TaylorMade’s investment in non-traditional golf ball optics is well-documented over the last four years. Visual alignment enhancements such as TP5 Pix are all examples of TaylorMade’s investment in non-traditional golf ball optics. Or, Tour Response Stripe, as well as array of custom number options and other forms of personalization, the company is seeing a growing audience for golf balls that aren’t just all white and nothing else.
Now, it’s looking to set this movement toward mass personalization into hyperdrive with a new program called MySymbol that opens up every square inch of ink to what amounts to an infinite array of possible designs.
“We’re able to logo a golf ball the way no one has ever been able to logo a golf ball before,” said Mike Fox, senior category director for golf balls. Fox explained that a new enhanced graphic process uses a single-axis digital printer to print symbols and four-digit number special logos. You can also mix and match letters and numbers to each traditional location on a golf balls (center and sidestamp).
The appeal of these visual enhancements have become so popular that the plain white ball may be trending toward no longer the most purchased kind of golf ball in the company’s lineup, Fox said. Golf industry research firm Golf Datatech studied non-traditional balls for the last ten years. According to their latest survey, more than half the respondents said they were at least curious about non-white golf balls. Nearly four out 10 also indicated an interest in visual enhancements and personalization.
Other brands have made great strides in this space, such as Callaway with their Truvis- and Triple Track technologies. These technologies launched the entire concept in 2015 when it was first launched. Titleist and other companies have been long advocates for personalization programs. TaylorMade’s MySymbol, while not a performance technology, gives consumers full authorship of the appearance of their golf ball.
MySymbol offers 100 stock images that can be used to replace the TaylorMade number under the TaylorMade Logo on either a T5 or T5x ball. There are also many options for images on the sidestamp that can be used to cover different categories, such as holidays, animals, and food. Golfers can also select up to four images. Alpha-numeric characters may be used to replace logos or eight Three lines of text are eligible for inclusion on the side of each ball. Text and TaylorMade logos can be printed in any of five custom colors: navy, green, red or orange.
Fox said many of TaylorMade’s staff already have designed special MySymbol versions for their golf balls. That includes a TP5x that features a graphic of Collin Morikawa’s goldendoodle Koa and a TP5 with Nelly Korda’s lion logo. “We haven’t fully studied the benefits, but I definitely think there is something to how a fully personalized ball can put you in a happier mindset,” Fox said, indicating players could be transitioning to these new versions this month.
TaylorMade’s MySymbol requires a minimum purchase of three dozen balls at $55 a dozen.