Nike gone?

Armchair Andy

Just seen on Instagram Nike to end production of clubs and balls! Or am I following a bogus account ( golf digest)?

Kintarō Hattori

Seems it's right:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-03/nike-to-stop-making-golf-equipment-in-latest-blow-to-the-sport

http://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/nike-announces-it-will-no-longer-make-golf-clubs-balls-and-bags/

redzerdrog

Should we expect massive sales in Nike gear now?

Senecio

It appears to be true from what I've read

Mantis Toboggan

Great, wee Mac can get back to his Scotty Cameron.

BigChap1759

redzerdrog wrote: »

Should we expect massive sales in Nike gear now?

Already started in the US last week - all the new Nike drivers were available for $150!!!

BigChap1759

I wonder what the means for Rory's contract, hasn't it got another 6/7 years to go??

Armchair Andy

BigChap1759 wrote:

I wonder what the means for Rory's contract, hasn't it got another 6/7 years to go??

Hopefully it's a contract termination!

Senecio

I'm sure they'll hold him to clothing and foot ware but release of any equipment obligations?

maximum12

Not a huge surprise.

Golf really becoming (more) an old man's game. Young people just not taking it up.

Their main man Tiger is finished.

Their new kid Rory is not the best of the new kids.

I guess there'll be some settlement reached with Rory.

BoardsMember

maximum12 wrote: »

Not a huge surprise.

Golf really becoming (more) an old man's game. Young people just not taking it up.

Their main man Tiger is finished.

Their new kid Rory is not the best of the new kids.

I guess there'll be some settlement reached with Rory.

I'd imagine you're miles off with that.

HighLine

Wonder did Schwartzel get wind of this hence the sudden switch away from Nike on the eve of the Open?

I actually thought it was a joke when I first read it.... fairly big news. Rory back to Titleist?

PARlance

I wonder if we'll get Tiger's offical retirement in the coming weeks.

davo10

Strangely coincidental, I heard Rich Beam interviewed earlier today about McIlroy having a shiny new Scotty Cameron in the locker room at the PGA last weekend. Beam remarked to him how nice a putter it was and McIlroy said it is a beauty. Beam thought it odd that he had it instead of the Nike he uses.

http://www.newstalk.com/rich-beem-pga-championship

maximum12

BoardsMember wrote: »

I'd imagine you're miles off with that.

Your imagination does not make a convincing argument.

Golf is currently in decline. People don't see it as a good way to commit a half day of their leisure time. Nike need growing player numbers to justify their investment

Legwinski

Huge news!
Nike wanting to focus their efforts on trying to stop Under Armour's growth perhaps

Jawgap

maximum12 wrote: »

Not a huge surprise.

Golf really becoming (more) an old man's game. Young people just not taking it up.

Their main man Tiger is finished.

Their new kid Rory is not the best of the new kids.

I guess there'll be some settlement reached with Rory.

Adidas also exited the equipment side recently, putting TaylorMade and Adams up for sale (and Ashworth).

I'd say it's more to do with business costs - it's easier to design, market and sell apparel. It's more visible, its easier to change designs and run multiple lines and the manufacturing and shipment costs are low - I'd say the margins are huge compared to equipment.

Equipment requires r&d (including patenting), more specialised manufacturing, and is less visible; both the margin and the volume would be much less than apparel.

As for young people not taking it up, I'm not doubting their are issues but there are still young people coming into the sport.

mike12

Jawgap wrote: »

Adidas also exited the equipment side recently, putting TaylorMade and Adams up for sale (and Ashworth).

I'd say it's more to do with business costs - it's easier to design, market and sell apparel. It's more visible, its easier to change designs and run multiple lines and the manufacturing and shipment costs are low - I'd say the margins are huge compared to equipment.

Equipment requires r&d (including patenting), more specialised manufacturing, and is less visible; both the margin and the volume would be much less than apparel.

As for young people not taking it up, I'm not doubting their are issues but there are still young people coming into the sport.

