Bubba's Equipment Change

Player equipment changes, especially in the wake of Nike's exit from the equipment market, are on many fan's minds. Perhaps the biggest news so far had been Tiger's switch to the Bridgestone B330-S four-piece ball. But now we know Bubba has made a change too.

And it's a colorful one.



Bubba has officially changed from the Titleist ProV1x to the Volvik S4, which he'll be playing this week at the SBS. He signed the deal in the last couple of days, and Volvik is racing to get Bubba some colors.

You see, the S4 -- designed for high swing speeds -- is only available in WHITE. But Volvik got some pink ones okayed by the USGA and Bubba will have them this week. And Bubba's really interested in some camouflage and some lime green ones, so those are in the works. (Lime green balls, pink driver...)

Still, while other players are making some interesting changes -- such as Rory going to Callaway clubs, Titleist ball and wedges, and Odyssey putters -- I think Bubba's change may actually have the greatest impact in the equipment market going forward. Most of the other equipment changes we're hearing about concern former Nike players. Bubba was with Titleist, not Nike.

But more importantly, Bubba simply doesn't change equipment. He finds something he likes and tends to stick with it. He says that Volvik is willing to let him have some input, and that's important to him -- which indicates that Titleist wasn't willing. Interesting.

In any case, the company that claims to have the longest balls just had one of the game's longest hitters decide that's not good enough. It remains to be seen whether adding Rory to their stable of players offsets losing Bubba.