83 replies to this topic

[bscinstnct]

moonshine, on 21 November 2012 - 05:26 PM, said:

I have echoed robo's comments for weeks....ball will be the big deal.

Could be.

What's the difference with the ball performance?

[leontom16]

Endo has had alot of supply issues in the last year. They are one of the best manufacturers out there, but are moving away from their golf business which is far from being as profitable as their other activities...

There might be an opportuinity to see a new major manufacturer enter the mix as OEMs will want to secure their supply and iron out issues caused by that particular manufacturer recently!

[Llortamaisey]

I think the biggest factor for Rory to adjust would be the clothing. What if his new shoes don't fit right and he gets blisters? What if his new pants give him swamp butt? Ain't nobody got time for that! He could be finished.

[Bad9]

Birdman of Alcatraz, on 20 November 2012 - 01:09 PM, said:

He'll never win a Major if he bags 14 Nike Clubs, a career is about to spiral into nothing. Even Tiger ain't the same without his Scotty.........

When Tiger changed to the Nike putter he was already putting poorly (by his standards) with his Scotty.

[todd.ashford]

Does anybody know why Rory is still wearing Oakley and playing his Titliest clubs this weekend?

I expected to see at least some plain Nike shirt on him.

[J13]

todd.ashford, on 23 November 2012 - 07:59 AM, said:

Does anybody know why Rory is still wearing Oakley and playing his Titliest clubs this weekend?

I expected to see at least some plain Nike shirt on him.

Your not going to see anything different until the new year

Edited by J13, 26 November 2012 - 07:46 AM.

[Gripit_Swiftit]

Llortamaisey, on 22 November 2012 - 09:14 AM, said:

I think the biggest factor for Rory to adjust would be the clothing. What if his new shoes don't fit right and he gets blisters? What if his new pants give him swamp butt? Ain't nobody got time for that! He could be finished.

Hahaha. I got the Bronchitis! Also, what if his new shirts don't perfectly outline his sculpted physique? He'll lose Carolyn and then all hell will break loose.

[puttagain]

tbowles411, on 20 November 2012 - 08:02 PM, said:

Sean2, on 20 November 2012 - 07:08 PM, said:

"I think all the manufacturers make great equipment nowadays ..."

I've been saying this for a long time, but no one ever stared a thread about it. :-)

You're vindicated.

ROBOPTI, on 20 November 2012 - 06:14 PM, said:

Forget the clubs ... I bet his main problem will be the ball switch ... Ask ANY "real TOUR" rep how hard a ball change is

+ 1 - the conversation two weeks ago with Sneds on The Morning Drive led to the same conclusion: the ball switch is the most difficult part of an equipment change.

[MtlJeff]

i think the thread is not really about how difficult the switch will be for Rory. Frankly if you are a club ho and have been on this site for a while you know that you can make it work with basically any clubs. I'm 100% positive i could maintain my handicap with clubs from any OEM in the market so i'm sure Rory can too, especially when pros ca get custom jobs done

I think the issue is more that the average joe still believes the marketing, and when a company is going to pay you 200M+ to endorse their product, you can't go around saying "everything is the same". I'm sure that behavior will get corrected one way or another

[spitfisher]

If he hasn't signed a contract, he can say anything he likes. no?

His contract, ( if there is one, not to digress but its still speculation. ) has more to do with the clothing and shoes than it does with clubs. Clubs by that brand is pretty minimal in $$$ compared to apparel. And according to the latest poll on this site, Rory playing nike will have little to no impact on influencing our decision to buy golf equipement. ......with the exception of the Nike wanna bes.

[MtlJeff]

spitfisher, on 25 November 2012 - 03:55 PM, said:

If he hasn't signed a contract, he can say anything he likes. no?

His contract, ( if there is one, not to digress but its still speculation. ) has more to do with the clothing and shoes than it does with clubs. Clubs by that brand is pretty minimal in $$$ compared to apparel. And according to the latest poll on this site, Rory playing nike will have little to no impact on influencing our decision to buy golf equipement. ......with the exception of the Nike wanna bes.

the media is covering things they didn't used to cover. Like when Phil played the TM 3 wood, it was reported by golfdigest, golf magazine etc. Callaway was forced to try and get it front of it. This site, though large, still can't compare to the traffic those sites get especially among average joes.

Nike is about to invest 200M in this guy, It's not so he goes around saying that all clubs are the same. I'm sure once he is officially signed the stuff he says will change. We like to act here like marketing doesn't matter but companies don't invest this much money because they like throwing money away. Rory will have a big impact on purchasing behavior of average buyers. I know things like balls and apparel are where you make more profit but club sales are still important and still part of the deal. In the end this isn't a big deal really, but you can be sure it got the attention of Nike's marketing guys. I bet once the contract IS signed there won't be more "all OEMs are the same" talk

[spitfisher]

I would beg to differ on the comment this isn't about "throwing money around" it most certainly is. Ask Titleist Fila/ Kor for starters. Then ask Puma/cobra, next ask any golf company or conglomerate of why they decided not to go to the Rory signing dance.

