Social Spotlight: Day joins Nike with Rory, 2017 is welcomed in style
I’ll start off by saying Happy New Year! 2017 has been all go so far. Watch out for the lowdown on the latest equipment changes as Jason Day joins Nike, how players welcomed in 2017 and Beef’s latest adventures.
Jason Day joins Nike… eventually!
It was the worst secret kept in golf but the world no. 1, Jason Day, was officially announced as Nike athlete on New Year’s day.
World No.1 @JDayGolf is officially a @nikegolf player. Will wear hat, apparel, shoes and glove starting this week pic.twitter.com/LGPwYU9Tie
— James Savage (@JamesSavageNCG) January 1, 2017
The Australian joins the ranks of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods as part of the Swoosh family after he signed a multi-year deal, for apparel; shoes, clothes, hat, and glove.
JDay went about his announcement in extravagant fashion, posting a picture on Instagram boasting all his sponsors. Really making a statement on how he wants to dominate the game in 2017.
He couldn’t literally show-off his sponsors Netjets and Lexus in bigger fashion!
Rory makes a change of his own
After the news that Nike would stop their production of clubs, Rory McIlroy seems keen on a combination of new the Callaway driver and Titleist ball for the 2017/18 season.
According to a report from NoLayingup.com, the Northern Irishman will bag the new Callaway GBB Epic Sub Zero driver, Callaway Apex MB irons, and the new Pro V1x ball.
Rory McIlroy to start 2017 with new clubs. Set to debut Callaway woods, irons. Vokey wedges. Odessy putter and Pro V1x at BMW South Africa. pic.twitter.com/ZPVZaYQ5Yt
— Harvey Jamison (@HarveyJamison) January 1, 2017
Rory has been teasing fans over the last couple of months to which clubs he’ll switch to, after testing out both the TaylorMade M2 driver and woods and the Scotty Cameron Concept M1 Prototype putter, but it seems we finally have our answer.
I’ll make a bold statement and say that every driver Rory hits, he bombs but I’ve got a feeling it’s his year to do some damage out there and a new driver will certainly do that!
…@McIlroyRory with a Callaway Driver and ProV1 ball. Damn, 2017 pro tracer gonna be like. pic.twitter.com/1RLBIxkZVF
— JRP (@Pottsie77) January 1, 2017
A good move or a bad move? We should see when he makes his 2017 debut at the BMW South African Open.
Bubba Watson has gone into pink overload
Anyone who watches golf knows that Bubba loves to go a bit over the top! Well, he already has a pink driver and now he has added a pink ball to his entourage.
The world no.1o has signed a contract with the South Korean company, Volvik and will play the company’s ball in 2017.
The two-time Masters Champion previously played a Titleist Pro V1x, but he seems to absolutely love the Volvik S4 ball and why not, they’re wacky just like him!
“It comes down to the fun factor—how could you not want a coloured ball when you have a coloured driver,” Watson said.
PXG continue their sweep of LPGA players
Have you noticed the trend? Well if you look closely enough you will see that Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG) has been working it’s way through the LPGA and signed a nice crop of talent.
Very excited and honored to be part of the #PXGTroops !!! #PXG #Proud pic.twitter.com/4RKh7wMlL3
— Lydia Ko (@LydiaKo) January 3, 2017
The World no.1, Lydia Ko, is latest high-profile signing the American manufacturer has made. She makes up the trio of New Year players to join the team along with; US Open winner Brittany Lang, Christina Kim and Ryann O’Toole.
Fans would probably agree that this is a good move for the teenager who had a disappointing end to the 2016 season, but it seems she’s thrilled for a change Saying:
“It almost feels good because I’m like a rookie again, and I’m starting fresh,” Ko said. “To some extent, it’s going to be a good thing.”
Welcome to the @pxg family @LydiaKo @blanggolf @TheChristinaKim @RyannOToole! #PXG #PXGTroops
— Billy Horschel (@BillyHo_Golf) January 3, 2017
The vibe coming from PXG seems to be big and positive especially after these signings, no wonder they’re focusing on the ladies tour it’s proving very popular and really increasing the hype over the clubs!
SO pumped and proud to announce that I am an ambassador of @pxg! I'm so excited for this partnership and the great things to come!
— Christina Kim (@TheChristinaKim) January 3, 2017
The PXG empire is now a force that will really push for results in 2017, especially when you see the big names they have. Alison Lee, Cristie Kerr, Gerina Piller, Sadena Parks and Beatriz Recari all started with the clubs.
Carly Booth goes for a different look in 2017
You could say that Carly Booth has gone full Rickie Fowler, but she’s completely owned her new apparel and equipment change with Puma.
Leaving Nike at the end of 2016, the two-time Ladies European Tour winner has joined the Puma/Cobra family and will showcase apparel footwear from the latest Puma range, whilst being a Cobra staffer from the start of the 2017 LET season.
