Tag Archives: Rory McIlroy

Golf Junior, Juniors, TaylorMade Golf

TaylorMade Golf – Introduction of new Rory Junior Golf Sets, in collaboration with Rory McIlroy

November 2, 2018 – TaylorMade Golf has announced the Rory Junior Golf Sets, inspired by and created through input from Rory McIlroy to welcome the beginner and developing player to the game of golf. The introduction of young players to the game is a passion point for TaylorMade and McIlroy, who himself was introduced to the game at a very young age.

“Growing up, golf was an extremely important part of my life. It allowed me to stay active, enjoy the outdoors and have fun within a competitive sport. I partnered with TaylorMade to design the Rory Junior Set to give kids an easy introduction to golf so they can have the same opportunity I had to fall in love with the sport,” says Rory McIlroy.

Incorporating many of the same technologies found in other TaylorMade products, each has been specifically engineered to deliver the optimal lengths, lofts and shaft flexes to promote proper swing mechanics for junior golfers while developing their passion for the game.

“We were looking for a gateway for young players to enjoy the game with product built specifically with them in mind. Having a role model like Rory McIlroy to support this new initiative, as well as a program like the PGA Junior League that encourages these youngsters to thrive in the sport, is crucial to encourage them to play well into their adult life. That’s why we partnered with Rory and are delighted to support the PGA Junior League by making a direct donation to them,” says David Abeles, CEO of TaylorMade Golf.

DRIVER

At 16° of loft and 400cc in size, the Rory titanium driver was designed to instill confidence and be easy to hit and produce high launching drives off the tee. A high-quality, high-performing product created specifically with the junior player in mind.

“For me, confidence is the most important thing when I’m standing on the tee. This driver has been specially-designed to help young golfers hit it far and straight so they can start building their confidence from the first time they tee it up,” says Rory McIlroy.

FAIRWAY & RESCUE

The fairway and Rescue in the Rory Junior Golf Sets were created to bridge the gap between the driver and irons with easy-to-hit, forgiving performance from a variety of lies on the golf course.

“With a fairway wood or Rescue, kids need clubs that are versatile and allow them to hit a variety of shots no matter where they are on the golf course. These clubs are built for easy launch and extra forgiveness whether you’re hitting from the tee, the fairway or the rough,” says Rory McIlroy.

IRONS

Made from 17-4 stainless steel, the irons in the two sets were strategically developed with loft configurations that help launch the ball high and straight. The 4-plus set features an iron loft 2 degrees lower than the 8-plus set to encourage higher lofts for easy launch for the younger player.

“Growing up, nothing felt better than hitting it close with an iron. With these easy-to-hit irons, young golfers will experience that feeling that keeps them coming back for more,” says about Rory McIlroy.

PUTTER & WEDGE

Among the most important skills a junior golfer can learn are the fundamentals of putting. The center-shafted mid-mallet putter was created with short-game development in mind by way of higher stability combined with easy alignment. For greenside chipping and bunker play, a 54°/56° wedge will help make this critical part of the game easier to learn and have more fun.

“As much as everyone loves hitting big drives, myself included, the key to this game is chipping and putting. Creating the most appropriate clubs they need to develop a sharp short game are critical for their growth and enjoyment of the game,” says about Rory McIlroy.

Available starting December 7, Rory Junior Golf Sets are in two set configurations for boys and girls (4+ and 8+), each created for a specific size and age range of player. Both sets include graphite shafts that have been flexed specifically for junior swing speeds. Additionally, each set also includes a special St. Bernard headcover, inspired by the headcover found on Rory’s M3 driver.

8-PLUS SET

Both the Boys & Girls 8 Plus set (designed for ages 8+ and 52″ to 60″ in height) that includes 7 clubs + bag, at an RRP of €449: Driver 400cc Titanium (16º, 39.5″); fairway wood 3 (24º, 37″); rescue 5 (30º, 34.5″); irons 7 (36º, 32.5″) and 9 (44º, 31.5″); sand wedge (56º, 31″); and putter (30″).

4-PLUS SET

In addition to the 8 Plus set, a 4 Plus set will also be offered for both Boys & Girls (designed for players aged 4+ and 42″ to 52″ in height) that includes 5 clubs + bag at an RRP €329: Driver 400cc Titanium (16º, 33.5″); rescue 5 (30º, 29.5″); iron 7 (38º, 27.5″); sand wedge (54º, 26″); and putter (26″).

