Nike getting out of golf?

[FrogginBullfish]

Earlier today I saw a rumour article that Nike is going to be getting out the golf industry entirely (they previously stopped hard goods in 2015). Now this is not the first rumour I've seen about Nike of late. After the Hero World Challenge, I saw a number of rumours suggesting that Tiger's partnership with Nike would be ending after the PNC Championship this weekend. But now I've seen a rumour suggesting, it's not just a Nike-Tiger split but a Nike- game of golf split.

Has anyone else seen these rumours or heard anything else about this one way or the other? Seems weird that Nike would release a Master's edition of the 2013 TW shoes right before either their relationship with Tiger ends or they just up and get out of the golf industry entirely, but I don't have any inside scoops or anything. 

[cnosil]

5 minutes ago, FrogginBullfish said:

Earlier today I saw a rumour article that Nike is going to be getting out the golf industry entirely (they previously stopped hard goods in 2015). Now this is not the first rumour I've seen about Nike of late. After the Hero World Challenge, I saw a number of rumours suggesting that Tiger's partnership with Nike would be ending after the PNC Championship this weekend. But now I've seen a rumour suggesting, it's not just a Nike-Tiger split but a Nike- game of golf split.

Has anyone else seen these rumours or heard anything else about this one way or the other? Seems weird that Nike would release a Master's edition of the 2013 TW shoes right before either their relationship with Tiger ends or they just up and get out of the golf industry entirely, but I don't have any inside scoops or anything. 

All I can find is speculation

https://footwearnews.com/business/business-news/nike-potential-golf-exit-damage-brand-analyst-1203566517/

[Preeway]

That would make a lot of sense since Nike and Tiger are parting ways after 2023. Aside from the clothing line, I can't think of anything golf related from Nike I ever purchased.

[FrogginBullfish]

7 minutes ago, cnosil said:

All I can find is speculation

https://footwearnews.com/business/business-news/nike-potential-golf-exit-damage-brand-analyst-1203566517/

Yeah I've only seen rumours and speculation but was curious if any folks in here were a little more on the inside than I am.

Would be very curious if true, but I can't say I'd be crazily surprised. LIV kind of changed the landscape for endorsements too. Wonder if that would have anything to do with things if this is true.

6 minutes ago, Preeway said:

That would make a lot of sense since Nike and Tiger are parting ways after 2023. Aside from the clothing line, I can't think of anything golf related from Nike I ever purchased.

I've only seen speculation and rumours about Nike and Tiger separating as well. I don't think it's as done a deal as you are implying unless you have some inside info?

[Preeway]

Just now, FrogginBullfish said:

Yeah I've only seen rumours and speculation but was curious if any folks in here were a little more on the inside than I am.

Would be very curious if true, but I can't say I'd be crazily surprised. LIV kind of changed the landscape for endorsements too. Wonder if that would have anything to do with things if this is true.

I don't see LIV driving anyone out of the golf industry. I would bet dollars to nickels that Nike's golf line has plummeted over the years since Tiger's divorce and then ailing health issues. Add onto that the big increase in golf clothing lines outside the big names of Adidas, Nike, Puma, Etc. There are so many more options now in the clothing world, and better too, than what Nike puts out. The cool kids are wearing Travis Mathews, Holderness and Bourne, Pins and Aces, etc. So many options it makes sense for them to double down on shoes and basketball again.

[NM01]

39 minutes ago, FrogginBullfish said:

Yeah I've only seen rumours and speculation but was curious if any folks in here were a little more on the inside than I am.

Would be very curious if true, but I can't say I'd be crazily surprised. LIV kind of changed the landscape for endorsements too. Wonder if that would have anything to do with things if this is true.

I've only seen speculation and rumours about Nike and Tiger separating as well. I don't think it's as done a deal as you are implying unless you have some inside info?

Has nothing to do with liv. Nike has gotten out of several sports over the years. 

[fixyurdivot]

11 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Has nothing to do with liv. Nike has gotten out of several sports over the years. 

In about 6 years they should re-enter the market with a new tour level ball for the average Joe player called Ballz... they'll make another fortune .

[NM01]

34 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

In about 6 years they should re-enter the market with a new tour level ball for the average Joe player called Ballz... they'll make another fortune .

I’ve seen comments elsewhere saying that they are doing the rollback to get Nike back into golf clubs and balls. 
 

I do find it interesting they are parting ways with Tiger, but they’ve done it with out greats like Federer. 

[KC Golf]

2 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

In about 6 years they should re-enter the market with a new tour level ball for the average Joe player called Ballz... they'll make another fortune .

Just Do It!  

[Leonvdwesthuizen]

Must say that if true, I'm very surprised!

My 2 x best pairs of golf shoes are my FJ's and my pair of Nike's.. most comfortable shoes I own.

But if true, better lookout for some more discounts to stock up!

[Old Joe]

20 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

I’ve seen comments elsewhere saying that they are doing the rollback to get Nike back into golf clubs and balls. 
 

I do find it interesting they are parting ways with Tiger, but they’ve done it with out greats like Federer. 

Well, Federer made a $1billion with On deal. While the margins are huge in apparel and shoes, the Tiger line has always struggled to sell at elevated full prices. on the other hand, the Jordan golf shoes have been successful and enfranchised their younger pros and Covid market. Seems hard to believe that Nike would walk on that, but i was shocked as a manager in the golf industry when Nike bailed before. Maybe Nike will forego green grass accounts , that were always problematic to service.

