Equipment
Report: Jason Day signs shoe, apparel and hat deal with Nike
ESPN’s Darren Rovell is reporting that Nike has signed World No. 1 Jason Day to an endorsement deal that will have him wearing the company’s shoes, apparel and hat. The deal is worth approximately $10 million per year, according to Rovell.
This year (2016) was the final year of Day’s endorsement contract with TaylorMade-Adidas, which had the golfer wearing Adidas golf shoes and apparel and using TaylorMade’s golf balls and clubs.
According to Rovell, Day re-signed with TaylorMade to use its clubs and balls, but was able to negotiate an outside apparel/shoe deal with Nike because of two factors:
- Adidas’ decision to sell its TaylorMade golf brand (read more).
- Nike’s decision to exit its golf ball and club business (learn more).
We’ll update this story as more information becomes available. See what GolfWRX Members are saying about the Day/Nike signing in our forum.
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Equipment
Webb Simpson Equipment Q&A: Titleist’s new 2-wood, 680 blade irons, and switching to a broomstick Jailbird
With seven career wins on the PGA Tour, including a U.S. Open victory, Webb Simpson is a certified veteran on the course. But he’s also a certified veteran in the equipment world, too. He’s a gearhead who truly knows his stuff, and he’s even worked closely with Titleist on making his own custom 682.WS irons.
On Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, I caught up with Simpson to hear about his experience with Titleist’s new prototype 2-wood, how Titleist’s 680 Forged irons from 2003 ended up back in his bag, and why he’s switching into an Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Cruiser broomstick putter this week for the first time.
Click here to read our full story about Simpson’s putter switch on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, or continue reading below for my full Q&A with Simpson at Quail Hollow Club on Wednesday.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
GolfWRX: It seems like you’ve been a little all over the place with your irons in the past six months or so, and now going back to the 680’s. Is that just a comfort thing? What’s been going on with the irons?
Webb Simpson: Titleist has been so great at working with me, and R&D, on trying to get an iron that kind of modernizes the 680. And so the 682.WS took the T-100 grooves, but kinda took the look and the bulk and the build of the 680’s into one club. They’re beautiful, and awesome looking. I just never hit them that well for a consistent period of time. It was probably me, but then I went to T-100’s and loved them. I loved the spin, the trajectory, the yardage, but again, I never went on good runs. Going through the ground, I couldn’t feel the club as well as with the blade. So last week, I’m like, ‘Alright. I’m gonna go back more for, like, comfort, and see if I can get on a nice little run of ball striking.’
So that’s why I went back.
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OK, that makes sense. I know you had done some 2-wood testing recently. Is that in the bag right now?
It’s like day-by-day. I used it at Hilton Head every day. Valero, I used it one round. And this week, me and my caddie will do the book every morning, and if it’s a day where we think we need it, we’ll just put it in and take the 3-wood out. I love it because it’s a super simple swap. Like, it doesn’t really change much.
Yeah, can you tell me about that club? I mean, we don’t really know anything about it yet. You know? I haven’t hit it or anything, obviously.
It has grooves like a 3-wood. Spin is perfect. And it’s honestly, like, everything is in the middle of a 3-wood and driver number. Trajectory, spin, carry, all of it. So, a Hilton Head golf course is almost too easy to talk about because, you know, there, so many holes are driver 3-wood.
Valero, our thinking was we had two par-5’s into the wind, and we knew that it would take two great shots to get there in two.So instead of hitting driver-driver, we just put it in. And I used it on those holes.
Hilton was a little easier because it was off-the-tee kind of questions. But Colonial will be a golf course where, you know, there’s a lot of driver or 3-woods. It’s kind of like a backup putter or driver for me now. I’ll bring it to every tournament.
So it’s, like, in your locker right now, probably?
Well, it would be. It’s in my house [because Webb lives nearby Quail Hollow Club, and is a member at the course.] It’s in the garage.
Oh, yeah, that’s right. Do you know what holes you might use it out here if it goes in play?
Potentially 15, depending on the wind. Second shot on 10. Could be 14 off the tee. The chances here are pretty low (that he’ll use the 2-wood). But, like, Greensboro would be an awesome club all day. I’m trying to think of any other golf courses.
There’s plenty that it’ll be a nice weapon to have.
