Clothing sales slip with golf game

Woods has played through the year without a single tournament win, putting him at 83d on the PGA Tour’s money list. As his performance slumps, so have sales of his apparel line through Nike, according to retailers Golfsmith International Holdings, Roger Dunn Golf Shops, and Golf Discount Superstore.

Golf apparel sales overall are on the rise, signaling consumers are returning to the course — just not to Woods.

Nike gets about 10 percent of its golf sales from the Woods brand, whose shirts, jackets, and pants are among the most expensive clothing the sportswear maker sells.

“Apparel is hot right now,’’ said Laura Dowdy, the clothing buyer for Roger Dunn, which has more than 20 stores. “Everything: Adidas, Puma, Nike, except the Tiger brand.’’

Nike, based in Beaverton, Ore., does not disclose sales for the Tiger Woods Collection. Nike gets about $650 million in sales tied to the sport, according to Matt Powell, an analyst at researcher SportsOneSource in Charlotte, N.C., who provided the estimate for sales of the Woods line.

“We support Tiger and never underestimate his abilities as a competitor,’’ Nike spokeswoman Beth Gast said in an e-mail. “He’s a phenomenal athlete with over 70 wins on the PGA Tour and 95 wins worldwide.’’

The line’s volume through the first half dropped 7.5 percent from a year earlier at Golfsmith’s 72 stores, said Martin Hanaka, chief executive.

Total golf apparel sales climbed 11 percent over the same period at the Austin, Texas-based retailer.

“The Tiger effect has been negative this year,’’ Hanaka said. “Fortunately, other Nike products and other brands have been doing well, so we’ve been able to overcome it.’’

Nike’s apparel sales climbed 13 percent in the quarter ended May 31, and its golf apparel sales also have climbed about that much this year, according to Powell.