The Nike Method Putter - Fresh from "The Oven"

- Putt like the pros with the new Nike Method… sounds like the start of an infomercial where Nike has come up with a new, sure-fire way of sinking putts. The thing is, Nike Method is the name of the newest putter to come out of “The Oven” – Nike Golf’s Research and Development Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

The highly anticipated Nike Method putter (MSRP $249.99), which was used as a prototype by Lucas Glover (US Open) and Stewart Cink (British Open) when they won majors this year, is due for its official roll-out to the public in February 2010. For those who can't wait that long to get a hold of this groundbreaking putter, which features a unique poly-metal groove technology that helps the ball roll “more consistently and accurately toward the hole,” Nike Golf has announced the availability of limited editions for a premium price ($499.00); they hit at 12:01 pm. EST on Monday, November 2, 2009.

For those unfamiliar with “The Oven,” it is where the Nike Golf square drivers and adjustable drivers were created and developed. It is also the location where the clubs are made for all of the Nike Golf athletes on the PGA Tour (Tiger Woods, Paul Casey, Stewart Cink, Lucas Glover, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard and Simon Dyson).

The facility itself is quite impressive. Ground was broken for “The Oven 1.0” in October 2002. According to an announcement that took place earlier this year, the R&D facility has grown by 17,600 square feet. It now occupies 49,100 square feet (coincidentally the size of the Virgin Mega-store which was located at Downtown Disney in Florida). In addition to the think tank space, “The Oven” has a 129,000 square-foot short game area that includes three synthetic greens, one natural grass green, bunkers and full practice holes. A water feature has also been incorporated – running through the middle of the short game course.

Clearly, Nike Golf has built themselves an amazing facility with the practice holes and hitting areas needed to accommodate the type of testing necessary to come up with game changing innovations. Which brings us back around to the new Nike Method putter. Its name actually comes from how it was developed – via the “scientific method.”

As a refresher, the scientific method is a way to ask and answer scientific questions by making observations and doing experiments. As noted in the definition that appears on the ScienceBuddies.org website, it is important that the experiment be a “fair test,” which means only one factor (variable) can be changed at a time – keeping all other conditions the same.

Keeping that in mind, here’s how Nike Golf applied the "scientific method" to develop the Method putter. A team of designers and engineers experimented with combing steel and polymer in a bunch of different ways before discovering the unique poly-metal groove technology, which has a very visibly distinctive look to it.

That “look” has a purpose-to dampen impact vibrations for soft touch. The Method also incorporates an interspersed milled steel face, which maintains audible feedback for proper distance control. A multi-material face starts the ball on a positive spin that is faster than both a milled steel putter as well as putters with a polymer face insert. The poly-metal grooves also allowed the designers to remove 30 grams of internal weight from the putter face and relocate it to the perimeter for added stability.

David Dusek of Golf.com got the inside scoop from Nike on the new Method putter back in August. He explained how the poly-metal grooves work to help get the golf ball, which rests in a small depression on the green created by its weight, moving towards the hole. There are tiny little knife edges of steel on the club’s face that dig into the ball, while the polymer dampens the feel. Normally, putters use loft to get the ball out of the depression. The trade-off is backspin.

According to Tom Stites, Nike's Director of Product Innovation, "By taking the backspin off, the ball can just start to roll. A putt that rolls more quickly and more true to the hole is more efficient, goes a little bit farther and stays on line much better."

Dusek’s story noted how Nike officials were able to demonstrate the difference using high-speed video footage. When Justin Leonard used his old putter, putts skidded 3.6 inches before they started to roll. Using a prototype Method putter, that distance was reduced to .3 inches.

Seems like something Tiger should be considering.

So if you want to truly putt like the pros, you might want to get a hold of the Nike Method. And if you order the limited edition (blade model) during the November window (November 2 until November 30, 2009 while the limited quantities are in stock), you will be treated like a Nike Tour Pro. The first-class treatment with the $499 investment gets you a Nike Concierge from Nike's World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.

The Nike Concierge will forward each golfer’s individual specifications, including lie angle and putter length to “The Oven.” The special limited edition Method putter will be built and delivered in a special box within three weeks of the order. Along with the Method putter, there will be a certificate signed by Nike Golf’s Tom Stites and the actual club builder at “The Oven” who personally built the putter to the specifications ordered. The putter itself will be carved with two initials or numerals provided by the golfer.

For those willing to wait until next year, five models will be available at golf retailers starting on February 1, 2010. Those models are: Blades: METHOD 001, METHOD 002, METHOD 003, METHOD 004 and Mallet: METHOD 005 for $249.99. The METHOD 001 is an Anser-style, heel-toe weighted blade with a plumber's neck and site dot. All of the five Method putters come standard with 2° of loft and will be available in 33, 34, and 35-inch lengths. Don’t expect to be wowed by head shapes of the Method putters… it’s all about the poly-metal grooves.

For comparison purposes, other putters in that price range (can be found for $299 at TGW.com and other retailers) include the Titleist Scotty Cameron California series (Coronado, Sonoma, Monterey, Del Mar) which have a MSRP of $325; the Odyssey Black Series i 2-Ball for a MSRP of $375; and the TaylorMade TP Kia Ma series for a MSRP of $360. The Yes! Golf Donna putter has a MSRP of $300, but can be found for $229.99.

Conclusion:

The Nike Method putter is intriguing. Will it be a game changer for golfers who aren’t on the Tour? It’s hard to say for certain. For sure, a putter with that kind of pedigree/background will inspire confidence; and that’s a big part of the game.

For the golfer who has everything and still wants to shave stokes, jumping on the limited edition deal may make sense. For the rest of us, if we can hang on until February, we will be treated to a number of options (styles), plus we can see what the other equipment providers have up their sleeves (or in their bags). A lot can happen in the few months leading up to the PGA Merchandise Show in January.

The Nike Method putter has put “The Oven” in the spotlight, so even if you aren’t in the market for a putter you might want to keep a close eye out for what Nike Golf will be cooking up next.

For more information, go to http://www.nike.com/nikegolf/.

To see a tour of “The Oven,” go here: http://www.mygolfspy.com/nike-golf-the-oven/.