Nike dropping golf equipment (merged)

[Cake612]

Disappointing I really liked their stuff. First set I ever bought with my own money were the Ignite irons and I've stuck with them since. Playing VR Pro Combos now and love how they feel. Hopefully the Vapor Flys will get the same ridiculous price cut as the woods and I can find a new set for ridiculously cheap.

 

As a guy that used to play and read about video games a lot it's funny seeing the same attitude towards golf clubs for the haters.

 

"Played this for 5 minutes it's for babies and was made by morons anyone who buys this game is a loser"

 

"Hit two balls once at a fitting indoors, complete garbage, don't know how anyone could use this junk."

[wldchld22]

Very curious about this as well. Maybe Tiger and Rory will play Titelist again?

 

Or does this mean that Nike is going to buy Taylormade?

 

Don't think this is the case but still very strange move by Nike.

I've read several places that golf is less than 5% of Nike's revenue, and they'd never get their return on the Tiger/Rory contracts.......

 

Depends on how you look at it. I once heard that the number one product sold by Nike worldwide is golf polos. Not sure how true that was.

[golf0101]

Do the Nike staffers have to play the equipment they have now untill the end of the contracts or can they play whatever they want and still get paid by nike?

[ArkJag]

Long time coming, but still sad for a multitude of reasons.

 

It truly is a shame that so many looked down on Nike clubs. Most underrated irons on the market.

[Jimenaz1]

RZN Platinums only 26.99 and I am sure there will be better prices. Platinum is a good ball.

 

JIM

[Golfnut801]

inwouldnt be surprise to see a meme on a lol Nike golf staff burning there equipment.

[Gollie]

That's now 2 major companies out of the club game. Adidas and Nike. Well adidas wants out anyways. Only tells me one thing-- golf is dying. They wouldn't pull out if they didn't think so. Nike has a history of timing this right with other sports which is worrisome for golf in general

 

Definitely. The increase in equip costs with quick product cycles... These golf companies are slowly pricing themselves to death.

 

In the club championship I played in this last weekend, it was a rarity to see brand new 2016 equip. Just a few M1s/M2s... Makes me wonder which manufacturer is the next to bow out.

 

Saddened but not surprised. Even pros (Stenson, Mickelson etc. etc.) are using equipment from 3-4 cycles ago and still winning. Golf is a game where gaming new stuff all the time can be detrimental to your improvement.

 

Every upgrade cycle that we don't jump in and buy at the steep launch markup costs Nike (or any retailer) BIG. The next cycle the small companies won't submit the wholesale order; think the local driving range. The next cycle the country clubs don't buy. The next, Golfsmith procurement starts asking for better deals plus they ask for an order half the size. Nail meet coffin.

 

Salaries, R&D and Sponsorships are all continually hungry for cash and don't care about the sales end of the business. 3-4 product cycles without a blockbuster to make up for the lack of sales in the previous 3 cycles will end in GAME OVER. Even Nike can't keep showing those red line items to the investors. :blind:

[sbjinx]

While I'm sadden that Nike equipment is gone I'm happy that Scratch is back posting again.

[Curtis_Kirk]

I've wanted to try the Vapor Flex 440 driver, but not at $400+. For $149, I just ordered one. If it isn't for me, I'll give it to one of my kids.

[BoogieThumper]

Disappointing I really liked their stuff. First set I ever bought with my own money were the Ignite irons and I've stuck with them since. Playing VR Pro Combos now and love how they feel. Hopefully the Vapor Flys will get the same ridiculous price cut as the woods and I can find a new set for ridiculously cheap.

 

As a guy that used to play and read about video games a lot it's funny seeing the same attitude towards golf clubs for the haters.

 

"Played this for 5 minutes it's for babies and was made by morons anyone who buys this game is a loser"

 

"Hit two balls once at a fitting indoors, complete garbage, don't know how anyone could use this junk."

Same here. My first set were the Ignites with a steel shafted hybrid.

[Vespar]

Very curious about this as well. Maybe Tiger and Rory will play Titelist again?

 

Or does this mean that Nike is going to buy Taylormade?

 

Don't think this is the case but still very strange move by Nike.

I've read several places that golf is less than 5% of Nike's revenue, and they'd never get their return on the Tiger/Rory contracts.......

 

Depends on how you look at it. I once heard that the number one product sold by Nike worldwide is golf polos. Not sure how true that was.

true 80% of Nike golfs business is in apparel and that number took a hit this year thanks to Under Armour and adidas, travis mathews and a couple of other brands

[AUTIGER07]

Come on RZN black price drops!

[Vespar]

That's now 2 major companies out of the club game. Adidas and Nike. Well adidas wants out anyways. Only tells me one thing-- golf is dying. They wouldn't pull out if they didn't think so. Nike has a history of timing this right with other sports which is worrisome for golf in general

 

Definitely. The increase in equip costs with quick product cycles... These golf companies are slowly pricing themselves to death.

 

In the club championship I played in this last weekend, it was a rarity to see brand new 2016 equip. Just a few M1s/M2s... Makes me wonder which manufacturer is the next to bow out.

 

Saddened but not surprised. Even pros (Stenson, Mickelson etc. etc.) are using equipment from 3-4 cycles ago and still winning. Golf is a game where gaming new stuff all the time can be detrimental to your improvement.

 

Every upgrade cycle that we don't jump in and buy at the steep launch markup costs Nike (or any retailer) BIG. The next cycle the small companies won't submit the wholesale order; think the local driving range. The next cycle the country clubs don't buy. The next, Golfsmith procurement starts asking for better deals plus they ask for an order half the size. Nail meet coffin.

