Tour News

Report: McIlroy to switch to Callaway clubs, Titleist ball

Published

9 years ago

Dec 31, 2016

According to a report from No Laying Up, Rory McIlroy will use several new clubs and a new golf ball when he tees it up at the European Tour’s BMW South Africa Open on January 12.

The report cites five specific changes to McIlroy’s bag:

Driver: Callaway Epic Sub Zero
Irons: Callaway Apex MB (custom)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey
Putter: Odyssey with prototype insert
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

A case can be made that all the reported changes to McIlroy’s bag are significant, but the driver and putter switches are the most interesting because of the secretive nature of the products.

Callaway’s Epic Sub Zero driver is on the USGA’s Conforming Club List, but it is yet to be announced by Callaway. Odyssey (owned by Callaway) is also yet to release the prototype putter insert in question, which No Laying Up says is the same insert used by Phil Mickelson.

McIlroy has stated several times that he does not plan to sign an equipment endorsement contract in 2017, but it’s clear that he’s working closely with representatives from Callaway in order to obtain the yet-to-be-announced equipment.

McIlroy previously used Titleist’s Vokey wedges and a Pro V1X golf ball before signing an equipment endorsement contract with Nike in 2014. The latest Vokey wedges are the company’s SM6 models. A 2017 version of Titleist’s Pro V1x golf ball was also launched this fall to tour players, but is yet to be announced for retail release. The report did not clarify exactly what model of Vokey wedges or Pro V1x golf ball McIlroy will use.

In October, No Laying Up was the first to confirm that McIlroy would use TaylorMade’s M2 driver and fairway woods at the HSBC-Champions in China. It is unclear whether McIlroy will continue to use the TaylorMade M1 fairway woods that were in his bag for his last tournament, the DP World Championship in Dubai.

Related Topics:Callaway Titleist

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22 Comments

suhdude

Jan 3, 2017 at 2:59 pm

callaway gang! uh suhhhh dude

Reply Report comment
Boom

Jan 3, 2017 at 2:23 pm

you guys know he hasn’t even signed a contract with anyone yet. he is just using a mixed bag and play what he feels best. jus cause he is using a callaway irons and driver and woods doesn’t mean he signed with them. he prob isn’t even getting money from anyone but nike. lol with 825 milli network money isn’t issue

Reply Report comment
Rich Douglas

Jan 2, 2017 at 11:11 pm

Going with Titleist instead of the Callaway ball should not be seen as a slight against the quality of the Callaway. I’m sure what happened is he found the Titleist better fitting his needs and cut a deal with Callaway to include it. Making that choice probably cost him a lot of Callaway money, but he must have thought it was worth it on the course.

Reply Report comment
- Boom
  
  Jan 3, 2017 at 2:29 pm
  
  I’m sure if he had contracts with Callaway GolfWRX would of made a huge post about it. same with Titleist and Odyssey. you know how they made a article bout Tiger signing with Bridgestone, same thing we would of been reading tones on stuff about his contract. went with Callaway cause his nike irons were to spinning with the new ProV1x and he was loosing distance and he said Callaway worked the best out of all the clubs he got sent to him. he will win with a mixed bag. his net worth is 825 milli lol i don’t think he is worried about money hahaha
  
  Reply Report comment
Looper

Jan 2, 2017 at 1:20 pm

Bye Rory…

Reply Report comment
KJ

Jan 2, 2017 at 1:07 pm

wasn’t the most recent putter that he made everything with a Scotty? Why the h*** would you change that after 2 miserable years of putting?

Reply Report comment
kansaslefty

Jan 2, 2017 at 9:21 am

what is he going to do with the 3 years of Nike balls he has ?

Reply Report comment
Forsbrand

Jan 1, 2017 at 2:24 pm

Is this a hoax?

Reply Report comment
- Dat
  
  Jan 1, 2017 at 2:55 pm
  
  Let’s hope. Callaway is desperate for a new big name though. It is probably true.
  
  Reply Report comment
SV

Jan 1, 2017 at 9:30 am

Very disappointed. I was hoping he would get his woods from Old Tom Morris, irons from Robert Forgan, both of St. Andrews and golf balls from Wm. Gourlay of Musselburgh.

Reply Report comment
- Brian Smith
  
  Jan 4, 2017 at 9:44 am
  
  Forgan clubs are excellent yet you never see them reviewed although they are one of the oldest club makers in the world.
  
  Reply Report comment
ooffa

Jan 1, 2017 at 6:51 am

Did he break up with his previous sponsor by text.

Reply Report comment
- drkviol801
  
  Jan 1, 2017 at 11:40 am
  
  best comment ever! Hats off to you m8 Caroline may shed a tear
  
  Reply Report comment
Lloyd

Jan 1, 2017 at 4:51 am

Good move

Reply Report comment
lastr002

Dec 31, 2016 at 9:04 pm

DAMN!!!! I totally had this set up!!! I cant believe that McIlroy is copying me!!!!! I always knew I was a trend setter!

Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Jan 2, 2017 at 11:15 am
  
  that’s what it say’s on your facebook page
  
  Reply Report comment
moses

Dec 31, 2016 at 7:05 pm

Always cool to see what guys like Rory or Tiger will play when they choose equipment that’s best for them and money of is no concern which clubs make it into the bag.

Reply Report comment
- Philip
  
  Dec 31, 2016 at 9:44 pm
  
  That is still up in the air as we have no idea whether there is no endorsement to go with these changes if and when they occur.
  
  Reply Report comment
drkviol801

Dec 31, 2016 at 7:00 pm

FIRST!

Reply Report comment
- Uhit
  
  Dec 31, 2016 at 10:52 pm
  
  Well, I have waited for this information since years… 😉
  …b.t.w.: who and what comes last?
  Any idea drkviol801??
  
  Reply Report comment
  - drkviol801
    
    Jan 1, 2017 at 11:43 am
    
    “The first in the order of intention is the last in the order of execution.” This philosophical principle, drilled into the minds of all aspiring Aristotelians, can seem at first to be quite discouraging.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Uhit
      
      Jan 2, 2017 at 2:56 pm
      
      Why not choose the golden middle?
      Thinking before doing, and doing before it´s all over.
      
      Maybe one should spice up aristotelism with buddhism…
      …and play golf with the tools a buddha would use?
      
      Who needs Titleist, or Callaway, if peace is in your mind.
      
      Reply Report comment

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Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site for the second major of 2026: The PGA Championship from Aronimink in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

The tournament’s location, just outside Philadelphia, and its status as a major championship mean GolfWRXers are in for a treat: WITBs from a strong field, custom gear celebrating the PGA Championship, and the rich culture of the City of Brotherly Love — we have noted a relative absence of cheesesteak-themed items thus far this week, but most of the rest of the usual suspects are well represented.

Check out links to all our photos below.