Two Guys, a Plane, and a Pretty Cool Golf Job

Some guys will do anything for a job, especially these days. They'll even wear a Korean female caddy's outfit, spin themselves silly around a putter until they're in puking range before attempting a dizzy four-footer, and whack trick golf balls into a pond in perfect synchronization — which, I guess, speaks to their obvious golf prowess, but also to their innate "buddy timing" after several weeks on the road together.

"They" are Chris Dukeminier and Steve Olsen, the peripatetic leads in TaylorMade/adidas' new web promo dubbed "Wear in the World," an globetrotting adventure that, right now, finds the duo in South Korea after stops in Germany, Norway, Scotland, Dubai and Thailand. Next they'll head Japan before winding up at Chateau Whistler and Tobiano in British Columbia, and finally Bandon Dunes for their finale. Through their ongoing course-by-course competition — they're playing two tracks per country — and the general public's online voting, they'll find out who nails down a gig as TmaG's "social media catalyst" which, I assume, means the dude who does his darndest to drive golfers to the company's Facebook and Twitter sites and get involved at a true cutting-edge level — not just as consumers, but as contributors. As of their Korea stop — before which they'd lost some luggage from Bangkok, prompting their impromptu donning of baby blue caddy togs and sharing a set of TaylorMade sticks during filming of their latest video — the were dead even in points scored. And, of course, miles traveled, which by now must number in the tens of thousands.

It's a cool idea, it's clever marketing, and it's a great way for golf nuts — especially traveling golf nuts like me — to follow their progress and wish they were along for the ride. And if we hang around and keep voting, we'll increase our chances of joining them at the Bandon finale Aug. 10-14, and playing a round of golf at the West's hottest (in popularity, not climate) destination.

Of course, the whole idea is to showcase TaylorMade/adidas' products. Chris and Steve aren't shy in the shilling department, nor are they slouches on the links; Chris, who hails from Oregon, plays off a 1 handicap, while Wisconsin native Steve plays off a 6. They clearly know their way around the game and all the stuff that comes with it — including a 50-day journey into the heart of online media expedience, courtesy of TmaG's considerable marketing muscle.

What the hell, I'm hooked. I've got to admire the boys for their mettle and the company behind them for their savvy.

Here's the video, just in case you're interested:

Bags are Lost from adidas Golf on Vimeo.

Go here to meet the duo and find out what Wear in the World is all about.