New Nike SQ MACHSPEED Driver Available March 1, 2010

New Nike SQ MACHSPEED Driver Features Nike’s Total Swing Aerodynamics

The Nike SQ Machspeed Driver = Speed = Distance

SQMSPD_Drv_BTY-2When winter nears its end in March next year, and most golfers are thinking that spring can’t come fast enough, a new and exciting Nike Golf introduction will provide all the speed a golfer needs to put velocity into the golf season.  The new SQ MACHSPEED driver will use the power of aerodynamics to help golfers hit the ball farther and straighter – all due to speed.

While consumers will have to wait for the official introduction at retail on March 1, 2010, Nike Tour athlete Justin Leonard can’t get it in his bag fast enough.  After successfully testing the new SQ MACHSPEED driver, Leonard likely will be using the Nike SQ MACHSPEED for the first time in competition at The Presidents Cup from October 8–11, 2009.

“This is my new secret weapon,” said Leonard.  “I am hitting it 10-12 yards further and am really excited to put it in play.”

The Nike SQ MACHSPEED driver is loaded with a combination of ground-breaking technology that was born from the minds of Nike Golf’s team of engineers. In addition to having a lower, deeper Center of Gravity (CG) for a higher launch and increased distance, the SQ MACHSPEED driver features the award winning Nike STR8-FIT technology, square technology and now, Nike’s Total Swing Aerodynamic Design.

Nike’s Total Swing Aerodynamic Design is the answer to generating more speed, resulting in more distance.  Nike Golf has taken the concept of aerodynamics to a new level by looking at the golf swing holistically.

“The number one thing that makes the ball go farther is faster ball speed. We’ve accomplished that through looking at the orientation of aerodynamics throughout the total golf swing, not just a portion of the swing,” said Tom Stites, Director of Club Creation for Nike Golf.  “Optimizing aerodynamics in the total golf swing pulls the clubhead and shaft through the air faster, which leads to more distance.  I’ll use a parachute as an example.  The wider the parachute is, the slower it comes down because air separates around the parachute and causes drag.  The same thing applies to the golf club, but through geometry and Total Swing Aerodynamics, we have been able to minimize the air separation and drag.”

Fast Start
The tapered heel geometry and toe-side aerodynamic Nike PowerBow design promote smooth air flow around the head for quicker acceleration.

Acceleration
As speed increases, so does drag force.  But the aerodynamic Nike PowerBow and sole diffuser designs keep the airflow smooth and close to the club surface, reducing drag and encouraging a faster acceleration.

Maximum Speed
Drag reduction through-out the downswing allows the club to reach its true maximum speed, delivering maximum energy to the ball.

To shape any shot, the Nike STR8-FIT technology in the SQ MACHSPEED delivers eight face angle options – two degrees open to two degrees closed.  For stability and forgiveness, the SQ MACHSPEED features Tour proven square technology that delivers more stability at impact and more forgiveness on the tee.  Nike’s square technology was used by Nike athlete’s Lucas Glover and Stewart Cink to win the 2009 U.S. Open and OPEN Championship, respectively.

Availability: March 1, 2010 at golf shops and specialty stores nationwide

SQ MACHSPEED Driver

Men’s: Loft Options:  8.5 (RH); 9.5 (RH/LH); 10.5 (RH/LH); 11.5 (RH); HL (RH) All available in:  A,R,S,X

MSRP: $359.99

Women’s: Loft Options:  11.5 (RH); HL (RH) All available in W (women’s) shaft.

MSRP: $359.99

Editor’s Note: The post above is from a press release from Nike Golf.

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A Banner Year for Nike Golf Athletes

Woods Clinches Fed Ex Cup Title to Highlight a Fantastic Regular Season for Nike Golf Around the Globe

The 2009 regular season has stood out as another banner year for Nike Golf and its athletes around the globe. The season has been highlighted by the domination of major championship victories by Nike Golf athletes; 14 wins around the globe; 10 victories on the PGA Tour; one victory on the LPGA Tour; summer domination featuring Nike athletes on a remarkable winning streak; and Tiger Woods clinching the season-ending Fed Ex Cup title to cap off a truly consistent year for the world’s number one player. Woods won six times in 2009 and finished no worse than second in nine of his last 17 tournaments.

