WE MAKE CLUBS YES WE DO, even balls and bags, how about you ? For more on companies that make clubs, balls, bags see Callawaygolf.com or visit Titleiest.com.        _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. Wearing the Cross Golf All-weather apparel, and holding the Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Putter.

The Swoosh Bleeds. Nike Golf posted on it’s website today, they are getting out of the golf equipment business.

Nike is done, finished and gone when it comes to golf clubs. No Nike has not totally bailed on golf, they will continue to make golf shoes and golf apparel.

Nike Brand President Trevor Edwards says the company is committed to being an industry leader in golf apparel and footwear. We will see.

What everyone is waiting to see, is what clubs will Nike endorsers Rory McIlroy (world #4), Tiger Woods (when or if he plays again) or Michelle Wie will put in their bags next. There are a few other top players who play Nike, but not many.

What will Rory McIlroy hit next.

As of this writing, McIlroy’s Twitter page and Facebook page were silent. There was nothing was out from the Woods camp either, but that’s no surprise.

McIlroy for all the hardware he has won in recent years, has had his issues with Nike clubs.

One club went splash in a pond at Doral, and was swallowed up by the Blue Monster that resides there.

Recently after yet another sprayed shot with his 3-wood, McIlroy whipped it bouncing down the fairway only to watch the head of the club snap off, as the club rolled past the 200 yard fairway marker.

Regardless of what you think of McIlroy’s temper or sportsmanship, his actions were not a ringing endorsement for the quality Nike clubs. Then again who can ever forget Woods punting his Nike club across the tee box at Augusta National during the Masters.

Why would any amateur buy Nike clubs, if players with McIlroy’s talent could not count on them to post a low score, or hit good shots in professional tournaments, or in the four major championships.

The debate has raged for years about just how good Nike products are. Various golf media or industry types will tell you that Nike products have ruined the games of players like Woods, Wie, David Duval and others. There are those that will tell you that Woods might have 18 or 19 majors by now if he had not switched to Nike. That Woods would have passed Jack Nicklaus and would hold the record for wins in majors. That Duval would have more than one major title and the same goes for Wie.

In 2005 Jason Gore was among the leaders heading into the final round at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, but final round 84’s (+14) don’t get it done on Sunday at major championships. From Pinehurst Gore struggled with his game, I asked him at the 2006 PGA at Medinah about his game. While he was still a Nike staff player, he didn’t have kind words for the Sasquatch Driver.

Wie had issues with her Sasquatch driver when she showed up at the John Deere Classic, she hit shots into places that didn’t receive errant shots on media day.

A few years back as he vaulted into contention at the Deere, Patrick Reed didn’t have much good to say about Nike either. Granted Reed had just switched over to Callaway and wanted to talk them up. But he told me not only were Callaway clubs better, but the Callaway golf ball was much better. Especially when hitting into the wind. The following March, Reed won the WGC Championship at Doral. with his Callaway clubs.

  (L) Titleist Putter designer Scotty Cameron left, and Callaway Club designer Roger Cleveland (R) with yours truly.

More than once Nike brought in someone who was going to be the next big club designer in the league with Titleist putter designer Scotty Cameron, the Titleist “Wizzard of Wedges” creator Bob Vokey, or Callaway wedge and club maker Roger Cleveland. But none of those people eventually turned into, who Nike hyped them up to be.

Nike didn’t say what this announcement meant for their staff players, or for the golf professionals who have their shops stocked with Nike equipment.

I reached Blackberry Oaks Golf Club General Manager Chad Johansen, who has been a strong supporter of Nike products via social media. Johansen was out of town, but  was surprised by the announcement. It left him wondering if he and his shop are now “free agents”.

There has always been doubt about how many of Woods and McIlroy’s clubs were really Nike, or were they just painted over and had the Nike stamp put on them.

There are many questions and as of now, Nike is providing few answers. So let the clearance sales of Nike products begin, and the competition to get those pro shops handling other brands to begin very quickly. Like today. RS