What went WRONG with Nike Golf?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2024
- What went WRONG with Nike Golf Club?
In this video Rick Shiels PGA Golf Professional teams up with his good friends at www.golfbidder.com to play some golf with Nike Golf products and discuss ‘What went wrong with Nike Golf?’
Nike Golf have some of the worlds best golfers including; Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Brooks Koepka, Michelle Wie & many others.
In 2016 Nike Golf announced that they would be stopping making golf clubs, golf ball & golf bags. This had a huge impact on golfers on The PGA Tour & The European Tour as well as golf retailers. Rick Shiels discusses in depth what Nike did right and more importantly what they did wrong in this TH-cam video.
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Hi I’m Rick Shiels, welcome to my channel RickShielsPGAGolf. This TH-cam channel is designed to help you play better golf, also to help you enjoy your golf more!
I specialise in golf club reviews, golf club unboxing, golf club news, golf club head to heads, and all about golf clubs.
I also want to make you play better golf by providing coaching video on all topics about golf, how to fix your slice, fix your hook, help you drive the golf ball longer, hit your irons more pure, hit your irons closer to the hole and help you draw and fade your golf shots.
I will also help you lower your score by chipping better by stopping you duff and thin chips, pitch the ball closer and also create backspin. Also I will provide you help to putt better and hole more putts!
On this channel I also make fun and entertaining golf content based on crazy and sometimes “gimmicky” golf clubs. I like to cut through the marketing hype about products and I like to give you the honest truth about golf equipment.
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⬇️ this is how many times I said ‘Nike’ 😂
Way too often. Lol.
62…?
Too many lol
Nike Nike Nike Nike Nike Nike Nike Nike the list goes on
400
I want Nike back, along with Cleveland, and Adams. I think Callaway, Titleist, and Taylormade are getting out of control with their pricing
Yep just got the Hogan 14 degree wood.....deadly accurate
Cleveland Golf is still around though...
@@tsyeo1828 But not in the same capacity. They only offer the ultra forgiving irons, drivers, and of course wedges. They have discontinued the CG, 588, and TA lines. Srixon have taken on those markets. I also agree with the other commentator. It should really fall on us to push for a more diverse market. One thing that happened after Nike stopped producing clubs that some players played with whatever we want and maybe the Jo public should follow suit. Try to cobra driver, the mizuno irons, muira wedges, and a ping wood. Why not the Ben Hogan?
Evan Williams you’re right on that.
So true!!! Their prices skyrocketed with the lack of competition, its like a mini monopoly!
I still use my SQ 3w and 5w. They are fantastic.
Also, Nike not calling their 3w, 5w, and 7w Tiger's Woods was a missed opportunity.
Im still using my Ping Eye 2 black dots. Nice set of irons from 1985 i believe
Lee High just retired my ping eye 2s best choice I’ve made in a while. They were good while they lasted but now after playing relatively new clubs i feel like an idiot for not switching sooner
I always had a preference towards the 4w personally. Great clubs.
I love my Nike SQ 4w, X-Stiff steel shaft, 17*, probably the most accurate fairwood I've ever hit. Nice sound and solid distance too.
Alex W agreeed 100%. I was a very novice golfer 4-5 years ago. Shootin under 100 was a good day. Hitting a 3 wood was not even an option for me at the time. Someone talked me into going in and getting fitted making the claim that a proper club fitting can do exponentially more for a novice golfer than for a pro. So i listened and tried out a few different brands and for me personally ping by far just fit to my swing style like a nice pair of worn in boots. Now mind you i only got fitted for my irons but literally saw an instantaneous improvement in my score. So thinking that the ping irons seemed to work so well for me in decided to grab a demo g25 3 wood and just see what would happen, again mind you i have tried many many 3 woods in the past and could literally maybe hit one decent ball out of 10. My very first swing with the g25 3 wood was literally at that time the single best ball is ever hit with a 3 wood, im talking literally the VERY FIRST TIME I HIT A BALL WITH IT. I was mind blown. So i shot a few more and every single ball was launching in a way i had never ever been able to hit a 3 wood even remotely close to as good as those first 10-20 balls. I knew in that moment i found exactly what ive always needed. Had the same problem with rescue/hybrid clubs and again from the very first ball i hit i knew i had found my clubs. To this day now that 3 wood is one of my best and most consistent clubs. I have noo idea what it is but i will golf with people and see them having the same problem as i always used to have to the point they wont even attempt a 3 wood and it just stays in the bag the entire round to which i tell them about my having the exact same problem, i tell em forget everything you know about try8;g to hit your old 3 wood, forget about how unconfident they are when trying to hit whatever 3 wood is in their bag. Not sure if it’s correct but i say put the ball