Following are more specific Nike Golf key highlights in the regular 2009 season:

  • Nike Golf athletes dominated the majors by winning half of them — Lucas Glover won the U.S. Open. Stewart Cink won The OPEN Championship.
  • Glover and Cink became the first players to win a major championship using a square-shape driver. Both used the Nike SQ SUMO² (squared) Tour driver.
  • For the first time a Nike putter was used to win a major championship.  Glover and Cink both used the new Nike METHOD putter for their major championship titles.
  • Paul Casey and Bo Van Pelt both claimed a PGA TOUR title at the Shell Houston Open and U.S. Bank Championship, respectively.
  • Suzann Pettersen won the CN Canadian Women’s Open on the LPGA Tour.
  • Paul Casey and Simon Dyson each grabbed victories on the PGA European Tour; Casey won twice and Dyson claimed one title.
  • During the summer, from June 21 – September 22, Nike Golf athletes won seven out of 15 PGA Tour events.
  • Nike Golf athletes end the regular 2009 season atop the World Golf Rankings with 5 athletes in the top-25: Tiger Woods (1st), Paul Casey (4th), Stewart Cink (12th), Lucas Glover (17th) and Anthony Kim (21st).

En route to their successful 2009 seasons, each of the triumphant Nike Golf athletes played with Nike SQ drivers; Nike irons; Nike ONE Balls and were clad in Nike Golf apparel and Nike Golf footwear.

Editor’s Note: The post above is from a press release from Nike Golf.

Nike Golf Athletes: Tour Wrapup 9.27.09

Congratulations to Tiger Woods on winning his second FedEx Cup. Here’s how all Nike Golf athletes fared at the tour events this past weekend:

PGA Tour: The Tour Championship
Tiger Woods  2  -6  274
Lucas Glover  T10  E  280
Stewart Cink  T19  +4  284

LPGA Tour: CVS Pharmacy LPGA Challenge
Amanda Blumenherst  T5  -13  275
Paige Mackenzie  T67  +4  292
Suzann Pettersen  WD
Ashleigh Simon  MC

Champions Tour: SAS Championship
Bob Tway  T14  -8  208
John Cook  T36  -3  213
Craig Stadler  T53  E  216
Lanny Wadkins  75  +10  226

European Tour: Vivendi Trophy with Seve Ballesteros
Great Britain & Ireland: 16½  Continental Europe: 11½
Simon Dyson (GB&I)
Francesco Molinari (CE)

Nike Tour Premium Golf Shoe to Hit Retail October 1, 2009

Old World Craftsmanship Meets New World Performance with the Launch of the Nike Tour Premium Golf Shoe

379220_TourPremium_BTY_2Nike Golf is introducing a new shoe that combines premium performance with a luxurious look and feel.  The new Nike Tour Premium shoe is the iconic brand’s innovative take on a traditional, classic, premium golf shoe, with the addition of Nike’s renowned performance-enhancing technology.  Nike Golf athlete Stewart Cink will be putting the new Nike Tour Premium in action this week at the TOUR Championship.  This shoe will be available at retail on October 1, 2009 with an MSRP of $250.

Featuring soft, full-grain leather uppers for maximum support and great feel, the Tour Premium is designed to meet the exact needs of golfers who place a premium on performance, without wishing to compromise on comfort.

Adding backbone to the new Tour Premium is a TPU Stabilizer that extends above the traditional outsole to provide more lateral support and aid weight transfer working with the foot’s natural motion.  Cushioning around key contact areas, such as the heel, provide concentrated comfort for a luxurious feel with a secure fit.  This is further enhanced by a full-length contoured removable sock liner and leather linings.

The Nike Tour Premium utilizes the Power Platform TW outsole, which stabilizes the foot for better balance, smoother weight transfer and more power through impact.  The outside push plate of the outsole provides support and control through the backswing, while the inside plate flexes to help maintain contact with the ground through impact. The result is a stronger push through impact for more power through the swing.

