Nike Performance Cart Bag Is The “Wheel” Deal

The new Nike Performance Cart bag has a 14-way, full-length divider system to provide separation for every iron, wedge and metal wood in the bag.

It also features a new, integrated external putter well for easy access and a new Flip & Grip system to attach the bag securely to a power cart or trolley. A 9.5-inch oval top allows it to sit properly, while the new dual-injected TPR bottom is designed for greater traction.

Its 13 functional pockets, including 10 with zippers, allows for storage of phones, keys and other personal items. It also has a dual-insulated cooler pocket for beverages. There is also a loop that can be attached for quick access to GPS or range finders.

Colour combinations include black/topaz-silver, storm blue/action-red-soar and cool gray/safety orange-metallic silver.

Tour Premium Goes For Performance With Style

The Tour Premium collection from Nike Golf is designed to provide performance with style.

“Designed for Nike Golf athletes on the PGA Tour and amateurs demanding the finest high-performance fabrics, Tour Premium provides bold styling for all conditions,” said Kim D’Oliviera, apparel manager for Nike Golf Canada.

The Tour Premium collection features new designs for polos, cover-ups, pants, shorts and headwear.

“With this collection, the pinnacle performance athlete gets the biggest range of performance product,” said Nike Golf category business director Doug Reed.

“For any look and any weather condition, Nike provides golfers with a wide range of modern style,” he added.

Notable among the new releases is the Premium Jersey polo, which features a stylish shape, includes Nike’s patented DRI-FIT technology and comes in a wide variety of bold, yet classic, colours.

Also featured in the collection is the new Premium Five-Pocket Pant,  designed to highlight the collection’s focus on the definitive style of the modern game.

Featuring stretch DRI-FIT material and a slim fit, the pant, which is available in black, is a comfortable and breathable combination of cotton, polyester and spandex.

DS Wedge Joins Nike’s VR Pro Wedge Line

Developed with a precise forging process, the new Nike VR Pro Forged Dual Sole (DS) wedge had been introduced to the VR Pro forged wedge line.

The VR Pro Forged DS wedge features a Dual-Sole grind to ensure ideal set-up from sand, fringe, fairway or deep rough.  The Dual-Sole is designed to provide two distinct benefits.

For normal square addressed shots, the sole has added leading edge bounce, but the trailing edge is relieved.

This allows for utilization of the bounce, which helps to eliminate digging, but reduces the contact area, so the club glides through the turf. The Dual-Sole is also designed to prevent bladed shots.

For open-faced shots, a relieved heel design comes into play when the face is in an open position. This allows the leading edge to sit low to the ball, especially on short flop shots.

The VR Pro Forged DS wedge features Nike’s high-frequency X3X grooves with a precision laser cross-hair pattern that is applied to the land area between the grooves.

This pattern is designed to add three times the surface texture versus conventionally-finished faces to create more spin in various conditions.

There are more grooves (20) that are closer together and deeper on the clubface to provide more control and consistency, while conforming to all rules of competition.

Nike Vapor X Offers Ease Of Carrying

Weighing less than four pounds, the new Nike Vapor X golf bag weighs one pound less than the average carry bag.

The Vapor X features a new, ergonomically designed strap system with Nike Max Air curved technology. Compact in size, it offers six functional pockets and seam-welded, no-stitch technology to enhance water resistance.

Its waterproof, fleece-lined valuables pocket provides a safe location for cell phones and other valuables, while the Stretch-fit pockets have been created with expandable technology to allow for increased storage  capacity.

This walking bag also includes a five-way divider and putter well, as well as icons for the waterproof pocket, glove patch, GPS/rangefinder loop, pen sleeve and insulated water bottle sleeve.

It will be offered in seven different colourways.

Nike Method Franchise Adds The Drone

The latest addition to the Nike Method putter franchise is the Method Core Drone, used by Suzann Pettersen in wins at the Irish Open and at the LPGA Tour’s Safeway Classic.

The Method Core Drone features Nike’s Polymetal groove technology used for high moment of inertia. Its mallet design and Opti-mass weighting in the centre and wing tips is designed to keep the clubhead on its path without twisting to create a smooth, accurate stroke.

The Polymetal groove technology is used to generate faster forward roll at impact leading to better accuracy. The polymer and aluminum grooves are designed to lessen impact vibrations, provide pure sound and feel and help eliminate backspin that causes skidding and misdirection.

