Equipment
Callaway signs Leishman, Tom Watson, re-signs Stenson
As they tend to do in the first week of a new year, equipment switchers and re-signers are popping up on our radar. On Monday, we brought you news of PXG’s coup and Nike’s signings. Now it’s time to see who’s joining Callaway’s roster.
Marc Leishman, who was previously with Titleist, has signed on with the Carlsbad-based company. According to Callaway, the Australian will game the company’s clubs and ball, as well as an Odyssey putter.
Leishman, runner-up at the 2015 Open Championship, won the European Tour’s Nedbank Challenge in December 2015. Last year on the PGA Tour, Leishman made 14 of 23 cuts with four top-10 finishes. He’s currently the No. 25 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
A legend of the game of is joining Callaway, too: 8-time major champion Tom Watson. The 66-year-old, who was previously with Adams Golf, will play Callaway clubs, a Callaway ball, and an Odyssey putter. Watson competed in his final British Open at St. Andrews last year, and teed up eight times on the Champions Tour in 2015.
As for re-signings, Callaway has retained its top-ranked staff player Henrik Stenson. Stenson, the No. 5 golfer in the Official World Golf Ranking, is coming off a 2014-2015 campaign that saw him tally eight top-10 finishes (including four seconds) in 16 starts on the PGA Tour and finish second in the FedExCup Playoffs. The Swede has been in Callaway’s stable since 2014.
The world’s No. 14 player, Branden Grace, has also re-signed with Callaway, tweeting, “So pleased to re-sign with @CallawayGolf. Great equipment and great people…#bulletstraight”.
Callaway’s roster now includes six staffers inside the top 20 in the OWGR: The aforementioned Stenson and Grace, Jim Furyk (No. 9), Patrick Reed (No. 10), and Danny Willett (No. 19).
Callaway’s full PGA Tour stable includes:
- Kevin Kisner
- Phil Mickelson
- Harris English
- Tommy Gainey
- Freddie Jacobson
- Ryo Ishikawa
- Pat Perez
- Jonathan Byrd
- Danny Lee
- Kelly Kraft
- Emiliano Grillo
- Ollie Schniederjans
Their European Tour roster features (in addition to Willett):
- Kiradech Aphibarnrat
- Nicolas Colsaerts
- Alvaro Quiros
- Matteo Manassero
And on the LPGA Tour, of course, top golfer Lydia Ko sports the chevron. Morgan Pressel, Belen Mozo, Sandra Gal, and Yani Tseng, likewise.
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- Kevin Streelman what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 6 X
3-wood: Titleist TSR3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
5-wood: Ping G (17.5 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 10 X
Irons: Wilson Staff Model CB (4-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Wilson Staff Model (48-08, 54-08), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks (58-L @59)
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (48), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (54, 58)
Putter: Scotty Cameron TourType SSS TG6
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Check out more in-hand photos of Kevin Streelman’s clubs here.
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The year was 2012. Gangnam Style ruled supreme, its infectious beats and ludicrous horse-riding dance moves hypnotizing us with their stupidity. Everyone was talking about the Mayan calendar, convinced that the end of days was near. Superheroes soared on the silver screen, with the Avengers assembling in epic fashion. Katniss Everdeen survived The Hunger Games. And the memes! The memes abounded. Grumpy Cat triumphed. We kept calm and carried on.
In much the same way that automotive enthusiasts love classic cars, we at GolfWRX love taking a backward glance at some of the iconic designs of years past. Heck, we love taking iconic designs to the tee box in the present!
In that spirit, GolfWRX has been running a series inspired by arguably the greatest fighting game franchise of all time: Mortal Kombat. It’s not “choose your fighter” but rather “choose your driver.”
Check out some of the standout combatants of 2012 below.
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Nike VRS
Often harshly critiqued during its years releasing golf equipment (right, Phil Mickelson?), Nike’s tenure in the club-and-ball business gets a gloss of nostalgic varnish, with many of its iron and putter designs continuing to attract admirers. Among the company’s driver offerings, the 2012 VRS — or VR_S, if you will — drew high marks for its shaping and toned-down appearance. The multi-thickness, NexCOR face was no joke either.
Check out our coverage from 2012 here.
Callaway RAZR Fit
Callaway’s first foray into moveable weight technology (married with its OptiFit hosel) did not disappoint. With a carbon fiber crown, aerodynamic attention to detail, and variable and hyperbolic face technologies, this club foreshadowed the tech-loaded, “story in every surface” Callaway drivers of the present, AI-informed design age.
Check out our coverage from 2012 here.
