different putter.  Putter and wedges are usually not something guy's like to change.

I saw some article on Twitter saying he switched right before the US Open. It certainly seemed to work well for him despite the fact he faded in the later rounds!

[RickyBobby_PR]

32 minutes ago, juspoole said:

Surprised to see Hovland's deal included a switch to a different putter.  Putter and wedges are usually not something guy's like to change.

They did a full fitting session in his college town. Probably chose the one that worked best. Didn’t let him down this past week

[JohnSmalls]

On ‎6‎/‎19‎/‎2019 at 2:57 PM, Berg Ryman said:

iBlades from 4-6, i210 from 7-pw

 

On ‎6‎/‎19‎/‎2019 at 3:35 PM, Shankster said:

 

Wait!!

He did the thing I said I would do with the i200’s! 4-6 iblade and 7-PW i210. I wasn’t crazy after all.

 

This seems so backwards.  I'm honestly curious now.  Why?

[Shankster]

This seems so backwards.  I'm honestly curious now.  Why?

Not sure of his reasoning. I think I read it was because of the lower ball flight.

Mine was the offset in the i200’s in the 6-3 iron was a bit much.

It really is backwards. But hey, the kid is -3 right now, and had some amazing accomplishments in the collegiate level, low am at both the Masters and the US Open.

He’s on my watch list. I think he’ll be a force.

[MGoBlue100]

Knowing the business, it's more likely lazy writing than anything else.
Interestingly, Hovland is already pretty close. G410 Driver and Fairway, iBlades from 4-6, i210 from 7-pw. I'd assume he switches his driving iron from Callaway for a Crossover, switches his TM putter for a Ping since he has to, and then keeps his Vokey wedges.

I know guys love their Vokey’s, but the Ping wedges are


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[MGoBlue100]

Not sure of his reasoning. I think I read it was because of the lower ball flight.

Mine was the offset in the i200’s in the 6-3 iron was a bit much.

It really is backwards. But hey, the kid is -3 right now, and had some amazing accomplishments in the collegiate level, low am at both the Masters and the US Open.

He’s on my watch list. I think he’ll be a force.

Saw a quick interview w/ Hovland yesterday and he mentioned that for the time being he’s going to continue living in Stillwater. Wants some continuity; he’ll practice at OSU with his boys and hang when he’s not out on tour. I think it’s a great idea and will help him smooth the transition to being a pro.


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[sixcat]

25 minutes ago, MGoBlue100 said:

Saw a quick interview w/ Hovland yesterday and he mentioned that for the time being he’s going to continue living in Stillwater. Wants some continuity; he’ll practice at OSU with his boys and hang when he’s not out on tour. I think it’s a great idea and will help him smooth the transition to being a pro.


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It will provide him a certain sense of continuity living in familiar surroundings.  The only issue I see with him living in Stillwater would be travel to and from tournaments.  Stillwater is a 90 minute drive to the airport in OKC.  That would get old after a while.

Then again, if he wins a few tournaments, he can fly NetJets and this wouldn't be an issue at all.

[RickyBobby_PR]

7 minutes ago, sixcat said:

It will provide him a certain sense of continuity living in familiar surroundings.  The only issue I see with him living in Stillwater would be travel to and from tournaments.  Stillwater is a 90 minute drive to the airport in OKC.  That would get old after a while.

Then again, if he wins a few tournaments, he can fly NetJets and this wouldn't be an issue at all.

He probably won’t be back in Stillwater and then having to leave frequently enough for it to be a problem. Several weeks on tour, then home for a rest for a week or more and then back on tour. 

Theres also not much time left on tour so he may be on the road every week if possible to try and earn his card. 

[sixcat]

1 hour ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

He probably won’t be back in Stillwater and then having to leave frequently enough for it to be a problem. Several weeks on tour, then home for a rest for a week or more and then back on tour. 

Theres also not much time left on tour so he may be on the road every week if possible to try and earn his card. 

That's my point.  After being out on Tour for a month, sitting in traffic for 90 plus minutes after flying into OKC is going to get very old very fast.  I will add, someone I know quite well is a multiple Korn Ferry Tour winner and will have his PGA Tour card for a second time next season.  He tried living in Blacksburg, VA initially only to realize he needed to be closer to travel centers.  He is now living in Jacksonville, FL.  

I bring this up not as a "humble brag" but to offer evidence supporting my position.  It's been a topic of discussion on several occasions.

[RickyBobby_PR]

44 minutes ago, sixcat said:

That's my point.  After being out on Tour for a month, sitting in traffic for 90 plus minutes after flying into OKC is going to get very old very fast.  I will add, someone I know quite well is a multiple Korn Ferry Tour winner and will have his PGA Tour card for a second time next season.  He tried living in Blacksburg, VA initially only to realize he needed to be closer to travel centers.  He is now living in Jacksonville, FL.  

I bring this up not as a "humble brag" but to offer evidence supporting my position.  It's been a topic of discussion on several occasions.

It’s not like it’s not something he isn’t used to. Sometimes sacrifices in time are worth it for the right settings and environment. Being near friends, coach and familiar restaurants, etc for a week or more before next trip outweighs 90 mins in traffic. Each person is unique and deals with things in their own ways. 

[sixcat]

It’s not like it’s not something he isn’t used to. Sometimes sacrifices in time are worth it for the right settings and environment. Being near friends, coach and familiar restaurants, etc for a week or more before next trip outweighs 90 mins in traffic. Each person is unique and deals with things in their own ways. 

Very few Tour players live near their coach. Tiger lives in south Florida while Butch Harmon lives in Las Vegas and Hank Haney lives in Dallas. It’s a non-issue. Choosing to live somewhere for restaurants?!?!? Come on now, you’re trying too hard!

Taking this week as an example, a player living in Blacksburg finishes play in Connecticut. It takes 2 hours to gather, eat dinner and drive to the airport. Another 2 hours to get through security, board and taxi to the runway. Another 2 hours to fly to Charlotte. Another 2 hours to taxi to the hanger, gather baggage, and rent a car. And he still has a 3 hour drive to Blacksburg. A whole day of his only week off is wasted just trying to get home.

After spending a month on the road, it shouldn’t be a surprise he would want to eliminate as much of that travel as possible. Not much (short of NetJets) can be done to lower airport times. The drive is what is sacrificed.


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[Golfspy_CG2]

On 6/20/2019 at 4:03 PM, juspoole said:

Surprised to see Hovland's deal included a switch to a different putter.  Putter and wedges are usually not something guy's like to change.

I'm pretty sure PING's contract requires 13 clubs.  One of which must be putter. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 hour ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

I'm pretty sure PING's contract requires 13 clubs.  One of which must be putter. 

I read somewhere he signed a 10 or 11 club deal. Ping has kinda changed how they structure contracts lately 

[Golfspy_CG2]

2 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

I read somewhere he signed a 10 or 11 club deal. Ping has kinda changed how they structure contracts lately 

You're right. It appears they have changed it.  At least according to his agreement. But looks like putter is still required. 

From PING

As part of a multi-year agreement, Hovland will play a minimum of 11 clubs, including a driver and putter. His headwear will display Ping and he’ll carry a Ping Tour staff bag.