The Nike Method Core Drone comes in right and lefthanded lengths of 33, 34 and 35 inches. A 41-inch righthanded belly putter is also available.

Nike VR Pro Limited Edition Has Forged Construction

Already in use by Paul Casey and Anthony Kim, the new VR Pro Limited Edition Forged driver has a 430 c.c. pear-shaped head with a forged construction to provide feel control and workability on shots.

Nike VR Forged Driver" src="http://www.golfnewsnow.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/nike_driverVRforged.jpg" alt="Nike VR Forged Driver" width="300" height="800" />The new driver also uses NexCOR face technology, Nike’s latest innovation that features a multi-face thickness design in the pursuit of distance for a wide range of players.

The sole of the Nike VR Pro Limited Edition Forged driver features Nike’s variable Compression Channel technology.

The Compression Channel extends the entire length of the sole and is designed to increase speed at impact at more spots on the clubface for more distance.

The full-length Compression Channel combined with the variation in the thickness in specific locations allows for more ball speed which translates to greater distance.
Built through a four-piece forging process, the face, crown, sole and hosel are designed to work together in order to maximize the NexCOR face and centre of gravity location for distance and control.

The new MRC Diamana ‘Ahina shaft incorporates Mitsubishi Rayon’s signature Multi-Dimensional Interlay technology (MDI) to deliver a stiffer mid and tip section than its predecessor.
Lofts of 8.5 (righthanded only), 9.5 and 10.5 are available with three flex options.

Tiger To Wear Nike Prototype Shoe

Tiger Woods is scheduled to wear a prototype shoe from Nike at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Nike FREE is a natural motion technology that is designed to mimic and conform to the natural motion of the foot, while offering protection and traction in a lightweight shoe. It was first developed in 2004 by a group led by Tobie Hatfield, one of the directors at Nike’s Innovation Kitchen.

“This will help give Tiger greater stability as he addresses the ball. The freedom of movement that natural motion technology delivers will also allow more power to be released through the swing rather than through the body, which can happen when your feet are too static.” said Hatfield.

The majority of the upper consists of a polyurethane coated stretch fabric, also seen in the construction of Nike Basketball’s Hyperfuse 2011.

Part of the heel is created from recycled Nike Air Max units melted into thread and then woven together to create a strong, breathable textile material. The FREE-inspired outsole is directly taken from Nike Sportswear’s special field boot designed for first-responders.

This model also has a half heel counter in both shoes to give more stability on the lateral side, particularly in follow-through. The shoe also incorporates Nike Flywire, first introduced in Beijing in 2008, attached to each lace loop, that when pulled tight, envelope the foot for comfort and stability.

“I love the feel of Nike FREE for training, so I asked Tobie if it was possible to bring that technology to the golf course. It’s exciting to see a conversation like that come to life and I look forward to wearing them this week,” said Woods.

Industry Notes: April 29, 2011

The royal wedding caught a lot of attention early today, but with that over early by North American time, it’s all about another milestone for Nike Golf with the launch of its new premium 20XI golf ball in Canada. Stewart Cink, the 2009 British Open champion, Canadian Stephen Ames. 2010 RBC Canadian Open champ Carl Pettersson, Richard Finch, Lucas Glover, Matt Haines, Kevin Kisner, Justin Leonard, Jamie Lovemark, Pablo Martin, Francesco Molinari, James Morrison and Michelle Wie are among the Nike players to put the 20XI into play. The 20XI replaces conventional rubber with new resin material for longer distance and better control. There will be two versions, including the 20XI-X (distance) and the 20XI-S (spin). For more information, see click here, here and here … Tommy Armour III, Russ Cochran and David Frost are the latest to sign on for the second Montreal Championship to be played this summer at Club de golf Le Fontainebleau. The Champions Tour event will take place June 30 to July 3 … The B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation and the FORCE Society for Kids’ Mental Health have been selected as the local community charity beneficiaries for the RBC Canadian Open, to be played July 21-24 at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver …  Paloform will be title sponsor of the Ontrio PGA’s Head Professional/Assistant Professional Championship. Paloform creates fireplaces and modern fire pits. This year’s event will take place June 14 at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club in London, Ont. … Tournament Sports, based in Waterloo, Ont., is looking for a territory manager for golf, figure skating and curling products in Eastern Ontario, the Ottawa Valley and Northern Ontario. For more information, contact Gary Pollock at gpollock@tournament-sports.com

Significant Swoosh At Skins Game

The Telus World Skins Game will have the Nike swoosh all over it when it takes place at the Fairmont Banff Springs July 25-26.

