Category: Nike Golf
legendary University of Oregon Track and Field Coach and one of his athletes, Phil Knight. The original plan was to import Japanese track shoes, but they soon began developing their own designs.
As Nike expanded into virtually every field of athletic endeavor, it was only natural that they also get into golf. And when Tiger Woods announced his presence to the world in a Nike ad in 1996, the company was on its way in the golf business.
Nike Ignite 2007
Nike has apparently improved the Ignite for 2007.
The Ignite is a 3-piece low-end performance ball that Nike says offers low spin, long distance and penetrating flight off the tee. Its got all the usual for a three piece ball: a core with high energy return; a mantle designed to reduce driver spin; and a surlyn cover for a softer feel. The 408 dimples are supposed to offer more roll than other designs.
More roll. Hmmm. I may look into this one.
Nike One Platinum 2007 Edition
Nike’s flagship ball has been updated for 2007. It’s got a 408 dimple pattern for consistent ball flight and an outer mantle that’s designed to offer moderate spin off aggressive mid irons and more spin off short irons. Nike says that its Progressive Density Core is softer in the center and firmer toward the edge to reduce excess spin off the tee.
But all your really need to know is that Tiger plays a Nike ball.
Nike Recalls The Sumo 2
In what has to be a major embarrassment for the company, Nike Golf is recalling its new SUMO 2 square drivers. The recall apparently was announced when it was discovered that a manufacturing variance caused the “Characteristic Time” measurement of some of the drivers to fall outside USGA specifications. A Seattle area paper (Nike is in Washington state) sniffed that the defect would “only” result in two or three extra yards.
Nike claims the equipment used by its tour players is not affected.
It’s a voluntary recall, but I’ve read that the testing was done at the behest of an unnamed competitor.
To tell whether your driver is conforming or not, check the bottom of the driver as shown in the photo. Conforming drivers have a little circular mark. If yours isn’t conforming, Nike will replace it. You can get more information on the recall on the Nike site.
I wonder if the old, non-conforming drivers could become a collector’s item like some of those mis-struck coins that occasionally make their way out into the open. If everyone else turns theirs in ...
Nike Ignite Hybrid/Iron Set
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 Golf Ball
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.
