The talk of the town late last year was world #1 Rory McIlroy signing a lucrative deal with the same company that his best friend represents.
Two months into the 2013 season, he hasn’t played in the weekend of any event he’s entered. The question everyone seems to be asking now is: Does it have anything to do with the new equipment?
It’s certainly not the first time that a high profile player traded his trusty old clubs for more cash. Els. Mickelson. Garcia. Couples. The list goes on and on. They all did it and came out alright in the end.. The fact is these guys are professionals, and they can probably play just as well with shovels and hammers. And besides, pros will often switch between different models from time to time.
So why is McIlroy struggling?
We can only speculate.
And there’s no reason to insinuate that he switched to inferior equipment. Not in this era.
I remember when Tiger Woods turned pro and signed one of the most celebrated endorsement contracts in the history of sports. He took his time. He didn’t change everything at once. Whether it’s a new ball or a new driver, he didn’t put something in his bag unless he was sure it was better or at least just as good as the old one. Of course, he got a lot of leeway from the organization that he helped define.
Maybe McIlroy didn’t get the same privilege? Or perhaps he did but chose not to exercise that privilege.
It’s also quite possible that the pressure to prove that he made the right decision is affecting his performance.
There’s a lesson for all of us here.
A simple adjustment in your equipment can sometimes make a huge difference in your game. However, it’s one thing to change something that’s not working. It’s another thing to change something that’s been working just fine.
At the end of the day, he’s a professional. It’s just a matter of time before he gets back.
Unfortunately for the rest of us, mistakes like this don’t get us paid.
COACH MIC QUE 