News
Former TaylorMade CEO Mark King “is taking over” at Honma
Mark King is coming back to the golf equipment business. The former TaylorMade CEO, who was with the company in various capacities for 30 years, told Golf Digest he’ll be working with Honma Golf as a consultant.
The title doesn’t capture the scope of King’s role, however, as he’ll reportedly be at the helm of company strategy and direct and expansion into North America.
“He’s in charge,” a former Honma employee told Golf Digest anonymously. “It’s been in the works for awhile. Mark’s taking over everything.”
King announced he was stepping down from his role as president of Adidas North America in April, telling Digest he didn’t intend to return to the equipment business, but he was so impressed with Honma’s operation, he was eager to be involved.
“Listen, I was ready to retire, I wasn’t really looking to do anything,” King said. “But as this was presented to me by Chairman Liu, I could see he has big plans and a big vision. I really found it exciting because it is not TaylorMade or Callaway or Cobra or Titleist or Ping. This is a much different brand with very different price points and a fascinating story when it comes to technology and craftsmanship. This is a totally different experience.”
High-end Honma has a minimal footprint in North America, but it seems King and company intend to change that. King, who oversaw impressive growth, experimentation, innovation, ever-shrinking product cycles, and glittering launches at TaylorMade says Honma is planning a major launch for January and plans to have a strong tour presence.
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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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Bob
Sep 15, 2018 at 4:53 am
Justin Rose to play Honma?
Speedy
Aug 20, 2018 at 1:11 pm
Crazy Rich Asians marketing makes sense. But for North America there must be a more affordable line. Good luck to them.
Craig
Aug 21, 2018 at 8:12 am
Being unaffordable and unique is their niche. Having a set of Honma’s in the bag is like driving a Ferrari, it’s a sign I have money. Making a middle of the range line would make no sense, there are plenty of rich Americans.
DaveyD
Aug 20, 2018 at 10:04 am
I suspect they will de-tune the gold plating to a large degree in North America- doesn’t appear to be the thing here (personally, I think it looks too glitzy). If they do, they’ll then have to then deliver high-end performance clubs like PXG’s business model. Don’t know if there’s room here for too many of those companies.
HDTVMAN
Aug 19, 2018 at 4:10 pm
Hit the Gold Driver at the PGA Show…not impressed.
Fingers
Aug 19, 2018 at 9:13 am
Soon all Honma irons will be 30 yards longer with some BS “power” tag line…… Dont know much about the guy but since everything comes from the top in business i think it could be a mistake.
Colin
Aug 18, 2018 at 3:22 pm
The rumor I heard was Justin Rose is signing with Honma at the end of the year. Honma irons and staff bag and then free to play what he wants the rest of the bag.
Brett Weir
Aug 18, 2018 at 8:22 am
Mark King oversaw “ever shrinking product cycles”. Is that one of the reasons why Taylormade was in trouble in the first place?
Prime21
Aug 17, 2018 at 11:51 pm
The H & the O are silent.
R
Aug 18, 2018 at 1:58 am
Funny. Not
The dude
Aug 17, 2018 at 6:26 pm
First thing first….how do you pronounce Honma?
Craig J
Aug 17, 2018 at 7:46 pm
I have two of their wedges in my bag – really, really like them. ????
shane
Aug 19, 2018 at 3:23 pm
Are they the usual gold plated… or are they raw and rusty… 😛