Bubba Watson ‘Blames’ Rough Season On Golf Ball

Bubba Watson arrived at this week’s  Shriners Hospitals for Children Open hitting a new ball instead of his much-promoted Volvik model. Call it a year-long test that didn’t work out. Hey it happens. Watson is returning to the Titleist ProV1x. Thanks to our Eli Jordan for the heads up.

It reminds me (again) that chasing money for equipment is not the brightest idea. Play well and win is the best way to make more loot. For Volvik, one has to wonder if the partnership (and the reported $1 million deal) increased their ball sales. Or will the sales suffer at all with Watson’s exit? I know they made a big splash at the PGA Merchandising Show.

“My contract is done with Volvik. I do not have a ball deal as we sit here today,” Watson said to reporters in Las Vegas. “So I can play with whatever ball I want to. My deal was up, and so I’m ball-free.”

Watson’s comments were a bit surprising: Volvik announced at the Tournament of Champions it had signed the two-time green jacket winner to a multi-year deal. However, given the 38-year-old’s struggles—he’s coming off one of his worst campaigns in his career, missing the cut in three of the four majors and failing to advance to the third leg of the FedEx Cup—circling back to what’s worked in the past is understandable.

I wonder what financial penalties are assessed (if any) for a player opting out early? As a ball manufacturer, you certainly don’t want a high-profile player to struggle when the only changes made were with the ball…

“My goals are to be better than that. It was a frustrating year when it came to the golf,” Watson admitted. “It was a great year off the course, but a frustrating year.”