Titleist, Taylormade, and Ping have some of the world’s best using their equipment while tied down to multi-million-dollar contracts. Ian Poulter, however, isn’t one of them.
Poulter, now famously part of LIV Golf, is one of the game’s most prominent characters and is never afraid to ruffle a few feathers.
The Englishman’s move to the breakaway tour was controversial, and fans around the world slammed Poulter’s latest LIV suggestion about home team venues.
Poulter was front and centre at LIV’s sell-out JCB event, and the 48-year-old spent time on the range beforehand to discuss what equipment he was currently using.
Ian Poulter: Manufacturers need to pay more to LIV Golf players
In a video with Golf Monthly, Poulter revealed that he’s not tied down to any contract due to manufacturers underpaying LIV players.
“I actually started out as a Titleist player, but I am non-contracted [currently]. I can use anything I want to use,” Poulter explained. “The contracts that the manufacturers want to use are not big enough for us on LIV for me to sign a contract with any of them.”
Typically, at any professional event, tour buses are present to help players make alterations to their equipment. Poulter, however, undertakes the task himself.
“I do the tweaks for the most part of the year,” he added. “I do it at home. I have a loft and lie machine. I have a swing balance machine. I change my own grips. I use that to my advantage.”
“I have the ability to go to Woburn to see Liam and the guys. If not, and I am in the States, the guys will send some stuff across the pond.”
Titleist the premium option in golf equipment
The reasoning behind Poulter’s decision to be non-contracted feels a little bizarre, considering the money he’s made since turning his back on the PGA Tour. Indeed, signing a deal and having all his needs tailored would’ve been preferable.
Given his previous history with Titleist, Poulter joining forces with the premium golf manufacturer appears sensible on paper.
Titleist’s new driver dominated the PGA Tour, and the brand ambassadors include Wyndham Clark, Ludvig Aberg and Brian Harman.
The new Taylormade QI10 driver is the main competitor and is used by Scottie Scheffler, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Poulter, however, used the new Ping big stick due to his current uncontracted status.
Given the Englishman’s comments regarding contracts, it will be interesting to see if the main manufacturers offer more favourable deals to LIV players in the future.
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