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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The company said in a statement that it will “accelerate innovation” in its golf footwear and apparel business. At the same time, it will move away from selling equipment for the pastime, including clubs, balls, and bags.

Nike golf gear rocketed in popularity in the late 1990s and the 2000s, thanks to the dominance of Tiger Woods, whom Nike sponsors, but the segment has also declined alongside Woods’ personal and professional struggles. It was Nike’s worst-performing division last year, with sales of $706 million.

Nike is getting out of the golf equipment business, a surprising announcement Wednesday that is sure to send Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, other pros and players searching for new clubs and golf balls next season.

Nike said it would stop making clubs, golf balls and golf bags, instead focusing its efforts on shoes and apparel, longs its strength in the golf marketplace.

“We’re committed to being the undisputed leader in golf footwear and apparel,” said Trevor Edwards, president of Nike Brand. “We will achieve this by investing in performance innovation for athletes and delivering sustainable profitable growth for Nike Golf.”

Tiger has been with Nike since he turned pro in 1996 with that “Hello, World” advertisement, and he remains the most famous figure among Nike golfers. The Beaverton, Oregon-based company also signed Rory McIlroy in a splashy announcement in Abu Dhabi to start the 2013 season.

Woods has gone more than a year without playing due to back surgeries, though his agent at Excel Sports Management said he would remain “the iconic ambassador” for Nike Golf, just with a smaller group of products.

“He’s been the most loyal ambassador and longest standing for Nike Golf. That doesn’t change,” agent Mark Steinberg said in a telephone interview with CBS News. “It just means he’ll likely have some different equipment in the bag, whether that’s tomorrow, next month or a year from now. Tiger and I have been talking about this the last couple of days. We have a very sophisticated, legitimate plan in place and we’re going to see it through.”

Brooks Koepka is another Nike Client. He tied for fourth in the PGA Championship on Sunday and is in position to make his first Ryder Cup team. His agent, Blake Smith at Hambric Sports Management, said Koepka is happy with his equipment.

“I don’t think he’ll be in an rush at all to jump ship,” Smith said. “He’s got a bunch of tournaments coming up that are very important.”

Nike also has Suzann Pettersen and Michelle Wie on the LPGA Tour.

Woods began promoting the shoes and apparel when he turned pro, and he made a switch to the Nike Golf ball (which Bridgestone manufactured) in 2000 in Germany, winning the U.S. Open by 15 shots a month later.

No other Nike golf ball moment was more vivid than when woods won the 2005 Masters with a chip-in for birdie on the 16th hole, in which the ball rolled down a slope and hung on the edge of the cup for a full second – the Nike swoosh aimed at TV screens around the world – before falling.

He changed to the Nike irons at the American Express Championship in Ireland in 2002, one week before the Ryder Cup, and then gradually added the fairway metal, the driver and finally, the putter in 2010.

During those changes, Phil Mickelson caused a stir when he said in a Golf Magazine interview that Woods had “inferior” clubs and then tried to pay woods a compliment by saying he was the only player good enough to “overcome the equipment he’s stuck with.”

David Duval was the first player to win a major with Nike Equipment at the 2001 British Open.

Through it all, Nike never took the lead in any aspect of the golf market, succeeding mainly in shoes and clothing.

Daric Ashford, president of Nike Golf, said in a brief announcement that Woods, McIlroy and Wie “drive tremendous energy for the game and inspire consumers worldwide,” and then he went on to mention various apparel and footwear that have “connected strongly with golfers”

“We’ll continue to ignite excitement with our athletes and deliver the best of Nike for the game,” he said.

Nike did not say how the move would affect its golf equipment staff, either the representatives on tour or at the “Oven” in Fort Worth, Texas, where the clubs were made.

Steinberg said the news was too fresh to get an idea how this would affect Woods or other golfers when it comes to their contracts.

“We have a long-term contract with Nike, and that likely will not change,” Steinberg said. “I’m sure we’ll have a conversation into what exactly the future looks like with less product.”

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Montreal, Quebec — The Spring 2016 golf line for Sunice® is divided into five categories: Rain, Wind, Thermal, Layers and Sportswear. “It is always our goal at Sunice to make garments that function flawlessly on the golf course and deliver on style; 2016 is no different. “We are very proud of our 2016 lineup,” said Conrad Tappert, President of Sunice.  “It covers all possible golf weather conditions, from cold and wet to dry and hot.”

The Sunice Rain category will once again be available in three different technologies and in three

Carleton

price ranges: GORE-TEX®, FlexVent™ and  Zephal™.  All styles have been updated with new color combinations. “GORE-TEX® is our top of the line fabric and offers incredible performance even in the most difficult golf conditions,” adds Tappert.

Collins

The Wind Collection will continue to be available in two different proprietary technologies: Shield 3L and X2O™.  Shield 3L construction offers a soft knit on the outside, and a water-repellent laminate and mesh finish inside.  It is then coated with WxTech for additional protection.  The result is a garment that breathes freely, with plenty of stretch and total protection against the wind and light precipitation.   The new lightweight and packable Wind Collection features the X2O™ fabric which is made from fine, densely woven denier yarn to achieve optimal wind protection and breathability.  The X2O™ windwear products are also coated with WxTech for water repellency.  A great example of this X2O™ technology is the popular Collins Wind Jacket, which is available in 5 different color combinations.

“In the Thermal Collection, our Franz jacket and Ingo vest have been

Franz

updated and now features 3M™ Thinsulate™. This new synthetic insulation stays warm even when it’s wet so it was easy decision,” said Anita Sanches, Director of product creation.

Allendale

Many new colors have also been added to the Layers category.  As an example, our best selling Allendale Pullover has four new colors: Scarlet Flame, Toxic, Charcoal and Aquarius.  The Allendale Pullover continues to be popular because it looks great and delivers on ultimate comfort. This is because it is made with a high quality double knit fabric and four needle flat lock stitching.

In addition, Sunice has introduced additional styles of Sportswear which

Eastwood

feature the Coollite performance fabric. New styles include the Eastwood and Wyman polos.”We are very proud of our new Coollite™ polos,” says Ms. Sanches. “Thanks to their appealing look and comfortable feel, they are proving to be a big success ”

Elan

As with the Men’s collection, the Sunice Women’s 2016 Spring collection features the same five categories and their respective technologies. “New vibrant colors are dominating this year and we are loving it,” said Ms. Sanches.  “The design team had a lot of fun working with these colors. A nice example is our Elan waterproof jacket which features a Plumberry and Precious Purple combination.”

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