PGA Tour golfer lifts lid on how equipment deals really work

The start of a new season always means one thing: new golf gear. 

Some of the world's best golfers switch to the latest models whilst some players sign with new brands entirely. 

For example, Max Homa recently made the switch from Titleist to Cobra Puma Golf. 

It was a surprising move considering he had spent more than a decade with Titleist clubs that helped him go from a relatively unknown player on the Korn Ferry Tour to a multiple winner at the highest level. 

Elsewhere, Christiaan Bezuidenhout has been spotted at The Sentry rocking PXG gear and, whilst the deal is yet to be announced officially it is safe to assume he has made the switch from Callaway. 

PGA Tour pro Michael Kim has shared valuable insight into how these deals work with a series of posts on X. 

"Unless you're a top-10 player, the equipment deal will most likely be your biggest sponsor," Kim wrote. 

"When most of your income isn't guaranteed, it's comforting feeling to have some guaranteed cash heading into the year.

"Plus, if you like their clubs, it's a win-win."

This appears to be the case for Kim, who plays Titleist woods and irons. 

He's also always played the Pro V1 golf ball and never looked back. 

On the greens, Kim favours an L.A.B. Link.1.

"A player playing with no deal has no guarantee that mixing club companies will equate to better scores so it's a no brainer for some," he added.  

"Also, the attention to detail when a player is on staff can be different. When a player is a free agent, they naturally get put behind their staffed guys."

There are some other issues Tour-level players have to be wary of. 

"Changing equipment from a company a player has had success with is really a big commitment," Kim wrote.  

"A player can test all they want on a range or on their home course but it is never the same for tournament golf. 

"I've heard of many stories where a player loved their new equipment on the range and golf course but during tournament play, it didn’t react the way they wanted and struggled for a while. 

"The first few tournaments are really important. It becomes an issue if you see a miss you’re not used to seeing with a new club. 

"The thought of was that me or was that the club inevitably creeps into the players mind."

Kim used Maverick McNealy as an example. 

At the start of last season, McNealy was 'struggling with his full swing'. 

He changed driver and everything else 'fell into place'. 

McNealy finished his 2023-2024 season with his first ever PGA Tour victory at the RSM Classic. 

Check out Kim's full posts below:

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