UPDATE 5.20.12: Another tweet from Nike Golf today:

Golf’s a sport. Train like an athlete. See your game in 360 degrees. Coming next week. pic.twitter.com/iXeF5N1r

Looks like Nike Golf’s new app will have a section with golf-related strengthening exercise videos to help players improve their fitness as well as their golf games. More to come this week from Nike Golf.

UPDATE 5.19.12: Nike Golf sent out another teaser tweet today, and another photo of what looks to be their new app for the iPhone and iPad:

Get feedback. Get dialed. See your game in 360 degrees. Coming next week. pic.twitter.com/fHwrgCVO

It looks to be a game improvement app with the ability to view your swing from all angles. It will be interesting to see what other features the app has when we hear more next week.

Nike Golf just teased us with this tweet:

Well, paper scorecards…you had a good run. See your game in 360 degrees. Coming next week. pic.twitter.com/Qv8ZSuzf

Looks like they may be coming out with an app, and that we’ll hear more about it next week. We’ll have all the details right here on NGN when we hear more from Nike Golf!

A couple of nice deals at Budget Golf: $39.96 for a Nike Golf Mens SQ MachSpeed Fairway Wood (currently only the #5 19-degree regular flex RH model is still available), and $34.96 for Nike Golf’s 1972 Plaid Shorts (still several sizes and colors available). Click the links and check out the deals!

MEN’S SQ MACHSPEED FAIRWAY WOOD FOR $39.96 AT BUDGET GOLF >>

MEN’S 1972 PLAID SHORTS FOR $34.96 AT BUDGET GOLF >>

Editor’s Note: NG Nation is not endorsed by or affiliated with BudgetGolf.com, and we were not paid or compensated in any way for this post.

Nike Golf Introduces the Method Midnight Putters: New Shapes, New Look, Proven Method Technology

- Polymetal Groove Technology with a New Dark Chrome Finish-

There’s a new addition to the successful Nike Method putter franchise and it has a dark side.  Nike Golf is introducing the Nike Method Midnight putter that features Nike’s revolutionary polymetal groove technology, which has been instrumental in the 34 wins by Nike athletes on the Professional Tours worldwide.

The Nike Method Midnight putter is available in new milled head shapes with a dark chrome finish and will be offered in three new models:  Method Midnight 006, 007, and 008.  All three models rely on polymetal face groove technology, which combine steel and polymer.

The ground-breaking Method putter technology was born of innovation and fueled by the demands of Nike Golf’s Tour athletes.  With major-winning technology, this putter delivers the roll, feel, and sound necessary for clutch putts in big moments.

“The multidimensional face is the primary technology of these products – everything revolves around this,” said David Franklin, Master Model Maker.

The revolutionary and visibly distinctive polymetal groove technology generates a forward roll almost immediately after impact for the kind of accuracy and consistency that is demanded by Tour professionals. While most traditional steel faced putters start the ball with backspin causing the ball to initially bounce, the polymetal groove technology starts the ball with forward spin to minimize bounce and keep putts on line.

The prototypes of the Method Midnight 006 and 007 already have proven Tour success.  Nike athletes Lucas Glover and Stewart Cink both used the Method Midnight 006 head shape to win the 2009 U.S. Open and Open Championship, respectively, and Michelle Wie’s first LPGA victory came with the Method Midnight 007 head shape.

Nike Golf’s Method Midnight putters ($323.99 MSRP/$269.99 MAP) will be available June 15, 2012 in all three models. The Method Midnight 006 will also be available in a left-handed version.

Nike Method Midnight

Availability: June 15, 2012

Specifications:

006 (RH/LH), 007 (RH), 008 (RH)

Available in 33”, 34” and 35”

MSRP: $323.99 MAP/Street Price: $269.99

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

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I’ve had the VR_S driver, 3-wood, 4-hybrid and irons in my bag for about three months now, and I’m sold on the technology in this new line of equipment. I’ve completed my testing, the driver review is up on the blog, and the other three are soon to follow. Last Saturday I headed to Golfsmith down in Chandler, Arizona to take an official Nike Golf VR_S Speed Trial, and I want to share the results of my Speed Trial here with you.

When I arrived at Golfsmith, there were two gentlemen ahead of me, so I had to wait a bit to get my Speed Trial underway. When it was my turn, I was greeted by Nike reps Jeff and Adam, Jeff checked me in and I was ready to go. I had brought my SQ MachSpeed Black Driver, SQ Sumo (SQ2) 3-wood and SQ Sumo hybrid with me to test against, the same three clubs I used in my range and on-course testing. I started with the driver, taking three swings with my SQ MachSpeed Black, and then three swings with the VR_S. Even though the MachSpeed Black is last year’s model, there was  big difference in the results — I gained an average of 12 yards between the three swings. This echoed what I had experienced in my range testing, where I was getting gains between 10 and 15 yards.

