Wow, Phil will make equipment changes this week. That is certainly surprising to me. Definitely a great deal for Callaway, though to have a big name player like Phil on the team.
Well, firstly, let me state that my favorite player is Phil. Gee, what a fine year Phil has had, huh? Too bad, though, that his great consistency has produced "only" two victories. He needs at least one more. Maybe this week outside Toronto.
I've always felt that equipment changes, or, to be more specific, manufacturer changes, get a little overblown by the media and some fans. These players have exact specifications, down to micro metres, and any one of these companies can produce exactly what these guys are looking for.
I do not anticipate any "bumpy roads" or acclimation period for Phil. I just wish him the best of luck and I hope he continues to devote himself to being not only the greatest dad and husband he can be; but golfer as well.
I am mildly upset that Phil wanted Titlest to renegotiate his contract over a year before it expired. Why do athletes feel that contracts get to be renegotiated? If I sign a contract, I have to follow the terms, make the payments, complete the job, supply the goods, etc., as do all of you. It just grates on me that athletes feel that they can break a contract or renegotiate it any time they please. Of course, if there was a renegotiation clause, that's a different story. Otherwise, I am sorry to see this dishonorable practice come to golf.
Why do athletes feel that contracts get to be renegotiated? If I sign a contract, I have to follow the terms, make the payments, complete the job, supply the goods, etc., as do all of you. It just grates on me that athletes feel that they can break a contract or renegotiate it any time they please.
Sports and athletes are not the real world. You and I play by a different set of rules than they do when it comes to contracts and obligations. I don't begrudge any athlete the outrageous amounts of money they get. It's the owners and sponsors who offer the riches. ( I know it's the fan that ultimately pays though) Team and sponsor loyalty from the player, or to the player, is a thing of the past. The athlete signs a big contract this year....next year he's cut, traded, or uses different equipment, and who really cares? Sports is big business, and big business is a cut throat world.
I'm sorry it's this way too Valeogut... ...I've always been a "my word and my handshake are my bond," kinda guy.
Yep, and if you're not that "kinda guy," you're not a real man in my estimation.
I may be poorer (money wise) for it, but I have something they don't. Pride and respect in myself that I can be trusted to do what I've given my word I would do. Well, except for that "taking the garbage to the curb" thing I promised the wife I'd do. I forget about once a month.
I guess without knowing the exact language of Phil's Titleist contract, it is hard to pass judgement on the reasons for more $$. We just don't know. I hope Phil plays well with Callaway/Hogan/Top Flite clubs. Players make equipment changes all the time. It just gets more headlines when it happens this way.
The article says he will have 3 woods this weekend and is working with the designers on a putter, wedges and irons to suit his game. With the tweaking that goes into something like that, next spring would be reasonable or the silly season if they rush it or get lucky and they get it perfect the first time. So it looks like the whole bag will be Callaway.
He is also playing a "modified" ball that is not available to anyone who is not a tour player. I would say changing equipment is VERY VERY hard, especially balls, irons and wedges. My understaning is he will not change the irons or wedges at the moment, until he can find something that works. Like with Tiger that was a couple of years. I know Callaway hired Gary (?) Cleveland to rework their HORRIBLE line of wedges, so I do not expect that to be a problem. It is the irons that will take some time, IMO.
It will be interesting to see how the ball fits him, he complained that the Pro V1 was a major problem for him last year and he switched to a different version this year and obviously had success. I don't expect him to do well this tournament and likewise in the Ryder cup.
September 7th, 2004, 05:59 PM
You and I play by a different set of rules than they do when it comes to contracts and obligations. I don't begrudge any athlete the outrageous amounts of money they get. It's the owners and sponsors who offer the riches. ( I know it's the fan that ultimately pays though) Team and sponsor loyalty from the player, or to the player, is a thing of the past. The athlete signs a big contract this year....next year he's cut, traded, or uses different equipment, and who really cares? Sports is big business, and big business is a cut throat world. 
...I've always been a "my word and my handshake are my bond," kinda guy. 
I forget about once a month. 
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