Agree, the money is in the apparel. They will continue to have Rory wearing the clothes.
Everyone knows Speith wears under armour but a lot of people would have no idea what clubs he uses.
To keep improving drivers and irons is just too costly and hard to convince people this one is better than the one we said was best 4 months ago.
Would love to see Rory just play what he wants and feck the cash.

Letree

I don't quite know why but i'm not unhappy at that news. I've never felt they belonged in golf equipment. I'd like to see Rory back at titleist too.

Jawgap

Letree wrote: »

I don't quite know why but i'm not unhappy at that news. I've never felt they belonged in golf equipment. I'd like to see Rory back at titleist too.

Yeah, I never really liked their clubs - too 'gimmicky' for my liking - a bit all fur coat and no knickers!!

I think Rory's problem is that Speith is the current face of Titleist, would they have the money/inclination to offer enough to bring Rory onboard?

Golfgorfield

Its likely Rory will have to see out the rest of his contract until end 2017, barring that id imagine it'll be a highest bidder situation, and the only ones that will pay that type of money are PXG and maybe Under Armour, the latter would allow Rory to look at an equipment deal he really wants.

Letree

Jawgap wrote: »

Yeah, I never really liked their clubs - too 'gimmicky' for my liking - a bit all fur coat and no knickers!!

I think Rory's problem is that Speith is the current face of Titleist, would they have the money/inclination to offer enough to bring Rory onboard?

There are a lot of big names at taylor made i'm sure titleist could squeeze him in. I don't think he would get the massive money from them though. But he may not even care about that now.

It will be interesting to see what happens. I'd say his putter will be changed already

luvthegame

Jawgap wrote: »

Yeah, I never really liked their clubs - too 'gimmicky' for my liking - a bit all fur coat and no knickers!!

I think Rory's problem is that Speith is the current face of Titleist, would they have the money/inclination to offer enough to bring Rory onboard?

I have a set of forged nikes and they are as good as any of the other top clubs ive hit like mp54's. Never hit their woods.

I would have thought Nike will want to keep Rory for clothing/shoes?

Letree

luvthegame wrote: »

I would have thought Nike will want to keep Rory for clothing/shoes?

I think you are right about the clothes. Its hard to imagine him not moving clubs though if nike aren't making them any longer.

Seve OB

luvthegame wrote: »

I have a set of forged nikes and they are as good as any of the other top clubs ive hit like mp54's. Never hit their woods.

I would have thought Nike will want to keep Rory for clothing/shoes?

me too

callaway92

Definitely gonna try to get a set of Nike Irons now. Should get them cheap in a month or two.

Jawgap

Letree wrote: »

There are a lot of big names at taylor made i'm sure titleist could squeeze him in. I don't think he would get the massive money from them though. But he may not even care about that now.

It will be interesting to see what happens. I'd say his putter will be changed already

Maybe offer him a modest amount to play with their clubs with nice meaty bonuses payable for winning a Major or two.

Seve OB

must stock up before it's to late

The Rape of Lucretia

Rory is just no Tiger, and unable to carry a brand on his back by himself like Tiger was. Add in the realisation that Rory is flaky and will be an intermittant world number on at best, and so Nike decide to cut their losses.
It does show again, how huge Tiger was, and what he did for the game. Nike no longer willing to bet on his return, or gave clear insider info that he is truly done. Without him, the market is on a downturn, so Nike are reducing their exposure to the game drastically and will move on to something else more lucrative and in line with their strategy.
The Tiger\Nike years - RIP.

Jawgap

Seve OB wrote: »

must stock up before it's to late everything is re-badged back to Bridgestone and Mizuno

FYP (if the rumours are to be believed )

Henry Ford III

Interesting news. Nike's golf club sales were in decline, so it's no surprise really.

What it means for for McIlroy is anyone's guess. Depends totally on the contract he signed.

