Ernie Els To Sign With Callaway

[tmtp]

http://www.golfdigest.co.za/stories/...ALLAWAY780.php

Big move for Ernie and Callaway, will be interesting to see what he puts in the bag.

[Hanna]

Do you think this change will actually improve him in anyway? One thing I don't understand is why players and amatuers have to have very expensive clubs and stuff. Does having a $500 driver or a $50 driver change your game that much.

[stlcard_25]

For a guy like Ernie, I doubt the equipment change will affect him very much. It sure will be weird to see such a beautiful swing ruined by such ugly sticks though.

[Bigvivec]

I think Ernie could tee it up with a croquet mallet and still get good results...

In response to Hanna...
Yes it does, esp. if the R&D team go to work on custom fitting a particular player that they feel could put the brand at the top of the leaderboard consistently like the big easy...anyhow, these guys are so good I imagine it is a bit like the princess and the pea in that tiny differences are magnified to these players, while a hack like me won't be able to tell much of a difference between quality clubs (as I experienced at the last demo day I went to...all the "good" drivers played pretty much the same...)

[tmtp]

It is possible that he ends up playing a Hogan blade iron, since Callaway owns that company. I could see it being a possibility since he has played blades for Titleist since he went with them in 2003. The X Forged irons are very nice, think top line clubs, Callaway has made some great strides in making clubs that have a "player's club look." However, when he was with Taylor Made prior to his time with Titleist, he used a cavity back iron and won his majors with them.

[tmtp]

Originally Posted by Hanna

Do you think this change will actually improve him in anyway? One thing I don't understand is why players and amatuers have to have very expensive clubs and stuff. Does having a $500 driver or a $50 driver change your game that much.

I think it will have a good effect on his game, he did not upgrade all of his equipment for the past few seasons with Titleist, this is due to Titleist not going as far to make individual adjustments to clubs for each pro. Callaway has proven that they will take feedback from their staff players and create a club that delivers what that specific person is looking for.

As far as more expensive equipment performing better, generally speaking the more expensive equipment will perform more consistently due to higher quality materials being used and tighter tolerances as far as performance characteristics. For many amateurs or casual players, this is not as important, but for someone who makes their living using their golf clubs, it is a very important for their clubs to perform exactly how they expect each and every time they tee it up.

[TTUfirebird2008]

Originally Posted by stlcard_25

For a guy like Ernie, I doubt the equipment change will affect him very much. It sure will be weird to see such a beautiful swing ruined by such ugly sticks though.

Totally agree! Ernie should go back to Taylor Made.

[xnavyct]

Wow that is interesting... I agree that it would make sense for him to play Hogan blades, it would be great marketing for them - seems like Callaway has been neglecting that brand in its marketing efforts, IMHO.

[tmtp]

Originally Posted by xnavyct

Wow that is interesting... I agree that it would make sense for him to play Hogan blades, it would be great marketing for them - seems like Callaway has been neglecting that brand in its marketing efforts, IMHO.

From what I was told when playing a round with a Callaway executive was the focus for this year is to try and rebuild the Top Flite brand through the D2 series golf balls. Hogan is most likely going to be relaunched next season and is going to become a specialized brand, focused on custome built sets. If Ernie puts some Hogan blades in his bag, this may change the demand for Hogan irons and change this plan.

[GenErr]

Originally Posted by Hanna

Do you think this change will actually improve him in anyway? One thing I don't understand is why players and amatuers have to have very expensive clubs and stuff. Does having a $500 driver or a $50 driver change your game that much.

It may not improve his game too much, but it might have an impact in his wallet? Just curious why he would switch. If the clubs aren't better than what he's currently using, maybe he switched for more endorsement money.

Me and Ernie hitting those ugly Big Bertha 2006 "shovels!" Who'd a thunk it? Meant as a joke!

[Lefty]

There is not enough endorsment money to cover the loss of earnings from lousy clubs. Woosie's problems when he changed clubs after his Masters win showed all pro's how not to choose a manufacturer.

[drstroud]

I sure hopes he puts Hogan blades in play, but I doubt it.

[Rndm_Als963]

Looks like Ernie's definitely going to be using Callaway tour ball, I can't wait to find out which club choices he'll make

[BiggaAdams]

Anyone get the figures on Tigers newest deal with Nike? I remember hearing they said it was worth about what his last one was, but that's shocking considering how much he means to Nike. I think Tiger would drive the ball better with a different brand driver, maybe not a ton better but I think there would be a difference.