Devil Ball Golf - Golf

What would it take for you to wear top-tier golf clothing and play with top-of-the-line equipment? Would you don somebody's logo if they gave you a few free shirts? How about if they offered you, oh, three hundred grand?

If it was me, I'd've sold out at the free shirts. But Ryan Moore, winner of this past weekend's Wyndham Championship? He goes logoless to every match, preferring to wear his own gear. It's a mix-and-match collection of various brands, all of which Moore bought himself. As Golf.com notes, here's what he's leaving on the table each year, broken down by equipment:

Hat: $200,000
Chest logo: $50,000
Golf bag: $50,000

Ouch. That's a lot to stand on principle, but that's exactly what Moore is doing. As he said in January, this isn't about some anti-sponsorship tilt, it's about focusing on golf itself: "I pick a club because I want to play, not because I have to make it work. To me, there is a lot of comfort and a lot of confidence in that," Moore said. "Everything you see me wearing, I paid for."

Well, maybe it's a little anti-sponsorship: "He doesn't want to be a billboard," Moore's brother/manager Jeremy told MSNBC's Darren Rovell. "He doesn't want to look like a NASCAR driver with logos everywhere. Ryan is a unique person and he wants to do his own thing."

Rovell summed up a lot of people's confusion: "The sports marketing world is not used to this -- someone who is seemingly untouchable because they are almost not part of the capitalistic society. The only parallel I can think of in the golf world is the Masters, where Augusta National doesn't care about making the most money they can make."

Somebody who's into golf rather than the money. First question: will wonders never cease? Second question: would you do it?

Rebel without a brand [Golf.com]
Less is more for Moore, but for how long? [Sports Biz]
Ryan Moore is enjoying (sponsor-free) golf more than ever [FanHouse]

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614 Comments

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  1. Bobbio
    1. Posted by Bobbio Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:45 pm EDT

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    I'd sell out in a NY minute. In fact, Callaway already pays me not to wear or use their gear.
  2. JeffreyR
    2. Posted by JeffreyR Fri Aug 28, 2009 12:55 am EDT

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    this guy actually knows whats good in life, being happy. why cant all professional athletes be like him. its an excellent example and people should use this as another example of athletes doing what's right
  3. Airon
    3. Posted by Airon Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:12 am EDT

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    Ryan Moore is my new favorite golfer. I love it.
  4. Hans Gruber
    4. Posted by Hans Gruber Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:35 am EDT

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    I hope Ryan Moore wins a major next year.
  5. Smart arack
    5. Posted by Smart arack Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:08 am EDT

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    President Ryan Moore? Mr. Moore goes to Washington? An honest man in the limelight? Whoa,now theres a first in a looong time! Yea,I hope this guy wins a major too. What a great attitude!
  6. Divotman
    6. Posted by Divotman Fri Aug 28, 2009 12:58 pm EDT

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    Bobbio -- that's hilarious. Too bad most of us fall into that category.
  7. Less Gov't
    7. Posted by Less Gov't Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:15 pm EDT

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    It's cool but not that big of a deal. Why leave money on the table? Once he is married with kids, those endorsement contracts can secure his and his family's future. I just hope he keeps on winning.
  8. ShadyBiz
    8. Posted by ShadyBiz Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:26 pm EDT

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    Heh heh....that's a good one Bobbio....I also qualify for that.
    Seriously though.....much as I purely love the game, I don't think I'd turn down the chance to make a few...hundred ...thousand dollars on top of it. : ) Good luck to him, though.
  9. rather not
    9. Posted by rather not Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:28 pm EDT

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    Hold on .... with a PGA win now under his funny cap, the likes of Taylor Made will likely double these endorsements. He will give in as most do and have done in his situation, why his life just changed and his lifestyle has too. That cool 1 Million doesn't last long when you are fitting the bill for all your travel just to make it to the next tournament. Stay tuned ....
  10. john
    10. Posted by john Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:57 pm EDT

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    Bobbio,I needed a good laugh today.Thank you.Please John Daly's clothing manufacturer go bankrupt.
    Like Ryan's style.He would fit on any public course.
  11. AL
    11. Posted by AL Fri Aug 28, 2009 2:04 pm EDT

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    Good for him, we'll see how long it lasts. Somebody please do something about that hat. Is he playing golf or driving a train?
  12. Brian
    12. Posted by Brian Fri Aug 28, 2009 2:05 pm EDT

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    Crrraaazzzzzzyyyy
  13. Beckett is a Beast
    13. Posted by Beckett is a Beast Fri Aug 28, 2009 2:19 pm EDT

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    Except he's one of the worst dressed golfers out there. Seriously, how can he focus on golf when he looks like a slob?
    And that hat?
    The comparison to Augusta is baloney. Apples to oranges. Maybe if he won more, I'd pay attention
  14. Wayne M
    14. Posted by Wayne M Fri Aug 28, 2009 2:33 pm EDT

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    You kind of expect him to be playing in sandals, dont' you? I think that his attitude toward sponsorship will eventually make him even more desirable to the various companies. I bet he will come out on top of this deal. I can see some anti-hero wear from some clothing company that is designed with input from Ryan. I also have to give kudos to Bobbio. Funny stuff, man.
  15. Will S
    15. Posted by Will S Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    this kid is kinda smug..he needs some people skills. a smile once in a while wouldnt hurt. i would admire the no logos if it wasnt him doing it. i feel like its more that he's too cool for school and already has money so screw the sponsors, and less that he's making a stand to a capitalistic society.
  16. algolfer69
    16. Posted by algolfer69 Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    Thats awesome!!! It's because of those sponsorships that we pay $300 to $500 for a driver. Hope Ryan wins more tournaments.
  17. Nathan K
    17. Posted by Nathan K Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:45 pm EDT

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    Will S. - Ryan is just a quiet guy that is often mistaken as "smug or too cool for school" but believe me, he is far from it. Learn some facts before you post about someone.
  18. Celtpats
    18. Posted by Celtpats Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    The guy is 27 years old and has career earnings of almost $7 million. Last year he brought in around $2 million. Looks like he can afford to have principles if he wants to. I for one like his brandless look.
  19. HERB
    19. Posted by HERB Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:56 pm EDT

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    this guy is now the wind beneath my wings.....
  20. Shawn
    20. Posted by Shawn Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:57 pm EDT

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    Looks like a bum... maybe he should take some of those free clothes and look like a professional
  21. nickb
    21. Posted by nickb Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:59 pm EDT

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    Total dick saw him play totally arrogant could care less about playing partner made whole group wait like 10 while he went to the bathroom then the [profane] way he walked down the fairway like the whole can wait for me ,rest of group played out of turn.
  22. Jason E
    22. Posted by Jason E Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:59 pm EDT

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    Show me the MONEY!!!!!!!!
  23. In the Stands
    23. Posted by In the Stands Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:59 pm EDT

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    "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." Proverbs 22:7
    Some of us prefer not to be owned by others.
    Way to go, Ryan.
  24. sammallory79
    24. Posted by sammallory79 Fri Aug 28, 2009 5:00 pm EDT

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    haha this is great....im the same way with normal clothes that i wear.
    the man has won a lot of money so he is all ready happy.
    haha and scroll up n read # 18 by will S
    haha u dont know anything your assuming ....H A T E R

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