Woods is a red herring at this stage. His golfing goose is cooked.

mike12

Reading the press release they are upping the number if pros they are going to sign but it will be just to wear there clothes.
Rory will be wearing Nike gear for the rest of his contract, remember he was wearing Oakley while he was using Titleist clubs.
They have signed 10 new players this year.
He has already got a Scotty so I reckon he is heading back to Titleist, might even do it for free.

Golfgorfield

mike12 wrote: »

Reading the press release they are upping the number if pros they are going to sign but it will be just to wear there clothes.
Rory will be wearing Nike gear for the rest of his contract, remember he was wearing Oakley while he was using Titleist clubs.
They have signed 10 new players this year.
He has already got a Scotty so I reckon he is heading back to Titleist, might even do it for free.

Rory has a manager/agent, you can be certain he wont do anything for free!

BoardsMember

Rory do something like that for free? The guy that moved from Nike to Titleist, and one of the biggest "brands" in golf, use equipment without sponsorship. I'll eat my hat if that happens.

valoren

Golf is their worst performing sector. Sales have been falling for 3 years straight. The writing was on the wall. The company is simply refocusing investment on their core strength; Apparel. UA has made some in-roads into Nike's competitive advantage there. To divest from club manufacturing is a good business decision.

mike12

Why, he already has the putter made for him, he is getting the money from the Nike contract.
If Taylormade offer him money but Titleist decide not to, will he play clubs he is not happy with for a million quid a year?

Paddy says the changes in the wedge rule cost him a shot around.

If Rory thinks that the Nike putter was costing him a shot or 2 a round over a year that is huge loss of prize money and chances to win events.
Is it not his family that are doing his management now and he has said no more contracts that effect his golf.

valoren

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Interesting news. Nike's golf club sales were in decline, so it's no surprise really.

What it means for for McIlroy is anyone's guess. Depends totally on the contract he signed.

Woods is a red herring at this stage. His golfing goose is cooked.

He might not be playing at all but Tiger is a valuable asset for Nike.
He is making the transition from competition to becoming a brand.
Michael Jordan doesn't play anymore but his brand is still making billions for Nike annually years after he stopped competing.

My guess is that their aim for Tiger is for 'Tiger' branded apparel and shoes.

fullstop

mike12 wrote: »

Why, he already has the putter made for him, he is getting the money from the Nike contract.
If Taylormade offer him money but Titleist decide not to, will he play clubs he is not happy with for a million quid a year?

Paddy says the changes in the wedge rule cost him a shot around.

If Rory thinks that the Nike putter was costing him a shot or 2 a round over a year that is huge loss of prize money and chances to win events.
Is it not his family that are doing his management now and he has said no more contracts that effect his golf.

How do you know he wouldn't be happy with TM? He used TM clubs when he was a kid before Titleist started supplying him.

Henry Ford III

valoren wrote: »

He might not be playing at all but Tiger is a valuable asset for Nike.
He is making the transition from competition to becoming a brand.
Michael Jordan doesn't play anymore but his brand is still making billions for Nike annually years after he stopped competing.

My guess is that their aim for Tiger is for 'Tiger' branded apparel and shoes.

I reckon he's a liability at this stage.

Too many bad things out there concerning his upbringing, personality, and infidelity.

He's not a positive role model in any meaningful sense.

Jordan is an entirely different animal.

BigChap1759

mike12 wrote: »

Why, he already has the putter made for him, he is getting the money from the Nike contract.
If Taylormade offer him money but Titleist decide not to, will he play clubs he is not happy with for a million quid a year?

Paddy says the changes in the wedge rule cost him a shot around.

If Rory thinks that the Nike putter was costing him a shot or 2 a round over a year that is huge loss of prize money and chances to win events.
Is it not his family that are doing his management now and he has said no more contracts that effect his golf.

It's not about Rory getting the clubs he wants - it's about what a company is willing to sign him for and that being more than his rivals are offered.

The reality is that there is virtually nothing between clubs of differing manufacturers these days because of the rules - putter might be a slight exception but more a mental factor given that most manufacturers copy the shapes made by others.