in the middle of your stance and pretend your hitting an iron as opposed to pretending it is more like a driver. And i would say for about every 4 out of 5 people i get to try it are absolutely blown away at how easy it is to hit and hit extremely well. They are slightly striking down on the ball instead of their old mindset of thinking you need to sweep the grass and hit the ball just as your club is in the beginning part of the upwards motion thinking that (that) is what they need to do in order for the ball to fly up into the air. Again i am no pro not even remotely close to a decent amateur, so my advice could be absolutely ass backwards to what people should be doing. That being said is all i know is that it has seemed to work time and time again for more than just a couple of people and continues to work GREATLY for myself and for all of those people i have helped. Not to mention i have sold ping upwards of 20-30 g25 and newer 3 woods and hybrid/rescues. Which in turn has also eventually lead into a couple sets of irons and a few drivers soooo PING. Ugh huhhhmmm. If your looking for an amateur brand ambassador who is a smooth talking son of a gun im your guy!! Im cheap too. Just maybe a new driver so i can finally get rid of my taylormade r9 which is the only club in my bag not a ping is all im really asking for. If your really feeling generous maybe throw in a new set of irons to upgrade my g20’s that i originally got fitted for like 4-5 years ago. I mean i dont feel like that asking for too much!!! Lmfao. Considering the number of people ive converted and go to buy new ping clubs some just a 3 wood some 3 wood and rescue some from driver all the way through to putter i think ive more than covered a new set of clubs lol. But in all seriousness im just thankful that ya’ll have put out a club (or set of clubs) i can really get behind and that have made the game sooo much more enjoyable for not only myself but for everyone that i have had the opportunity to put one of your clubs in their hands and let them see for themselves at what the possibilities are and seeing them get that much more enjoyment out of the game is more than worth it to me in all honesty. Sp really i just wanted to say thank you for all you have done to help progress my game as well as many other people around me’s game as well. Watching my friends get more enjoyment out of the sport snd being able to share that with them all because of a product you produce is really a treat and beyond any monetary value one could put on it. Sorry for the ling post and sorry nike for hijacking rick’s video on ya’lls clubs.
Nike's R&D facility, "The Oven", was literally 15 minutes down the road from me in Fort Worth, TX. It was such a cool space to tour and see how their clubs were designed, built, and tested. In the lobby they had Tiger's irons from his historic Grand Slam run behind glass. I'll never forget the face of Tiger's irons because they had a perfect little circle depression, directly in the sweet spot. The rest of the face was practically flawless. I remember thinking, "My god, the GOAT never missed the sweet spot once in all those years." I miss The Oven and it caught us all by surprise when Nike decided to shut it all down.
That's awesome
It was right there by the driving range we all went to all those years.
Where at in FW?
It was right next to Leonard’s Driving Range and practice facility off Hwy 30. BTW still one of the best driving ranges in Texas IMO.
@@chrisrodriguez8028 oh wow I had no idea! I'll have to go check it out
I actually talked(caddied for) to the former CEO of Nike golf and he said that they could keep up with the demand of new clubs and costs associated with such. Companies such as Taylormade came out with multiple clubs per year filling the market of new club buyers a lot faster than Nike. With this carrying over the span of Nike Golf's club manufacturing existence, Nike decided to strategically focus on apparel as that market they were more competitive in. Also the input costs associated with manufacturing and marketing for clubs could put towards other subsectors of the business. Hope this information came as insightful!
Used too many big words
Very much so... I heard something similar as their actual reasoning at the time... They couldn't keep up with demand when it came to multiple models of clubs a year and that they wanted to focus on the apparel side since they were an apparel brand to begin with. They don't make footballs, basketballs or hockey sticks so why clubs? Makes sense, but it sucks because they'd been pretty good at it...
@@FloridaManRacer they do absolutely make footballs and basketballs but those have a MUCH lower entry point than golf clubs, for manufacturing and selling.
Couldn't?
Couldn't* I'm assuming?
Rick i feel like youve found a really nice niche here, a bit of golfing history mixed in with on the course stuff, could be a great series going forward going over van de velde’s open for example!
Agree
Of course Phil has cleaned up since this comment.
A nice focus on some recently tanked manufacturers, like Adams, would be an interesting feature.
I agree, maybe just a wee bit more of some on course impressions, maybe highlight a line of products (Driver, wood, irons, what have you) that was particularly good/bad with some swing testing or on course spotlights. But overall, really Enjoyed this video and the style with which it was shot.