It’s interesting, the wave of 2-woods and mini drivers. Like, it’s just really taken off on Tour, and all the companies have seemed to embrace it.
Yeah. The thing I had to learn, it took me, like, at least a week to learn about it is you gotta tee it up lower than you think. I kept teeing it up too high. You need it low, like barely higher than a 3-wood. And that was where I got optimal spin and carry. If you tee it up too high, you just don’t get as much spin and lose distance, I don’t know if that’s just a mini driver thing.
And you obviously have a Jailbird putter this week. What spurred that on?
Inconsistent putting. I’m stubborn in a lot of ways when it comes to my equipment, but I have to be open minded – I just hadn’t putted consistently well in a while. And I’m like, ‘Man, I feel my ball-striking coming along. Like I feel better; for real, better.’
If I can just get something in my hands that I’m consistent with. Being on Tour, you see it every year, guys get on little runs. I can put together four to five tournaments where I’m all the sudden back in the majors, or in the FedExCup Playoffs. You can turn things around quick out here. I’m like, ‘Man, whatever’s going to get me there, great.’
My caddie, David Cook, caddied for Akshay at the Houston Open and he putted beautifully. Then, I watched Akshay on TV at Valero, and he putted beautifully. And, I’m like, ‘I’m just going to try it.’
I’ve never tried it for more than a putt or two, and I just ordered what Akshay uses. It was pretty awkward at first, but the more I used it, the more I’m like, ‘Man, it’s pretty easy.’ And a buddy of mine who’s a rep out here, John Tyler Griffin, he helped me with some setup stuff. And he said at Hilton Head, he wasn’t putting well, then tried it, and now he makes everything. He was very confident. So I’m like, ‘Alright, I’ll try it.’”
And you’re going with it this week?
Hundred percent.
Alright, I love it. Thank you, I always love talking gear with you. Play well this week.
Thanks, man.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
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- Pavon’s WITB accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G430 Max (9 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 6 X
3-wood: Ping G430 LST (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X
Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 10 X
Irons: Ping i230 (3-PW)
Shafts: Nippon Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: Ping Si59 (52-12S, 58-8B)
Shafts: Nippon Modus3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Ping Cadence TR Tomcat C
Grip: SuperStroke Claw 1.0P
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Check out more in-hand photos of Pavon’s gear here.
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Tommy Fleetwood has been attached to his Odyssey White Hot Pro #3 putter for years now. However, this week at the Wells Fargo Championship, we did spot him testing a new putter that is very different, yet somewhat similar, to his current gamer.
This new putter is a TaylorMade Spider Tour X head but with a brand new neck we haven’t seen on a Spider before. A flow neck is attached to the Spider head and gives the putter about a 1/2 shaft offset. This style neck will usually increase the toe hang of the putter and we can guess it gets the putter close to his White Hot Pro #3.
Another interesting design is that lack of TaylorMade’s True Path alignment on the top of the putter. Instead of the large white center stripe, Tommy’s Spider just has a very short white site line milled into it. As with his Odyssey, Tommy seems to be a fan of soft inserts and this Spider prototype looks to have the TPU Pure Roll insert with 45° grooves for immediate topspin and less hopping and skidding.
The sole is interesting as well in that the rear weights don’t look to be interchangeable and are recessed deep into the ports. This setup could be used to push the CG forward in the putter for a more blade-like feel during the stroke, like TaylorMade did with the Spider X Proto Scottie Scheffler tested out.
Tommy’s putter is finished off with an older Super Stroke Mid Slim 2.0 grip in blue and white. The Mid Slim was designed to fit in between the Ultra Slim 1.0 and the Slim 3.0 that was a popular grip on tour.
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
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Dave r
Sep 14, 2016 at 3:23 pm
money talks
Lef
Sep 14, 2016 at 9:58 am
What a dumb move. Chasing the $$$ and switching equipment when you’re at the top. I’ve worn those Nike hats and shoes. No feel whatsoever. And Lunarlon, are you kidding me! Give me Climacool any day. It’s worth at least 3 strokes a round.
Grizz01
Sep 14, 2016 at 11:25 am
You didn’t read the article. Day is not changing equipment. He is changing apparel. Adidas’ decision to sell its TaylorMade golf brand (the equipment), so they are no longer connected. He is just moving from Adidas clothing and footwear to Nike clothing and footwear. Getting 10million in the process.
