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Bubba Watson: “Frustrated”, leaving Volvik deal after just one season

By Brandon Raper

WESTBURY, NY - AUGUST 26: Bubba Watson of the United States acknowledges fans after putting on the 18th green during round three of The Northern Trust at Glen Oaks Club on August 26, 2017 in Westbury, New York. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
WESTBURY, NY - AUGUST 26: Bubba Watson of the United States acknowledges fans after putting on the 18th green during round three of The Northern Trust at Glen Oaks Club on August 26, 2017 in Westbury, New York. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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After a tough run in 2017, Bubba Watson is leaving his neon Volvik balls behind. Will this change allow him to return to elite form in 2018?

Bubba Watson has never been one to shy away from a bold move. He won the Masters in 2012 wearing nothing but white – all week. He’s been part of the “Golf Boys” boy band, and he owns a hovercraft golf cart. His pure pink Ping driver has become a trademark, with replicas selling for over $500. His deal with Volvik, makers of ultra-neon golf balls, seemed like a match made in heaven.

That is, until this week. After struggling through pretty much the entire 2017 PGA TOUR schedule, Watson is putting a Titleist Pro V1 back play at this week’s Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. It’s about as traditional of a move as you can expect, especially from someone who doesn’t seem to care much for conformity.

Back in January, Watson and Volvik announced a “multi-year deal” for the two-time Masters champion to play the upstart company’s tour-level ball. Watson has told media this week that ended early, although he didn’t elaborate much.

"“I do not have a ball deal as we sit here today,” he said. “So I can play with whatever ball I want to.“My deal was up, and so I’m … ball-free.”"

Was it the ball? It’s impossible to say, but the stats indicate that some kind of change was needed in Watson’s game. In the last 12 months, Watson has fallen from ninth in the Official World Golf Ranking, to 63rd today. He missed seven cuts in 22 starts last year – the most since 2009, when he missed 10 of 24.

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Even Watson’s signature power wasn’t what it used to be. Granted, I’m not about to cry for a guy averaging “just” 305 off the tee, but that’s the second-lowest average in Bubba’s career. Worse, his greens-in-regulation percentage dropped dramatically, from 69.16% in 2016 (18th on TOUR) to 62.87% (161st).

In my (admittedly extremely novice) experience, Volvik makes a fine ball, but Watson is a different breed of golfer, even compared to most of his Tour peers. One thing he said this week reveals as much as he can, though. “I’m just going back to what I grew up with,” Watson offered.

And suddenly it all makes sense. Watson simply never could get comfortable with the Volvik ball, and by putting the Pro V1 back in action, he feels like he knows what he’s going to get. The rest of the results, then, are entirely on his shoulders.

Next: Will green-reading apps survive USGA scrutiny?

Now, Watson makes a bold move, betting on himself to get back on top. As with everything Bubba does, this should be fun to watch.

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