Nike estimated club sales based on 630 mill in 2012 sales was 150mill for clubs and balls. Thats world wide! Clubs and balls actually went down 8% from 2011, apparel went up over 10. Now do the math tiger & other staff members including guys, girls we have never heard of. Next add in a healthy advertising budget golf only. All of it adds up to a lot of cash. most companies operate n an advertising and marketing budget of 8% of total  sales. and before you flame me remember i disagree that the comment made that it ISN'T about throwing money around. Rory ( if he does) is not signing with nike because of their clubs and balls - its because of the money being thrown around.

[MtlJeff]

all i meant was Nike doesn't believe they are throwing money "away". They are paying Rory 200M because they expect to get a return on it. They paid Tiger boatloads of cash too but he helped them build their brand to what it is today, the apparel, clubs etc. They are hoping Rory can pick up where Tiger left off. I agree with you there's no doubt Rory is signing there because of the cash. My only point is that with that cash comes a responsibility to promote the brand. I just don't think the VP marketing at Nike wants to see his 200M dollar man saying Nike clubs are just like all the rest LOL.

not trying to flame or anything.I think it may have just been a misunderstanding of what we were arguing on some levels

[TimothyBeumer]

he will be under nike contract in 2013 he has already been testing nike clubs for 1 year

[finalist]

Will we see a Rory signature Nike golf shoe? I would guess yes based on the contract size. Something to compete in the colorful youth segment perhaps?

[MtlJeff]

^^^ Air Rory's!

[finalist]

Wonder what the Rory branded Nike logo will look like?

[corky]

finalist, on 25 November 2012 - 10:48 PM, said:

Wonder what the Rory branded Nike logo will look like?

Iw ill have a 'tick' in it no doubt.... or what they like to call a swoosh or whatever...

[CincyCreech]

ROBOPTI, on 20 November 2012 - 06:14 PM, said:

Forget the clubs ... I bet his main problem will be the ball switch ... Ask ANY "real TOUR" rep how hard a ball change is

Agreed.. That will be the biggest change. Nike will be able to get their clubs close as possible feel an everything to what he is playing now.. I think he has plenty of time before he plays next to get used to the putter.. Wasn't he playing a different Scotty last year? Woods played the same scotty for some time before making the switch.. Mcilroy has switched putters before.. He will again be a multiple winner next year and he will win a major next year.

[Crab Daddy]

So, if Rory is supposedly supplanting Tiger at Nike, will we see the same thing elsewhere?
Like:
EA Sports Rory McIlroy PGA Tour 14

Of course, they could do a Euro Tour version w/Rory in addition to TW PGA Tour. Tiger and Rory would show up in each other's games at the majors.

[spitfisher]

Crab Daddy, on 26 November 2012 - 07:08 PM, said:

So, if Rory is supposedly supplanting Tiger at Nike, will we see the same thing elsewhere?
Like:
EA Sports Rory McIlroy PGA Tour 14

Of course, they could do a Euro Tour version w/Rory in addition to TW PGA Tour. Tiger and Rory would show up in each other's games at the majors.

Thats a very distinct possibility, it was long ago where they (EA) publically said if he doesn't win soon they would nuke the TW project or retool it with other players.

[imakaveli]

finalist, on 25 November 2012 - 10:48 PM, said:

Wonder what the Rory branded Nike logo will look like?

A big clock?

[SurfDuffer]

If you hold a Titleist Blade next to a Nike Blade they are practicly identical other than the graphics.  If you hit them they have the same feel.  I'm sure the transition will be no problem in the irons.  Driver shouldn't be a problem either.  Wedges no problem.  Putter.....possibly but then again, Nike can make him anything he needs and put a swoosh on it.

[spitfisher]

SurfDuffer, on 27 November 2012 - 06:42 AM, said:

If you hold a Titleist Blade next to a Nike Blade they are practicly identical other than the graphics.  If you hit them they have the same feel.  I'm sure the transition will be no problem in the irons.  Driver shouldn't be a problem either.  Wedges no problem.  Putter.....possibly but then again, Nike can make him anything he needs and put a swoosh on it.

I agree however one element they can not produce is Karma. Having worked in and around a tour van for years. I  could list multiple instances by successful PGA tour players where a player tries and tests various metal woods (head shapes) and irons, narrowing it down further and further. Eventually come back the next day or after a round and hit countless balls with thier choices. Then they finally decide on a XYZ wood, with a X loft and Y shaft and grip. Then we tell him Ok we'll build you one. The horror on the players face, eventually they insist on "the" club they tested with a new head cover.  Years ago I could agree, for example because of the welding processes inside the head of a driver often would have gobs of material and quality control could have been suspect with certain well known brands.  Titleist was the first brand that I know of that address the iregularities of manufacturing. Today the tolarances of manufacturing are so close- I'd estimate it to be under 2% driver to driver. So It really is Karma- with some players for putters thru woods.