“I've always felt that Callaway clubs are ahead of the game in terms of performance”

Ryder Cupper and European Tour veteran Oliver Wilson has remained loyal to the brand throughout his topsy-turvy career

- Joel Tadman

How did the relationship with Callaway start and what was it that made you sign with them?

My first driver was the Callaway Warbird when I was 13 or 14. When I was at college in America, I was using Callaway irons and woods. Then I met the Callaway rep, Chris Tuten, and everything became Callaway and I moved over to an Odyssey putter. When you’re young, everyone is trying to get free gear, so it was nice to be on their radar as an amateur.

I finished college in 2003, and I remember I changed to TaylorMade RAC irons for a week at the beginning of the spring season and went down to the Gator championship in Florida. I ended up playing great and winning. The TaylorMade rep was delighted, but I saw him the next week and gave him the irons back. I just didn’t like the feel of them.

I turned pro after the 2003 Walker Cup and signed a 14-club deal with Callaway. I have been with them ever since. Initially, back in the day, they were just so forgiving. Now a lot of other brands are too, but with the Callaway clubs I always felt like they were ahead of the game in terms of forgiveness, maximizing distance, and the size of the sweet spot.

How open are you to change when it comes to new clubs?