Nike is renowned for being one of the world's largest brands and has already made its mark on golf, despite not being involved in the sport for a long time.
The company has aimed to push the boundaries of the rules for clubs laid out by the USGA and R&A by incorporating a number of innovations to its classic profiles.
For example, it currently boasts the driver with the highest coefficient of restitution and moment of inertia possible under the present regulations.
Nike has ensured that it has become heavily involved in all areas of the golf equipment market, manufacturing all types of clubs, shoes, clothing, balls and other accessories.
Of course,
Tiger Woods, the world number one for 281 straight weeks until
Lee Westwood's recent ascent to the top spot, has long been the face of the 'Swoosh' brand in golfing circles.
However, it also has many other top golfers tied to sponsorship deals, including Francesco Molinari, who won the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai last weekend.
The Italian, who is using
Nike VR Forged Split Cavity irons this season, tried out the company's new VR Pro Combo irons at the Sheshan International course to great effect.
Molinari also carried the new
VR STR8-Fit Tour driver in his bag as he edged out Westwood for a one-shot victory with a four-round total of 19 under par.
The 28-year-old's tournament victory was the 11th registered by Nike-sponsored golfers already this year, despite players such as Woods struggling to hit peak form.
Among the other winners are Charl Schwartzel (Joburg Open and Africa Open), Anthony Kim (Shell Houston Open) and
Michelle Wie (CN Canadian Women's Open).
In addition to Molinari and Schwartzel, Nike's European Tour roster includes Marc Warren, James Morrison, Pablo Martin, Oliver Fisher, Richard Finch and Simon Dyson.
Over on the PGA Tour, Woods, Kim,
Paul Casey,
Trevor Immelman,
Stewart Cink, Lucas Glover, Stephen Ames, Justin Leonard and Carl Pettersson all have deals with Nike.
The company's LPGA line-up is completed by Suzanne Pettersen and Amanda Blumenhurst, while a number of players on the Nationwide Tour also use Nike equipment.
Amateur golfers who are keen to use Nike equipment to improve their game can keep in touch with Golf Online to check out the latest product releases.
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