NIKE Ignite 3H, 4-PW Set with Steel Shafts

Nike’s latest offering is the Ignite Hybrid/Iron set. Designed for mid- to high- handicappers, the set features deep undercut cavities and wide soles. The traditional 3 iron in the set has been replaced with a hybrid, which should be easier for the average amateur to play.

The iron is quite handsome, but I’m not sure that I like the looks of the hybrid. I really hate clubs with those little pseudo rivets holes on them—like the Nike and some of the Adams models. Rivets aren’t used in the manufacturing, so they should look smooth and sleek.

NIKE Juice 312

Nike’s new Juice 312 ball is a two piece distance ball aimed at people with mid to low swing speeds. The name, obviously, comes from the fact that the ball has 312 dimples. (that’s on the low side—balls most commonly have 336.)

And the rest of the name?

It has “juice”, get it?

Nike’s sense of humor has never been subtle.

Nike says that the low dimple count, combined with the soft core offer good distance with “adequate” spin.

The “adequate” worries me.

NIKE Long Sleeve Interlock Mock

While I’m not a huge fan of Nike balls—and havent’ had much of a chance to try their equipment—I really like their clothing. I was reminded of this the other day when I got my cold weather golf gear out and found five Nike mock turtlenecks among them. They’re warm and are cut just right for playing golf. I also wear for skiing and other wintry outdoor activities (like shoveling the driveway.) I’ve got a date with a course this Wed, and will be wearing one of them for sure.

NIKE Ignite Putter

Nike’s new Ignite putters feature a full face polymer insert that is 85% lighter than steel. This allowed Nike to restribute weight to the perimeter, making the clubface more stable through impact. The face is CNC milled for a consistent surface.

The Ignite putters come in four styles, including blade and mallet types.

NIKE SV Wedge

The Nike golf juggernaut rolls on with the release of a new line of tour level wedges: the Nike SV.

These clubs are constructed from 8620 carbon steel, which is 45% softer than 17-4 stainless and have a CNC milled face for shot precision. Nike says that the grooves, using what they call the Optimal Radium spin, are designed to increase the golf ball’s spin. The design features a sharper top groove for more control around the green.

And no weird sling bars or such for these babies: they have a classic shape and satin finish.

Nike Ignite 2 Men’s Driver

The Ignite 2 is Nike’s latest addition to its stable of clubs. This 450cc driver has a large, thin titanium face and is designed to reduce twisting on off center hits (the ubiquitious moment of intertia). It’s available in regular, stiff, x-stiff, senior and ladies flexes.

The Nike Ignite is a three peice ball that Nike says is for the player who likes low spin, penetrating flight and longer distance.

I’m curious about the marketing of this one, though. The Ignite name belongs to a club that is—well— “so last year.” It seems to me that real marketing genius would be to offer a club and a matching ball at the same time. And from a technological standpoint, wouldn’t it be nice to ahve a ball that is designed to take advantage of the properties of a particular driver or irons set.

Nonetheless, this is a ball that I’m going to try as soon as the weather warms up.

NIKE Ignite Golf Ball