Callaway Hires Amanda Balionis To Introduce 2022 Product Line

Give Callaway Golf credit for jumping past the other golf manufacturers with a unique way to introduce its 2022 product lineup.

First, Callaway hired a familiar face — CBS interview-handler Amanda Balionis — as a brand ambassador.  Those designations and the money that goes with it are normally reserved for actual players.  But Callaway drafted Amanda and put her right there at Kapalua for a 30-minute segment that aired Tuesday evening on The Golf Channel.

Coming straight from the Plantation course, Amada introduced Dr. Alan Hocknell, Callaway’s R&D guy (aka design geek) who explained why Callaway has four different versions of its new Rogue driver.

Then Amanda went to the 18th tee of the Plantation course and hung out with the brands two big guns — world No. 1 Jon Rahm and No. 6 Xander Schauffle and they talked about how they were fitted for the new Callaway driver.

“Doesn’t take me many swings to know if it’s good or not,” Schauffele explained when he tests drivers.  “Usually takes me 30 swings,” he said to find the right head/shaft combination.  “About 20 swings,” Rahm said.  Rahm knows his ideal launch angle and spin numbers and added:  “You can usually tell right away.”

New staff member Yuka Saso, the U.S. Women’s Open champ (at age 19) was introduced.

Abraham Ancer introduced himself as a full-time staffer after trying out a few of the clubs late last year.

Phil Mickelson and basketball star Steph Curry were messing around with the new Rogue driver.  Phil, being the great company man he is, said “Wow” about three or four times.

Marc Leishman made an appearance to pimp the new irons while Kevin Na showed up to give testimony about the Chrome-Soft X.  “First time in 19 years I’m changing golf balls,” Na advised.

Staffer Taylor (the) Gooch, a first-time winner on the PGA Tour in 2021, talked about the tri-soft putter.

Balionis also revealed that Callaway has its own Tik-Tok channel and another social media segment called “Range Talk.”

In all, it was a new approach to marketing.

You didn’t have to wait for the PGA Merchandise Show.

No, Callaway beat everyone to the punch.

Great marketing.