As to the shoes. They will custom fit his shoes to his liking.
Phil Knight
Sep 14, 2016 at 12:09 pm
I think maybe you didn’t read his post, he was being facetious, lol
Lef
Sep 14, 2016 at 12:35 pm
I was 1) making fun of the high-end $200 a pair tour issue golf shoe racket with all it’s underwhelming tech, and 2) poking at all the 20 hdcp duffers who come out of the woodwork to chastise a pro when they switch equipment. Because, you know, these duffers can totally tell the difference in feel between Nikes and Titliest forged blades.
Poh's law is alive and well
Sep 15, 2016 at 1:16 am
It’s always a sad day when a good dose of sarcasm has to be explained. Oh dear me.
JThunder
Sep 15, 2016 at 4:00 am
No anonymous internet poster left behind.
Leftienige
Sep 14, 2016 at 9:21 am
If you believe that donations to “charities” ever get to the people in need , I’m afraid you’re sadly deluded . In most cases 99% goes to the administrators , the directors on HUGE salaries , and filters down through people working in charity shops , 1/2 of whom take all the best stuff home for next-to- nothing .
Sad but true , folks , 50 years experience speaking .
Al Czervik
Sep 14, 2016 at 3:52 pm
This is an absolutely true statement. Goodwill in Seattle has a headquarters on the waterfront in downtown Seattle- some of the highest priced real estate in the country. How would a non-profit be able to manage that?
Lift, Clean and Cheat
Sep 14, 2016 at 6:05 pm
Goodwill a non-profit? Better check that again. Best that can be said is that they do employ a lot of people with disabilities. You may also find salary structure and worker compensation another interesting topic.
JThunder
Sep 15, 2016 at 3:41 am
Greed isn’t limited to capitalism only – it’s just most widely encouraged there.
Mike Honcho
Sep 14, 2016 at 9:13 am
How will this effect his other endorsement deals, CONCUR, RBC and Lexis? Nike only allows the Swoosh head to toe in apparel deals.
Nath
Sep 14, 2016 at 3:00 am
TW has certainly got the world number 1 beat now ehehehehe
JThunder
Sep 14, 2016 at 12:25 am
Nike’s got to sell a LOT of hats to recoup $10 million. Tiger (supposedly) brought the big money to golf, but it didn’t do a lot of good for Nike’s clubs. I would think, all things considered, companies would start to scale way back their sponsorship money – if people are buying less stuff (since the middle class is flat broke with no hope of improvement) – then those contracts are worth less and less.
If all the companies dropped from $10 mil down to $1 mil, do you think tour players would turn it down and go logoless?
Maybe then they could pay the kids who make this crap $1 a day instead of 25¢.
Grizz01
Sep 14, 2016 at 11:27 am
10 million to Nike is just a drop in the bucket.
JThunder
Sep 15, 2016 at 3:56 am
Brilliant reply – so you’re saying Nike is a successful company by making investments that aren’t profitable, because $10mil is “just a drop in the bucket” to them? Right. So why did they continually cut their sales reps for golf equipment over recent years – surely those salaries were far smaller drops in your bucket, and every single one of them needed the income FAR more than Jason Day needs another $10 f-ing million. (For doing more work than wearing a hat.)
To put that in perspective, family man Jason’s $10 mil hat-wearing deal is the equivalent of 200 median family incomes in the USA. Nike factory workers make well under $100 per month.
If $10 mil is “just a drop in the bucket”, maybe someone should punch some holes in it, so we finally get the “trickle-down” the world’s been promised for so long.
Jason
Sep 14, 2016 at 12:05 am
Breaking news! Ellie Day was just taken to the emergency room. Apparently she just got a nasty paper cut from the check from Nike.
RedX
Sep 14, 2016 at 4:02 am
Jason do you think it is Day who pushes these happenings or the press hungry for a story (or non story in many cases). The guy just comes across as being honest in responding to questions put to him but the press over reporting every trivial occurrence is painting a picture other than the nature of the man.
Ps – Very much doubt a paper cheque is involved so Ellie should be fine. Maybe RSI logging onto an internet banking platform to check the bank balance incessantly?
