A rain-soaked Royal Troon Golf Club is in the middle of the action on the third day of the British Open, with overcast skies and smooth greens testing the mettle of the world’s best golfers. But something else is causing a stir. Nike is facing criticism and its rain collection seems to have missed the mark. Fans who once mocked Tiger Woods’ trademark Sunday red are now venting their anger at Nike’s blunder. But what has made them so infuriated?
The Society of Golf Historians shared a photo of Scottie Scheffler walking on the green in Nike rainwear under the X handle. The post was captioned, “Nike rainwear is horribly ugly. Looks like either a garbage bag or this… Can’t they make it fit a major champion a little better?” Fans were not happy with what they saw. His light blue rainwear looked like a “bag” due to its oversized design and color. Anyway, the clothing brand in particular was relentlessly attacked by fans, who criticized the company for its design and functionality flaws.
Nike rain gear is awful and ugly.
It looked like a garbage bag or something like this…
Could we position our key champions a bit better? pic.twitter.com/5kcA81tVj1
— Society of Golf Historians (@SHistorians) July 20, 2024
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Do you think Scottie Scheffler’s “karate jacket” outfit was a fashion hit or miss?
At a high-profile event like the British Open, fans expect top-notch gear that not only performs but looks good too, but Nike’s rain gear seems to fail on both counts. But Scheffler is used to being mocked by fans; he’s been teased for shaving his beard and sporting a strange hairstyle. But this time, the world number one’s style choices aren’t being criticized.
Speaking of controversial golf clothing designs, Tiger Woods’ trademark style has come under heavy criticism recently. Despite his popularity, Sunday Red’s prices have come under fire, with fans feeling that they are too expensive. The brand’s logo and design, featuring a simple tiger print, are said to not justify the high price tag. As a result, Sunday Red’s clothing line has not lived up to the community’s expectations.
But going back to Nike’s predicament, the criticism shows no signs of abating. Golf enthusiasts are beginning to voice their opinions on one of the biggest brands failing to make a mark in the hearts of the golfing community. The frustration is palpable and fans are making it loud and clear. Here’s how they reacted to this whole situation.
Scottie Scheffler’s Nike rainwear sparks internet reaction, more trolling
Scottie Scheffler sent fans into a frenzy when he wore light blue Nike rain gear, with one fan humorously commenting that it “looks like he raided his wife’s maternity collection,” highlighting the unusual color choice and the rain gear’s fit. The comment was likely a reference to the fact that light blue is a common shade of maternity wear, and the loose fit of the rain gear is reminiscent of the comfortable clothing often worn by pregnant women.
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Another user commented amusingly, “I thought he was on his way to clean the toilets!!! Looks like a cleaner.” The humor in this comment came from the unexpected comparison between the professional golfer’s outfit and a cleaner’s uniform. The design continued to provoke humorous observations, with one user exclaiming, “It’s basically a karate uniform!”, highlighting the gear’s loose, bold style and resemblance to the iconic martial arts uniform.
The design and fit of Nike’s rain gear sparked humorous comparisons to pop culture and retro aesthetics. One user joked that it resembled “Nike’s Dr. Evil Collection Rain Gear,” a reference to the villain from the infamous Austin Powers film series. Another quipped that the outfit looked like something out of a “bad 70s sci-fi movie.” Both comments mocked the gear’s unconventional look, likening it to an exaggerated, theatrical style.
One user bluntly stated that Nike’s business is struggling as a direct result of their poor clothing designs, stating, “So now you know why their business is struggling…” Indeed, Nike’s business has been struggling since 2021, and the company’s stock price reflects an alarming trend. Over the past three years, the company’s stock price has generated a return of -53.94%, which contrasts with the company’s usual performance. By comparison, in the first week of November 2021, the company’s stock price reached a high of $169, but has since plummeted to its current market price of $72, showing a staggering percentage change (-57.4%).
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Another user prioritized practicality and effectiveness over the looks of rain gear: “When it comes to rain gear, function over form. Just ask the 2010 US Ryder Cup team…” He gave the example of the 2010 Ryder Cup, where the rain suits provided by the official outfitter failed to keep the players dry in heavy rain. The fabric absorbed water instead of repelling it, which was very uncomfortable. The team had to buy replacement rain suits at the merchandise tent at Celtic Manor Resort after their first rain gear was ineffective.
What do you think about this design? Let us know in the comments below.