The five-man field will include Nike players Anthony Kim, Paul Casey and Calgary’s Stephen Ames.

It will be the first time at the event for Kim and Casey, while Ames will make his fourth appearance, including 2006, the last time the event was played in Banff.

The two players who will round out the field will be named at a later date.

.“Nike Golf has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with the Telus World Skins Game and 2011 represents a great opportunity to expand our involvement and feature a field of Nike Golf athletes who star on the PGA Tour,” said Vitalis Gomes, director of marketing for Nike Golf Canada.

Kim says he has heard good things about the Skins Game over the years.

“I know that the event has always attracted top fields, but the chance to be a part of an all-Nike Golf field this year will make it especially exciting for Paul, Stephen and me,” said Kim.

The Skins Game has raised more than $10-million for local charities since 2001.

“We are most certainly pleased to be bringing the Telus World Skins back to Banff, and equally excited to bring some of Nike Golf’s biggest names to Alberta,” said Monty Carter, senior vice-president of Telus Enterprise Solutions.

“The outstanding field of players against the backdrop of the majestic Rocky Mountains, coupled with the Telus World Skins’ annual support of causes important to the community, will make for an unforgettable event,” he said.

Golf Goes To Queen’s Park, Media Responsibility Vs. PR And More …

The Ontario Allied Golf Associations visited Queen’s Park recently to draw attention to the game’s impact on the provincial economy and what it calls responsible environmental practices.

It’s all a part of a Canada-wide movement by the golf industry to meet with provincial and federal governments on various issues affecting the industry. Representatives of the National Allied Golf Associations were to meet with the federal government, but that was postponed due to the federal election.

One of golf’s representatives at the Ontario meeting was Don Mackay, president of the National Golf Course Owners Association of Canada, who runs Muskoka Highlands in Bracebridge, Ont. Read more

Industry Notes: April 20, 2011

 Nike Golf Canada has launched The Grind to offer golf consumers content from Nike athletes and interactive features. “We will connect and inspire golfers of all levels with The Grind’s exclusive content and tools that will enhance their game, and help extend what can be a short Canadian golf season. There are already plans to expand The Grind so that our passionate members can explore all elements of the game with exciting socially interactive tools,” said Tyler Keenan, brand communications manager for Nike Golf Canada. For more information, click here … Memorabilia, tee times, golf equipment and other items are available in the Golf Association of Ontario’s online auction with proceeds going to the Callaway Golf for Kids program. For more information, click here.

Snapshots: On Campus At Nike

Beaverton, Ore. — It’s difficult to define what the Nike Campus really is, except that it’s the headquarters for the giant apparel and sports equipment company with the swoosh.

At times, it seems as if it’s a university campus, with casually-dressed people walking along the landscaped paths, many that offer scenic views of Nike Lake in the middle of it all.

Other times, it seems like a health and wellness facility, with people taking time from their busy days to go work out and rehab centres to deal with a variety of injuries and ailments.

It could be a hall of fame or sports museum devoted to the many high-profile athletes that have worn the swoosh with memorabilia from the likes of Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan, among others.

Delicatessans and shops dot the landscape in what is often a family atmosphere with children of employees playing in different areas of the campus.

However you want to define it, take a look at some of the photos taken by GNN during a visit last week.

Could Japan’s 3/11 Rival 9/11 For Effect On Consumers?

BEAVERTON, Ore. – As if it comes as any surprise, the nuclear crisis in Japan will continue for a long time yet, according to this story, after the devastation caused by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that will have that country first assessing the damage, then starting the grueling process of rebuilding.

As we discussed in this blog last week, the uncertain long term future of Japan makes any attempt at long-term forecasting futile, so companies with major investments can only look to the immediate future, according to Cindy Davis, president of Nike Golf. Read more

Nike Just Does It With 20XI

BEAVERTON, Ore. ­– When Rock Ishii, Nike Golf’s product director for golf balls, and his team came up with a unique concept about five years ago, he was on the verge of testing his employer’s famous slogan, Just Do It.

“Everybody likes to be different,” explained Ishii.

