For this reason it's interesting that Phil Mickelson has recently signed again with Yonex, whose clubs he has been playing since turning professional six years ago. But in the end he signed a new multi-year contract with Yonex, a contract built for comfort as well as money. Surely he didn't think that a different company would give him the one thing his record is lacking, a Major championship. Mickelson would probably have more trouble than some players adjusting to new equipment, precisely because he is such a feel player. You look in any player's bag, you see well-made clubs.
Most players switch, then, because of bigger money, even as they love to try new clubs.
I was talking to Lorie Kane today. She's Canada's contribution to the top echelon of the LPGA Tour, and finished 11th on the money list this year in her first full season. Kane played without a club contract this year, using Lynx Parallax irons because she liked them. For a while she was even carrying a Lynx bag, thereby providing the company with free advertising. But Kane stuck with the clubs.