It's official -- Rickie Fowler is switching from Titleist clubs to Cobra. Since Cobra was formerly owned by Acushnet, will he see radically different technology?
His commercial is pretty cool... He is still using Pro V1 and S. Cameron.. So I still like him- a tad!
Wonder if the PUMA association had anything to do with the switch to Cobra???
It was going to happen. I think you should like him for his golf talent not his equipment. How many players will Cobra/Puma have?
golfchick: It's official -- Rickie Fowler is switching from Titleist clubs to Cobra. Since Cobra was formerly owned by Acushnet, will he see radically different technology?
I've seen the Amp line in photos and know what they're marketing. But I think his gamers will be similar to the MBs he's used from Titleist. There's a cool commercial announcing the line: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG5x7Y-y9Wo
ToddL: Wonder if the PUMA association had anything to do with the switch to Cobra???
My assumption is that this has everything to do with it. Likely a similar situation as Poulter changing to Puma shoes from FJ.
The switch is probably, as everyone believes, is a result of Puma pressure and their marketing. It would ahve been nice to see him remain with Titleist, but with his wearing the Puma logo on his hat, well, the handwriting was on the wall for the change. And maybe, also, some more financial perks too.
I wonder what sparked him to switch too, and how long it will take him to get used to the new equipment.
I must say that commercial is pretty awesome--especially because my favorite color is orange.
NCBob: It was going to happen. I think you should like him for his golf talent not his equipment. How many players will Cobra/Puma have?
In the world of NASCAR it's referred to as "silly season," when all the drivers and teams start jockeying for sponsors, rides, and new teams. The Musical Chairs of Marketing Dollars is pretty common in sports where the individual is a cotractor, and where marketers look to place the coveted logo with the hottest stars. This is nothing new and will continue.
It's especially true when new corporate alliances form, like when Ashworth got bought by TM/Addidas, Cobra was acquired by PUMA, and even now as Fila bought Acushnet. The need to quickly recoup the acquisition costs via leverage in marketing is very important, especially in down or volatile market cycles. We all know golf is pretty stagnant in the USA, so expanding the reach is a big deal.
So when PUMA gobbled up Cobra last year many of us here had lots of questions about the Cobra pros like Poulter and PUMA guys like Folwer. Many assumptions were made that are now starting to morph into reality. As always, time will tell if the moves help the player or hurt them. Given the technology improvements out there, most of the club specs are no different on a Cobra product versus a Titleist product for the Tour Player.
In the end, I like Rickie as a player. Very solid player and a breath of fresh air. But I could never wear his brand of clothes and wasn't playing his clubs previously, so wouldn't change today. Besides, I look really bad in one of those flat brimmed, X-Games type hats. Not a good look on me at all!
I'd say that's a safe bet! Personally, I would need to play with what feels good to me but in the end, money talks! Still wish Rickie the best of luck; seems like a real nice kid. Maybe one day he'll come back to the good side!
Then again he hasn't even won on the big boy tour yet...
I think the days of seeing players not 100% covered by 1 brand are starting to come to an end, especially for the big names. The brands are spending a lot of $ on these guys, and want to get the most out of them, from shoes to clothes to clubs.
TH, I think a flat brimmed NC hat would look great on you with some long board shorts and flip flops. Need to get into that Cali vibe my friend!