TaylorMade, Palm(R) Create New Business Tool

CARLSBAD, Calif., 20/06/2001 - TaylorMade Golf(R) today announced an industry-exclusive business solutions partnership with Santa Clara, Calif.-based Palm, Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM), a collaboration that will strengthen TaylorMade's already successful efforts to be responsive to each golfer's unique haracteristics.

Starting this summer, TaylorMade will distribute Palm(R) handhelds to many of its key on- and off-course retailers, as well as its own external sales and special events force. Based on a series of detailed questions, the personal digital assistants (PDAs) will enable each user to gather information on a golfer's preferences and performance -- with the answers quickly allowing for a personal fit into one of TaylorMade's three new 300 Series(TM) drivers (300 Ti, 320 Ti or 360 Ti).

"Combining head sizes, lofts and shaft flexes, the 300 Series has more than 500 different club offerings," said Merle Marting, senior director of global brand communications for TaylorMade-adidas Golf. "Our challenge has been to communicate to the golfer that among the 500 choices, there is one club that matches their own individual characteristics…from launch angle, spin rate and swing speed."

"Without a doubt, Palm handhelds provide us with a great business solution," Marting continued. "Now consumers can find out that one driver best fits them, and within a matter of minutes be test driving it on the range. Hands-on trial -- in the end, that's going to effect our bottom line."

Marting also made note that the Palm OS(R) software solution will be used in the immediate future to help fit golfers into products beyond its 300 Series driver.

"We are very pleased to be working with TaylorMade. This solution is a great example of how Palm's handheld computing solutions bring powerful, mobile solutions into the hands of mobile workers," said Greg Rhine, vice president, worldwide sales for Palm, Inc.

"The TaylorMade club-fitting program provides an affordable solution to complex business issues, such as managing the many options golfers have in their club choice, while solving a real business need with a compelling return on investment," he continued.

Along with TaylorMade's partnership with Palm, Marting noted the company has developed other initiatives to spur education and hands-on trial of the 300 Series driver across the U.S. Those programs include:

• a $5 million spend on custom-fit carts at many of its 4,000 on-course accounts;
• installation of WebBooths(TM) (interactive store displays) at these same outlets, and;
• a four-city demo programhighlighting TaylorMade's association with BMW
• which is expected to hit more than 10,000 golfers in four months.

Palm OS is a registered trademark and Palm is a trademark of Palm, Inc. or its subsidiaries.

TaylorMade Golf has led the golf industry’s technological evolution since being founded in 1979. In 1998 the company joined with adidas Golf, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of adidas-Salomon AG. Dedicated to being the best performance golf brand in the world, consumers can find more information on TaylorMade-adidas Golf at (800) 888-CLUB or http://taylormadegolf.eu/ or http://adidasgolf.eu/.