Loire

Tee to green, Rory is way up there, so the driver / woods / irons aren't the issue really. The interesting move will be to a new putter. And as we all know, a putter is a very individual thing.

HighLine

FYP

Loire wrote: »

Tee to green fairway, Rory is way up there, so the driver / woods / irons aren't the issue really. The interesting move will be to a new putter. And as we all know, a putter is a very individual thing.

X200

Disappointing, I played many Nike clubs over the years and they were as good as anything else. I can see a lot more players going to the ridiculous PXG.

Jawgap

Henry Ford III wrote: »

I reckon he's a liability at this stage.

Too many bad things out there concerning his upbringing, personality, and infidelity.

He's not a positive role model in any meaningful sense.

Jordan is an entirely different animal.

Definitely not a liability - the Yanks love a good comeback story, especially if it involves someone finding Jesus and gaining redemption in the eyes of their family!!

The worst thing about any possible comeback he might experience is that Jaden Smith might pitch to play him in the movie.

Spieth is a phenomenal golfing talent but he is a bit of a charisma free zone.

Henry Ford III

Jawgap wrote: »

Definitely not a liability - the Yanks love a good comeback story, especially if it involves someone finding Jesus and gaining redemption in the eyes of their family!!

The worst thing about any possible comeback he might experience is that Jaden Smith might pitch to play him in the movie.

Spieth is a phenomenal golfing talent but he is a bit of a charisma free zone.

No comeback for Woods I reckon.

He's broken physically, punch drunk mentally and his reputation is badly tarnished also.

mike12

His wedge play is poor it maybe the ball, wedge or pilot error.
It took him a year to find a driver he liked from Nike.
Will be interesting to see what happens hope he does what is best for his golf game and not his pocket.
Tiger might improve using better clubsðŸ˜.
Didn't faldo get in hot water over comments he made around the crap ball Tiger had to play with.

Benny Cake

Good read on the situation so far:
http://www.mygolfspy.com/the-nike-golf-shutdown-what-we-know-so-far/

Golfgorfield

Interesting about Rory and PXG, i did speak to a friend yesterday whos well connected on tour and the latest situation with Rory is that hes discussing a major "bag" sponsor, so basically a non golf organisation on his bag, and he wants freedom of equipment choice across the board.
I think everyone would love to see that, but i feel there may not be a company willing to fork out huge sums just for a bag?

Jawgap

Golfgorfield wrote: »

Interesting about Rory and PXG, i did speak to a friend yesterday whos well connected on tour and the latest situation with Rory is that hes discussing a major "bag" sponsor, so basically a non golf organisation on his bag, and he wants freedom of equipment choice across the board.
I think everyone would love to see that, but i feel there may not be a company willing to fork out huge sums just for a bag?

I think that's the equivalent of a footballer expressing his undying loyalty to the club - it usually happens after they've tested the market and found little or no interest.

Saying that, the freedom to choose equipment and get himself back more on a winning track could prove be the best thing over the longer term.

HighLine

Golfgorfield wrote: »

Interesting about Rory and PXG, i did speak to a friend yesterday whos well connected on tour and the latest situation with Rory is that hes discussing a major "bag" sponsor, so basically a non golf organisation on his bag, and he wants freedom of equipment choice across the board.
I think everyone would love to see that, but i feel there may not be a company willing to fork out huge sums just for a bag?

Keep the Nike driver, back to AP2's and the scotty whilst still being paid by Nike to wear their clothing and another company to have their brand plastered all over his bag. Sounds ideal for him!

Golfgorfield

HighLine wrote: »

Keep the Nike driver, back to AP2's and the scotty whilst still being paid by Nike to wear their clothing and another company to have their brand plastered all over his bag. Sounds ideal for him!

He never used AP2 and never will, hes a blade only player, i seriously doubt he will keep any Nike clubs, my hunch says hel have Bose on the bag and fill it with Titleist clubs and back to the ProV1x.