I really liked his video with the 100 year old golf ball
I felt like they were getting their stride right when they decided to stop. Vapor Flys were a nice set
vapor fly's are my go to running shoe.
They were nice just they weren't that great personally they're to clanky and seems like hitting a tin can not for me...
Irons we’re getting good but ball and Driver sucked
I still game the 2014 VRs Pro Combos, Nike's last great line of clubs. I also game a set of VRs Covert forged 2. Nike was starting to get it and then they went funky and that was it.
I still have mine
Good to know
Know one else has them
i still play with Nike Victory Red's, and i love them, them not making any more clubs, kinda makes mine feel more special in a way
I played with the vr pro combos for 7 years and loved them to death. Still own them and would never get rid of them. Actually looking into getting them restored a bit as the grooves on a couple clubs are worn down
@@russellsemail4179 can you not buy a groove sharpener and do it yourself, tool not that expensive
I play with 30 year old pin seeker clubs lol
I use the Victory Red irons!
I have the covert 2.0 irons, and the vapor hybrid, all in a Nike bag lol can’t wait to show them off in 20 years 💯💯💯
I think it’s because Tiger wasn’t winning anymore. Tiger was why Nike was selling clubs and balls.
100%, lets face it Tiger was the one carrying nike golf.
Forget winning, he was struggling just to stay on the course. Tiger was seriously struggling for awhile. I almost wonder if they signed too many people. Especially seemingly high level endorsements. Not that signing a bunch of people is all bad but I feel like Nike was really killing it when Tiger was the face of things. Certain athletes are just so synonymous with the brand they endorse that it doesn't seem to matter who else the brand has. I think of someone like MJ with Nike/air Jordan. They hardly needed other high level endorsers because you were the brand of the best.
Tiger was Nike Golf. When he had marital issues, that also stung the Nike Golf brand bc most golfers are conservative...especially older ones who are buying products. Couple that with his inability to win or even play in major events, and it was a recipe for failure...
...had Tiger returned after the marital issues to his winning ways, I bet Nike would have remained relevant...just a hunch
big time
That's what Rick said without actually saying it. Yes.
I would love it if Nike came back into Golf. I actually love the colors on their clubs.
I still play with nike balls occasionally, mainly when I've lost my ball and I find one ha
Growing up in golf through the tiger woods Nike era was hugely impactful for me . The clothes the clubs even the balls looked cool.looking cool and playing great were two different things . When it all finally caught up with the cool/performance meeting it was too little too late . Tiger didn’t use Nike irons the were (coughs) a Japanese company product with swooshes on them . But really I think the could come back full force and succeed the old guys are dying off . This generation has no problem with bright colors and a little swag . And as long as it preforms close to the competition people will buy it.
I remember that Tiger's Driving went south when he went to the Nike driver. Also, I was one who said " If Nike can screw up Tiger, there's no hope for me! "
Had the round back sasquatch driver. Crushed it, straight too
Remember him having the Nike Ignite and his driving was so bad
That was sean foley not a driver
To be fair though, Tiger’s driving accuracy was directly linked to switching over to Haney. He gained a better ball striking and lost driving accuracy when he left Butch. For what it’s worth! Don’t think it was the clubs.
Still playing Vapor Fly irons and Nike wedges. Love them. Nike come back!
Same here. I love those irons. It will be really hard ever to move on.
I'm dying to get a set of those
Me too, absolutely love them. For me the feel great, perform well (if I am) and look great.
I bought a set of vapor fly irons brand new(!) earlier this year and I absolutely love them! I'm also still rockin' my red Covert 2.0 driver!
Try hitting some mizuno mp32s.
5 years ago, I got fitted for a whole set of Nike Engages.
Fantastic feel and performance. Still using those today. Love em.
I’m carrying all my gear around still in a Nike stand bag. I’ve had it for years and no need to change.
Still playing a covert 2.0 driver and loving it! Real shame the 2017 driver was never released. It looked like a stunner. I'd love to see Nike back in the game!
Rick, you know why and I can’t believe you wouldn’t say it. When Tiger had his personal scandal and back injury, he stopped playing, People stopped buying Nike golf. They lost millions and Nike had to stop the bleeding.
Yeah bros but that 5 sec video of him just saying that wont cut it lol.
Are you saying Nike picks the wrong people?: Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, Alberto Salazaar......
Bingo bro this is #1 reason. The brand was either succeeding with Tiger or failing. They tried to cover their bets with Rory but he was bad. It was the perfect storm.
