Nike adds largest COR sweet spot to Driver Series

BY iseekgolf.com | 24 Jan 2003

Just one year into the club manufacturing business, Nike Golf is adding the fourth driver to its wildly successful Forged Titanium series. The 450cc Forged Titanium Driver from Nike Golf comes on the heels of the new 400cc driver and raises the bar another notch on forgiveness and distance with the largest COR sweet spot in the line.

Nike Golf’s 400cc and 450cc Forged Titanium Drivers offer, arguably, one of the largest COR sweet spots available today – meaning, the effective COR of each driver is consistent across a larger area of the clubface than, quite possibly, any other drivers in the industry.

The 450cc Forged Titanium Driver will be available in 9 and 10-degree lofts while the 400cc is available in 8, 9, 10 and 11-degree lofts.

Since their introduction in January 2002, Nike Golf has been progressively introducing more forgiveness into its line of Forged Titanium Drivers by means of an expanded COR sweet spot. The Forged Titanium Drivers’ signature distance remains constant thanks to the club head’s thin, fast Beta Titanium face.

“We’re broadening our reach in 2003 with clubs, including the 450cc, that give golfers an advantage. Golf is a tough sport and we recognize that players want every ounce of forgiveness and distance they can get out of a club,” said Mike Kelly, Category Business Director, Clubs. “We now offer distance and forgiveness in club heads to meet every golfer’s preference.”

The driver’s Beta Titanium face is heat-strengthened and pressed into shape, creating a thin, resilient wall that produces ball velocity at impact that approaches the highest limits allowed by the USGA and R&A. Players are enjoying added distance thanks to the fast, forged face and the fact that they have increased their loft to realize maximum distance.

For instance, Tiger Woods added two degrees to his loft when he switched to Nike Golf’s Forged Titanium Driver, and moved from 39th in Total Distance on the PGA Tour in 2001 to 11th in 2002.
The Forging process also produces a more even finish than traditional cast-metal drivers, eliminating imperfections in the clubface that could have a negative affect on performance. The lighter Beta Titanium also allows for additional weight around the perimeter of the clubface, another factor in creating a more-forgiving, balanced club.

The Nike Ti-Weave shaft, offered at a standard 46 inches, includes a reinforced tip with a .35" circumference for excellent support of the larger club head. Available in the US – May 1 2003.