Nike is getting out of the golf equipment business, a surprising announcement that is sure to send Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and other players searching for new clubs and golf balls next season.
Nike said on Wednesday it would stop making clubs, golf balls and golf bags, instead devoting its resources to shoes and apparel, longs its strength in the golf marketplace.
"We're committed to being the undisputed leader in golf footwear and apparel," said Trevor Edwards, president of Nike Brand.
"We will achieve this by investing in performance innovation for athletes and delivering sustainable profitable growth for Nike Golf."
Woods has been with Nike since he turned pro in 1996 with that "Hello, World" advertisement, and he remains the most famous figure among Nike golfers.
The Beaverton, Oregon-based company also signed Rory McIlroy in a splashy announcement in Abu Dhabi to start the 2013 season.
Woods has gone more than a year without playing because of back surgeries, though his agent said he would remain "the iconic ambassador" for Nike Golf, just with a smaller group of products.
"He's been the most loyal ambassador and longest standing for Nike Golf. That doesn't change," agent Mark Steinberg said. "It just means he'll likely have some different equipment in the bag, whether that's tomorrow, next month or a year from now."
Nike also has Suzann Pettersen and Michelle Wie on the LPGA Tour.
Woods began promoting the shoes and apparel when he turned pro, and he made a switch to the Nike golf ball (which Bridgestone manufactured) in 2000 in Germany, winning the US Open by 15 shots a month later.
He changed to the Nike irons in 2002, one week before the Ryder Cup, and then gradually added the fairway metal, the driver and, finally, the putter in 2010.
During those changes, Phil Mickelson caused a stir when he said in a Golf Magazine interview that Woods had "inferior" clubs and then tried to pay Woods a compliment by saying he was the only player good enough to "overcome the equipment he's stuck with."
David Duval was the first player to win a major with Nike equipment at the 2001 British Open.
Through it all, Nike never took command of any aspect of the golf market, succeeding mainly in shoes and clothing.
Steinberg said the news was too fresh to get an idea how this would affect Woods or other golfers when it comes to their contracts.
"We have a long-term contract with Nike, and that likely will not change," Steinberg said. "I'm sure we'll have a conversation into what exactly the future looks like with less product."