Optimal traction is offered by the use of Champ’s Tri-LOK Scorpion Stinger Spikes and directional resistance nubs, which are designed to control rotational movement and keep the golfer perfectly balanced at all times.

The Nike Tour Premium includes the following features and benefits:

  • Rich full-grain leather
  • Zoom Air heel unit
  • Full-length contoured sockliner
  • Nike Power Platform TW outsole
  • Scorpion Stinger Spikes and Tri-LOK system
  • Sizes: 7-12, 13, 14 (medium width) and 7.5-12, 13 (wide width)
  • 2-year limited waterproof warranty
  • Available in 3 color options: Black/Gunmetal-Gunmetal, White/Bronze-Chino and White/Bronze-Dark Cinder-Chino

Editor’s Note: The post above is from a press release from Nike Golf.


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Nike Golf Athletes in the Field 9.24-9.27

Here’s the list of Nike Golf athletes in the field at the tour events this week:

PGA Tour: The Tour Championship
Stewart Cink
Lucas Glover
Tiger Woods

LPGA Tour: CVS Pharmacy LPGA Challenge
Amanda Blumenherst
Paige Mackenzie
Suzann Pettersen
Ashleigh Simon

Champions Tour: SAS Championship
John Cook
Craig Stadler
Bob Tway
Lanny Wadkins

European Tour: Vivendi Trophy with Seve Ballesteros
Great Britain & Ireland vs. Continental Europe
Simon Dyson (GB&I)
Francesco Molinari (CE)

Tour Championship Preview: Will the Tiger Show Continue?

The Tour Championship begins tomorrow at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, and the FedEx Cup Playoffs are set to conclude in exciting fashion this weekend. With the points reset before this final playoff event, any of the top 5 players will win the FedEx Cup with a win this weekend, and all 30 players in this week’s field have a mathematical chance of winning the Cup.

There are three Nike Golf athletes in this week’s field: Tiger Woods in first place with 2500 reset points, Lucas Glover in 20th place with 310 reset points, and Stewart Cink in 26th place with 250 reset points. However the clear favorite in this week’s field is none other than Tiger Woods.

Tiger has a strong record at the Tour Championship, and coming off his dominating performance at the BMW Championship you know he will arrive at East Lake with his A-game. At Cog Hill Tiger had his driver under control, his irons dialed in and most notably his putter came alive, especially on Saturday when he shot a course record 62 and putts were going in from pretty much everywhere. It’s tough to bet against Tiger, and he’s definitely the favorite and my pick to win both the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup on Sunday.

However, you can’t count out anyone in the rest of the field this week, especially the top five in the FedEx Cup point standings. After the points reset, here are the top five and their respective points going into The Tour Championship:

Tiger Woods   2,500 pts
Steve Stricker   2,250
Jim Furyk   2,000
Zach Johnson   1,800
Heath Slocum   1,600

To follow is a link to the reset points for the full field at the Tour Championship, as well as an explanation of the points reset, points distribution at The Tour Championship and how players can control their own destiny: Click here to see the FedEx Cup reset points information on pgatour.com >>

The weather will be a factor at this year’s Tour Championship, as more than 11 inches of rain has fallen on the course in the past week, with more storms being forecast for this weekend. It’s a far cry from 2007, when the course was stressed by drought and 28+ days of 90-degree heat. The new sub-air system at East Lake has done its job over the past few days, quickly drying the course out to a playable condition. Fairways will still be wet this weekend, and it is yet to be seen if they’ll play the ball down or lift, clean and place.

Regardless of what happens weather-wise, The Tour Championship promises to be a captivating finale to the FedEx Cup and the PGA Tour playoffs. It’s yet to be seen who will be left holding the trophy and the $10 million dollar check on Sunday evening (or later if weather becomes a factor), but my money is on the top Nike Golf athlete in this week’s field.

*Credit for “The Tiger Variety Show” title reference goes to Timothy McCormack, taken from his comment on the FedEx Cup Halftime Report post.

