Nike to exit golf equipment industry

• Nike is to stop making golf clubs, balls and bags
• The brand will now focus on its golf footwear and apparel
• ‘We’re committed to being the undisputed leader’

Nike has stunned the golfing world with the announcement that it is to stop producing golf clubs, balls and bags, and instead focus on its golf footwear and apparel business.

In a statement posted on the company’s official website, it revealed it is to ‘accelerate innovation’ in footwear and apparel and that it ‘will partner with more of the world’s best golfers’.

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Trevor Edwards, president of the Nike brand, said: “We’re committed to being the undisputed leader in golf footwear and apparel.

“We will achieve this by investing in performance innovation for athletes and delivering sustainable profitable growth.

‘We’ll continue to ignite excitement with our athletes and deliver the best for the game.’

Daric Ashford, president of Nike Golf, added: “Athletes like Tiger , Rory and Michelle drive tremendous energy for the game and inspire consumers worldwide.

“Over the past year, the MM Fly Blade Polo, the Flyknit Chukka and Air Zoom 90 have all connected strongly with golfers.

“We’ll continue to ignite excitement with our athletes and deliver the best for the game.”

The news was broken this evening by ESPN’s Sports Business Reporter Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) on Twitter.

BREAKING: Nike announces it is ending its golf equipment business. No more clubs, balls or bags. Business just way to challenging.

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 3, 2016

While the brand has released no further information, the move could mean its tour staff, which includes both Woods and McIlroy, may have to look elsewhere with regards to their future club supplier.

It also looks set to have implications on the 12 new signings Nike made to its roster at the start of 2016, which featured the likes of Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau.

It has yet to be confirmed if the Vapor Fly range launched for the 2016 season will be the company’s last.

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This is not the first time in recent memory where we have seen major changes in strategy from equipment manufacturers.

In December last year Bridgestone Golf announced it was pulling out of the UK and Ireland, while this year has already seen TaylorMade, Ashworth and Adams put up for sale. Acushnet, the parent company of Titleist and FootJoy, filed for IPO in June.

Nike to leave golf equipment industry :: Your thoughts

What do you make of the surprise news? Have you used its equipment in the past? Let us know your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

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