Cleveland Classic 310
Truly a design that came out of left field. Cleveland said, “Give me a persimmon driver, but make it titanium…in 460cc.” Our 2012 reviewer, JokerUsn wrote, “I don’t need to elaborate on all the aesthetics of this club. You’ve seen tons of pics. You’ve all probably seen a bunch in the store and held them up close and gotten drool on them. From a playing perspective, the color is not distracting. It’s dark enough to stay unobtrusive in bright sunlight…Even my playing partners, who aren’t into clubs at all…commented on it saying it looks cool.” Long live!
Check out our coverage from 2012 here.
Titleist 910
While there’s no disputing Titleist’s “Titleist Speed” era of drivers perform better than its 2010s offerings, sentimentality abounds, and there was something classically Titleist about these clubs, right down to the alignment aid, and the look is somewhere between 983 times and the present TS age. Representing a resurgence after a disappointing stretch of offerings (907, 909), The 910D2 was a fairly broadly appealing driver with its classic look at address and classic Titleist face shape.
Check out our coverage from 2012 here.
TaylorMade RocketBallz
The white crown. The name. You either loved ‘em or you hated ‘em. TaylorMade’s 2012 offering from its RocketBallz Period boasted speed-enhancing aerodynamics and an Inverted Cone Technology in the club’s titanium face. Technology aside, it’s impossible to overstate what a departure from the norm a white-headed driver was in the world of golf equipment.
Check out our coverage from 2012 here.
Ping i20
Long a quietly assertive player in the driver space, Ping’s i20 was more broadly appealing than the G20, despite being a lower-launch, lower-spin club. Ping drivers didn’t always have looks that golfer’s considered traditional or classic, but the i20 driver bucked that trend. Combining the classic look with Ping’s engineering created a driver that better players really gravitated toward. The i20 offered players lower launch and lower spin for more penetrating ball flight while the rear 20g tungsten weights kept the head stable. Sound and feel were great also, being one of the more muted driver sounds Ping had created up to that time.
Check out our coverage from 2012 here.
GolfWRXers, let us know in the comments who “your fighter” is and why!
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/29/24): Krank Formula Fire driver with AutoFlex SF505 shaft
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Krank Formula fire driver with AutoFlex SF505 shaft.
From the seller: (@well01): “Krank formula fire 10.5 degree with AUtoflex SF505. $560 shipped.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Krank Formula Fire driver with AutoFlex SF505 shaft
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Matt Barger
Jan 25, 2016 at 11:50 am
“Marc Leishman, who was previously with Titleist, has signed on with the Carlsbad-based company.”
… but they’re all based or have offices in Carlsbad. Including Acushnet.
Roger
Jan 12, 2016 at 9:34 am
Watson signed with Callaway due to relationship with Chip Brewer – history with Adams Golf
mike t
Jan 11, 2016 at 5:51 pm
I don’t see why all the older golfers like Palmer, Player and Watson are affiliating with Callaway ?? Maybe it lends credence to older golfers or traditionalists ?? Do they really need the money ??
ol deadeye
Jan 10, 2016 at 3:34 pm
Tom Watson is a real gentleman and a great ambassador for the game. My wife and I were following several tour players including Watson at a senior event in Hawaii about ten years ago. It was a windy day at a remote course on Oahu and a very small gallery. Mr Watson was the only pro who even noticed us or acknowledged us all day. That smile and wave went a long way toward our enjoyment. I wish him luck with the new clubs.
fatheroffour
Jan 8, 2016 at 11:10 pm
I for one think Tom Watson going to Callaway is great. With TM having a bad year in sales, who know what they will do with Adams anyways. As far as us ever day hacks buying clubs based on what pro’s use is the wrong way to go about buying equipment. Their clubs and sets ate made specifically for them right down to the smallest of details. There is not a golfer with a handicap above 15 or 20 that could tell the difference between one club to the next. We should be using clubs that are forgiving and suited to help are game. I am a Mickelson fan, but not going out and going to buy Callaway forged blades and a driver with a x stiff shafts to be like him. I am a 15 hdcp myself and want forgiving clubs that will help me shoot better
fatheroffour
Jan 8, 2016 at 11:13 pm
Sorry about the bad spelling. I type as bad as I golf 🙂
Chuck Zirkle
Jan 8, 2016 at 3:35 pm
It’s not so much about equipment as it is about money, and I am not saying that is a bad thing. These pros are independent contractors and I say go for the highest bidder. They have to look out for number one. I am sure they will find a head that will work for them, because it is the shaft that drives that club and they could be playing the same shafts when they go to another manufacturer. Manufacturers can make you any club you desire or facsimile. I wish them all good luck with their changes. It seems if a sports figure makes a brand change it is a big deal, but face it, they are only looking out for their future and we should wish them well. Career adjustment.
