• Loading stock data...
Monday, September 1, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

A Simple Ball Switch Tells a Big Story for TaylorMade

HyperFocal: 0
taylormade-rickie-fowler

Photo via TaylorMade

Rickie Fowler’s recent switch of the type of ball he puts in play is a signal TaylorMade wants to send the golf world.

Fowler recently signed a multi-year ball and glove deal with TaylorMade Golf Company, an announcement made last week prior to the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Now playing TaylorMade’s TP5x, it’s the first ball switch in Fowler’s career. He was a loyal Titleist user his entire amateur and professional career.

“It’s been fun to see what the ball can do,” Fowler said. “Extra yardage on irons, more spin around the green. One less club for me into many holes is a pretty big advantage, too. What more do you want?”

The word “switch” is the major takeaway in this move for TaylorMade, said Mark Buntz, TaylorMade senior director of global marketing.

“For Rickie to switch for this golf ball is a validation that we take very seriously,” Buntz said. “He chose the product because the performance it offers and on the belief and promise it gives him the best opportunity to win in his next chapter to cement his legacy as a great golfer.”

READ MORE: How the PGA Tour Helped Pro Golfers Improve Their Social Presence

With Fowler’s switch, six of the top 13 players in the World Golf Rankings use either the TP5 or TP5x golf balls.

Buntz said there historically is a “zombie effect” toward other balls, but believes this continuation of technological innovation from TaylorMade will help alter the perception of the company as only having a driver-led portfolio. While the TP5x is a new, exciting piece of TaylorMade’s offering, what’s in the bag is still a priority for the company.

This year, TaylorMade is pushing the M5 and M6 drivers with injected twisted-face technology developed by “rocket scientists,” said Buntz. The production process measures, calibrates and injects with tuning resin beyond legal limit speeds and then dials back right to the limit.

The new technologies also stretch to the irons and even into the putter, further extending TaylorMade away from a driver-first perception. The company’s goal is to have the clubs and balls complement each other.

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″]

“It’s a feat of manufacturing that we’ve worked on for five years,” Buntz said. “The last couple of years, our story is we have that performance offering across all products — no longer just as the leader in driver tech. We’ve really made a concerted effort with research and development and product creation to excite golfers across our portfolio.”

Golf technology has long been at the heart of TaylorMade’s ethos, and it’s celebrating that ethos as it approaches the 40th anniversary this year.

“It has been our marketing strategy as long as we’ve been here,” Buntz said. “Performance is written on our walls and etched in our minds. Our marketing approach is to inspire golfers that our new products will be measurably better than anything in the market place.”

READ MORE: Titleist and Its Dynamic Strategy to Extend Its Presence in Golf

Along with the consistent product evolution, TaylorMade continues to evolve its messaging to the customers.

Buntz said the company is learning how to use its partner athletes differently, beyond a 30-second commercial. He said the company’s big names — Tiger Woods, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Dustin Johnson — were brought together for a quick round of golf to find ways to tell that authentic story.

Buntz feels Fowler brings a match in ethos, culture, and pursuit of performance the company has and believes the modern presentation of his own brand will do well for TaylorMade.

“We’re creating a very different content approach featuring the guys talking about these products,” Buntz said. “There’s an authenticity we’re trying to get, a level of connection and relatability and playfulness that comes from them being together.

“The insights we can give to what they love about the products and finding new ways outside a TV commercial is pretty cool.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.

Who Are the Richest MLB Owners?

MLB owners are among the wealthiest people in the U.S.

Keegan Bradley Declines Rare Ryder Cup Playing Captain Role

Bradley did not choose himself with one of his six captain’s picks.
Aug 24, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tommy Fleetwood holds the FedExCup Trophy on the 18th green after winning the TOUR Championship golf tournament.

PGA Tour TV Ratings: Fleetwood’s Breakthrough Caps Playoff Surge

Sunday’s final round drew nearly 4.5 million viewers on NBC.

Featured Today

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
August 22, 2025

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Athlos
May 4, 2025

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.
Jul 19, 2024; Phoenix, Ariz., United States; Sheryl Swoopes hosts a WBNA All-Star brunch in honor of her former teammate, Nikki McCray Penson, at Thea in Phoenix on July 19, 2024
May 12, 2025

Sheryl Swoopes: A’ja Wilson Shoe Campaign Shows Nike Sea Change

Nike released the Air Swoopes in 1995.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
Apr 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire Ron Kulpa (46) calls a third strike during a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field
May 4, 2025

Pro Refs Get Offered Free Lasik for Better Calls. Some Took It

Some pro officials have sprung for the offer for free corrective surgery.
January 15, 2025

State Farm Cancels Planned Super Bowl Ad Amid California Fires Controversy

State Farm’s Super Bowl ad last year featured Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito.
Nov 25, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; From left: Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark, Jason Kelce and Marcus Spears on the ESPN Monday Night Football Countdown set before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
December 17, 2024

A ‘Wave’ of Sports Content Is Coming to TikTok

The next generation is consuming sports in a different way.
Apr 7, 2022; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy (left) and Brooks Koepka set up to putt on no. 9 during the first round of The Masters golf tournament.
exclusive
November 27, 2024

PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf TV ‘Showdown’ Will Pay Out $10M Crypto..

Two golfers from each tour will face off in Las Vegas.