Nike dropping golf equipment (merged)

[Saskwatch]

I've never played Nike clubs or balls, but I am sad to see them go. Growing up as a kid where I'm from, lots of kids got into the game because of Tiger and most went to Nike clubs.

 

It's a business decision; the overall cost of creating clubs is likely much greater than that of apparel. If revenues are down on Nike clubs....its easy math. I say good on them for making the firm decision and facing the reality like a stand-up company. Now they can focus on their core business philosophy; which is what every business on this planet should be doing.

[Anser]

Holy hell. There's going to be an incredible bidding war for Tiger and Rory.

 

For a guy who's retired and one who won't win more than 2 more majors in his entire career?

 

I doubt it

[CEPick]

I had an inkling this would happen when Nike let alot of their equipment reps go and/or gave their sales territories to apparel reps. Apparel makes the $$.

[minteq]

Shocking news, my bag is mostly Nike. I was looking at Callaway wedges, might have to pick up a set.

[TheMoneyShot]

I wonder how soon you will see Nike staffers bag other oem clubs? I wonder if their tour van will continue to travel through years end?

[SoCalTitleist]

Front page of BleacherReport

[Conrad1953]

I'm still surprised Nike staffers are learning of this the way we did. Something

is just wrong about that. Not even a little heads up. Makes it seem the decision

was more rushed and drastic than it probably is....or someone put out the press

release quickly so it would beat any leaks....and let the chips fall back on them.

[mpfitz85]

Holy hell. There's going to be an incredible bidding war for Tiger and Rory.

 

For a guy who's retired and one who won't win more than 2 more majors in his entire career?

 

I doubt it

What's it like in fantasy land?

[hoosiervolunteer]

If I were to guess, I think this year plays out like normal. It is August and people are getting ready to focus on football. The reduction and phase out will happen over the winter.

 

Rory and Tiger will still wear the Swoosh.

 

I don't blame Nike for getting out of the club biz. It is a tough market to make any profit. They already have clothing and shoe production in place, so why not focus on that? Nike is a shoe and clothing company after all.

 

I do give them huge props for trying to make clubs. Their balls were good and some of the clubs were great. That Ignite "hot" driver was a bomber and the Pro Combo set was amazing.

[Boogs2]

So if there's a defective driver or club, will Nike just give store credit since it seems like they're getting rid of all inventory?

[TheRed18]

Man this blows :stink: :fie:

[jpaul155]

It will be interesting to see how soon guys start switching clubs. You have to assume there is something in their contracts that voids the equipment side of things immediately once nike is no longer making clubs. So what happens with all the left over tour stuff, would be cool if they 'liquidate' that stuff too

[bullie76]

Holy hell. There's going to be an incredible bidding war for Tiger and Rory.

 

You're assuming Tiger will be back, and no one will pay him like Nike did, he's pretty much a non-factor anymore.

 

Lol he's the only factor.... Next tournament he plays will have higher ratings than last years Masters.

 

You mean Isleworth's Club Championship?

[niscur24]

If I were to guess, I think this year plays out like normal. It is August and people are getting ready to focus on football. The reduction and phase out will happen over the winter.

 

Rory and Tiger will still wear the Swoosh.

 

I don't blame Nike for getting out of the club biz. It is a tough market to make any profit. They already have clothing and shoe production in place, so why not focus on that? Nike is a shoe and clothing company after all.

 

I do give them huge props for trying to make clubs. Their balls were good and some of the clubs were great. That Ignite "hot" driver was a bomber and the Pro Combo set was amazing.

 

I still has the ignite DFI and the original Combos. Two things I was never getting rid of before and definitely not now.

[jgallant415]

Not sure why this is such a big deal, golf club companies come and go. Remember Tommy Armour, Powerbilt, Lynx. Palmer and Nicklaus even had club companies that failed. It's all about making money, and if they don't they shut them down.

