Rory to Nike............

gorfield

A little birdie told me at the weekend that a 40million dollar offer from nike was on the table for Rory over 5 years from end 2010......surely too much to turn down?? And titleist are not known for huge money deals either.

The Ball boy

gorfield wrote: »

A little birdie told me at the weekend that a 40million dollar offer from nike was on the table for Rory over 5 years from end 2010......surely too much to turn down?? And titleist are not known for huge money deals either.

Would be a shock if he did given the relationship he has had with Titleist since he was very young. If the figure is true, I think it is too much to turn down and doubt very much if Titleist would match it.

Enigma IE

Perhaps Nike are giving the Tiger the nudge (if not already), and are looking to endorse the clean cut image of Rory...

Barname

a little birdie or a big porkie?

mmmm, that would be quite a serious offer.

40 big ones? It would have to be performance related... his putting needs to sloooowww dowwwnn

SWAR

I actually mentioned this to a mait of mine today, when I say mentioned, I said I wouldn't be surprised if Nike didn't offer a bumper deal to Rory in the near future. If t is 40 million, yes surely that would be too much to turn down; however is he willing to change equiptment and risk a dip in form?

I'm sure Titleist wouldn't be willing to match Nike in terms of a monetary offer as they have more of a hold on the golfing market than Nike do, so why should they, but no doubt it would be a substantial offer from Titleist also in order to secure his signature once again.

Nice dilema to have all the same!

L.O.F.T

The Ball boy wrote: »

Would be a shock if he did given the relationship he has had with Titleist since he was very young. If the figure is true, I think it is too much to turn down and doubt very much if Titleist would match it.

Might not be a full bag deal or a head to toe deal. He may continue to use certain clubs from Titleist and there is a fair chance he'll continue to use the Titleist ball. Its amazing to see how far he has come in only one full year on tour. $40 million is alot of money regardless and its not as if Nike make inferior clubs to Titlesit or clothes for that matter.

stumpypeeps

I'd like to know what some of you low handicappers think of differences in performance between different manufacturers?

I was under the impression not a whole pile.

Russman

With the major manufacturers, most of their good equipment is more or less the same standard, its down to individual preference IMO. The look of a club and how it sits is likely to be the deciding factor, all things being equal. Of course custom fitting is the big thing now and definitely gets the best out of your equipment but generally the big companies will have comparable models. If you get a custom fit and suddenly find 30 yards extra on a drive its not so much that the new driver is better, its the old driver being "wrong" for you.

And obviously with the irons, "nothing feels like a Mizuno"

stumpypeeps

Thanks Russman. I guess any switch will take a little time to adjust to but once comfortable their is little advantage or disadvantage.

Surely the feel of a Mizuno is in the Grain flow forging and type of steel used?

As Pings are cast using a specific steel perhaps the feel of a Ping is unique also?

1967

Would not be surprised if it happened as Mr.Woods clean cut image has gone down the swanee on top of a few other things he has gone down on but would think a deal of that amount would be heavily performance related.

TheRiddler

Enigma IE wrote: »

Perhaps Nike are giving the Tiger the nudge (if not already), and are looking to endorse the clean cut image of Rory...

Can't see Nike ever dropping Tiger to be honest

D.R cowboy

As my dad once said "people forget", when woods comes back people will give him a bit of abuses, but then it will just get old trust me

Russman

@ stumpy, absolutely, if any particular brand was significantly better, they'd all use it.

I reckon for us amateurs, brand loyalty is probably the biggest factor when buying clubs. I can't honestly think of anyone seeing a club used by Tiger or Rory and saying "they use it, I must have it"

It was a play on the Mizuno marketing slogan from a couple of years ago "nothing feels like a Mizuno" was on the back of their caps for a while.
Although I do think if the guys on tour weren't paid to play a certain club they'd almost all use Mizuno irons. Steady on, Titleist boys, its just an opinion - not looking to start another thread !!;)

stumpypeeps

Russman wrote: »

@ stumpy, absolutely, if any particular brand was significantly better, they'd all use it.

I reckon for us amateurs, brand loyalty is probably the biggest factor when buying clubs. I can't honestly think of anyone seeing a club used by Tiger or Rory and saying "they use it, I must have it"

Therein lies the problem for Nike. They still perform quite poorly in comparison to others despite such huge investment in big name players.

