As with any major signing on the PGA Tour, the Jon Rahm-to-Callaway scenario was only a secret for a minute or two. Let’s be honest, in this age of social media and camera phones, you’d have to incorporate a CIA-style campaign to not get any leaks.

Nonetheless, it’s now official, and we can officially dig into it a little deeper.

I had a chance to speak with Callaway’s PGA Tour & Champions Manager Jacob Davidson on getting Rahm dialed and this is what he had to say.

*more detailed specs are coming on Wednesday. Rahm is still testing the final touches of the “gamer bag” at Kapalua. Stay tuned. 

JW: At first glance, what makes Jon unique from a fitting perspective?

JD: His equipment sensitivity is off the charts. The way he feels his way through the bag and can pick up on even the slightest adjustments in flight or spin is a rarity. He’s a feel player first and foremost but can also adjust to data quickly. From a fitters perspective, it makes our jobs extremely easy.

JW: He’s still working through the final bag as of today, but what can you speak to?

JD: He’s in a very neutral (spin and launch) proto head with his Aldila Tour Green 75 TX shaft. The irons are an Apex prototype that has a thin top line, less offset, and does not have flash face cup. Essentially it plays more like a traditional players CB. He loved these ones right out of the gate. Shafts are Project X 6.5.

JW: The ball switch was the biggest change in my opinion. How did that process play out?

JD: Jon has high expectations for his golf ball, and there’s no doubt the increase in performance he saw with the Chrome Soft X was one of the major factors in his decision to join Team Callaway.

In testing, he picked up ball speed with the driver but most importantly to him, his short iron and wedge trajectory went down with more spin. For a player like Rahm who loves to keep short shots down, it really opened his eyes to be opportunities in 2021. With CSX, he is able to hit stock wedge shots will a lower flight where in previous years he would have to manipulate a few things to make it happen.

JW: Got to be exciting to have someone this in tune for future Callaway products…

JD: His ballstriking and understanding of equipment is so dialed that it opens a ton of learning and R&D opportunities for Callaway. It’s going to be a fun ride.

As mentioned previously, we will continue to update as we learn and JD learns more. There are no tour vans at Kapalua this week, so what Rahm puts into play Thursday morning is still up in the air.