Rory McIlroy will play mostly Callaway Golf equipment to start 2017.
McIlroy will play the Callaway Golf Great Big Bertha Epic Sub Zero driver, the Callaway Golf Apex Forged MB irons and a prototype Odyssey putter when he starts the year at the European Tour's BMW SA (South African) Open in January, according to a No Laying Up report.
Rory to debut new woods, irons, wedges, and a new ball at the BMW South Africa Open. Story: https://t.co/zGAZ0z2Cxt
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) December 31, 2016
The world No. 2 will also bring in some Titleist equipment for 2017, going back to the Titleist Pro V1X ball and putting Vokey wedges into the bag.
It's unclear if McIlroy will use Callaway Golf fairway woods or use another club.
Rory McIlroy WITB: What's in the bag to start 2017?
Driver: Callaway Golf Great Big Bertha (GBB) Epic SubZero
Fairway woods: TBA
Irons: Callaway Golf Apex MB
Wedges: Vokey by Titleist SM6 wedges (46, 56, 58 degrees)
Putter: Odyssey prototype
Ball: Titleist Pro V1X
McIlroy told No Laying Up that the equipment decisions were made after extensive testing in Dubai following the conclusion of the European Tour season. The Ulsterman also said he has no intention of signing an equipment deal in 2017, meaning that he isn't joining Callaway Golf as a staffer. Rather, McIlroy has decided this mix of equipment works best for his game.
When McIlroy played in the WGC-HSBC Champions in October, McIlroy turned heads when he put the 2016 TaylorMade M2 driver and fairway woods into play. While he performed well with the equipment based on TrackMan data, he said afterward that he noticed some flaws. He apparently went back to the drawing board based on what would be offered in 2017 from equipment makers and found this is the best 14 clubs (and ball) for him.
Of course, with McIlroy not intending to sign an equipment endorsement deal in 2017, that gives him the option to change further if he decides that a change is warranted.
