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Callaway hires Nike Golf ball guru Rock Ishii

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Callaway has hired Nike Golf ball ball guru Hideyuki “Rock” Ishii, making him Senior Director of Advanced Golf Ball Research.

“Adding Rock to our already exceptional ball team will strengthen our ability to investigate new construction methods and improve our evaluation of golf ball performance, leading to better products for golfers at every level,” said Dr. Alan Hocknell, Callaway’s Senior Vice President of R&D.

Our Zak Kozuchowski interviewed Ishii at the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show.

Our Zak Kozuchowski interviewed Ishii at the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show.

Ishii was Nike Golf’s Senior Director of Innovation for Golf Balls before the company’s announcement that it would stop producing golf clubs and balls. He was part of Nike’s original hard goods team, starting with the company in 1996.

During his time with Nike, Ishii worked closely with Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and others to develop golf balls to their exact specifications, including the ball Woods used to win the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach by a record 15 shots.

“By further investing in R&D, at a time when we believe others are or will be forced to pull back, we view this as an excellent opportunity to further strengthen our technical position and build for the future,” said Chip Brewer, President & CEO, Callaway Golf.

Last month, Callaway acquired putter company Toulon Design, led by former TaylorMade Senior Vice President of Product Creatiomn Sean Toulon. Toulon is now General Manager of the Odyssey putter brand, as well as a senior vice president at Callaway Golf.

According to Golf Datatech, Callaway is the fastest growing major golf ball brand since 2013.

Related: Our first look at Callaway’s 2017 GBB Epic driver

16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. Dan

    Nov 6, 2016 at 4:58 pm

    Based on a number of these comments, Callaway’s future ball offerings will be awful then, surely, seeing as Nike’s balls were so terrible, when designed by Rock Ishii.

  2. Mike Honcho

    Nov 4, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    Now if Callaway will get off their adoption of the TM driver product cycle, they’ll be a true force and leader.

  3. Daniel

    Nov 4, 2016 at 12:24 am

    Tiger go to Callaway?….

  4. RAT

    Nov 3, 2016 at 6:52 pm

    Since when was Nike ever a great golf ball! THE ONLY GOLF THING NIKE HAS BEEN SOME WHAT GOOD AT IS CLOTHING , NOT SHOES with that giant swoosh on the top of the toes, UGLY…
    I believe Callaway got stuck.!!!!

    • SteveID

      Nov 4, 2016 at 1:21 am

      Thanks for the ALL CAPS, chief.

    • Juice

      Nov 4, 2016 at 9:48 am

      Your name is perfect!

    • Ben

      Nov 4, 2016 at 4:37 pm

      Agreed. Anyone test out top of the line Nike’s on a monitor? At least for me they go shorter, spin much less off short irons/wedges and go lower on all other shots. Every costco ball I’ve bought is better than the Nike’s. No comparison…

      • Prime21

        Nov 5, 2016 at 6:43 am

        Stick w/ the Costco chief, it’s better for ladies swing speeds. Nike’s softest premium ball spun less than the v1x, which is why you hit everything lower, you simply could not launch it. If one cannot compress a ball, it doesn’t fly high thus far because it doesn’t stay in the air. You should probably try that Noodle ball too!

  5. Mike

    Nov 3, 2016 at 5:32 pm

    Idk how I feel about a guy named “Rock” making golf balls.

    • COGolfer

      Nov 3, 2016 at 8:40 pm

      If you’ve ever hit any of the Nike balls, you’ll understand where the name comes from.

  6. Jonathan

    Nov 3, 2016 at 5:13 pm

    I think this is, in part, a ploy to get McIlroy. Rory has stated that the biggest change for him, and the one he will take the longest with, is the golf ball. Rory is really happy with the ball he’s playing now and having the guy that designed that ball at Callaway likely brings Callaway into play. Just my $0.02.

    • Ben

      Nov 4, 2016 at 4:38 pm

      why can’t he just play a prov1 and have them print something else on the cover?

  7. moneypowerrespect

    Nov 3, 2016 at 3:06 pm

    great move – nike rzn tour is probably the best ball out currently. Rory won’t be needing to worry about his depleting his 3 year supply. He’ll just get Ishii to make him nike rzn tour balls with hex dimples.

  8. Mark

    Nov 3, 2016 at 11:51 am

    Seriously? For every great ball Nike made they put out another dozen pieces of junk.

  9. Voltman

    Nov 3, 2016 at 11:19 am

    Very smart move from Callaway. Maybe Tiger and Rory joining Callaway soon?

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