Taylormade marketing ploy?

[Gioguy21]

So i'm at the national stationed behind the 17th hole right bunker and have seen all but the first 2 pairings for the day (sunday) and noticed something. There was one player (of course i can't remember) who was sporting the Taylormade bag, irons, monza, etc. however, i was assuming he had and was using the R9 based on the clubhead cover. Only to pull it off and it's a Ping G10. Now, that being said a little voice came in my head. "Taylormade drivers...more than nike, callaway, and ping...combined." now, my question asked is this: Do you believe that they as a company are forcing players sponsored by them to use different covers just to sell the name/club? and the bigger question, are the number of Taylormade drivers based on covers noticed in the bag, or the actual clubs they cover? btw, tourney was absolutely incredible, i was a first timer and couldn't believe the wave following Tiger yesterday.

[iacas]

Happens all the time. Tiger's got a Nike headcover on his Scotty Cameron (Titleist) putter.

Pros with loose enough contracts to play off-brand equipment will still try to "fake it."

[Jenks465]

Typically all players will have the option to use a different manufacturers driver or putter written into their sponsorship deals as these clubs are so much about personal preference and they don't want to be forced into using something that they don't like. The use of the sponsors headcovers will be a part of the contract whether the player uses the club or not as they are effectively paying for advertising space in the players bag. The club count takes place on the Thursday of a tournament and is done on the actual clubs the player has in the bag. That said, in some cases companies will ask a player to use a club just for the one day each week so that it is included in the count while not being obliged to carry it for the rest of the tournament.

[Gioguy21]

I figured as much to both of your replies, I was just trying to figure out the whole "#1 Driver in Golf" mumbo. To be honest, i know this is off track. I know their R9 is the most innovative but...if you have a crappy inconsistent swing...what's hte point in adjustability if even after you adjust it you can't hit it?...just a rant, sorry. Thanks for your replies.

[Shindig]

It's actually not a bad scheme; lots of people will play the clubs their favorite professional is playing, whether or not this is a good idea for their game, or even if the pro actually plays those clubs.

I was looking through the used club selection at Roger Dunn a few weeks ago, just out of curiosity, and I found three - THREE! - sets of Nike blades, 2-P, with X100 shafts, barely used. And I wasn't at the largest Roger Dunn in the area by any stretch of the imagination.

Anyway, the head cover on the wrong club is misleading, but unless they explicitly state "So-and-so uses TaylorMade" when that person doesn't, I think it isn't really false advertising. And if someone buys a club based on what headcover a pro is using, that's their loss.

[CG031]

Happens all the time. Tiger's got a Nike headcover on his Scotty Cameron (Titleist) putter.

Yeah. I believe I saw Padraig using one of the new Callaway drivers, only for his caddy to put a Wilson headcover back on it.

Kind of stupid IMO, which is why I don't particularly cares "What this guy plays, and what that guy plays" kind of thing.

[Parker0065]

I think most thier contracts usually only require a certain number of clubs in thier bags be from main sponser brands. So if Harrington is required to play at least 10 Wilson clubs then there's 4 other clubs,,,Drivers/Putter's,,,,ect, that he could play!

I'm sure it depends on the contract, but It's extremely rare that a player would exclusively use one single brand!

[Hitman]

While at the Arnold Palmer Tournament in Orlando this spring , I saw a few pro's uncover putters with different head covers on them, I think Zac had a Scotty cover on his non Scotty putter and Kenny Perry had a Ping Craz-e putter with a Taylormade grip on it. I don't care what each pro play's as much as how they play or make those shot's. I would love to try a round with a tour van iron set just to see if I could hit that 5 iron 213 yds.

[Iowa Hawkeye]

I have a Mizuno Headcover on My FTi. Pros usually are locked into a certain number of clubs. For the remaining clubs they can use whatever they feel the most comfortable with, as long as they still advertise for their brand (i.e. headcovers). I believe Tiger Woods is under no club contract with Nike but still uses them (or atleast makes it look that way).

[Shorty]

i believe tiger woods is under no club contract with nike but still uses them

You have got to be joking!

[shortstop20]

You have got to be joking!

LOL.....I would sure hope so.