Tour News

Callaway hires Nike Golf ball guru Rock Ishii

Published

10 years ago

Nov 3, 2016

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.

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.

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16 Comments

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.

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
Daniel

Nov 4, 2016 at 12:24 am

Tiger go to Callaway?….

Reply Report comment
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.!!!!

Reply Report comment
- SteveID
  
  Nov 4, 2016 at 1:21 am
  
  Thanks for the ALL CAPS, chief.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Juice
  
  Nov 4, 2016 at 9:48 am
  
  Your name is perfect!
  
  Reply Report comment
- 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…
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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!
    
    Reply Report comment
Mike

Nov 3, 2016 at 5:32 pm

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

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- 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?
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
Mark

Nov 3, 2016 at 11:51 am

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

Reply Report comment
Voltman

Nov 3, 2016 at 11:19 am

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

Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Nov 3, 2016 at 1:10 pm
  
  that’s a big ask.
  
  Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship

Published

3 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.