Nike Method Putter

In 2009, Nike won 2 majors with prototypes of their new Method putter. I’d hazard a guess that British Open winner Stewart Cink, and US Open winner Lucas Glover are going to have a Method in the bag for some time. These also solidified the Method’s place in the 2010 Golf Digest Hotlist.

Nike Method Polymetal Groove Technology

The first thing you’ll notice about the Method was how quickly it gets the ball rolling. Our test putter measured at 3.5° of loft so it wasn’t the old ‘1° trick’ that some companies use. The secret is the “Polymetal Groove Technology” that acts like a hybrid between an insert, a sound-slot, and a deep-groove milling pattern. The ball comes off the face with almost no skip whatsoever. A simple ‘click‘ and it’s is on its way to the hole. This putter isn’t nearly as brisk as the Unitized series that Nike released in 2006. As they learned, even a juggernaut like Nike has a hard time cracking the ‘Premium Putter’ market. Luckily, the only thing these putters share is the Swoosh on the heel.

The Method headcover was is a dream around the green. Opening the magnetic back wouldn’t disturb a newborn from a nap. It provides ample protection for your putter, and doesn’t scream “Steal Me!” in your bag either.

Nike Method 001 Milling

The method comes in 5 different heads. The 001, 002, 003, 004, and 005. Each has a slightly different toe-hang and head size/shape. The most common being the 001, a classic Anser-2 style putter that was no doubt built to be as close to Tiger’s putter as possible. It’s expected by some, that he’ll switch from his Scotty Cameron putter eventually. Others maintain that he’ll retire with that putter in his bag. Only time will tell.

All technology, commercials, majors, and hype aside, at the end of the day this is a serious putter for serious golfers. The best part might be the price. At $249.99 it isn’t even at the high-end of the premium putter market.

]]> http://puttertalk.com/news/nike-method-putter-review/feed/ 0 http://puttertalk.com/news/introducing-wedgetalk-and-fairway-style/ http://puttertalk.com/news/introducing-wedgetalk-and-fairway-style/#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2010 02:46:50 +0000 Mr. Doug http://puttertalk.com/?p=175 Join me in welcoming the two latest editions to the PutterTalk family.

WedgeTalk will be to wedges what PutterTalk is to putters. The best place on the internet to find information on wedges, and wedge reviews. We plan on featuring all the usual suspects, as well as showcasing some of the newer talent that’s come onto the scene in the last few years.

Fairway Style is a site dedicated to Golf Fashion. Just like with every other aspect of golf, there are some that take certain aspects more seriously than others. Clothing is no exception. We will spend time looking at the fashions that make the links fun…even on a bad day.

Each site is the same basic layout as PutterTalk.com. In fact, your existing PutterTalk account will let you in the door of all three sites. We separated these into three different sites, because we find that some of these facets of the hobby transcend, others do not. If you want to talk Putters and Wedges…you don’t need to bother with the other. If you are into Shoes and Wedges…we’ve got you covered. (If you are into all three, we’re probably related.)

Enjoy!

Ideas flew. Code was written. Best intentions were laid out.

The result? A great looking site that even our best developers weren’t entirely sure how to properly operate. Our rankings on Google went from 1st-page, to somewhere past what a normal person would click to. Did I care? Absolutely. Did I have the time to dedicate to it? Not at all. My other company was taking off, and I had investors that would be (understandably) upset if I was dedicating time to the “hobby site” instead of the company they’d all just invested millions in. “Sorry PutterTalk.com….you’ll need to wait.”

So here I am…more than a year later, and I’m doing the update that I intended for August 2008. We’re getting back to doing what we always did best…reviewing putters. It’ll look a little strange around here as we get the themes put back into place, and have features that we had in the past, added back in…but we’ll get the old-girl fixed back up in no time.

This time with reviews, I’m not going it alone. I’m going to be taking reviews and pics from our outstanding community of members that honestly care about putters. We’ll be tapped into other networks and showcasing some of the latest putters on the market. In short…it’s going to be fun around here again.

So with apologies for letting her get dusty, I’d like to re-introduce PutterTalk.com.

-Mr. Doug
doug@puttertalk.com

http://www.puttertalk.com/community/index.php/topic,6591.msg75937.html

Over the next few years Heavy Putters kept refining their design, and eventually won over enough players to have themselves taken seriously, and people started making more putts.

This year, Heavy Putters brought out 5 new designs. Each one unique…and still very heavy. If you play an Anser head, there’s a putter for you. If you play an old Zebra, there is a putter for you. If you are a fan of stealth fighters, they have one for you too!

The idea is that a pro shop would have one of his fitting stations and help the customer with the right fit and design. First the customer chooses the look of the putter. There are a 6 different heads to choose from. (3 heads in either right or left handed) Then the customer picks whether or not they want a sight dot or line. Want two lines, no problem. Want all three, why not. You can have a name stamped on the face, and even choose the colors for all these items.

After you have selected all that the really cool part starts. An image of that very putter is placed on the “virtual putter” screen. This screen lies on the floor underneath a mounted grip, and even adjusts the look of the putter depending on the angle I am holding the grip at. The grip is mounted to a measuring device for the fitting. Kevin has me grab the grip and take the stance that is comfortable for me. He has me do this three times and then shows me the average. I get the lie, height and weight for my putter. (see the picture for my stats) All the putters are milled one piece heads. An insert can be added and reduces the noise by 50% according to Kevin.

If this were an actual fitting in 10 or so days I would receive my new totally custom putter. Kevin is launching his product at this show and we are very excited for him. Some additional stats are below.

Lie angle is from 80-63 degrees, head weight is from 310-360 grams. Retail will be around $599-$649. Retailers will be posted on their website when available. www.kbgolf.com

The new line features a mallet head, an Anser style head, and a better manufacturing process that lets them adjust the shaft by incorporating an inner-hosel into the head.

We’ll look more at SeeMore in the coming weeks, but this should give you an idea of the great things to come in 2008.