[CaptainBill]

I personally would never buy a Nike product. When companies start attempting to peddle politics rather than their product, I am out.

I would much rather try and buy from smaller boutique companies that stay out of selling anything more than a good product.

[10Hockey]

I stopped buying NIKE golf gear a long time ago.  Their shoes are terrible in my opinion ; they are cheaply made, no style, weak support, funky colors,  etc.. There are so many cool brands out there now such as Greyson, G-FORE, Dunning, Turtleson, etc..that you can own a shirt or other clothing that is more unique and has some interesting style to it.  So bottom line NIKE leaving is no big deal. 

[ChuckZ]

Tiger has not been wearing Nike shoes to play golf in for a while.  FJ Premieres have been his go to shoes. He wanted something more stable and he got it thru FootJoy.  Nike had the chance to build him a shoe and never did.  Who knows with swoosh.  They have their logo on so many sports, they do not really need golf.  Peter Millar and FootJoy are leading the way in golf apparel.  Both great products.  

[srooch2]

Nike's decisions are based on numbers and share holders. Everyone tries to blame it on one thing or another, the fact is, if it's not hitting the numbers shareholders want to see then it gets cut. That's the reason they don't make golf clubs, no other reason except the bottom line. 

[srooch2]

On 12/13/2023 at 6:59 AM, CaptainBill said:

I personally would never buy a Nike product. When companies start attempting to peddle politics rather than their product, I am out.

I would much rather try and buy from smaller boutique companies that stay out of selling anything more than a good product.

Are you sure it's not just their peddling opposition politics? Are you sure you don't have your own biases? Not being confrontational, genuinely curious. I have my biases and everyone does, I think if we're honest with ourselves then we find a different answer. Don't forget, Nike is a huge donar to right wing politicians while playing left wing in the media. Cheers

[GolfSpy_APH]

I miss Nike golf clubs. They had so many that I really enjoyed using and that performed well for me. Their putters were extremely underrated and wish I still had of them which is back in Canada in storage. 

[FrogginBullfish]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

I miss Nike golf clubs. They had so many that I really enjoyed using and that performed well for me. Their putters were extremely underrated and wish I still had of them which is back in Canada in storage. 

Yeah, same here. I mean in hindsight the driver was not good. But I loved my Nike fairways and wedges. Never had the irons but every one I tried was quite good. My dad still uses a Nike method putter me and my siblings got him as a gift.

The Nike RZN golf balls were some of the best balls I can remember playing too tbh.

It's nice to know Mike Taylor and the former Nike guys are still doing stuff though out of the old Oven with Artisan Golf.

Edited December 15, 2023 by FrogginBullfish

[GolfSpy_KFT]

8 minutes ago, FrogginBullfish said:

Yeah, same here. I mean in hindsight the driver was not good. But I loved my Nike fairways and wedges. Never had the irons but every one I tried was quite good. My dad still uses a Nike method putter me and my siblings got him as a gift.

The Nike RZN golf balls were some of the best balls I can remember playing too tbh

I LOVED the RZN golf balls. The Tour RZN Platinum is still to this day one of the best golf balls I have ever played for feel and performance. I have a friend who still games a set of Nike Slingshots and he absolutely loves them. Also has no trouble keeping up with and outshooting me with them, lol. The first putter I ever owned also was a Nike OZ T100 mallet. I still regret selling that.

[GolfSpy_APH]

https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/2014-nike-method-mod-putters/

The counter Flex grip was a game changer at the time. It was super cool in that a golfer could adjust where the weight is in the shaft to help optimize feel and the depth of the balance of the putter. 

[GolfSpy_KFT]

Nike made great looking putters. I am also a sucker for the lime green/blue vapor fly woods

[FrogginBullfish]

31 minutes ago, Jnoble89 said:

I LOVED the RZN golf balls. The Tour RZN Platinum is still to this day one of the best golf balls I have ever played for feel and performance. I have a friend who still games a set of Nike Slingshots and he absolutely loves them. Also has no trouble keeping up with and outshooting me with them, lol. The first putter I ever owned also was a Nike OZ T100 mallet. I still regret selling that.

Yeah agreed on the RZN. I played the RZN Black mainly and tbh I wish I still had some. I've been bouncing between Bridgestone, TaylorMade, and Titleist lately and still haven't quite found something that I like as much as I did the RZN.

[CFreddie]

Really loved the look of their clubs, but my feeling was performance was so-so.  As others have noted, I'm "take it or leave it" with the clothes / shoes...plenty of other great merchants in that space now.

[Old Joe]

might be a clue over weekend with Tiger’s kid sporting Greyson as does TW “little brother”’JT. 

Edited December 18, 2023 by Old Joe
semantics

[GolfSpy_APH]

What was the best thing Nike Golf ever made?

[OdinSnipes414]

13 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

What was the best thing Nike Golf ever made?

Tiger woods!

[GolfSpy_KFT]

25 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

What was the best thing Nike Golf ever made?

I said earlier in the thread, but for the Nike equipment I used, the RZN Platinum ball was so good. Honestly I liked the Nike One series balls as well. 

[funkyjudge]

30 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

What was the best thing Nike Golf ever made?

Golf balls

[Josh Parker]

I was never a huge Nike fan.  The pro combo irons were ok but nothing special in my opinion.

[BringerofRain]

38 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

What was the best thing Nike Golf ever made?

My personal favorite is the Nike slingshot irons followed closely by the sumo SQ 2. 
 

I always thought they would come back and release the irons again sell out Costco style but it doesn’t look like that’s happening.