Change, Schmange: Rory Says Most Of The Equipment Today Is The Same, Made At Same Factories

Shhhhhhhhh....Rory McIlroy, you're not supposed to say things like this when talking about tinkering with your new clubs from the, uh, mystery brand you are moving to.

Tony Jimenez reports:

"I think all the manufacturers make great equipment nowadays and it's all very similar - a lot of them get their clubs made at the same factories. I don't think it will make any difference."

Comments

[Ivan Morris]

Oh, my Miura! What an indiscreet thing to say.

[Ghillie]

Not exactly what one would think Nike (or whoever) expects for its gazillion dollar "staff appointment."

[Will o'the Glen]

Hey, Rors -- the Nike folks are paying you something north of $20M/year for 10 years to tell the world that their equipment is the best there is. Be careful that you don't strangle that golden goose in an attempt to rationalize the equipment change and silence the critics.

(Ask Johnny Miller about his change to Wilson clubs and balls in 1975 if you think that equipment doesn't matter…)

Reminds me of the exchange between the Michael Gold character (Jeff Goldblum) and the Sam Weber character (Tom Berenger) in the 1983 Lawrence Kasdan film, "The Big Chill":

Michael: I don't know anyone who could get through the day without two or three juicy rationalizations. They're more important than sex.
Sam Weber: Ah, come on. Nothing's more important than sex.
Michael: Oh yeah? Ever gone a week without a rationalization?

[Ryan]

Equipment change in 1975 was a different animal

[Garland]

Rory is exactly right, and many of the lesser brands with their own designers get the clubs made by the same people, so there is no reason to play the brands the pros play.

[Buffett]

So, what will Nike be paying him for?

[johnnnycz]

Rory could choose to play a beat-up set of 30yr old Sounder blades and Nike will be more than happy to slap on their swooshy logo. Corporate behemoths aren't too picky over details..

[Stord]

Just in case anybody had forgotten, Rory reminds us all that he's a bit dim....nice chap though.

[Tom]

As for the irons, everybody makes a great forged blade , and all the pro's use basically the same shaft. The various tour balls are all great , with only slight differences in feel. Guys win all the time not playing a Titleist ball . (Brandt Snedeker won the Fed ex cup with Bridgestone)

[RES]

My guess is Nike's not all that interested in selling clubs, anyway. It's brand recognition, baby! They're basically paying Rory all that money to change his hat and shirt.

[Hilltop]

@Tom Bridgestone makes some beautiful irons as well. Their current J40-CB are as good as anything that's out there. But, with only a couple of tour guys playing their clubs, Bridgestone is better know for balls.

[Press Agent]

I think we all know that the most important part of the club is the shaft, followed probably by the grips. No matter what brand of clubs you are playing, you can play whatever shafts and grips you want.

[DTF]

johnny, spot on!

Stord, spot on!

Tom, spot on!

RES, spot on!

Hilltop, spot ON! J40 CBs rule.