PGA Tour, TaylorMade Golf, What's in the bag…

TaylorMade Golf – Driven by performance, Rory McIlroy choose to play a new full bag equipment

May 9, 2017 – TaylorMade Golf has announced today that four-time major champion and two-time PGA TOUR Player of the Year, Rory McIlroy, has chosen to sign a long-term agreement with TaylorMade after testing with nearly every major club manufacturer.

With his new full bag plus golf ball deal, McIlroy joins a Tour staff that now includes the top three players in the world and 6 in the top 12 of the OWGR. The signing of the 28 year-old Northern Irishman is yet another decisive move by the company that reaffirms its commitment to fielding the strongest Tour staff in the industry and putting the highest performing equipment in the hands of the best players in the world.

McIlroy joins Team TaylorMade with an impressive CV of accomplishments that already puts him in an elite class of golfers and rivals any active player on Tour. As one of the most tenacious, performance-driven players the game has ever seen, the 13-time PGA TOUR & 13-time European Tour winner is looking to reclaim his position as the #1 player in the world with an arsenal of new TaylorMade products in the bag as he embarks on the next stage of his career in pursuit of his fifth major championship and beyond.

“My future rests firmly in my hands – that’s why I choose TaylorMade. I’ve been around the game long enough and have tested most clubs on the market, but I have never been as excited about equipment as I am right now,” says Rory McIlroy.

In the summer of 2016, McIlroy stated that he intended to spend a full year playing and testing product from nearly every major manufacturer, but commented at the Barclays that if he came across a product that he liked and was comfortable with, he’d accelerate his decision and consider signing a long-term deal. His decision became clear after experiencing the performance of TaylorMade and realising the noticeable benefits over the equipment he was previously playing.

TP5x GOLF BALL

Critical to McIlroy’s decision was the performance of his golf ball, particularly in windy conditions. In the past, Rory has had to decide between playing a ball with good iron performance at the expense of greenside control and more recently, a ball that offered control around the green but didn’t have the trajectory and distance he was looking for with his irons. Knowing what his previous ball was capable of doing for every shot he hits, Rory tested the new ’17 TP5x golf ball and instantly realised an improved trajectory that will give him better, more consistent iron performance, especially into the wind. It was after testing with TaylorMade that McIlroy’s commitment to play TP5x materialised almost immediately.

’17 M2 DRIVER

Rory’s length off the tee is one of the strongest parts of his game, so the optimisation of a driver for him in testing was very important. A variety of driver heads, lofts, shafts, swingweights and adjustability settings were all tested, with McIlroy keen on finding his optimal setup. In the end, the team landed on a 9.5º ’17 M2 driver.

As evidenced by the following chart, his average numbers after multiple shots hit during his testing period were remarkable:

  • 181 MPH ballspeed
  • 12.3° launch angle
  • 2119 RPM spin rate
  • 315.8-yard carry average, 338.5 total average

’17 M2 TOUR FAIRWAYS

Similar to driver testing, Rory took the opportunity to test multiple heads in both the ’17 M1 and M2 fairways, which included different loft configurations, weight settings and shafts. It was critical to fit McIlroy into a fairway that, per his preference, could be used both for positioning off the tee and going after par-5s in two. His desire for the M2 Tour fairways was evident at the Masters, where he had two of them in the bag and commented how easy they were to turn over compared to his previous product. In testing, his sentiment echoed those statements, as he was elated about the versatility and turf interaction they provide him.

P700 SERIES “RORS PROTO” IRONS

Rory has played muscle-back irons throughout his career and worked closely with TaylorMade’s R&D team in testing a new prototype the iron team in Carlsbad has been developing. Characterised by a shorter blade length, reduced offset and revised shaping, the “Rors Proto” iron has not only exceeded McIlroy’s performance expectations but also aesthetically suits his eyes perfectly, too. In addition to his new irons, he’s opted to play the 3 & 4 irons of the P750 Tour Proto.

MILLED GRIND WEDGES

It’s no secret that McIlroy can overpower golf courses with his length; it’s this length that will leave him with more wedges into par-4s than the average tour player, so finding the optimal wedges & grinds to hit all the shots he needs is important. After a thorough process, McIlroy will eventually play the Milled Grind wedges that will be machine milled to his personal specification. The result – a competitive advantage over the competition with wedges engineered for unparalleled accuracy, optimal turf interaction and consistent performance.

