Golf club design and innovation is an ever competitive industry, with millions invested in creating new clubs that go further, straighter and are easier to hit. EAT GOLF! goes behind the scenes at Nike’s state of the art golf club research and design facility to find out how,
with Tiger Woods’ cooperation, they are able to take your game those vital extra yards.
The Power Behind Tiger
A quick glance at Tiger’s driving stats over the last few years tells an interesting story. Consistently around the 300 yard mark from 2000 to 2004, there is then a sudden increase of almost 15 yards from the tee this year. In a recent interview with Kelly Tilghman on the Golf Channel, Tiger admitted to finally stepping up and using technology.
“I decided last year at the Tour Championship to go ahead and make the switch. I went to graphite, went to 45 inches, and I went to the 460 head.”
It is not just the clubs providing the benefit however, golf ball design is a major factor in generating more distance and carry. “I stuck with a little spinnier ball. I tell you what, I am hitting it further than I have ever had. I carry balls over bunkers that I couldn't carry over a year ago. I don't feel I am any stronger but technology certainly helped my game
a lot” says Tiger.
In 2003 Nike Golf unveiled its first full-service and dedicated research & design facility for the development of performance golf clubs and the testing of both golf clubs and golf balls.
Located in Fort Worth, Texas, this 28,000 square foot facility is home to more than 100 on-going club projects in varying stages of design and development. Inside the building, computer-driven machinery sits in stark contrast to turn of the century milling and grinding stations. With areas to check every conceivable variable the game of golf can conjure - pneumatic clubtesting machines, launch monitors, CAD rooms and numerous testing facilities - they are also conveniently
located adjacent to Leonard Golf Links, a world-class public practice facility.
Tigers involvement at the design stage is crucial to his trust of the new equipment. “Every ball that I have played so far on Tour I have had a direct hand in it... as the guys can attest, I am very picky about my equipment and we would go through testings again and again.” But is there really any comparison between the clubs Tiger tests and what your average golfer plays?
Well apparently more than you might imagine. Tiger has revealed his consideration of using hybrid clubs due to the advantages of a higher ball flight from his usual 2 iron. “I think that's one of the things I am going to be testing over this winter, is trying to find one I can put in play for certain golf courses. It would have been nice to have one at NEC this year... but I think it is something down the road I will definitely have in the bag.”
One of the most important aspects of equipment Tiger highlights is actually required after manufacturing. “Proper fitting. I think the ultimate key is to have the golf clubs fit you... In basically 20 minutes you can get a club fitting done, over and done with, get a club right there on the spot... I think that will help their game tremendously.”
All these advances in technology may be having an impact within the professional game, with officials worrying that courses which cannot be extended will become redundant on tour. But there is no doubt that technology is appreciated by the weekend golfer, as Tiger recognises:
“Advances of technology are just amazing. It's certainly going to help the average golfer. They don't have a chance to practice like we do, spending hours and hours trying to ingrain a golf swing. It helps to have forgiveness, and it helps to have the opportunity to have the equipment to help you out, to get the ball in the air.
You don't have to help the ball get in the air, the equipment does it for you. It's just amazing to see the amateurs that I play with in ProAms, the swings that they have, hit the ball as far as they do, trust me, they are not going that far with that swing!”