From my experience Titleist are the prestige brand of golf. Thats worth more than any sponsorship deals. Do Mercedes need to advertise?

JCDUB

Enigma IE wrote: »

Perhaps Nike are giving the Tiger the nudge (if not already), and are looking to endorse the clean cut image of Rory...

Eeerm from what I hear (purely speculation;)) Rory may not be as squeaky clean as we are led to believe. Apparently he aint a million miles away from the Tiger fellah in more ways than just golf..

If this is true it wouldn't be the wisest move from nike would it?
Then again I'm sure they've done their research.

gorfield

JCDUB wrote: »

Eeerm from what I hear (purely speculation;)) Rory may not be as squeaky clean as we are led to believe. Apparently he aint a million miles away from the Tiger fellah in more ways than just golf..

If this is true it wouldn't be the wisest move from nike would it?
Then again I'm sure they've done their research.

I dont think this is an appropriate comment for the thread,Rory has recently moved in with his girlfriend and their dog, im pretty sure your "speculation" is a invention of drama against a very impressive young man.

fullstop

Russman wrote: »

Although I do think if the guys on tour weren't paid to play a certain club they'd almost all use Mizuno irons. Steady on, Titleist boys, its just an opinion - not looking to start another thread !!;)

A lot of the clubs used on tour are manufactured by Miura, no? AFAIK they make a lot of the clubs for the pros and then stamp the name of the manufacturer that the pro is sponsored by onto the clubs.

kagni

Russman wrote: »

Although I do think if the guys on tour weren't paid to play a certain club they'd almost all use Mizuno irons. Steady on, Titleist boys, its just an opinion - not looking to start another thread !!;)

Ryan Moore is one of the few tour pros who doesn't have a club endorsement contract, here is what he had in his bag last year...

DRIVER: Adams Speedline 9032LS (8.5°) with Graphite Design Tour AD Quattro Tech 65 shaft
FAIRWAY WOODS: Adams Speedline 9032 Ti (14.5°)
HYBRID: Adams Idea Pro Gold (18°, 22°)
IRONS: Ping S59 (4-PW)
WEDGES: Ping MB (54°), Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled (60°)
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron for Titleist Newport 303
BALL: Callaway Tour i

http://blogs.golf.com/equipment/2009/08/ryan-moores-winning-clubs.html

BiffoGooner

kagni wrote: »

Ryan Moore is one of the few tour pros who doesn't have a club endorsement contract, here is what he had in his bag last year...

DRIVER: Adams Speedline 9032LS (8.5°) with Graphite Design Tour AD Quattro Tech 65 shaft
FAIRWAY WOODS: Adams Speedline 9032 Ti (14.5°)
HYBRID: Adams Idea Pro Gold (18°, 22°)
IRONS: Ping S59 (4-PW)
WEDGES: Ping MB (54°), Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled (60°)
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron for Titleist Newport 303
BALL: Callaway Tour i

http://blogs.golf.com/equipment/2009/08/ryan-moores-winning-clubs.html

Hasn't he signed a deal with Scratch golf now?His clubs only have lofts printed on them, kinda cool.Their wedges are supposed to be brilliant.

Can't see Rory leaving Titleist after that long, and especially not to go to Nike, don't think their gear would suit his style.

L.O.F.T

BiffoGooner wrote: »

Hasn't he signed a deal with Scratch golf now?His clubs only have lofts printed on them, kinda cool.Their wedges are supposed to be brilliant.

http://www.scratchgolf.com/news/articles/

Ryan Moore Bag: from Golfwrx.com: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/329422-whats-in-my-bag-2010/
8.5* Adams Speedline 9032LS w Graphite Design Tour DI-6X
13* Tour Edge Exotics CB3 Tour w Diamana 'ilima 70 X
18* Tour Edge Exotics CB3 Tour w Diamana 'ilima 80 X
21* Scratch Hybrid w UST V2 89 X
20* Scratch SB-1 Tour Custom Satin w True Temper DG-Lite X100 Sensicore
25* Scratch SB-1 Tour Custom Satin w True Temper DG-Lite X100 Sensicore
30* Scratch SB-1 Tour Custom Satin w True Temper DG-Lite X100 Sensicore
35* Scratch SB-1 Tour Custom Satin w True Temper DG-Lite X100 Sensicore
40* Scratch SB-1 Tour Custom Satin w True Temper DG-Lite X100 Sensicore
45* Scratch SB-1 Tour Custom Satin w True Temper DG-Lite X100 Sensicore
50* Scratch Tour Custom Satin Wedge Custom Grind w True Temper DG-Lite X100 Sensicore
55* Scratch Tour Custom Satin Wedge CTG Grind w True Temper DG-Lite X100 Sensicore
60* Scratch Tour Custom Antique Wedge DOG Grind w True Temper DG-Lite X100 Sensicore
Scratch Jeff McCoy Hand Made Prototype Putter

