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Nike Golf is pulling out of the equipment business. No more clubs, balls or golf bags. It’s over. Plug pulled. Golf is dead.
In a statement issued on Nike News, Nike posted:
NIKE, Inc. announced today that it will accelerate innovation in its Golf footwear and apparel business and will partner with more of the world’s best golfers. With this new focus, Nike Golf will transition out of equipment — including clubs, balls and bags.
“We’re committed to being the undisputed leader in golf footwear and apparel,” says Trevor Edwards, President, Nike Brand. “We will achieve this by investing in performance innovation for athletes and delivering sustainable profitable growth for Nike Golf.
I’m sure there are a few other factors, but I’m guessing Tiger’s inability to stand over a golf ball without collapsing was a major part of Nike Golf’s demise. This is tough for me, because as I’ve made abundantly clear, I’m a Tiger guy. And I absolutely love Rory’s refusal to stop lifting heavy and his knack for saying exactly what he’s thinking. But the list of Nike golfers doesn’t end with the GOAT and his protege. You’ve got Brooks Koepka, Michelle Wie, Tony Finau, Paul Casey and Jhonattan Vegas. Yeah, the list is a little top heavy, but Brooks is beast that competed at the PGA on one leg, and Finau’s got some talent. This is major news. I reached out to a source from a very successful competitor of Nike’s, and his comment:
“Dude!!!…Holy Shit!”
Apparently this has been rumored for a while now, but very few people thought this was actually going to materialize. Does their equipment suck? I can vouch for the Method putter, but I don’t think I’ve ever swung an iron or wood. Half of my golf athleisure is Nike, so it looks like I’ll be putting out a vintage vibe at the range. I’m fine with that. But the biggest loss in all of this is the television consuming public. Nike is a perennial world beater when it comes to golf ads.
We never got to see these two go head-to-head at a major. Sad! There’s still time, though.
This is from Nike’s “Make the viewer feel like a piece of shit” collection. It worked, and we loved it.
Earl. Guy’s a legend. Look what his DNA created. A 14 Major winning beast with no regard for human life. RIP.
This is the GOAT. You can’t even debate it. As I watch this ad, part of tears up because I grew up in the era of Tiger. Much like Rory, I wanted to be him. In awe of his dominance, I spent countless minutes on the range in high school which lead to me peaking as a Varsity 2 player.
I can’t wait to see what sticks these Nike guys end up playing. PING, Callaway, and Titleist have to be scrambling right now. .
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Dave
Lawyer. Writer. Dude doing business. I'm the meatloaf guy from tv.
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The last one is chill inducing
The podcast?
No more Mojo. Sad day
Damn I forgot how fire those commercials are.
Sad.. When I feel like dropping money on golf balls or somehow find one, Nike’s were always great.
I love my Victory Red irons. I get a little haywire with my 3-4 at times but 5-P are so dialed in its incredible.
I think this is solely to redirect capital in an attempt to stay relevant and compete with Under Armor.
Yeah, those Curry SC2 white colorways were fresh AF. I bet Air Max, AF1, Roshe, Free, Jordan, et al are scared to death.
I mean, Nike’s 2015 revenue was like $30B and Under Armour’s was a little less than $4B. Think Nike is still relevant.
More so a redirection of resources and getting back to what they know best: sports apparel. Golf equipment takes so much R&D that Nike constantly has to keep up on that front, in addition to constantly fighting the established companies whose sole focus is golf equipment.
I will miss their golf balls though. Vapor Blacks were damn good balls.
Important question – Is that Ray Liotta playing young Rory’s dad?
Dave, Skratchtv.com stole your article. Peace and Blessings!