For all intents and purposes Tiger was Nike golf, as tiger went, so did Nike golf
@Bud Fox As a huge Tiger fan of 25 yrs I must say you striped that one right down the sprinkler line. Tiger WAS Nike golf and when he had his problems it didn't matter who else they had. Rory, Brooks and all the others were just along for the ride. They could have won everything but Tiger's life, back and game going in the crapper all at once sunk N.G. The tour in general had taken a hit during Tiger's "troubled times" but had an uptick last April ..... what was it again. can't seem to remember. The fact remains that to a large segment of the golfing world for right or wrong Tiger was/is golf.
Still got my Sumo square driver what a clattering sound when hit out of the sweet spot
Most annoying guy at the driving range lol
@@brettfrimmer6567 tee-ball batting practice. I could only hit 2 or 3 drives before I felt like a jerk
Real reason they failed. That square driver that sounded like crap.
My dad bought the slingshot irons when they came out and he's still loving them, I use the nike TW wedges that are 5 years old and they still spin and preform great. Nike should think everything over and come back stronger, I'm sure people would be thrilled and they'd do well this time.
I still use my Nike irons and wedges. Had them re-gripped a few times. Still love them.
👌
Rick,
Loving the content lately. Relatively young golfer here. I think Nike's big issue was partly something you mentioned -- they marketed to a younger crowd, but realistically people in the 16-24 age range probably can't afford to buy clubs as often as let's say 30-40 year olds. Speaking from experience, I was 20 when Nike stopped selling equipment and I picked up the Vapor Fly Driver for less than half of retail and have been thrilled with it ever since. I'm just now getting to the point where I can spend more money on clubs, and I really wish Nike were still around, especially with those rumored 2017 models.
When my grandpa passed he left me his Nike golf set. I don’t use many of the clubs, but I do still use the driver and the lob wedge and I love them
Covert 2.0 Irons still in my bag, absolutely beautiful Irons, love them!
The Nike VR Pro Blades were some of the nicest blades made in recent memory!
Still game mine years later, been through a bunch of different irons and nothing feels the same.
Those unreleased drivers looked amazing. Definitely would’ve tried those out. Still rocking Nike VRS X irons and SQ Dymo 3 wood. 3 wood comes out like a missile.
I got the same irons. Love them. Perfect clubs for a mid handicapper
I suffered through as much of this as I could take but I never found out what went wrong with Nike. But I watch your videos constantly. I'm starting to learn your language pretty well being from the south in the USA it is not easy. But I love you man
I’ll tell ya, I bought my VRS covert 2.0 irons and wedges on Closeout a few years ago, and I love them. Granted I’m a novice but I think Nike really should’ve focused on more entry level stuff designed for the weekend warrior, they could’ve really carved out a nice niche
When you were talking about the stigma of nike entering a sport and not having any knowledge compared to the older more prestigious companies it reminded me of skateboarding. When they started making skateboarding products many people (including me) were questioning what they were doing in a sport they knew nothing about. But after 5-10 years of them being in skateboarding i tried their shoes and man were they one of the best pairs of skateboarding shoes that i've ever had. But I still have that feeling of wanting to support the companies of a sport that have been there through thick and thin and making sure they are getting business. As long as they are making quality gear that is.
The problem with Nike in skating is that, like golf, they could up and leave the sport at any given moment which would be a problem for a lot of people who work with them. You would never get that from say Lakai, Emerica, Baker even Thrasher, roots companies. The reason that they have good product is because they just buy the best people behind the scenes from the roots companies.
Janoskis hit different
Thanks for the review. I’m a HUGE Nike fan and played all the clubs you showed along with the ball. I just traded it all in and went to PXG through my whole bag. I have to say I still miss that they didn’t continue because I also agree they were right there with the equipment!! The 2017 product showed at the end proves it. So... maybe someday?!?!
I was one of the kids back in '07 that HAD to own the Sasquatch Sumo Driver. Was the first Driver I had ever bought outside of a set. Looking back on it, although the sound was horrific, it was also a brilliant driver for me. Used it for 7 years before I outgrew it. Love that driver still.
Love these kind of videos you should do them more often really interesting
I'm still gaming a set of VRS Covert Forged. Absolutely love those clubs.
Love the shoutout for the Slinghot irons! I have had those in my bag for years. I only get out to the course a handful of times a year and the forgiveness is great!
I remember they were super expensive back in 2004 when I started golfing.
