Nike Golf

Founded 1964 · Beaverton, Oregon, USA

Apparel & Footwear

#16

Global Rank

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Nike Golf remains a significant force in golf apparel and footwear despite its high-profile exit from the equipment business in 2016, when it ceased production of clubs, balls, and bags to refocus on its core strengths. The decision shocked the industry, Nike had invested heavily in clubs and counted Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy among its marquee endorsers, but reflected broader strategic priorities within Nike Inc., which determined it could better leverage its design, manufacturing, and athlete marketing infrastructure by concentrating on softgoods. Since the equipment pullback, Nike Golf has leaned into what it does best: performance apparel engineered with proprietary fabrics like Dri-FIT, modern silhouettes, and athlete-driven storytelling. The brand continues to outfit Woods, McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, and other top professionals, using their visibility to influence golf fashion at the recreational level. Nike's golf footwear, particularly shoes like the Air Zoom Infinity Tour and React Vapor, incorporates technologies from its running and basketball categories, offering lightweight cushioning, traction innovation, and bold colorways that differentiate from traditional golf shoe aesthetics. Nike's influence on golf style has been undeniable, its mock necks, tapered fits, and athletic cuts helped shift the sport's dress culture away from baggy polos and pleated khakis. The brand appeals to younger, fashion-conscious players who view golf as part of a broader athletic lifestyle rather than a country club tradition. While its absence from the equipment market left a void for competitors like TaylorMade and Callaway to fill, Nike Golf's apparel and footwear business remains robust, distributed globally through Nike retail, golf specialty shops, and online channels. It's a reminder that in golf, as in other sports, the real margin and cultural impact often lie in what players wear, not what they swing.