Golf equipment sales slumping

If Callaway's third quarter report is an indication, the slumping economy is taking its toll on golf equipment manufacturers. Callaway posted lower sales and a loss for the three months ending Sept. 30. The Carlsbad, Calif.-based company generated net sales of $213.5 million, down 9.3 percent compared with a record $235.5 million a year ago. Callaway reported a net loss of $7.5 million compared with net income of nearly $1.4 million a year ago. Company officials cited the economic downturn for its performance, which included substantial international sales. The company said sales in Japan through the first nine months of the year are up 37 percent from last year.

Comments

[AJ]

Alan Blondin,
Your article on slumping sales with the golf industry is a real shame...Boo Hoo..! Explain to me why anyone with half a brain would pay $1000.00 for a set of irons new, and then when he returns them 6 months later they are only worth $130.00 on trade in from the same store he bought them from? (National Average from Golf stores of America)
If they would stop paying these Pro's so much money to play their products then the savings could be passed on to the consumer as a set of brand name clubs is actually only worth $400.00? Next thing you know Callaway will be approaching our government for financial aide to rescue them from bankrupcy as did the car companies. This sickening circle of greed has to stop now as our economy is perched on a very thin fence and could fall at any time.GM did the right thing cutting Woods loose, so should Taylor-made and Mizuno and Titleist and so on.!
That's not news, but that too is a reality.

[Dan]

Two negatives going right now for the game of golf. The slumping economy and Tiger being out of the game.

Hopefully things will turn around in 2009'!

[Pat Smith]

I'm with you, Dan.

Hopefully 2009 is a bit more friendly to the golf world!

Pat Smith (www.squidoo.com/help-with-golf-swing-1)

[improve golf swing]

the economy is killing everbodys business. this is so scary.

[golf components]

I believe that global crisis has something to do with it. People tend not to spend money on things like this and use the money on a more important and needed things. Spend wisely.

[improve golf swing]

its scary the way the economy is going. everybody is going to be broke.

[Chuck Bennett]

The cost of "Branded" equipment has gotten totally out of reach for "average players" It now costs s much for a "Branded" putter as it used to for a complete set of irons. It is getting to the point that only the elite few can afford new clubs I agree Alan. You trade in a very slightly used set of irons, they give you a tenth of what you paid for them and then they show up on the "pre-owned" rack for $ 5-700. Greed Greed Greed. Just check our two local golf mega stores. They sell them once for $800-1000, trade in for $120-150 and then resell them for $ 5-700. Hell of a profit!!!

[Electric golf trolley batteries]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading about golf. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.