On Thursday, Adidas Golf announced that it was entering a multiyear apparel and footwear deal with American pro golfer Dustin Johnson.

While a new deal typically wouldn’t typically signal that something is wrong in the world of golf, however, this is another example of Adidas moving away from the equipment business.

In May, Adidas announced it was planning to sell its golf equipment brands TaylorMade, Adams, and Ashworth.

“TaylorMade is a very viable business. However, we decides that now is the time to focus even more on our core strength in the athletic footwear and apparel market,” CEO Herbet Hainer said in a release at the time.

As noted by ESPN sports-business writer Darren Rovell on Twitter, Adidas’ new strategy is just another sign of difficulties in the golf equipment business, as retailers ditch clubs and balls in favor of shoes and shirts.

In August, Nike announced it would transition out of selling golf clubs, balls, and bags, while continuing to sell golf footwear and apparel. And, as Under Armour has moved into the golf business, it has stayed clear of clubs, focusing exclusively on apparel and shoes.

The golf industry has struggled to attract younger players in recent years.

“From the golf industry statistics, we know that rounds are down. We know that millennials are not picking up the game, and boomers are aging out. The game is in decline,” said Matt Powell of industry research firm NPD.

With most golf equipment sales stemming from older, long-time golfers, it makes sense for companies to focus on apparel, not clubs, balls, and bags that are durable. Established golfers tend to have loyalties to bag brands, and are unlikely to be won over by newer companies relying on trendy marketing and super-star names.

Meanwhile, an Adidas,Nike, or Under Armour shirt or hat is unlikely to be seen as a make-or-break part of a golfer’s game. Plus, even if golf is failing to attract new players buying their first sets of clubs, even veteran golfers need to buy new shoes at some point.

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Palmer won 62 PGA tournaments and seven major championships in a career that spanned more than 40 years. He also became a renowned golf course designer and a trusted advertising pitch man, helping sell products ranging from golf equipment to iced tea.

In 19958, Palmer rose to fame after winning the Master, a feat he would repeat in 1960, 1962 and 1964. He also won the U.S. Open in 1960 and the British Open in 1961 and 1962.

Palmer was PGA Tour player of the year in 1960 and 1962 and Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in 1960. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004.

Palmer retired as an active golfer in 2006, but continued to make ceremonial appearances at PGA events each year. His 62 career wins rank fifth all-time, behind only Sam Snead, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan.

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With the acquisition of Toulon Design, Callaway strengthens its position in the putter category, where its Odyssey brand has been the #1 Putter in Golf since Callaway acquired the brand in 1997. Odyssey is also the #1 Putter across major worldwide Tours, with more Tour wins and major championships than any other putter company this year.

“Sean is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable leaders in the golf equipment industry, and we are excited to have him come aboard to help us continue to lead the putter category with great designs and the highest performing innovations,” commented Chip Brewer, president and Chief Executive Officer at Callaway Golf Company. “With today’s announcement we fortify our position as the number one equipment company in golf and add valuable experience to our leadership team.”

“We are so excited to be joining forces with Callaway and Odyssey,” said Mr. Toulon. “We have been inspired by these two great brands over a long period of time. But what might be even more impressive is the engagement these great brands have with golfers,” he continued. “We have always believed that a deep connection to the game and to those that love it is the key to creating world class products and experiences that golfers love. We feel like we have found the perfect home and look forward to creating incredible products for passionate golfers for many years to come.”

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The 102-year-old company is moving the entire workforce of about 400 people at its current corporate headquarters on the Far Northwest Side, including employees working from the Louisville Slugger and DeMarini brands and Finish parent Amer Sports, said Wilson President Mike Dowse.

“There’s such good energy here,” Dowse said. “Our lease was coming due, and it was an opportunity to decide where we want to be for the future. Chicago is such a cool city, and we hadn’t been able to part in that as much as we want.”

Even though their current headquarters are in Chicago, the new site at the iconic Prudential building will be a much more visible Chicago address. Wilson signed a 12-year lease on the firth and sixth floors of the 41-story building, built and 1955, and plans to move in December 2017, Dowse said.

Wilson will be allowed to display its logo – the red Wilson name in the usual script – on the outside of the building, but below the fourth floor, said Matt Pistorio of Telos Group, which represented 601 W Cos., Prudential Plaza’s New York-based owner.

The downtown location will also give Wilson easier access to other companies it works with, Dowse said. The Prudential building, across the street from Millennium Park, was especially appealing as nearby sports fields will alow for easy product testing and be a perk for an unusually athletic employee population, he said.

A separate Wilson facility with about 40 employees, where the company tests and develops new products, will remain in Schiller Park. The company has a longer lease there and some features, such as the tennis court equipped with a radar device that can assess a ball’s spin, would be difficult to move, Dowse said.

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