Yet, questions also abound about Nike’s ability tostraddle distribution channels and attract key demographic groups like coreplayers/influencers and game newcomers with its first club offerings—forgedirons and wedges. Endorser Tiger Woods used a Nike driver for the first time incompetition in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. The brand’s equipment entrycomes at a time when retail club prices are falling and participation isstagnant.

Nike obviously thinks it can play a role in improvingboth statistics. It won’t publicly discuss its sales or market share targets orhow it intends to divide club distribution among green grass shops, off-coursegolf specialty and sporting goods channels. But management ... Log in to view full article.