For example, he has deals that require him to use TaylorMade golf clubs and golf bags (owned by Adidas) and Titleist golf balls and golf gloves (owned by Acushnet) while wearing Izod apparel during play.

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When other companies were forced to scale back costs during the recession that hit golf hard starting in 2008, TaylorMade, backed by its German parent, Adidas Group, turned up the heat.

WSJ: How TaylorMade Made Its Move | Golf Journal by John Paul Newport