GOLFCHANNEL.com's Jason Crook noted Tiger Woods "has quietly gotten back to business, inking a multi-year deal with Full Swing Golf, a San Diego-based company that makes golf simulators." Woods said that he has "used the simulators for years at The Champions Grill at Isleworth, and plans on installing them at his new course, El Cardonal at Diamante in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and at his home in Jupiter, Fla." Full Swing yesterday announced the move in a press release and sent out a tweet "during the PGA Merchandise Show." Other golfers "associated with the brand include Jordan Spieth, Ian Poulter and Hunter Mahan" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 1/21).
CHROME CAST: GOLFWEEK's Adam Schupak noted Phil Mickelson "will have Callaway’s new Chrome Soft golf ball in play" beginning this week at the PGA Tour Humana Challenge. Mickelson "won’t be the first to put Chrome Soft in play on Tour," as Kenny Perry and Sam Saunders "have already done so." Callaway Senior VP/Marketing Harry Arnett said that he "expects upwards of half of Callaway’s Tour staff to follow suit." To "generate word of mouth with regular golfers, Arnett asked between 500 and 1,000 of Callaway’s green-grass professionals to provide the home address of six influential golfers at their facility." Each member "received a white prototype box with a dozen golf balls," and "a letter drafted by Mickelson" accompanied the package. Arnett said that the packages "made quite the impression" (GOLFWEEK.com, 1/21).
 |
Hogan originally ceased production of clubs in '08
before returning this year |
HOGAN'S HERO: In N.Y., Gary Santaniello examined the relaunch of the Ben Hogan Golf line at this week’s PGA Merchandise Show. Company Founder, President & CEO Terry Koehler, who bought the brand from Perry Ellis and relaunched the company in ‘14, yesterday “introduced classic forged irons with a progressive weighting scheme around the club’s sweet spot, not its perimeter.” The brand stopped producing clubs in ’08. Marketing research firm Golf Datatech co-Founder Tom Stine said, “A niche product, and in part a niche brand, with an iconic brand name, always has a place in the golf market.” However, Stine said the Hogan revival is “a leap of faith” (N.Y. TIMES, 1/21).
NATIONAL TREASURED: PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua on Tuesday discussed National Car Rental's sponsorship renewal with the governing body. Bevacqua: "For us, we have a strategic plan, a strategic mandate to serve our members and to grow the game. National Car Rental really allows us to deliver on both of those." National Car Rental Assistant VP/Marketing Rob Connors said the deal "gives us a chance to really bring our brand out to the people in the sections and work closely with the PGA to really bring those two synergies together" ("Morning Drive," Golf Channel, 1/20).
