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Puffysheep · 03-12-2007, 08:14 PM

Hello everyone, I know there has been lot of debate about the square drivers coming out to the market these days but I am here to confirm that Nike Sumo2 driver is not a gimmick like many people believe.

I have tested many different new drivers from my local golfsmith store which included Callaway Fusion FT-5, Callaway Big Bertha 460, Callaway Fusion FT-i, Nike SQ Sumo2, Taylormade r7 Superquad and Cleveland Hibore XL. Among these I was able to narrow down to three, which included Callaway FT-5, Callaway Fusion FT-i and Nike SQ Sumo2.

Honestly all three drivers were really good and it came down to a preference and what type of swing I had. Subsequently my wife was also looking for a new driver and we were able to eliminate Callaway FT-5 because it felt too similar to the conventional drivers that were already out in the market for few years. I am not saying Callaway FT-5 was bad but rather it felt like a fine tuned version of the driver we already had. In other words Callaway FT-5 felt like version 1.5 as opposed to square drivers felt more like a version 2.0.

My wife and I wanted new drivers with new technology so we each really liked the different square drivers. My wife really liked the Callaway Fusion FT-i and I really liked the Nike SQ Sumo2. I tested both of these really carefully and came to a conclusion that FT-i launched the ball higher and straighter than the Sumo2. Sumo2 on the other hand launched the ball in a perfect height for my type of swing (I have a fast down swing) and added 25-40 yards of extra distance. I wanted the extra distance on my driver so I settled on the Sumo2 and my wife felt more comfortable with FT-i with her slow down swing so we each settled on different drivers.

I also got Nike SQ2 fairway woods to match my driver and I have been testing them for little more than a week now. After trying out my new clubs in both driving range and the field, I must confess how impressive my new clubs are.
With my 9.5 Sumo2 (Aldila VS65 Proto shaft) I can consistently hit 340 yards which is 35 yards of gain from my previous driver. I can also hit around 230 yards and 270 yards with my Nike SQ2 5w and 3w. SQ2 fairway woods make the turf contact very smooth and they have the classical whipping sound with bell like contact sound.

As for my Sumo2 driver, there is only one word "awesome"!!! The technology is amazing and it's the best driver out in the market period. I know lot of people complain and make fun of the looks and the sound of Sumo2 but those things are not important in my opinion. What really matters is my performance on the field and Sumo2 is the best darn driver out in the market right now. Nike has done extensive research on the drivers and their claim about achieving the highest MOI of any driver thus increasing the distance is really true.

Butz · 03-12-2007, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffysheep

Hello everyone, I know there has been lot of debate about the square drivers coming out to the market these days but I am here to confirm that Nike Sumo2 driver is not a gimmick like many people believe.

I have tested many different new drivers from my local golfsmith store which included Callaway Fusion FT-5, Callaway Big Bertha 460, Callaway Fusion FT-i, Nike SQ Sumo2, Taylormade r7 Superquad and Cleveland Hibore XL. Among these I was able to narrow down to three, which included Callaway FT-5, Callaway Fusion FT-i and Nike SQ Sumo2.

Honestly all three drivers were really good and it came down to a preference and what type of swing I had. Subsequently my wife was also looking for a new driver and we were able to eliminate Callaway FT-5 because it felt too similar to the conventional drivers that were already out in the market for few years. I am not saying Callaway FT-5 was bad but rather it felt like a fine tuned version of the driver we already had. In other words Callaway FT-5 felt like version 1.5 as opposed to square drivers felt more like a version 2.0.

My wife and I wanted new drivers with new technology so we each really liked the different square drivers. My wife really liked the Callaway Fusion FT-i and I really liked the Nike SQ Sumo2. I tested both of these really carefully and came to a conclusion that FT-i launched the ball higher and straighter than the Sumo2. Sumo2 on the other hand launched the ball in a perfect height for my type of swing (I have a fast down swing) and added 25-40 yards of extra distance. I wanted the extra distance on my driver so I settled on the Sumo2 and my wife felt more comfortable with FT-i with her slow down swing so we each settled on different drivers.

I also got Nike SQ2 fairway woods to match my driver and I have been testing them for little more than a week now. After trying out my new clubs in both driving range and the field, I must confess how impressive my new clubs are.
With my 9.5 Sumo2 (Aldila VS65 Proto shaft) I can consistently hit 340 yards which is 35 yards of gain from my previous driver. I can also hit around 230 yards and 270 yards with my Nike SQ2 5w and 3w. SQ2 fairway woods make the turf contact very smooth and they have the classical whipping sound with bell like contact sound.