Carly is a big personality and will have no problem joining Rickie Fowler, Lexi Thompson, Blair O’Neil and Bryson DeChambeau as part of the brand.
Mark Freeman, General Manager of Cobra Puma Golf UK and Ireland has commented on the move:
“Her love and dedication to fitness mirrors that of the Puma brand.”
Nice to get back at it today @StockportGC ⛳️⛳️ pic.twitter.com/89XgAH4GVl
— Carly Booth (@CarlyBooth92) January 3, 2017
And she has shown her intentions straight away by grinding in the off-season winter conditions.
Beef was told his beard was ‘too bad for golf’
Our favourite European Tour golfer and bearded superstar, Andrew ‘BEEF’ Johnston, was in the headlines once again this week.
Johnston, a guest, on BBC Radio 4 said:
“When I won in Spain, I was going to get rid of it that week. Then on social media I got a few messages saying, ‘Your beard is bad for golf, it’s a bad image.’
“Then I was like, well, I’m going to keep it now.”
Andrew @BeefGolf Johnston told us he has a "massive 'beef head'" for 2017, so we asked for a picture… pic.twitter.com/Zp4CojEhLQ
— BBC Radio 5 live (@bbc5live) January 3, 2017
Good on you BEEF! Your beard isn’t symbolising that you just want to keep it, it’s showing that you can be whoever you want to be and still be as successful as you want. People love the game for you, so never change.
I mean BEEF without a beard, I can’t even picture that!
These new Michael Jordan golf shoes will fly off the shelves
With Nike Golf calling it quits on club-making, the company’s sole focus is now apparel. And by the first look of these new kicks, they’re not messing about. The goat himself, Jordan, unveiled a golf shoe which is stunning.
Jordan has adapted the design of the Chicago Air Jordan 1’s, making them suitable for golf and will release a grey version in late 2017.
Rickie Fowler's shoes. (Getty) #THEPLAYERShttps://t.co/vHp1VXLkP0 pic.twitter.com/gGK50eQHZR
— Sports Photos (@sportsphotos) May 13, 2016
Nike is starting to give Rickie Fowler a run for his money, who currently is king of the course when it comes to hot footwear.
Callaway drops a big bomb
It may only be the fifth day in January but yesterday Callaway officially launched its new Geat Big Bertha Epic driver and fairway woods, and they’re big.
There was a lot of speculation over the release and it did not disappoint with many tour players making an instant change by putting the Epic straight into their bags.
Already put the new #EpicDriver in the bag!! Easiest switch I've ever made!! @CallawayGolf looking forward to 2017!! pic.twitter.com/jkr2zGu2eJ
— Danny Willett (@Danny_Willett) January 4, 2017
The Master’s champ clearly showing some love for the new Epic driver.
This is EPIC … #EpicDriver #callaway #callawaygolf @CallawayGolfEU pic.twitter.com/iRnVwJT5Ly
— Pablo Larrazabal (@plarrazabal) January 4, 2017
We’ll have to wait and see if they will indeed be ‘Epic’, but in the meantime take a look at our review of the new clubs HERE.
The players remind how good tour life is
It’s one of the most common thoughts for golf fans… ‘Just how good is life for a tour player?’
Well, the players have answered.
The scenes in Kapalua ahead of this week’s SBS Tournament of Champions are absolutely breath-taking and some of the players on the PGA Tour have kindly gloated this in our faces! I’m really jealous right now.
JT is right, no filters are needed whatsoever.
If you still aren’t impressed by the beauty of the Plantation course at Kapalua, then just take a look at the next few destinations for both the PGA Tour and European Tour over the next few weeks.
Hawaii again hosts the Sony Open this time at the Waialae CC. Over on the European Tour, Rory McIlroy and Ernie Els tee it up at the BMW South African Open, Glendower GC, before the desert swing begins in Abu Dhabi. Not bad at all.
Christmas 2016 was amazing
After a blockbuster 2016 for golf, it was about time Players took some time off to reflect on an amazing year. Once again they showed us how to holiday in style.
Even though it’s great to see the pros enjoying themselves for once, we have all missed them in the natural habitat and I am certainly looking forward to watching some golf on TV, that isn’t a repeat of Tigers 2005 Masters win!
Westy loves a cheeky selfie and a modest glass of wine. Well, I hope to be seeing a lot of this man’s grin in 2017 and see the Englishman try to win that illustrious Major Championship.
Let’s all have Rickie’s mindset for 2017
For all that 2016 was a fantastic year in the game; seeing first-time winners take home all the majors, team USA winning the Ryder Cup in incredible fashion and Justin Rose winning golf’s first gold medal in 104 years, we did lose some greats of the game.
But let’s all have Rickie Fowler’s optimistic look for what 2017 will bring. Roll on the New Year!
As you can see this week’s social spotlight has been non-stop, we’ll see you next week and bring you the craziest news that you might have missed.
Have we missed anything out that you’ve spotted in the golfing world or on social media this week? Tell us in the comments below!
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
