Not just the golf ball marketing nor just the golf equipment segment , the golf industry... almost all the large entity in our region had practiced tighter budget into effect since last quarter.
Heard from several of my clients that not only to freeze the new hiring but also took away the allotted hiring spots from all level, which means no possibility to expend by the low to mid level management.
If that's what the projection for the economy, then inventory level should be tighten up all the way around.
Especially for the non essential and the luxury segment, service and production should be reduced to trickle and inventory should be at the lowest possible level.
Perhaps Nike had follow the forecasting to end their involvement of the golf equipment division. Good for them that ending one division is not going to end the whole entity.
Hence the guess why Nassau was dumping all their inventory to Costco, I don't believe there was a bait and switch nor any other reason like to bring down the traditional method of golf ball marketing.
It was just an attempt for a manufacturer to reduce their inventory.