Nike Hybrid Golf Clubs- 2008 Update

Nike Hybrid Golf Clubs -2007

Nike has completely revamped its line of hybrid golf clubs for 2008 (actually since November, 2007). They have taken the technology and brand names from their highly successful SQ Sumo line of drivers and fairway woods to create the new hybrid golf club line.

SQ Sumo Squared Hybrid

Square headed drivers were added to the Nike line in 2007 and have been very successful, and so this concept has been extended into hybrids. Sumo squared

stands for “super moment of inertia squared”, which is achieved by the use of composite materials and the square shape of the club head. Several other design techniques have been incorporated into this line of hybrids. These include “Nike Powerbow Weighting”, and this is essentially a ring of weight around the back of the club head. This type of design is employed to place the center of gravity (CG) of the club as far back and as low as possible, and doing this gets the ball up in the air easier. This perimeter weighting will also increase the MOI (moment of inertia) of the club, and a higher MOI means that the club will twist less on off-center hits and will be more forgiving and produce more consistent golf shots. Another design feature is called the “Variable Cyro Steel Face”. The club face material is very light and apparently produces a spring effect across the entire face, and this produces greater ball speed and longer shots.

There are 6 hybrid clubs in the Sumo Squared product line, 2-7H. Loft angles start at 17 degrees for the 2H and increase in 3 degree increments through the 6H. There is a 4 degree jump to the 7H, and thus its loft is 34 degrees. Very light-weight graphite shafts, the hDIAMANA line from Mitsubish are standard. There are options for other shafts available as well.

It should be noted that Nike has a version of this hybrid set for women.

SQ Sumo Hybrid

As is the case with Nike drivers, a more conventional club head look is available with the SQ Sumo hybrid line. The club head resembles a conventional hybrid club, and some of the same design techniques that are used in the Sumo squared club are replicated. That is, the use of a combination of different materials to redistribute weight low and to the perimeter of the club, the “Variable Cyro Steel Face”, and the “Nike Powerbow Weighting” ring around the back of the club head are all once again employed. This line is clearly made for more advanced players who hit more consistent and solid shots and don’t need so much help to get the ball up into the air. There are four clubs in the product line, 1-4H. The 1H has a loft of 15 degrees, and the other clubs have lofts that increase in 3 degree increments. Dynamic Gold shafts are standard for steel, and hDIAMANA shafts are standard for graphite, but there are options for other graphite shafts. There is no women’s version of this product line.

Both the Sumo squared and Sumo hybrid golf club lines have an MSRP of $179US. Better prices can be obtained by shopping around, however. A price of about $150 is posted on the Golfsmith site as this is being written.

As a footnote, it should be noted that Nike markets a set of clubs for men and juniors called Ignite, and this set includes a 3H club. It does not appear that this club can be purchased separately from the set.

Nike is one of the few major club manufacturers that have completely revamped their hybrid golf club product line in 2008. They are clearly taking advantage of the success of the Sumo in their driver and fairway wood product lines.