The Ignite Driver I liked, their forged blades were sensational on par with late 70's Wilson Staff very buttery ! Their combo set were ok too, but that was it for me.
just started golfing and found out (from watching you) that Nike stopped making clubs, balls and bags. I was sad, i'm a Nike guy. i prefer Nike to any other brand. So i went out to my local golf second hand golf store and to my surprise there was a set of Nike covert 2.0 irons for $39.00. Best thing besides the price, was that they were red! from that day I have made it my job to rescue Nike golf clubs. I have amassed a collection that is way too big for a below average golfer. The clubs are great and i love the colors.............
stay safe peace
Rick, thanks so much for pulling this together. It’s the first time that I’ve heard such an accurate and complete summary of the reasons for Nike’s exit. It may be no surprise to hear that I and many other former Nike Golf colleagues discussed these very topics on a regular basis. And, from my perspective, while the Nike brand was our biggest advantage, it was likely also our biggest obstacle to success, and one that we could never counteract. Oh, and yes, we were excited for 2017 - the products struck the right balance between performance, innovation and tradition. But it wasn’t to be. Thanks again. Keep up the great work.
Fight the good fight with management to get back in the game 👊. You can see you have a following, maybe just do limited releases like you guys do with the drops for each major... order strictly through from the Nike app with no mass release to dealers. Or you could send sets to fitters who would give players specs to order from you directly... There are ways to cut cost, I'd buy again.
I remember finding the Nike One golf balls while out playing golf and hitting them a few times. They compressed nicely and felt fairly soft, but not quite the level of feel you'd get from a ProV1. I'm old enough, though, that I'm still wishing someone would bring back the wound balata ball . . . now THAT was the last great ball.
Still remember two of my favorite Nike products in golf were the Pro Combo irons and the original Tour Accuracy golf ball. The rest were ok or bad, but I wish I had kept the irons and a sleeve or dozen of those golf balls.
Yes!!! I had both in the bag for a while. Loved em
I still play the combo irons
I had tried almost every driver on the market and couldnt hit any of them consistently straight. That is until i picked up a Nike SQ driver with aldila shaft. I still carry it in the bag til this day. I went last weekend and was out driving my friend with his brand new taylor made. My drives have never been longer or straighter. I absolutely love this club.
I've been playing the Vr Pro Cavity irons for almost 9yrs and I LOVE them! along with the Covert VS for 5yrs
I am still playing my Nike Vapor Pro irons (in black) with a Nike Vapor driver, the VR 56 and 60 degrees wedges and the Method putter. And I love it!
I have the Nike Ignite 450 cc driver. Could not be happier with it. First driver I upgraded to and it added 75 yards onto my drive length. Can’t ask for more than that from a golf brand. I think everyone associated Tiger with the brand so much that when he stopped being as dominant a golfer and other issues in his life came to public knowledge, people stopped being interested in the product as much. Would love to get a set of irons and woods, maybe some golf balls as well, to complete my Nike set cause I have been happy with them.
I still use the VRS 3 wood and method putter I can't let go love them.
Same haha
I have method converge s2 amazing putter
Swing looks great at the minute rick
I still have my sling shot wedges, 3rd generation I think, the blue backing. I like those clubs but I'm due for an upgrade. I also have their SV wedges, those are hit or miss for me.
Rick, I still have my vapor driver, I love this club that has performance as good as any of the other top performers out there now at my skill level of a mid handicapper. With Nike out of the golf market, it makes one wonder what they would be producing now....
I love my vapor itons, but I took em out this year for a set of miura's.
Started playing again this year and just re-gripped my pro combo irons. Still love them.
I had the red Vrs driver when it first came out, loved how it looked and also liked the feel of it, was reasonably priced as well at around £250 I think
I work for a certain high street golf retailer, (yes that one), and the problem with aiming at a younger audience was: Younger people don't really have a lot of money to lay out for a full bag of the latest clubs.
The people who can stand the cost of a full bag are older, and they are VERY brand loyal to tried and tested manufacturers....Ping, Taylormade, Titleist, Mizuno etc...because these were the aspirational brands from their youth....which they can now afford.
Just my two penneth worth....
I remember buying the Forged Pro Combo iron back in the late 90s early 00s.
They were in a reduced sale from new like 399 down to 199.
They were incredible! That was when Woods and Duval were at their best!
This has just flashed up on my feed the day I received my Nike vapor flex flight driver. I used to own vr combo pro irons as well, beautiful irons
I had a set of those irons. They were fantastic!
Vr pro combo, such beautiful clubs, nowadays mizuno and a bunch of companies make similar looking ones. But nike had something about their that was so alluring.
