TaylorMade’s Losses: Sergio Garcia And Xander Schaufflele Switch To Callaway

After all the swirling not-so-secretive smoke that Sergio Garcia was testing new equipment, it became official when Callaway and Garcia announced a full bag agreement marriage after years of Sergio working with TaylorMade. Golfweek’s David Dusek has the details.

One of the most consistent drivers and iron players of his generation, Garcia, who turns 38 on Jan. 9, is expected to use 14 Callaway clubs and a Callaway Chrome Soft X ball. Going forward, Garcia will also have a Callaway logo on both sides of his Adidas dominating hat. 

Yeah, I know. Adidas and Nike are keeping their stars in threads while the players throw other brand clubs in the bag.

In November, after Garcia and TaylorMade mutually agreed to terminate the remaining years of his previous deal, the Spaniard was spotted at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai using a Callaway GBB Epic driver with a Mitsubishi Rayon Kuro Kage shaft, along with Callaway Apex MB irons that had Garcia’s personal logo stamped in the toe area. Garcia also played Callaway Mack Daddy 4 prototype wedges that week.

In other news, reigning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Xander Schauffele inked a deal with Callaway as he left TaylorMade as well.

Schauffele is joining Callaway’s Tour staff and will be playing the company’s woods, irons, wedges, Odyssey putter, and Chrome Soft ball in 2018. He has been using an Odyssey putter for years and said he began testing Callaway’s other offerings in the offseason.

“This really was a natural transition,” he said, “and I’m really confident in how their equipment will help improve every part of my game.”

Schauffele is the first reigning Rookie of the Year to switch equipment the following season since John Huh left PING for TaylorMade in 2013 via Jonathan Wall’s equipment report.

Schauffele didn’t go crazy though after pocketing over $6 million in 2017.

“I pick up the tab for my mom now, I don’t let her pay for any dinners,” he laughed on Wednesday on the eve of his first start at the winner’s-only Sentry Tournament of Championships. “I figure she’s kind of taken care of me for awhile.”

He also earned more than $6 million in prize money and FedExCup bonuses, and those dinners for his mother aren’t the most extravagant thing he’s bought since East Lake.

Schauffele said he purchased a new condo in San Diego, but has otherwise remained frugal, explaining that he still drives the same car he did when he played on the Web.com Tour.

“A little [2015] Camry, it’s got like nine months on the lease now or something like that,” he smiled. 

Yet, there are more players who chased the money but took some time getting used to the new sticks and balls. It took Rory over a year to get comfortable with Nike (mostly the low-spinning ball). And Huh earned less money every year following his switch until 2016.

I always say win and the money will chase you.