Next was the fairway wood test — I started with three swings with my SQ2 3-wood, followed by three swings with the VR_S 3-wood. The results here surprised me a little, as in this test I actually hit my SQ2 3-wood an average of three yards farther than the VR_S 3-wood. This is not what I experienced on the range, where I was hitting the VR_S 3-wood around 10 yards on average farther than the SQ2. But the official result in my Speed Trial was -3 yards.

Last was the hybrid test, three swings with the SQ2 and three swings with the VR_S. This club is the one I experienced the most difference with, both on the range and in my Speed Trial. In the Speed Trial I had an average distance gain of 13.5 yards. In my range testing I was averaging around 15 yards gained, but on some swings I was getting upwards of 20 yards and more extra distance. From what I’ve heard on Twitter other players are also seeing big dance gains with the VR_S hybrid. We’ll have to see what Chris Wang, the winner of our Fantasy Four first half season prize of a VR_S hybrid, sees as far as a distance gain.

I was really glad I went to take an official Speed Trial, because I not only found out the difference in distance between my old SQ woods and hybrid and the new VR_S, but I was able to see the difference in spin rates and other info that was collected from my test swings. Adam took some extra time and explained to me what some of these numbers meant and what numbers indicate a good swing.

I highly recommend taking a Speed trial for yourself, they are going on through May 13th. If you can’t make it to an official Speed Trial event, you can also go to your local golf retailer and test the VR_S for yourself. If you’ve tried the VR_S line, let us know in the comments below what your results were as far as the difference in distance you’ve seen from your old clubs.

A big thanks to Adam and Jeff for taking me through the Speed Trial, and I’m now entered in the Golfsmith contest to win a round of golf with Tiger Woods, wish me luck!

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Give it up for the gearheads at golfwrx.com who unveiled first look photos of the Method Midnight series of putters. According to reports on the site, the Method Midnight will feature a black on black finish, and will have the same Method technology. Additionally, there will be three models including a blade (006), a center shafted blade (like the MC-04), and a new mallet. More info to come but thought I would share the pics from Golfwrx.com. This is truly an awesome looking putter.

All photo credit: Golfwrx.com

Click here to read the forum thread.

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I’ve been hoping to do a review of the VR Pro Dual Sole Forged Wedged for a while now, and this week Nike Golf sent me one to test and review. They sent me the 56/DS Platinum model, I’ll be testing it over the next few weeks and I’ll report the results in my product review here on NG Nation. For now check out these first look pics:

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It’s been a while since I did a Nike Golf wedge review, so this week Nike Golf sent me one of the VR Pro Forged wedges to test and review. They sent me the 52/10 Satin Chrome model, I’ll be testing it on the range and on the course in the coming weeks, and I’ll report on my findings in a product review here on the blog. For now, check out the first look pics in the gallery below.

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This weekend Budget Golf is having a golf ball sale, and two of the models on sale are the Nike Golf 20XI-X and 20XI-S. Both are on sale for $34.96, that’s about $11 off the street price ($23 off the MSRP). A great deal, this weekend only, click the links below to check out the deals.

20XI-X GOLF BALLS FOR $34.96 AT BUDGET GOLF >>

20XI-S GOLF BALLS FOR $34.96 AT BUDGET GOLF >>

Editor’s Note: NG Nation is not endorsed by or affiliated with BudgetGolf.com, and we were not paid or compensated in any way for this post.

It’s no secret, Nike Golf is making a huge splash this year with its VR_S family of woods, hybrids and irons, and it’s been well documented here on NG Nation. From the VR_S launch event at the PGA Merchandise Show in January, to the Speed Trials that are going on through May 13th (which I will be officially taking in the next week or two), Nike Golf is getting the word out about this amazing new line of equipment.

Just after the February 3^rd release date, Nike Golf sent me one of the new VR_S Drivers in 9.5-degree loft with a stiff shaft to test and review. Since then I’ve been gaming it in every round I’ve played, and have hit it many times on the range, so I can give you a good idea how this driver has performed for me. I share the results of my testing with you here.

FIRST IMPRESSION: DESIGN/APPEARANCE
My first impression of the looks of the VR_S driver was that this is a really well designed game improvement driver. From the playing position the crown is deep, giving the driver a big footprint, but not an excessive one. It’s deeper than the VR Pro LE, but still retains some of the pear shape of a player’s driver. The STR8-FIT collar is much more integrated into the hosel than the previous iteration in the SQ MachSpeed Black driver, and does not draw attention from the playing position. The crown has a metallic dark gray paint finish with a subtle design pattern that mimics the design motifs found in the VR_S irons. From the playing position this is a great looking driver.

