Tour News
Callaway hires Nike Golf ball guru Rock Ishii
Callaway has hired Nike Golf ball ball guru Hideyuki “Rock” Ishii, making him Senior Director of Advanced Golf Ball Research.
“Adding Rock to our already exceptional ball team will strengthen our ability to investigate new construction methods and improve our evaluation of golf ball performance, leading to better products for golfers at every level,” said Dr. Alan Hocknell, Callaway’s Senior Vice President of R&D.
Ishii was Nike Golf’s Senior Director of Innovation for Golf Balls before the company’s announcement that it would stop producing golf clubs and balls. He was part of Nike’s original hard goods team, starting with the company in 1996.
During his time with Nike, Ishii worked closely with Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and others to develop golf balls to their exact specifications, including the ball Woods used to win the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach by a record 15 shots.
“By further investing in R&D, at a time when we believe others are or will be forced to pull back, we view this as an excellent opportunity to further strengthen our technical position and build for the future,” said Chip Brewer, President & CEO, Callaway Golf.
Last month, Callaway acquired putter company Toulon Design, led by former TaylorMade Senior Vice President of Product Creatiomn Sean Toulon. Toulon is now General Manager of the Odyssey putter brand, as well as a senior vice president at Callaway Golf.
According to Golf Datatech, Callaway is the fastest growing major golf ball brand since 2013.
Related: Our first look at Callaway’s 2017 GBB Epic driver
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Valero Texas Open
GolfWRX is on site this week at the Valero Texas Open.
The event has been around since 1922, making it one of the oldest on the PGA Tour calendar. Over the years, it’s been held at a variety of courses across the Lone Star State, but it’s found its home at TPC San Antonio in recent years. Some of the biggest names in golf have taken home the title here, including Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino, and Ben Crenshaw.
GolfWRX has its usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs and special pull-out albums. As always, we’ll continue to update the links below as more photos come in from TPC San Antonio.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Ben Taylor – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Paul Barjon – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Joe Sullivan – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Wilson Furr – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Ben Willman – SoTex PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Jimmy Stanger – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Rickie Fowler – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Harrison Endycott – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Vince Whaley – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Kevin Chappell – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Christian Bezuidenhout – WITB (mini) – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Scott Gutschewski – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
Pullout Albums
- Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Ben Taylor with new Titleist TRS 2 wood – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Swag cover – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Greyson Sigg’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Davis Riley’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Josh Teater’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Hzrdus T1100 is back – – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Mark Hubbard testing ported Titleist irons – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Tyson Alexander testing new Titleist TRS 2 wood – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Hideki Matsuyama’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Cobra putters – 2024 Valero Texas Open
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Dan
Nov 6, 2016 at 4:58 pm
Based on a number of these comments, Callaway’s future ball offerings will be awful then, surely, seeing as Nike’s balls were so terrible, when designed by Rock Ishii.
Mike Honcho
Nov 4, 2016 at 12:48 pm
Now if Callaway will get off their adoption of the TM driver product cycle, they’ll be a true force and leader.
Daniel
Nov 4, 2016 at 12:24 am
Tiger go to Callaway?….
RAT
Nov 3, 2016 at 6:52 pm
Since when was Nike ever a great golf ball! THE ONLY GOLF THING NIKE HAS BEEN SOME WHAT GOOD AT IS CLOTHING , NOT SHOES with that giant swoosh on the top of the toes, UGLY…
I believe Callaway got stuck.!!!!
SteveID
Nov 4, 2016 at 1:21 am
Thanks for the ALL CAPS, chief.
Juice
Nov 4, 2016 at 9:48 am
Your name is perfect!
Ben
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:37 pm
Agreed. Anyone test out top of the line Nike’s on a monitor? At least for me they go shorter, spin much less off short irons/wedges and go lower on all other shots. Every costco ball I’ve bought is better than the Nike’s. No comparison…
Prime21
Nov 5, 2016 at 6:43 am
Stick w/ the Costco chief, it’s better for ladies swing speeds. Nike’s softest premium ball spun less than the v1x, which is why you hit everything lower, you simply could not launch it. If one cannot compress a ball, it doesn’t fly high thus far because it doesn’t stay in the air. You should probably try that Noodle ball too!
Mike
Nov 3, 2016 at 5:32 pm
Idk how I feel about a guy named “Rock” making golf balls.
COGolfer
Nov 3, 2016 at 8:40 pm
If you’ve ever hit any of the Nike balls, you’ll understand where the name comes from.
Jonathan
Nov 3, 2016 at 5:13 pm
I think this is, in part, a ploy to get McIlroy. Rory has stated that the biggest change for him, and the one he will take the longest with, is the golf ball. Rory is really happy with the ball he’s playing now and having the guy that designed that ball at Callaway likely brings Callaway into play. Just my $0.02.
Ben
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:38 pm
why can’t he just play a prov1 and have them print something else on the cover?
moneypowerrespect
Nov 3, 2016 at 3:06 pm
great move – nike rzn tour is probably the best ball out currently. Rory won’t be needing to worry about his depleting his 3 year supply. He’ll just get Ishii to make him nike rzn tour balls with hex dimples.
Mark
Nov 3, 2016 at 11:51 am
Seriously? For every great ball Nike made they put out another dozen pieces of junk.
Voltman
Nov 3, 2016 at 11:19 am
Very smart move from Callaway. Maybe Tiger and Rory joining Callaway soon?
Tom
Nov 3, 2016 at 1:10 pm
that’s a big ask.