Quite a few golfers are going to have to start searching for elsewhere for new clubs.
Nike announced Wednesday that it will transition out of making golf equipment, including clubs, balls and bags. The company still will produce clothing and footwear, though.
“We’re committed to being the undisputed leader in golf footwear and apparel,” Nike Brand president Trevor Edwards said in a statement. “We will achieve this by investing in performance innovation for athletes and delivering sustainable profitable growth for Nike Golf.”
Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie are among the golf stars Nike currently sponsors who must find new companies to make their equipment. Woods, at least, isn’t jumping on that right now, though.
“Tiger and I have had multiple conversations about what we’d do, and we have an organized plan in place,” Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, told Golf.com on Tuesday. “The plan is continued rest and rehabilitation, and we’ll sort out the equipment thing in due course. I’ll be in the process of doing that, effective immediately.”
Nike began selling golf equipment in 1999, and although it made money from it, it never was a top name in the industry.
Thumbnail photo via Ian Rutherford/USA TODAY Sports Images