I loved the Crush Extreme balls. Perfect for the older high handicap. I still have a couple of boxes squirreled away for when I know some money is going to be on the game.
I recently bought a used (obviously) Nike Method Core Drone putter and love it. Well, I love the putter head. It had been reshafted poorly, and It's in the shop being properly shafted and face balanced now. Can't wait to get it back.
I loved the original pro combo irons. They were fantastic. Just ordered a new combo set with Titleist 620 CB/MB irons.
Still playing the vapor pro irons . Love it’s feel, look
Judging from you clothes you forgot to mention Rick Shiels as one of the guys Nike signed up
Still have 18 new pd soft golf balls. Love em. I guess when I eventually lose them all it will be a srixon soft feel?
I had just bought my vapor irons the year before they folded up their golf division, I am a pretty awful golfer but these were the most forgiving I had found to this point and when I am hitting them right they are so much fun. Plus I love the bright colors. I had the hat, shirt, glove to match when I would hit the course:
Second generation sumo driver I loved, their second gen sasquatch 3 wood was fantastic and the platinum one ball was great too.
I still have a sleeve of the platinum ones in my bag. I absolutely refuse to hit them. I still use the second Gen sumo driver and woods and I just switched to the vapor pro blade irons!
@@JRBowen95 that's balls are a rare as hens teeth
I’m still playing my Nike vapor driver, I love that thing
Yeah stunning club to look at, sounds and feels amazing. Paired with my Diamana Whiteboard shaft, it is an absolute BEAST. The harder I hit, the straighter it flies!
@@gregoryho9307 Yeah me too! The Vapor driver is one of the few drivers that have no grooves on and around the sweet spot so it generates no spin whatsoever making the ball go crazy straight.
When they came out with the Nike One Black Golf Ball was EXTREMELY IMPRESSED. I had a golf ball fitting done at Golf Galaxy. It was the only time I let a computer pick any of my Equipment.
At the time I was using the Pro V1x and made the Switch and it took a couple of strokes off my game.
I read somewhere that the reason Nike got out of the golf game was because they weren't happy with their market share %. Apparently the company's philosophy is that if they don't have a dominant share of the market it's not worth it.
Wow that’s interesting
Amazing how similar the JPX 919's look to those Nike blades!
I'm still gaming Nike Engage wedges. I love the toe sweep sand wedge.
Always wanted that...
I LOVE the toe sweep wedges... I'll be devastated I've they eventually wear out... I'm also still holding strong to Sasquatch irons too
I still game them and have backup 56 and 60 in the plastic wrap.
I had a set of the TW Pro Combo irons, a 9.0 vapor fly driver. 18 and 26 degree CPR flat old style (red), 52, 56, and 60 mizuno T7 and S5 wedges and an odyssey WH xg9 putter and loved them. Played with them up til Christmas this past year. Til someone broke in to my home and took those along with valuables and my kids gifts. Bought a set of mizuno mp33 after cuz I could not find any nike pro combos like the set I had. My golf game has suffered since. Still haven't found any and have all but given up the game. My grandpa helped me get them and it was a sentimental thing I guess. Haven't played since April. Oh well. Great video rick. Thanks for all u do.
I enjoyed the history lesson on Nike golf. Getting Tiger was probably one of the best investments in sports history aside from maybe Michael Jordan. Really interesting video!
My brother works for a sporting goods store and has for a few years. At this point they don't sell much golf equipment at all aside from a few wedges, putters, and drivers. They have one full set of clubs. They of course sell tees, balls, divot fixers, etc. My opinion as to why is the die hard golfers that regularly golf don't want to get their stuff from a small selection. We want to be able to see all of the options and make an informed decision with comparisons. We don't swing at the first pitch. We go to golf shops and websites and spend hours researching as golf equipment is expensive and could be an investment that last many years.. I think Nike couldn't complete well enough and get enough market share to make it worth their investment. I am sure they made money but other markets are more lucrative for them such as shoes, clothing, and other equipment.
Nike pulling out of the equipment business was because of a combination of various factors, some of them golf related and others not, but by and large the biggest problem with Nike Golf was a prioritization if innovation over performance.
As a brand Nike is at the forefront of of sport’s performance technology and therefore by extension they attempted to bring that concept of constant evolution to the sport of golf and it really didn’t work.
From the square SQ driver to the “modern muscle” concept of the Vapor Pro irons, to bringing out a cavity back driver with the VRS Covert and the Vapor series, they never really seemed to stick with a single concept and improve it over the years, which is what most other companies did.