Jason
Sep 14, 2016 at 8:43 pm
Bet you’re a hit at parties….
Jengus
Sep 13, 2016 at 10:32 pm
Haha!
Tina
Sep 13, 2016 at 4:48 pm
Onto the next conspiracy theory … Nike buys TM!
Judge mental
Sep 14, 2016 at 10:49 am
Nike not making golf clubs any more,
Taylormade selling a golf club company .
If you can’t beat the competition,just buy it.
Simple ????????
Grizz01
Sep 14, 2016 at 11:28 am
It is believed that Nike really doesn’t make thier clubs anyway. They were a different manufacturer that ‘stamped’ Nike on to the clubs.
JThunder
Sep 15, 2016 at 4:04 am
None of these companies “makes their own clubs”. They’re run by folks in suits in the US, built by kids in factories in Asia. I doubt the CEO of any of them could re-grip a 7 iron. And they sure wouldn’t do it for the wages they’re paying!
If we wish really hard, maybe these buyouts can leave us with just one giant OEM. Then they can jack the prices up 3000% like the drug companies!
Pingback: Jason Day Reportedly Signs Shoe And Apparel Deal With Nike Golf, Brings adidas Yeezys With Him | Sneaker Kat
Sam
Sep 13, 2016 at 10:57 am
WOW!! This is going to be exciting to see how many players Nike will be signing to wear their apparel.
Jimmy Banks
Sep 13, 2016 at 12:15 pm
Confusing with Nike clothes and TM clubs…don’t like it.
Sam
Sep 13, 2016 at 1:15 pm
Agree. But TM players have always been a bit confusing, as they probably play the most mixed bags on tour. They play whatever they want essentially, but they just have to use the bag (mostly) and put on a few head covers. So this will just only add more to the confusion.
$80shirts are now $90
Sep 13, 2016 at 4:25 pm
what on earth are you talking about? seriously
JD
Sep 13, 2016 at 6:29 pm
I think you meant to say they have the most flexibility in their contracts unlike a Ping or some of the others. The one stipulation in all TM contracts is the Driver. but a lot of players use SC putters or the ProV1 for example. The more TM gear the more money you can potentially earn.
Teaj
Sep 14, 2016 at 8:43 am
So you do realize that there are different types of sponsorship’s in golf, I hope. The amount of money paid out to the contractor (PGA Pro) is based on what they are putting in their bags, how they perform. There are basic hat and bag deals all the way to full sponsorship’s such as Jason Days current deal. You will find that some players such as DJ and others have a 13 club deal which allows him to game a Scotty Cameron along with the clothing, hat, bag and balls. Also with what was mentioned in the write up was that Adidas is selling Taylormade which leaves Taylormade players available for apparel deals once their contracts are up with Adidas. Anyways I hope Days back is not a series issue and if it is that he take the time to take care of it as we do not need another great golfer leave the game to soon.
rich tran
Sep 13, 2016 at 10:49 am
awesome deal, great clubs to play with and nice swagger clothes to wear
BoomCannon
Sep 13, 2016 at 10:49 am
The rumors…were true. A win for the WRX conspiracy theorists!
desmond
Sep 13, 2016 at 10:47 am
I’m certain his charitable foundation will do great things… with a lot of that money. Although it will look odd at first with Nike Apparel and TM Equipment. We’ll get accustomed to it. Rory and Tiger are next….
fc
Sep 13, 2016 at 11:27 am
Not when he’s getting $10 million just to wear clothing. Why not just give like $9 million of that to charity. It’s not like he needs that much money. Faak the charities if they let players make this much money
leon
Sep 13, 2016 at 1:33 pm
The charity is just a “format” of avoiding the tax. The charities across the states are more like investment companies that only 3% of the money donated will pass to the people who really needs it. All the remaining are used for making investments in all sorts of forms.
Spy
Sep 13, 2016 at 7:09 pm
That’s so sad to hear, leon
Jafar
Sep 13, 2016 at 10:29 am
First to comment….
Michael
Sep 13, 2016 at 2:08 pm
Yet last on the list. Congrats.
Forsbrand
Sep 13, 2016 at 3:57 pm
Ha ha ha ha ha that has made my day!!!!