Sponsorship in Golf and the Direction It Is Heading

There has already been some major news in golf for 2017 on the sponsorship side.  Jason Day has officially signed with Nike to wear their apparel and shoes going forward into 2017 and beyond.  Dozens of tour pros and hundreds of Nike Golf staffers will need to find new equipment to use if they haven't already.  Brandel Chamblee said on Golf Channel during the Hero World Challenge that Tiger Woods is in a "dream situation" being able to choose his clubs.  Rory McIlroy is also a part of that dream.

No Laying Up was the first to post about Rory McIlroy who announced that McIlroy will will be playing the new Callaway GBB Epic Sub Zero driver, Callaway Custom Apex MB irons, and the ProV1x golf ball.  During the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National, Rory still had his Nike equipment through the bag.  In China at the WGC-HSBC Championship, he had put the Taylormade M2 driver in the bag and fairway woods to match.  McIlroy will also use Titleist Vokey wedges and a prototype Odyssey putter.  McIlroy has also said he doesn't plan on signing an equipment deal in 2017.  

This begs the question will we see a trend?  Will others test equipment of all brands looking for the exact tools and equipment that suit their game the best?  

I am actually surprised this hasn't been the case by more high profile players.  Looking for every edge and advantage available to them seems like a favorable course of action.  By auditing their equipment this could allow players to gain advantages they didn't even know were available.  Whether it is a little bit more forgiveness on mishit irons or an extra 2 mph of ball speed on the driver, every advantage big or small is still an advantage.  I believe this is the direction of the game.  Sponsorship is certainly in for a change over the next few years.

What can the average person take away from an elite player like McIlroy changing his equipment? Conduct an audit in your own golf bag and decide if the club is helping you or hurting you.  If the club isn't broke, don't fix it.  In other words, if you hit your old Cleveland 5 wood well, don't put a new one in the bag.  Take in information, test the information for yourself, and then decide.  Arm yourself with equipment that fits you and that you enjoy using.

Jason Day wearing new Nike gear

 Golf is expensive enough and difficult enough without buying new clubs every year.

Cheers to a great 2017

Kevin Trobaugh, PGA Apprentice

"Audit your circle" - Gary Vaynerchuk

P.S. 
If anyone knows of anyone who might be interested in helping a young pro out let me know :)