As for my Sumo2 driver, there is only one word "awesome"!!! The technology is amazing and it's the best driver out in the market period. I know lot of people complain and make fun of the looks and the sound of Sumo2 but those things are not important in my opinion. What really matters is my performance on the field and Sumo2 is the best darn driver out in the market right now. Nike has done extensive research on the drivers and their claim about achieving the highest MOI of any driver thus increasing the distance is really true.

Hey,
nice to know you found yourself a new Toy :-)
I think not everyone is built for the same driver.

Sometimes, I see guys hitting Straighter, and Longer distance when they hit a Callaway FT-3 but when they tried different brand, they either shank and slice the ball away.

Be Happy with your new found Toy and Enjoy the game :-)

Puffysheep · 03-13-2007, 12:50 AM

Hey Butz thanks for the reply.

You are absolutely right when you said some people are better off with different kind of drivers.

Most important thing in choosing any clubs is actually tryingout the stuff before actually buying them... As I mentioned on my original post I tried many different dirvers and all 3 drivers (FT-5, FT-i and Sumo2) were actually really good and it all came down to personal preferences in the end.

It just happens I prefered Sumo2 the most while my wife prefered the FT-i more... Anyways I will be enjoying my new toys and please feel free to ask questions if you have any curious question about Sumo2...Happy golfing....=)

**Captainobvious** · 03-17-2007, 10:42 AM

Puffy,
Congrats on the new clubs, Im glad they're working out for you. Nothing worse than buying a new set, and getting out there swinging, and then it ends up not being what you expected.

By the way, dont know if you've heard yet, but there is a Nike issued recall on ALL SUMO2 drivers. They ordered all stores to IMMEDIATELY pull all units from shelves and send back to Nike for replacements.
You may want to contact the store you bought it from, or NIKE to find out if your needs replacing?

The article:

********************************
By E. Michael Johnson
and Mike Stachura
Golf World
March 16, 2007

Nike Golf will offer replacements of its new, square-shaped Nike Sumo2 driver, due to what it calls an "unauthorized manufacturing variance." Individual golfers will be able to return their current Sumo2 driver for a new, conforming model starting March 26.

In a memorandum sent to Nike's golf professionals and retailers, company president Bob Wood said, "The CT [characteristic time] 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." Wood said the problem was brought to his attention by the USGA in late February, and that the USGA was made aware of the potential problem by a "competitor."

Characteristic Time (CT), which is measured by the so-called "Pendulum test," refers to a driver face's tendency to deform slightly at impact, resulting in improved ballspeed. 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."

In the memorandum to retailers, Wood said, "As it stands today, the USGA doesn't have a published protocol for the ongoing testing of compliant product once 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. We expect other manufacturers' products to be tested in the future." The implication being that the USGA should further examine all manufacturers drivers as perhaps there are other clubs in a similar situation.

Conforming versions will be shipped within a month and will have a circular notch on the soleplate indicating that it is USGA conforming. In addition, Nike will provide, via its website or by calling 800-632-6453, the opportunity for consumers to trade in their current Sumo2 driver for the new version starting March 26 and running through April 30. Wood would not reveal how many Sumo2 drivers are currently in the marketplace, nor would he give an estimate on how much the return program would likely cost Nike.

The Sumo2 driver has been used by several PGA Tour players, including K.J. Choi, who won the Chrysler Championship in October with the club in his bag. Wood stressed that all drivers used by Nike's tour staff have been tested for conformance and do, in fact, conform to the Rules of Golf.

The Sumo2 is currently on the USGA's conforming list, and Wood stated that a new version of the club has already been submitted to the USGA and is expected to be on the USGA's new conforming list when it is published on Monday.

Golfbum · 03-17-2007, 01:10 PM

I talked to someone in the golf retail business and was told that the Sumo2 has also been falling apart. Tops coming off, cracking etc.
Not a very good way to launch a new driver when those reports are out there, then a recall on them.

I personally do not like the looks of that driver. Something about it I just don't like. I could live witht the Callway square driver if I had to.
I would have to try one and see just how much improvement there would be over my older drivers. I have heard stories about guys hitting the Sumo2 dead straight and yet they lost yardage.

300Yards · 03-19-2007, 03:47 PM

As far as the squre drivers go..I liked the FT-I much better. The Sumo 2 looked way exaggerated, and for me, the design did nothing. I lost distance over any driver on the market, even though it went straight.

Golfbum · 03-19-2007, 04:04 PM

Now the mighty SUMO2 is being recalled by Nike. Boy that is a great endorsement plan they have! Too high of COR value on some drivers.
Now is this a marketing ploy by NIKE because those drivers are not exactly flying off the retailers shelves? If people think they are going to get a "HOT FACED DRIVER" they might just run out and buy one.
Best marketing Nike has done since they signed Tiger Woods

I do not care how hot the face is on the driver, it is still butt ugly IMO. I would take the Cally square over the Nike, in a heartbeat.