Pros Departing Nike Because Ball Sucks?

[iacas]

First Jason Gore left Nike (because he hated their ball). Now he seems to be with Cobra and playing a Titleist ball, though I'm not sure that's been formally done up in a contract.

Today I read that Chris Couch was "caught" playing a Titleist ball in competition, most recently at the Travelers. He's one of the longest tenured Nike players, and now he's left. He's playing a mish-mash of clubs, but a Titleist ball.

I guess what Dave had to say in his review of the Nike ONE+ was pretty accurate: "Nike has a pretty good ball on their hands but still have a bit to go until I consider them great."

[Ogg]

I read the same thing yesterday and was surprised to find how inflexible Nike is with their equipment deals. The article pointed out that the staff players were required to use all Nike equipment and apparel. I wonder if that is hurting them at all.

[Aggie25]

Eldrick hasn't had to give up his Scotty but he's an exception to a lot of rules.

[hurley9192]

easy to do when you've made them millions upon millions of dollars. I doubt you'll see a drop off on Nike equipment with the loss of Couch and Gore.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

Interesting. For some reason I thought Nike had just dropped Gore. Or his contract was up and they couldn't agree on a number. Interesting re: the golf ball. I'd be curious if someone like Casey, Immelman, Choi, Cink or Glover started using a Titleist ball what they'd do. Obviously we know what they'd do with Tiger, but I'd be interested with the next tier. Every player has to have a 14 club + clothing contract (except Tiger of course)? That's tough.

I don't think the Gore deal with Cobra is finalized. Yeah he's been using the clubs but he isn't wearing the hat. Last tournament I saw him in he was wearing a Detroit Tigers hat, pretty cool actually.

Incidentally (and coincidentally?), I've noticed Chris Couch's name higher on the leaderboards in recent events.... he had been sort of off the map since his win in New Orleans last year.

[laconic517]

to me the one platinum blows, I dont get the spin that I do with the Prov1x and i hit the prov1x farther. the blacks suck and have sucked since day one to me. Nike has the biggest piece of shit cover on them too, to me they just feel cheap. Id rather play with some pinnacle distance ball, I think the one platinum is comparable to the NXT and costs way more, I guess the one platinum probably spins a bit more than an NXT tour, but to me the cover is no better.

[bigboom]

they should just release tiger's ball to the public and let the rest of the staffers use it. i dont see why tiger gets a special ball only for him.

[drewmart]

Does anyone know the difference between Tiger's ball and the ONE Platinum?

[tglover44]

I believe I read somewhere that Tiger's ball has a thinner cover than the model sold to the public.

[iacas]

they should just release tiger's ball to the public and let the rest of the staffers use it. i dont see why tiger gets a special ball only for him.

I don't think that's the solution. Many of them probably wouldn't like that one. Too much spin.

[MGP]

Let's face it, Titleist is the golf ball manufacturer when it comes to quality and technology. They have been for over 50 years. I don't think there are very many people that will argue the Pro V1 and Pro V1x are not the best balls made, period.

Look at the numbers on balls used at any major professional and amateur tournament almost anywhere in the world and Titleist dominates. And they have for as long as I've been playing golf.

Nike may have a decent top line ball but even if they do Titleist will keep up with their product research & development and always have one that is as good or just a little better. It's what Titleist does...

If I were an equipment manufacturer I'd want my players to play my ball but I could understand if they wanted to play Titleist. I think one way to possibly "encourage" them to play my ball would be to offer them a (large?) bonus on their endorsement contract if they did. Making it mandatory to play the ball will severely limit the players that can or will endorse the product line, based on the number of players that choose to play Titleist in PGA events.

[Mennon]

Unless I have a contract with Nike and can afford to use 6 balls a round, I would never use Nike balls again. They look old after two holes, and gid forbid you hit a tree or something, it'll have a big ugly scuff on it. You can't come in and throw money at a thing and expect it to be able to compete with the companies that have been doing it for decades. Use the money you pay Tiger to make a better ball, then pay him to use it. Titleist for me.

[bigboom]

I don't think that's the solution. Many of them probably wouldn't like that one. Too much spin.

i thought one of the issues was not being able to spin the nike balls?

[Guest]

My friend plays with Gore at TPC Valencia. Supposedly Gore asked the Nike people to watch him hit balls with a Pro-v on the range compared to the Nike ball. The ball flight and distance wasnt even close with the balls, the Pro-v was going much farther. He also asked them if he can use Tiger's ball and they said no. He was not happy and left Nike.

[BASHERBAKER69]

Hi

golf ball rankings
1 Prov1 black (pro v1x too hard!)
2 Precept Bridgestone
3 Maxfli Revolution (an old ball but a great ball)
4 Strata Tour Ultimate
5 NXT Tour (Titleist)

I always used to like the Titleist Tour Balata 90 but thats too old to feature on this chart

worst balls ever made

1- Callaway HX Tour...too rubbery
2- Wilson Staff Tour Balata..old ball now...rubbery again

no sure about Nike?..aren't they Bridgestone in disguise?


most expensive ball.....Rexstar Pro Model-was used by Nick Faldo

bb69

[Roody]

they should just release tiger's ball to the public and let the rest of the staffers use it. i dont see why tiger gets a special ball only for him.

Because Tiger is their gravy train. If Tiger says "I want a ball made of gold with a core of steel" they do it. You keep Tiger happy at any cost.

[fluxcapacitor]

Eldrick hasn't had to give up his Scotty but he's an exception to a lot of rules.

I thought he was using a Titlest putter with a Ping grip. I could be mistaken though. Back to topic, do you guys think that players are dropping their sponsoships only because of the balls Nike is making? I have to think it might be because most of the Nike equipment is inferior to other brands. Not every pro can hit the forged blades like Tiger can, and I may be mistaken, but isn't there about 5 other companies that make better game improvment irons. Or could it be that the other Nike staff players are tired of the special treatment tiger gets. Just a couple of thoughts. Cris

[Roody]

Personally, I think Nike has the golf apparel market with no contest. They definitely make some of the nicest clothing, with maybe Adidas coming in at second place there.

When I bought my Ping G2's about 3 years ago, one of the sets I also tried out were the Nike Slingshots. In my personal opinion, I didn't care for them. Thought they felt funny when I swung them. That's not to say they're crap, that's just my personal opinion of that one set.

As for Nike golf balls, I have a few Nike One Platinums in my bag. I think they're a decent ball. That was even the ball I used when I had my best round versus par last year - an 84 (12 over). I remember that I didn't lose that ball until hole 16 that day, and that was because I shouldn't have used driver on that hole. I ended up driving it through the dogleg of the fairway and into the tall stuff. I was attempting to play a draw, and hit it dead straight instead.