 

Its a huge deal because out of all those companies none compare to NIKE. To see a company as big as Nike just back out literally at peak of the season is crazy. For all the contracts they signed with new players and all of the advertising they putt out lately its mind blowing to think they just called it quits

 

 

Yes but Nike has always been an apparel and footwear company. Golf clubs were such a small part of their company and if it was loosing money it has to go.

Didn't Phil Knight just announce his retirement. The new CEO is shaking things up.

 

Knight stepped down as CEO last year and Chairman just recently, but this isn't really all that new from Nike - it has always been willing to ditch low return businesses that aren't working. Exited hockey in '08, dumped Cole Haan a few years later. I guess neither of those were Nike branded, but not all that different...

[prorobo]

So did the Rors 006 just go up in value or down?

[crazy8golfer]

But I thought a lot of people said that Jason Day and DJ were headed to Nike.....

[TheMoneyShot]

But I thought a lot of people said that Jason Day and DJ were headed to Nike.....

 

They could still sign an apparel deal with Nike. Highly unlikely now though.

[rpaige88]

I like their engage wedges but the thing I'm a little bummed about is not getting a long neck origin putter. I thought they did a good job with those.

[jgallant415]

But I thought a lot of people said that Jason Day and DJ were headed to Nike.....

 

With TM separated from Adidas, wouldn't be shocked at all to see one of them sign a Nike shoe and apparel deal...

[branover1]

As someone who played long before Nike was in the golf club business it was something that I always assumed would inevitably happen. To many, golf only, companies to compete with. Nike never belonged. Most of what they made was ugly, gimmicky or just didn't perform. Basically golf toys not golf clubs. Probably made the worst drivers available minus maybe Mizuno.

If you can't tell I'm happy to see them go

[SD-Golfn]

But if Nike quits making clubs, who's going to fill the "lets make golf clubs as rad and garish and stupid looking as possible" market niche?

 

Cobra

[BYK]

So did the Rors 006 just go up in value or down?

 

It had been going down pretty low recently, probably stays about the same?

We'll find out LOL

[cmbdrx]

time to cull the herd, too many equipment companies

[Man_O_War]

Holy hell. There's going to be an incredible bidding war for Tiger and Rory.

 

For a guy who's retired and one who won't win more than 2 more majors in his entire career?

 

I doubt it

 

that would be more than most

[ShooterMcGavin311]

Charl Schwartzel switching to PXG should have set off red flags. I wonder how the free agency will pan out for the Nike staffers.

[Shilgy]

I honestly think that the demise of Nike is one they chose. They could continue to invest in a dog and eventually that dog would need to die. They continued to innovate with things like the Covert technology, the vapor/mm blade weight distribution but the market didn't take to their marketing. This along with the decline of golf as the game is not getting introduced to new players. I am a loyal Nike Golf equipment player and thought they made quality equipment. The other manufacturers make quality equipment too. It's just a sign of the times when multiple brands are looking to sell (Titleist, Taylormade, Callaway) and also the amount of equipment and various distribution methods to get equipment cheap (i.e. the internet/ebay) the margins aren't where they expected to be. The consumer has gone elsewhere to make golf purchases. If someone was smart they would recognize that they need to create a 2 tier brand strategy where they can get the entry level casual player who can be introduced to the game/brand at a reasonable cost. The second tier would be the same brand, more scientific (launch monitor fittings, proper fits) for a slight premium. Equipment for golf is over-saturated with all the spin marketing stating that they are 15 yds longer. If there was a brand associated with fun and good times that emotional appeal might be enough to sell to a different customer set.

Wait, is it OK to say that on wrx? You like Nike AND other equipment manufacturers make quality equipment as well. I thought you HAD to tag on what you know nothing about on wrx. Smh :)

[Ping Meister]

I told you so!

 

Sincerely,

 

Phil Mickelson

[Shilgy]

Not for nothing, but PXG is going to quickly run out of cash too. I don't know anyone dropping $5k on a set of irons that you can't try anywhere. Picking up more pro contracts will only hasten their fall.

And I know half a dozen so far in PXG.

[Lesmond]

Thanks for Nike Golf for showing me love. Sad to see you go.

 

At least apparel and footwear will be around.