PUTTER

Over the coming weeks, TaylorMade’s Tour and product teams will be working closely with McIlroy to find a model that is optimal for him.

“It’s incredible when a 4-time major champion who expects nothing but the finest performance from his equipment and golf ball reaches out to your company requesting the opportunity to meet with you. Our tour staff and product teams have been working closely with Rory for months and after extensive testing, we’re elated that he has chosen to join Team TaylorMade as he embarks on the next chapter of his career,” says David Abeles, President & CEO of TaylorMade company.

A closer look to what is in Rory’s bag this week at THE PLAYERS:

  • Driver: M2 ’17 (9.5º, MCG Kuro Kage Silver 70 XTS)
  • Fairway woods: M2 ’17 Tour (13.5º, MCG Tensei CK Blue 90TX); M2 ’17 Tour (19º, Fujikura Composites Pro P95X)
  • Irons: P750 Tour Proto (3-4, True Temper Project X 7.0); P700 “Rors Proto” (5-9, True Temper Project X 7.0)
  • Wedges: Milled Grind (48º, 54º & 60º, True Temper Project X 6.5)
  • Golf Ball: TP5x #22
PGA Tour, Training

Golf Training – How Rory McIlroy has transformed his game and his body

Rory-McIlroy-workout-1

March 28, 2015 – Less than five years ago Rory McIlroy could barely balance on one leg. Imagine that. The No. 1 golfer in the world could not stand on one leg for the length of time it takes to drive a golf ball. His workout routine was limited to, as he put it, “not very much.” He simply didn’t have the muscle strength or stamina to sustain this simple move.

“I had huge amounts of mobility and flexibility — that’s never been my problem, but I couldn’t stand on one leg for more then 10 seconds. I couldn’t hold a plank for more than 30 seconds,” said the 25-year old Rory McIlroy.

Four years, 14 tour wins — including four Majors — later, McIlroy has transformed his game and his body with the help of his team that includes instructor Michael Bannon, caddie JP Fitzgerald, and exercise physiologist Dr. Steve McGregor.

“Bringing Steve (McGregor) on board has been huge. The education that he’s given me about the body combined with his great background… I feel like I learn stuff off him every day,” added Rory McIlroy. The training regime that began as a necessity to strengthen an ailing back has become an obsession for the young golfer from Northern Ireland.

McGregor has been working with McIlroy since late 2010, implementing a progressive program of stability, strength and power. That’s when the transformation began. Over the past four years the two have developed a close working relationship.

The pair related a story from the 2014 Open Championship that provides some context.

McIlroy was coming off of a rough practice round and wanted nothing more than to get into the gym to work off his frustration but he had already agreed with McGregor that he was going to limit training during the week of the tournament.

RORY’S TRAINING BACKGROUND

Rory-McIlroy-workout-2

“So I made a deal with Steve that if I shot a 67 the next day I could work out,” said Rory McIlroy. His first-round score of 66 not only earned him entry to the gym, but set him up nicely for the rest of the week. He went on to win the Open Championship, his third Major tournament victory.

“Rory has come a long way for an individual who couldn’t stand on one leg,” said Dr. Steve McGregor, whose background includes work in professional golf, soccer (football), and basketball. “He’s doing some really high-end functional work, and that’s all credit to him.”

McIlroy says his love for training is grounded in a few motivations.

“If this can help me get an extra two or three years out of my career or help me get one shot a round…whether it’s because I’m more mentally focused, more fit or more confident,” Rory McIlroy said. “I feel like getting in here gives me the best possible chance to go out on the golf course and perform to the best of my ability.”

McIlroy and McGregor have established a training regimen that varies McIlroy’s routine throughout the annual golf season, but rarely does he go too long without getting in a workout.

DP World Tour, What's in the bag…

Nike Golf – Rory McIlroy’s arsenal to win Omega Dubai Desert Classic

McIlroy-Dubai-1

January 2, 2015 – Rory McIlroy, the No. 1 golfer in the world, has clinched his first win in 2015 – one step closer in his journey to The Masters. The Nike athlete’s dominant victory came at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour, the same place he won his first tournament as a professional in 2009.

Having led from day two, his 22-under- par 72-hole total tied the lowest score ever recorded in the history of the tournament, and left his pursuers three shots back. So far in 2015, McIlroy’s record is nearly perfect, having finished second and first in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, respectively.