 

Salaries, R&D and Sponsorships are all continually hungry for cash and don't care about the sales end of the business. 3-4 product cycles without a blockbuster to make up for the lack of sales in the previous 3 cycles will end in GAME OVER. Even Nike can't keep showing those red line items to the investors. :blind:

 

 

3 or 4 business cycles? I believe it was a lot more than that. IMO they didn't make a compelling product since the original sling shot and original pro combos

[CaseyDan]

Wow. Didn't healize Rory's putting was that bad.

[idriveahonda]

Sure enough, some drivers back in stock on NDC.

[Brooks_Cupcake]

Best news ever...sorry homers...now Rory can go back to his Scotty....

 

And when he still can't putt, what is yours and everyone's excuse going to be? He has the wrong Scotty?

 

Sorry Koz

 

Guess this proves my multiple posts about your claims that I just don't like Nike....I love Nike, but not their equipment....at the new price points they may actually have more than 5 blue and yellow, errrr I mean "volt" woods sold per location now....

[scratchswinger]

While I'm sadden that Nike equipment is gone I'm happy that Scratch is back posting again.

 

Thanks for the kind words.... I find true joy in giving the Nike lovers a reason to +1 each other's posts.

[mgodfrey]

Not that it matters much but just heard August 10th is the official day for hard goods to cease operations.

[c. howard]

RZN Platinums only 26.99 and I am sure there will be better prices. Platinum is a good ball.

 

JIM

 

Saw a USA platinum on NDC for $20!

[Matt_Matasy]

When do the Origin putters go on sale???

[Konklifer]

They must have some products already in the pipeline. I don't see how they release them, though, without taking a bath.

[breakfree40]

I always wonder how these things go down.... As it pertains to all of the athletes, but Tiger in particular. I'm sure their contracts are all different, but do they continue to be paid until they play different equipment? I wonder how they are all told, without it getting out to the public before now. I wonder when the decision was made and then they were told - and I would love to see the data on Nike players' performances after they were informed. Golf is so mental, the whole "I'm about to have to switch drivers anyway" before a swing may affect SOME athletes.

 

As it pertains to Tiger... I wonder if that convo had anything to do with Tiger taking the rest of the year off. I'm a Tiger fan, I'm not a crazy irrational fan that thinks he's still going to be the best player on the planet again one day, but I want to see him back and I think it would be good for golf if he did come back for a period of time. I'm interested in what is going on inside his head - he's a fascinating study from the mental standpoint of all athletes. Seems like IF he was planning a return (I'm hoping he was but who knows) and NIKE was like "bro, don't even... We are dropping equipment anyway" it makes sense for him to call it a year and focus on next year.

 

... I bet PXG scoops up a LOT of these athletes.

[stlouismark]

That's now 2 major companies out of the club game. Adidas and Nike. Well adidas wants out anyways. Only tells me one thing-- golf is dying. They wouldn't pull out if they didn't think so. Nike has a history of timing this right with other sports which is worrisome for golf in general

 

I don't think it means golf is dying so much as it signifies the equipment industry is too crowded and is producing too many clubs at the moment. There's only room for so many to profitable, and the current landscape is problematic. I don't think Nike will have a problem continuing to make boatloads of cash selling golf shoes and apparel.

 

Well I haven't seen rounds played numbers or participation numbers lately but Nike and Adidas wouldn't be looking to get out if golf was healthy and growing. I'm positive we'll see a new round of stories about how golf is only for old white men who are dying off and that Young, hip, liberal Millenials hate golf, etc etc etc

[Vespar]

Do the Nike staffers have to play the equipment they have now untill the end of the contracts or can they play whatever they want and still get paid by nike?

 

a contract is a contract, they signed on to the swoosh, not the equipment. I suspect they'll finish out the year, another 2 months

[chocolate_rehab]

Not that it matters much but just heard August 10th is the official day for hard goods to cease operations.

 

Feel bad for the people losing their jobs. Hopefully they can transition within the company, or find something quickly elsewhere.

 

I really, really hope they clearance out their golf balls.

[Burt Chance]

Very curious about this as well. Maybe Tiger and Rory will play Titelist again?

 

Or does this mean that Nike is going to buy Taylormade?

 

Don't think this is the case but still very strange move by Nike.

I've read several places that golf is less than 5% of Nike's revenue, and they'd never get their return on the Tiger/Rory contracts.......

 

Depends on how you look at it. I once heard that the number one product sold by Nike worldwide is golf polos. Not sure how true that was.

true 80% of Nike golfs business is in apparel and that number took a hit this year thanks to Under Armour and adidas, travis mathews and a couple of other brands

 

I have literally never seen anyone on a golf course wearing Travis Matthew. I play 100+ rounds a year. Literally not once. It's kinda strange.

 

I see it for sale all the time though.

[Flagrant]

Can we all agree now that VOLT was a mistake?

You're the same guy that said Blake Griffith is a top five all time power forward. Your opinion means little.......Let us mourn in peace.

Misery loves company. And scratch loves it all

[IcemanYVR]

Wow. Amazing.

 

Hope Tiger still has that old Scotty for when he comes back.

 

Pretty sure that was back in his bag the minute he was told.

 

He used to make everything with that.

[TheMoneyShot]

When do the Origin putters go on sale???

 

Hopefully soon...

[titleistforged]

Man I'm crushed.... literally crushed....just explaining it to the wife and she's like dude you have had Nike clubs since college for 15 years or ever since the blue 275/350. She even remembered the fight we had at Edwin watts because the 20 year old me wanted the blue 350 so bad. Wait that's the 35 year old me too! LOL

 

that blue forged 350 was one of my first "premium" drivers growing up as a youth... man, even though I'm not the biggest Nike fanboy, but it's still sad to see this ship sail. I'm a fan of golf equipment as a whole and enjoy shopping/hitting/looking at a variety of different products.