Will Justin Rose’s McLaren club switch pay off?

Rose will play with McLaren irons and is likely to use the more forgiving game-improver versions at the long end of the bag and blades for the rest.

This is not as risky as changing his entire set-up. Driver, putter and ball are usually the most crucial elements, so the move is not as drastic as it might appear.

Nevertheless, he is teaming up with a company that is totally new to the golf industry and, while range data might be encouraging, the acid test can only come on the course.

Rose is making this change in the heart of the golf season when majors come thick and fast. The only tournaments where he can significantly alter and improve his already stellar career are done and dusted three months from now.

That is where the risk lies. If there are any setbacks, they could lead to a wasted season in the blink of an eye. And at the age of 45.

“The clubs are feeling great,” Rose said. “A lot of my own preferences have gone into the irons that I’m playing.”

But new clubs can lead to unexpected outcomes and, under the pressure of competition, that can become discomfiting.

Rose says he is aware of the potential pitfalls.

“There’s going to be a refinement process,” he said.

“You can test all you want. You’ve got to get the clubs in play, and there’s going to be little mini situations out there – different lies, all sorts of things.

“But in the long term I don’t see there being an issue at all.”