This was pretty evident if you looked in the bag of Tiger Woods towards the end of his prime. Even thought then VR Pro drivers and metal woods had been released and he was the star of Nike’s marketing campaign, he still reverted back to the old SQ metal woods. When your star athletes indirectly confirms that your new equipment doesn’t meet the cut it’s not really a good sign.
All in all, they tried to do too much in a market where more often less is more, and in doing so spent millions of dollars to produce products which for the most part, most golfers weren’t interested in seeing.
That being said, it’s a real shame that they’re not around anymore.
Great comment
They should have focussed on irons. I saw more Nike irons out there than any other Nike Equipment. Wedges: Titleist/Cleveland/Callaway. Irons:Taylomade/Callaway/ Titleist/Mizuno/ Ping. Woods: Taylormade/ Callaway/Ping/Titleist/Cobra. Not a whole lot of Nike. They just weren't imortant in golf.
Andy A maybe just like balls or something like that, but they tried to make golf into something that it isn’t. They tried to make golf Nike. Which means lots of innovation and different way-out-there concepts. It works with trainers and clothes, but it didn’t work with golf.
For example, I have 2 pairs of Vapormax shoes. Now mind you, they’re a pretty exotic design and some people might say they look strange and are ugly, but there’s enough people like me around who will buy it because they think that the shoes are cool and so Nike will make money from them.
However, the golf market is considerably smaller than that for running shoes, and it’s also much less diverse in terms of consumer preference, so when you make a volt or blue cavity back driver, there just aren’t enough people who will buy it, in an already tiny market to make it profitable in any sense.
Reason I started playing was because of that blue vapor driver! I love it
I got it this year along with 3wood and 3 hybrid.
I remember back in the day, as teens we dreamed of having a Sasquatch driver
I was Nike head to toe when I first started playing because of Tiger. I had slingshot irons and the ignite driver in the bag (still have my slingshot 4 iron in the bag). Like RS said, they were good, not great and I eventually move back to the cobra driver. Glad they’re sticking to what they’re good at with just the apparel.
I used the Nike Covert 2.0 with Speeder 660 stiff staff until summer 2019, the Nike driver went dead couldn't hit it over 220 so I changed to Ping G-400
Wendell Wagnon that’s exactly what I did, almost. I played the Nike Covert 2.0 for years. I would try others, but would go back to the Nike. This past year I went to the Ping G-400 Max.
I'm still using my Covert 2.0 with an Oban Kiyoshi shaft. Longest serving and best overall club in my bag........but starting to feel like it might be losing some performance. But she survives for now.
How does an inert piece of metal and combisite 'lose performance' pray tell? Did it run out of magic or 'ju-ju' ? I've a 20 year old persimmon driver that I bring out in good weather and it still hits as well as it ever did when I used all the time 20 years ago!
@@brother1ray the faces flex and over time fatigue causing reduced performance
It must be close to breaking/falling apart by then, surely? Irons should long, long outlast metal woods with that in mind.
I played nike clubs for years, We have 600 members at my club and
i never came across anyone else who played with a full set of nike woods
and irons! I loved them my best nike driver i had was the vr pro ltd edition,
great club.
Still now using a Nike method putter and love it! Feels very strange knowing there’s no new ones
Just got a Callaway Big Bertha Fusion 3Wood for $60 on Golf Avenue thanks to your golf bidder videos. Thank you. Cheers.
Many good points made, but in the end, they saw golf declining without Tiger, and the market wasn't that big compared to their other products. It was too small of the sports market for them to bother.
Bingo! They were beginning to see diminishing returns on Tiger and they knew that the up and coming stars like Jordan, DJ, JT and even Rory were never going to reach the heights of popularity that Tiger did. But they did have Lebron, KD, Kyrie, and I think they envisioned Kobe having the same type of post playing career impact on the shoe industry as MJ and they decided to place all their eggs in those baskets.
Yeah, they literally never made any money with the golf clubs and other equipment. Every single year, they lost money on it. So if wasn't merely not profitable, it was actually losing them millions, and after nearly 20 years of that, they realised that they'd either _█▓▒░░NEVER░░▒▓█_ be profitable, _OR_ it would have taken decades of losing money on it every year before they finally had built up a good reputation, and lead to tons of people buying their clubs.
But yeah can't blame them really. They have it a good try for over 15 years, lost money every year, so why keep making them? Clearly nobody wanted them.
Man those Proto type 2017 Nike Drivers looked insane! I really miss all the Nike Golf Gear. I thought their 2015-2017 line of clubs were all amazing.
It just shows you how much not only Nike Golf but Golf in general was carried by one player.