joro
Jan 8, 2016 at 3:07 pm
It is musical clubs time at the old Tour. Money is the main point and as long as they are dishing it out for playing with thier clubs, why not. They are pretty much all the same they had after all the tweaking and shafting and gripping and lofts and lies, and static weight and swing weight, and grinding for the same look and feel anyway. The only change is the Ball and that is something they can get easily enough. Harumphhhhhhhh
One thing though, Callaways clothes are uglier than Adiddas. Take a good look at Patrick Reed sometime. Ugh Especially the patches on his back pockets. Course his pants droop anyway cause he has no Azz to hold em up. lol
brad
Jan 8, 2016 at 11:35 am
I thought Patrick Reed was a Callaway guy?
Carlos Danger
Jan 7, 2016 at 4:48 pm
Maybe Callaway will make him some golf shirts that are not 100% cotton? Nothing better than watching a 70 year old man play golf in 95 degree heat in a cotton Ralph Lauren shirt on a 70 in HD TV. He looked like he did the bucket challenge mid round in those shirts…
SB
Jan 7, 2016 at 3:38 pm
Where is Gary Woodland?
Carlos Danger
Jan 7, 2016 at 4:45 pm
TM…I belive
Poppa
Jan 7, 2016 at 3:15 pm
Watson is going to be a threat every time he tees it up with Callaway clubs. Upgrade!
On yer bike
Jan 7, 2016 at 11:42 am
I’m surprised there aren’t more European Tour guys with Callaway.
Barrett M
Jan 7, 2016 at 11:12 am
The value? 8-Time Major winner says enough I think.
Ronald Montesano
Jan 8, 2016 at 1:17 pm
No, it doesn’t. What value does that bring? Do young buyers care that Watson plays Callaway? You’re thinking like you, not like them, methinks.
Jack Nash
Jan 8, 2016 at 3:37 pm
Maybe brings more value than a two time champ Zach Johnson moving to GoDaddy clubs.
Setter02
Jan 12, 2016 at 9:33 pm
No chance. Zak’s move to PXG is far and away bigger than Watson signing with Cally. Its not even close… Watson going to Cally means nothing, like at all.
Scott Palmer
Jan 7, 2016 at 10:57 am
It’s Callaway adding to their “Ambassador / Icon” stable. Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Annika, etc. and now Watson. I think it’s a brilliant move and great addition to the Callaway family.
Ronald Montesano
Jan 8, 2016 at 1:17 pm
Does that translate into more purchases? Do you purchase clubs because old guys from the 1960s and 1970s are paid to play them? Because Annika plays them?
TMTC
Jan 10, 2016 at 11:02 am
Is optics!
The more it is seen, the better the advertisement for the company.
New golfers to the game may be drawn in to advertisers.
And yes, some people purchase based on who plays what.
That my friend is the sad truth.
Having said that, they also put out a nice product, as do most top brands.
TMTC
Ronald Montesano
Jan 7, 2016 at 10:53 am
What’s the value in signing Watson? I’m not sure, so I’m interested to read what WRXers think.
Chuck
Jan 7, 2016 at 2:44 pm
Gosh, I cannot even think of all the times I saw Watson on tv, contending for something, and seeing his Adams-logoed cap. I was interested to read here, at GolfWRX, about what a total delight Watson was, for the tour staff to work with.
I am sad that we won’t see Watson in any more majors (or am I wrong about that?). But he’s frequently contending on the Champions Tour.
Ron, it’s funny to me, but I always thought that Watson was a smart play for a club manufacturer, because he’s been such a great and gutty player. And the one endorsement I never understood was his deal with Ralph Lauren/Polo, because even when Tom had expensive and beautiful clothes to wear, he always looked like a bit of a slob. An everyman.
Greg V
Jan 7, 2016 at 4:22 pm
Funny comment.
I can’t think of all the times that I saw Watson on TV, contending for something, with no hat on his head at all! (Probably playing RAM equipment.)
Times have changed, as well as our regard for sun damage.
Chuck
Jan 7, 2016 at 5:28 pm
Well that’s undeniably true, Greg! That is, the Watson of the 70’s and 80’s! But the fair-skinned Watson is now pretty religious about wearing a cap. Look at Tom’s neck some time when you can see him in person. Alligators have better-looking skin.
Ronald Montesano
Jan 8, 2016 at 1:19 pm
Callaway makes such great metal woods. I would play a Callaway set of fairway metals the rest of my life.