Nike Golf was established in 1998, when Nike was among the top five marketers of golfing apparel. Nike Golf was formed to manufacture and sell golf clubs and balls to cash in on the growing golf market. The first Nike branded golf balls were sold in 1999, and the first clubs were introduced for sale in 2002. Nike continued its proven strategy of signing tour professionals for endorsements and implementing an aggressive marketing campaign. The golf line did not grow as the company focused on other shoe lines and a strategy of hiring company spokespersons with celebrity status, such as Michael Jordan, Alonzo Mourning and others.