The face has a large hitting area, and has the new NexCOR icon in the center. The sole incorporates several design elements from its predecessor the SQ MachSpeed Black, including the diffuser plate and the aerodynamic channel around the back of the crown. A new addition to the sole is the new configuration of the STR8-FIT adjustability system, which is now accessed through an opening in the sole near the neck of the club. The VR_S has a different wrench than previous STR8-FIT models, which is easy to use and loosens a nut inside the head that releases the shaft from the head. The stock shaft is a Mitsubishi Fubuki, and the grip is a Nike VR Tour Velvet from Golf Pride.

All in all the VR_S driver is a good looking game improvement driver that does not stray too far away from the look of a players driver — less so in my opinion than some of the other game improvement drivers on the market today,

FIRST IMPRESSION: PERFORMANCE
From the first swings on the range, to my first rounds on the course and every round since, this driver is long — really long. Using a launch monitor on the range I was hitting the ball an average of 10-15 yards extra total distance (8-12 yards carry distance), and I gained 4-5 mph average in ball speed in comparison with the driver I was testing it against, the SQ MachSpeed Black. The NexCOR face technology really delivers — the ball simply rockets off the face of the club. The face is designed to be forgiving towards the heel and toe, as that’s where mid to high handicappers tend to miss (rather than the top or bottom of the face). I noticed that mis-hits, most predominantly out towards the toe for me, went just as far as shots hit in the center of the face.

Like the MachSpeed Black, the diffuser plate in the sole and the aerodynamic channel at the back of the crown help reduce drag on the downswing, helping to increase clubhead speed. This combined with the NexCOR face technology helped me gain distance on most of my drives. The new configuration of the STR8-FIT adjustability system makes it easy to change the club face to any of the 8 available positions, allowing the player to quickly set the club to favor a fade or draw.

The bottom line for this driver is speed — its design promotes an increase in clubhead speed, and for me that equaled a significant increase in distance.

DISTANCE
As mentioned above, this is my main reason for gaming this driver. Gaining an average of 10-15 yards extra total distance (8-12 yards carry distance), and 4-5 mph average in ball speed has been enough of a reason for me to keep this driver in my bag since first testing it.

ACCURACY
My driving accuracy has also improved with the VR_S driver, mainly because I feel like I can swing smoothly (and not overswing) and still get great distance with this club. There’s nothing like the feeling of hitting it long (relatively in my case) and being the only one in my foursome to hit the fairway.

PLAYABILITY
The STR8-FIT adjustability system lets me adjust the face angle to be open or closed, flat or upright, in any one of 8 different positions. The system lets me set the club up quickly and easily to promote a fade or a draw, helping me to create a particular shot shape, or help prevent a slice or hook. This makes the VR_S driver not only long, but great for shaping shots too.

FORGIVENESS
The NexCOR face technology in the VR_S driver makes this club extra forgiving. With the sweet spot extended towards the heel and toe (where most mid to high handicappers miss on the face), mis-hits go just as far as shots struck in the center of the face. This forgiveness inspires confidence, and for me confidence results in better golf swings.

ACOUSTICS
The VR_S driver has great acoustics — it has a pleasingly solid sound when striking the ball. It has just the slightest hint of a “plink”, which is very minor and by no means distracting. Some of the other game improvement drivers I’ve hit have that hollow, tinny, aluminum sound — the VR_S sound is much more solid than that.

SUMMARY
The VR_S driver is a great looking game improvement driver that hits the ball a long way. I experienced total distance gains of 10-15 yards on average, and that was enough to make it my gamer to this day. It sounds great, and the STR8-FIT adjustability system allows me to set the club to promote a fade or draw and help me shape shots when I want to. If you’re looking for a new driver that will help you hit the ball farther, I highly recommend you check out one of Nike Golf’s Speed Trial events at your local golf retailer to see how much distance you gain over your current driver. I’m sold on the VR_S driver, and if you try it for yourself I think you will be too.

Read Nike Golf’s press release about the VR_S Driver and Fairway Wood >>

Check out this Oven Files video about the VR_S NexCOR Face Technology >>

Watch the “VR_S: Face” Driver TV Spot with Lucas Glover >>

Visit the VR_S microsite on nikegolf.com >>

Find out more about the VR_S Speed Trials >>

Editor’s note: The product reviewed above was supplied by the manufacturer to the reviewer/author free of charge for reviewing purposes only. The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.

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Golf.com’s David Dusek has the inside scoop on CP’s new putter. The latest Nike winner on the PGA Tour had used a variety of long putters before Nike made this custom prototype for him. The long putter features the same Method technology but has a rounded back and a long alignment aid.

Click here to view the putter on Golf.com

Photo credit by David Dusek of Golf.com