Sergio Garcia and TaylorMade Part Ways – What it Means for Your Golf Game

Sergio Garcia—winner of the 2017 Masters—parted ways with TaylorMade after 15 years together yesterday.  While it’s unlikely that the general public will ever learn the dispositive “why,” there are some clear inferences that can be drawn.  Sergio has been seen a couple times during the past few weeks with Callaway equipment, in particular the Toulon putters and new Mack Daddy 4 wedges.  Meanwhile, TaylorMade was sold back in May to KPS Capital Partners, who are probably looking to get a return on their $425 million investment.

So what does this mean to normal, weekend warrior golfer?  Don’t be tied to a label and play whatever works best for you.  Let’s look at Tiger’s 1997 Master’s WITB:

• King Cobra Driver (9*)
• Titleist PT 3-Wood (15*)
• Mizuno MP-29 (2 to 4) and MP-14 (3 to PW)
• Cleveland 588 RTG 56* and 60* Wedges
• Scotty Cameron Newport

This is one of the reasons I decided to get fit with True Spec Golf.  While some retailers (mega-stores) are inclined to push certain brands, Brand “X” may not actually be what’s best for you.  But fitters like True Spec provide you with so much data, that it not only would be impossible to hide what works best, but, more importantly, they want to make sure you go home with what works best for you.

I cannot tell you how many people I have played with who have Scotty Cameron Newports just because it’s one of the most popular putters on the Tour; not because it works for their stroke or they like how it feels.

Perhaps this also illustrates how most golfers are quick to get driver fittings, but a substantial majority of us don’t bother with putter fittings, despite the fact that a properly fit putter could result in making nearly 50% more putts.  To illustrate a different point, combination iron sets (see Tiger’s bag) are becoming more and more common.  While a more forgiving iron will help get the ball in the air with the long irons, a more player-focused iron will provide more control with the shorter sticks.

No one is going to know that you’re playing Srixon Z 565s in the 4-6 irons, but Z 765s in the 7 to PW.  But they are going to remember the birdie you got on that Par 5 after you bounced back from an okay drive with a great 4 iron shot and the epic pitching wedge that you stuck only a few feet from the pin.

So next time you’re looking at buying new clubs, whether it’s a driver or a putter, remember something: you’re paying for it, so buy the one that is the best for you.  Get fit, even if that means just collecting some fundamental data points to confirm the essentials (e.g., ball speed, carry distance, dispersion, spin).

Just because your friend is bombing his new Callaway Epic doesn’t mean it’s right for you.  To the contrary, forcing the Epic may actually hinder your performance, while the Ping G400 you never considered would have you easily outdriving him.

Cover Image via Instagram