Im still using the 2012 Nike Vrs x cavity back irons and I love them
Still using my VRS Covert 2.0 to this day. Absolutely love that driver.
Me too. Solid, straight and superb if hit off center. Great looking driver too.
I'm still gaming my vapor fly pros irons, great feel and performance.
Same
Have a buddy, scratch golfer who went through a phase and bought the latest irons from Callaway, Mizuno and TM for the past 2 years. They were good but he found that he still played best with his Vapor Fly Pros and returned them all.
I still play the Nike Vapor Pro irons seen in this video too and Nike VR wedges. . .they are in great shape with headcovers on them and iI love them!!!
I like the look on like every nike club
@notformebeaky you are right. He would sell them to members and take a small hit. The ones that get returned are used ones as long as they are within the window.
I still use my nike Vrs x irons! I love them for the cavity style and still hitting them with great contact time and time again.
Same!
Still have my sumo driver and hybrid I love how the driver sounds
Use a full set of Vapor Speed Irons, Woods and wedges, Vapor trolly & stand bag, Method putter, Vapor green golf balls, towel, coins, glove, tees, shoes, t-shirts, polos, jumpers, windbreakers, I even have a Nike branded sharpie in the Vapor colour! I absolutely loved my Vapors since I bought them and I have just built on the set ever since. Massive fan of the clubs and wouldn't change them for anything.
Just bought a used set of VRS Covert irons, and I absolutely love them.
Been playing them since they came out and they’re everything I could ask for
The slingshot was one of my favorite sets of irons and I wish Nike golf was still around
Joe Galloway still playing my Slingshots today love them. Was thinking about modernizing but after watching this and reading comments I will stay with them
love your vids keep up the content
I love my Nike Sasquatch Dymo 2 Driver. It makes this perfect tin can ping sound whenever I strike the ball with the sweet spot of the club face. So much fun. I love your videos bro.
When is ‘best drivers 2019’ coming out?
Still play the vr pro blade and vr pro wedge....love them! Also heard the rumor Miura made them? Anyone else?
uh no, that is not a popular rumor haha. The myth is that Miura made Tiger Woods' custom fit iron set, and then allowed Nike to stamp a swish logo on them.
The actual truth is that they didn't make them but they also didn't come out and say anything because the publicity made them sales.. you can check online. I also thought they secretly made his clubs.
I can assure you that Miura did not make the VR Pro Blade or VR Pro Wedges because I was the designer at Nike that was designing those products. These golf clubs along with all of the golf clubs that Nike produced were designed, tested and produced by Nike. The Miura rumors are just that, rumors.
I'm still playing my vapor VR pro irons I've switched and then switched back I love em too much
I still golf my Nike Covert driver, 3 wood, covert 2.0 irons, AND my method core putter!!!! Love em
I still use the orginal covert irons and 3 wood that I bought back in 2012 or 2013. Have the Vapor Pro driver(2016). All in a nike bag I bought years ago. Wish Nike were still around. Prolly would buy another set of them.
I still play my Nike Vapor irons and never want to replace them. Absolute perfection
I’ve had my Vrs clubs driver and woods for 6 years and love them, I can’t part with them lol
I hear ya, I still have the complete Vrs 2.0 clubs in my bag. Driver, woods, hybrids, and iron set.
I have the last vapor driver, 3wood and irons and love them.
I still game my VRPro Forged Irons, they're just so buttery and pure I can't give them up.
Rick is mad because he couldn't hit the Vapor Pro Blades
I’ve always loved the look and feel of the driver. I think, too, I was watching Rory, religiously, and really loved that dark red head. Might have to look into purchasing one
Just went back to my vapor pro combo's from s55. They are the purest striking iron with outstanding feel, and forgiveness that let's a 15 handicapper like me, play with confidence
the square sumo was and is 1 of the best drivers ever made! And the sound it gave when ya smashed it 300yrds straight down the fairway off tee never gets old! 💚💯
I absolutely loved the colors of Nike clubs. I know some people prefer subtlety, but I absolutely LOVE the fact that Nike clubs look different, and still perform well. I appreciate the uniqueness.
I still use nike wedges now. Love them
I hope they come back. My friend has a set and they’re really nice. I’ve used them a couple times and the grip and weight is just so good
Still hitting my victory red split cavity irons. Love them!
Love this trip down mem lane! The SQ drivers were iconic lol. If I remember correctly golf gear was the only market nike was in the red so they were like... why do it? We can just pay them to wear the swoosh because the dominate the sports apparel game. Stick to their strength & maximizing the profit margins.