With the new Nike Vapor Pro driver in his bag, McIlroy led the field in driving distance averaging 317.9 yards. McIlroy was influential in the development of the Vapor Pro driver, which became available in stores on January 30, 2015. It blends three key technologies: Nike’s new FlyBeam reinforced Covert Cavity Back design, a re-engineered Compression Channel and FlexLoft 2. All of these are vital to the golf athlete in achieving the ultimate in hitting their window of distance, speed and launch conditions.

McIlroy-Dubai-2

McIlroy relied on his new wedge, a Nike Engage Dual Sole 59-degree, to help him get through the rough more consistently. For impressive accuracy and control, McIlroy also relied upon the Speedlock RZN Core technology found in his Nike RZN Black golf ball.

The innovative Speedlock RZN core, created with an interlocking core design, helps promote better energy transfer between the layers at impact for faster ball speed, longer distance and more stability into the wind.

On the body, McIlroy sported the Nike Lunar Control 3, another product he helped inspire, as well as apparel from Nike Golf’s Performance Collection.

McIlroy’s Nike Golf Arsenal

  • Driver: Nike Vapor Pro (8.5º Neutral, MRC Diamana S+ XTS 70X)
  • 
Fairway Wood: Nike Vapor Speed (3-wood/15º); Nike VRS Covert 5-wood/19º)
  • 
Irons: Nike VR Pro Blade (3-9)
  • 
Wedges: Nike VR Forged (46º, 54º); Nike Engage Dual Sole (59º)
  • Putter: Nike Method 006
  • 
Ball: Nike RZN Black
  • 
Footwear: Nike Lunar Control 3
Drivers, Equipment, Ryder Cup

Nike Golf – Rory McIlroy debuts with the new Nike Vapor Pro driver at the Ryder

Nike-Golf-Vapor-Driver-Rory-McIlroy

September 26, 2014 – Rory McIlroy, athlete of the Nike Golf staff, has added a flash of volt to his bag this week. The number one player in the world has debuted with a Nike’s new driver, the Vapor Pro at the 2014 Ryder Cup in Scotland. The visually bold driver is black on the crown, volt in the cavity back and Compression Channel, and produces a penetrating, tour-launch with low spin and added speed across the face.

McIlroy was influential in the development of the Vapor Pro. Like his Nike Covert Tour 2.0 driver, McIlroy wanted a 460cc pear-shaped profile, a shape that yielded awe-inspiring drives throughout his remarkable 2014 season. He also looked for stability and speed through added flexibility across the face.

“The first thing I noticed when I hit this driver was how hot it was,” said Rory McIlroy. “Then, I found that I could really control the flight and work it both ways on the golf course. I saw added ball speed on the monitor and am getting 10-15 yards more distance on the golf course this week.”

Nike-Golf-Vapor-Driver-2

The Vapor Pro driver blends three key technologies: Nike’s new FlyBeam reinforced Covert Cavity Back design, a re-engineered Compression Channel and FlexLoft 2. All of these are vital to the golf athlete in achieving the ultimate in hitting their window of distance, speed and launch conditions.

“To elevate performance, we added FlyBeam technology to the Covert Cavity Back to focus energy into the variable-profile Compression Channel and NexCOR face,” said Nate Radcliffe, Nike Golf Director of Engineering. “This is the first time we have created a driver where the face and channel are measurably more flexible than the body.” 

The FlyBeam construction stiffens the Covert Cavity in the back of the club, while the Compression Channel, with variable compliance, accentuates the spring-like effect across the face. Cohesively, the two work together to focus, store, and return impact energy to the golf ball for shots struck at all points on the face.

“This is the first time we have measured higher modal frequencies in the rear portion of the club than the front. This means impact energy is concentrated in the channel and face which tunes acoustics and maximizes energy transfer. This effect drives the increases in ball speed we are seeing in athlete and robotic testing,” added Nate Radcliffe.

Nike-Golf-Vapor-Driver-03

FlexLoft 2 allows the golf athlete the functionality of five lofts and three face angles within 15 different settings. The new, improved system is five grams (30%) lighter without compromising function. The redistribution of mass creates more stability, better launch conditions and faster swing speeds. Another benefit of FlexLoft 2 is its forward and backward compatibility. Golfers with previous generations of the Covert driver can use shafts with the original adaptor in the new head or vice versa.

The Vapor Pro driver will be available on 30th of January, 2015, with specifications of8.5° – 12.5° loft, RH/LH, Mitsubishi Diamana S+ Blue Board 60 shaft, R, S, X flex, and a MSRP of $479.99 in U.S.