Nike Sumo2 driver to be recalled

Nike Golf is set to recall it’s new, square-headed Nike Sumo2 driver because of an “unauthorized manufacturing variance.”
Nike Golf is set to recall it’s new, square-headed Nike Sumo2 driver because of an “unauthorized manufacturing variance.”
According to ESPN.com, Nike has been instructing retailers to remove the driver from their shelves “immediately” and return them to the company.
The word is that individual owners of Sumo2 drivers will get the chance to return their current model for a conforming version as from March 26.
In a memorandum sent to Nike’s golf professionals and retailers, company president Bob Wood said, “The CT of a number of drivers fell out of our approved engineering specifications.
While the result of this variance is an additional distance benefit of only one to two yards, it lies outside of the parameters as established by the USGA (and the R&A).”
Wood said the problem was brought to Nike’s attention by the USGA in late February, after a competitor had made them aware of the deficiency.
Characteristic time (CT), which is measured by the so-called “Pendulum test,” refers to the tendency of a driver face to deform slightly at impact, resulting in improved ball speed.
The USGA and R&A set a characteristic time limit of 239 microseconds, plus a tolerance of 18 microseconds.
This correlates to the previous coefficient of restitution (COR) test and its limit of .822 with a manufacturing tolerance that extended to .830.
By comparison, a wooden-headed driver has a COR of about .780.
“I don’t think anybody can sell a driver made at 239 [CT],” Wood said in a conference call with reporters. “I’d be pulling your leg if I didn’t say that we didn’t try to get as close as possible to the limit.”
Earlier, in the Nike memorandum sent out to retailers, Wood had explained, “As it stands today, the USGA doesn’t have a published protocol for the ongoing testing of a compliant product once it is out in the marketplace.
“Therefore, Nike Golf is voluntarily conducting a testing and replacement program with the USGA to potentially serve as one model for the industry. We intend to do this in an open and straightforward manner.
“And we expect other manufacturers’ products to also be tested in the future,” he added, implying that the USGA should further examine all manufacturers drivers as the possibility exists that there are other clubs in a similar situation as Nike.
Conforming versions will be shipped within a month and will have a circular notch on the sole plate indicating they are USGA conforming, said Woods.
In addition, Nike will provide, via its Web site, the opportunity to trade in their current Sumo2 driver for the new version starting March 26 and running through April 30.
Wood “preferred not to” reveal how many Sumo2 drivers have been sold, nor would he give an estimate on how much the exchange program would cost Nike.
The square-headed driver in the spotlight has been used by several PGA Tour players, including KJ Choi, who won the Chrysler Championship in October with this club in his bag.
Wood, Nike’s most famous sponsored athlete, said all drivers used by Nike’s tour staff including himself have been tested and conformed to the USGA Rules of Golf.
The Sumo2 is on the USGA’s current conforming list, and Wood said a new version of the club has been submitted to the USGA and is expected to be on the USGA’s new conforming list when it is published on Monday.
Latest
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
News
Justin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
News
My last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.
-
News
Rory McIlroy insists Justin Thomas will ‘try to be better’ after homophobic slur
World number three Thomas was heard using a derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt in Hawaii.
-
News
Rory McIlroy sad to miss Conor McGregor fight
Rory McIlroy has been to UFC star Conor Mcgregor’s last three fights but will miss Saturday’s clash due to European Tour commitments.
-
News
Rory McIlroy backs Tiger Woods to make quick recovery from latest back surgery
McIlroy expects the American to be fit for the Masters in April.