Before Artisan took over the build shop in Fort Worth, it once housed Nike's "The Oven" facility. The R&D shop where Taylor once worked provided clubs for a number of major winners, including Tiger Woods.
Christian Hafer
A Nike MMProto prototype 3-iron once belonging to Rory McIlroy sits on a shelf inside Artisan headquarters.
Christian Hafer
Sparks fly as Mike Taylor presses a wedge against the wheel.
Christian Hafer
Each wedge has a blueprint. Taylor marks specs on a wedge head in red marker as a reminder during the creation process.
Christian Hafer
Taylor dutifully stamps a golfer's initials on one of his creations.
Christian Hafer
An Artisan wedge belonging to PGA Tour winner Rocco Mediate rests on a rack.
Christian Hafer
A virgin Artisan lob wedge before paint is applied to the head.
Christian Hafer
Texas Christian University is the local college in Fort Worth, but Taylor doesn't play favorites. This wedge features the colors of Dallas-based rival Southern Methodist University.
Christian Hafer
Taylor is meticulous when it comes to wedge specs. He prefers to write everything down in pencil — the old school way.
Christian Hafer
Taylor's prototype wedge creations can be found all over Artisan's build shop.
Christian Hafer
A torched finish gives this wedge a rainbow look.
Christian Hafer
Taylor's Artisan apron shows years of wear.
Christian Hafer
The "Rors" stamp was Rory McIlroy's calling card during his time at Nike. He's continued to stamp his TaylorMade wedge with the same nickname.
Christian Hafer
Tiger Woods is everywhere you look inside Taylor's office — a reminder of their tight-knit bond while working together at Nike.
Christian Hafer
Taylor's glasses and a pair of magnifiers are with him whenever he's on the grinding wheel.
Christian Hafer
Old boxes with clubs belonging to former Nike staffers sit haphazardly inside a hulking metal locker.
Christian Hafer
Rust marks can be found on a prototype lob wedge once made for Tiger Woods.
Christian Hafer
Taylor measures the exact bounce angle on one of his wedges.
Christian Hafer
Taylor has designed clubs for Woods, McIlroy, Jack Nicklaus, Bernhard Langer and countless other major winners during more than three decades in the industry.
Christian Hafer
Since starting Artisan Golf, Taylor has made wedges for Patrick Reed, Bryson DeChambeau and Abraham Ancer — just to name a few.
Christian Hafer
Taylor zones out during a quiet moment inside the Artisan shop.
Christian Hafer