Nike Golf Athletes: Tour Wrapup 9.20.09

Here’s how all Nike Golf athletes fared at the tour events this past weekend:

Nationwide Tour: Albertsons Boise Open
Ron Whitaker  T43  -3  281
Kris Blanks  MC
Chris Nallen  MC
Brendan Todd  MC

LPGA Tour: Samsung World Championship
Suzann Pettersen  T8  -2  286

Champions Tour: Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn
Bob Tway  T6  -13  203
John Cook  T21  -8  208
Craig Stadler T21  -8  208
Lanny Wadkins  T74  +11  227

European Tour: Austrian Golf Open
Pablo Martin  T6  -13  271
Marc Warren  T21  -9  275
Alexandre Rocha  T54  -3  281
Oliver Fisher  MC

Nike Golf Athletes in the Field 9.17-9.20

Here’s the list of Nike Golf athletes in the field at the tour events this week:

Nationwide Tour: Albertsons Boise Open
Kris Blanks
Chris Nallen
Brendan Todd
Ron Whitaker

LPGA Tour: Samsung World Championship
Suzann Pettersen

Champions Tour: Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn
John Cook
Craig Stadler
Bob Tway
Lanny Wadkins

European Tour: Austrian Golf Open
Oliver Fisher
Pablo Martin
Alexandre Rocha
Marc Warren

Nike Golf Introduces 2010 Outerwear Collection

Nike Golf Introduces Supreme Outerwear to Combat Extreme Weather Conditions

Elite-Jacket+PantsNike Golf has introduced new outerwear that is at the pinnacle of protecting golfers from extreme weather conditions.

The new Nike STORM-FIT Elite jacket and pant was developed through valuable insight generated from Nike Golf Tour athletes and consumers. As a result of extensive research and testing by the Nike Golf Research and Development (R&D) team, the Nike STORM-FIT Elite outerwear features breathable laminate technology that completely protects the body from wind and rain.

One of the most important characteristics of the STORM-FIT Elite outerwear in accommodating the athletic movement of the golf swing is the four-way stretch material that provides extended range of motion. To reduce weight and bulk, the Nike STORM-FIT Elite features no-sew bonding technology of which Nike introduced in its apparel and rainwear in 2007. The no-sew technology reduces weight and bulk. A modern silhouette provides the golfer with a sleek look.

Offered in a full zip and a half zip as well as a short sleeved version, the Nike STORM-FIT Elite is seam-sealed making it waterproof, windproof and breathable. The new Nike outerwear also includes laser cut technology, which is located on the chest where it houses a zipper garage, and on the cuff of the sleeve. The cuffs on the sleeves highlight three sections of laser cuff Velcro, which provides comfortable range of motion and flexibility during the golf swing. While the laser cut technology serves as an important function, Nike Golf designers were able to create it as a subtle design enhancement.

STORM-FIT Elite Products in the fall/holiday 2009 line:

Storm-FIT Elite Full Zip Jacket (available in black or red) MSRP $300

Storm-FIT Elite Half Zip Jacket (available in black or red) MSRP $260

Storm Fit Elite Short Sleeve Half Zip (available in black or red) MSRP $200

Storm-FIT Elite Pant (available in black) MSRP $200

Key Features

- No-Sew Technology – To reduce weight and bulk as well as to keep golfers completely dry, Nike utilizes the no sew technology

- Seam-Sealed – Waterproof, windproof and breathable

- Stretch – 4-way stretch for extended range of motion

Editor’s Note: The post above is from a press release from Nike Golf.

A Sneak Peek at Nike Golf’s 2010 Driver Models

Today Paul Casey visited Nike Golf’s R&D facility The Oven, and as a bonus to his followers on Twitter and us Nike Golf fans, he gave us a small taste of some new driver technology that Nike Golf has in development for 2010. Although he did not tweet much information, he did send out several photos of the new Victory Red driver, and one photo of the new SQ driver. The only thing Paul mentioned was the new VR driver features a Compression Channel that creates a larger sweet spot. No info about the new SQ driver was tweeted.

We’ll be keeping our eyes and ears open for any new information on these new driver models, and as it comes out we’ll keep you posted here on NG Nation, so check back for updates.

Here are Paul’s photos (Victory Red on top, SQ at bottom):

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