“In those days¸ five years ago, everybody started going thinner cover, thinner mantle layer, larger core, which is like a larger engine,” said Ishii, who was looking at resin that, according to theory, would be faster and lighter for more distance and control.

“The reason we could do that was because high performance resin material became available,” he said. “During the process, another question came up. This is such a great material, why don’t we put it in the core?”

The use of resin was a departure from traditional rubber cores, but a lighter core allowed for heavier outer layers and a perimeter weighting effect.

You’ll hear more about the Nike 20XI on social media, the web and television leading up to its North American launch on April 29.

It’s no secret that Nike is a buzz machine with its high profile athletes in all sports – including Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie, among others, in golf – but like the homecoming queen who is also an honour role student, it wants to be known for more than its looks.

Nike also wants to be known for its innovation, but that requires investment and Ishii and crew needed a new facility for one thing if the 20XI was to become a reality.

According to Cindy Davis, who took over as president of Nike Golf in 2008 after three years with the company as general manager of American business, Nike Golf has increased its research and development budget by 30 per cent over the past three years.

“Part of that investment was accelerating bringing this innovation to market,” said Davis.

“What we’re about ready to do with this launching is very bold because we are saying there’s a better way to have a golf ball that has a whole different technology. If we do the job that we expect to do, we will obsolete rubber,” she added.

Davis s believes the 20XI represents the next step in the maturation of Nike as a golf brand, making the investment in its development a logical decision.

“We’re still a young brand to many golfers. We think we’ve been around for a long time, but still, a lot of golfers, we believe, still haven’t experienced our products, so we’ve got to find ways to get attention, to break through,” she said.

“If we’re not doing things like this, we’re not paying off the promise of our brand,” she said. “I couldn’t be more excited about the 20XI innovation and cannot wait for people to be able to play it,” said Davis.

Despite the investment and the importance of the 20XI to the Nike brand, Ishii says Nike brass was patient, applying little pressure during the development stage when about 340 prototypes were tried, but he admits that the final few months were long.

“I remember Dec. 18 was the day we kind of finalized everything. The last couple of days before that point, everybody stayed until midnight or even after midnight and other guys were coming in at six in the morning to continue testing and the last day was a crazy party,” he said.

At that party, Ishii received what he calls a “beer shower.”

In the near future, the beer may be replaced by champagne if the 20XI lives up to expectations in the marketplace.

For more on the 20XI, click here.

Nike Introduces VR Pro Wedges

The new Nike VR Pro wedges are developed out of a precise forging process and feature more grooves for consistent ball flight and spin, while conforming to USGA and R&A rules.

A precise laser crosshatch pattern is applied to the land area between the grooves to add three times the surface texture compared to conventionally-finished faces and create more spin in varied conditions.

Meanwhile, its precision forging technique eliminates most hand work to ensure consistency. Each iron face is milled to a flat surface, then die-stamped, pressing grooves to exact specifications for low variance leading to consistency.

A Frightening Moment During Japan Quake

Early reports indicate that golf companies with interests in Japan came through last week’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, but there were some frightening moments.

“Miura, being so far west of the quake area, we’re not aware of any effects,” said Adam Barr, president of Muira Golf, which has its North American headquarters in Vancouver.

Its base in Japan is located near the city of Himeji. “Miura’s actual factory is a 25-minute train ride away from Himeji in a little suburb called Amaji,” said Barr. “To give you some idea, the bullet train ride from Tokyo station to Himeji takes about two-and-a-half hours,” added Barr.

Down in Tokyo, Mike Kelly, the former general manager for Nike Golf Canada, was visiting on business.

“I was in a meeting at Nike Golf, which is on the 13th floor,” he recalled.

“We had had an earthquake the day before that was sizable, but lasted only a few seconds, like those I used to feel in (Southern California) when I worked in Carlsbad,” said Kelly, now Nike’s global marketing director. “This however lasted for over five minutes and had many different gears.

“The building must have moved five to six feet from the centre of my body if I was standing still. I saw out the window across the street at the building going in the opposite direction,” he recalled.

“I kept asking if we should evacuate, run or duck. I hit the floor several times under the table as that was what I was trained to do. Not one shirt, golf club or sample fell off the wall in the room. It was scary and amazing all at once. We evacuated minutes after it stopped, and the rest you have seen on TV,” said Kelly.

Watch GNN for more developments as they relate to golf out of Japan.

« Previous Page — Next Page »