JCDUB

gorfield wrote: »

I dont think this is an appropriate comment for the thread,Rory has recently moved in with his girlfriend and their dog, im pretty sure your "speculation" is a invention of drama against a very impressive young man.

Fair enough gorfield, I apologise so.

I heard he had split up with Holly and was enjoying the trappings of golf superstardom around the world.

I heard this from what I would have thought a reliable source too, somebody involved in the game, so would have thought it was near enough to the truth.

stumpypeeps

JCDUB wrote: »

Fair enough gorfield, I apologise so.

I heard he had split up with Holly and was enjoying the trappings of golf superstardom around the world.

I heard this from what I would have thought a reliable source too, somebody involved in the game, so would have thought it was near enough to the truth.

Sure thats what a discussion forum is for, a place to discuss rumour, speculation etc...This thread was started with a rumour so I can't see any problem with yours.

PhilipMarlowe

The difference for me is that one rumour is speculation on a business decision he may or may not take whereas the other is more a reflection on a persons character and is an infinitely more sensitive issue to publish.
I don't much like discussing private lives on here, particularly when those discussions are based around rumour...

stumpypeeps

Licksy wrote: »

The difference for me is that one rumour is speculation on a business decision he may or may not take whereas the other is more a reflection on a persons character and is an infinitely more sensitive issue to publish.


I don't much like discussing private lives on here, particularly when those discussions are based around rumour...

Point taken. However, such is the world we live in. If we had been talking about Ian Poulter and rumoured misdemeanours would we be so sensitive?

PhilipMarlowe

Yes.
I'm a Poulter fan

Seriously... I actually am a fan.


No, seriously, private lives should be private as much as possible. Discussion of private lives makes me uneasy and rumours about private lives shouldn't be published here IMO and more probably in the opinion of the site owners.

stumpypeeps

Licksy wrote: »

Yes.
I'm a Poulter fan

Seriously... I actually am a fan.


No, seriously, private lives should be private as much as possible. Discussion of private lives makes me uneasy and rumours about private lives shouldn't be published here IMO and more probably in the opinion of the site owners.

Yeah, I actually agree. I was just giving JCDUB a little backing. I'm sure he believes his source to be credible. And lets face it, we all like to dish a bit of juicy gossip when possible.

conno16

gorfield wrote: »

I dont think this is an appropriate comment for the thread,Rory has recently moved in with his girlfriend and their dog, im pretty sure your "speculation" is a invention of drama against a very impressive young man.

have you been hanging around outside his house on week nights again gorfield??

JCDUB

Licksy wrote: »

No, seriously, private lives should be private as much as possible. Discussion of private lives makes me uneasy and rumours about private lives shouldn't be published here IMO and more probably in the opinion of the site owners.

Yeah I understand this, and agree to an extent.

However Rory is now living his life in the public eye whether he likes it or not, and that's a choice he made.
When you live your life in the public eye there will be speculation about your private life, it's an unavoidable cost of being famous.

I do think his golf will remain number one priority to journos, but there will always be red-top hacks out there looking to uncover some sort of smutty scandal.

I'm surprised Tiger got away with it for so long tbh.

I've only met Rory once, but I can safely say that if I were his age with his talent, marketablility and bank account, I wouldn't be settling down just yet.

gorfield

conno16 wrote: »

have you been hanging around outside his house on week nights again gorfield??

No.

BiffoGooner

http://blogs.golf.com/equipment/2010/01/rory-mcilroy-titleist-irons-nike-vr-hybrids-martin-kaymers-winning-taylormade-cl.html

Rory's just switched to a different set of Titleist's.Be unusual to do that if you were about to move to another company anyway.

PhilipMarlowe

The OP mentions end of 2010 so there's still a whole season to go...