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Nike Golf Introduces Revolutionary Design In Slingshot A Decade of Devotion to Unique Irons Design is Unveiled Contact Dean Stoyer BEAVERTON, Ore. (August 11, 2003) - One company's devotion to an ideal and one man's ten-year commitment to challenge the conventional development of irons for the broadest segment of golfers has resulted in the introduction of quite possibly the easiest hitting irons golfers have ever seen - the new Slingshot Irons from Nike Golf. What started with a plan to develop game improvement irons for his son led Tom Stites, Director of Product Creation for Nike Golf, on a decade-long journey of designs, prototypes, and testing - all intent on shifting the center of gravity (CG) of each club to promote getting the ball in the air with minimal effort and increased forgiveness. What Stites and Nike Golf have combined to created could arguably be considered a new iron design category, adding "Slingback" to golf's common list of blade, muscle back, and cavity back designs. "Everyone is looking for some magic for their game. Finally, the Slingshot iron design will benefit the professional and the beginner and everyone in between," said Stites from Nike Golf's new 28,000 square foot Research & Design facility in Ft. Worth, Texas. "And if I said I didn't set out to create a club that would benefit me too, I'd be lying." A Historic Journey Stites began his 10-year journey with a basic understanding that even the slightest alteration to the center of gravity (CG) in a club could dramatically change the interaction between ball and club. After countless sketches and more than 200 handmade prototypes Stites settled on the theory that if the CG is pulled behind the clubface and lower in the club head, progressively from short irons to long irons, it promotes a higher launch angle and facilitates squaring the face. What Stites settled on is referred to as Slingback technology and the resulting Air CG. The design is revolutionary and the easy playability is unmatched. Slingback Technology The Slingshot irons' Slingback technology - a metal bar arcing from heel to toe - positions the CG low, rearward and in the heel of long irons to facilitate squaring the club head at impact and to create a higher ball flight for long, soft-landing shots. Throughout the set, the flow weighting of the Slingback design shifts the CG incrementally higher, closer to the face, and towards the toe as it moves toward the short irons. This progression reduces the launch angle and increases the spin rate which helps prevent shots from ballooning while maintaining the ability to hold greens. The distance between the arcing Slingback and the center point on the back of the clubface is a constant six-tenths of an inch. A Shift to Air CG The CG of most conventional irons is within the clubface; however, the CG of the Slingshot irons is suspended in air behind the face, creating Air CG. The Air CG promotes a higher launch angle and makes it easier to square the clubface resulting in greater distance and fewer slices. Air CG is made possible by the use of a Custom 455 Stainless Steel face, which is thinner, stronger and faster than standard stainless steel. The weight savings realized from the lighter face, or 20 grams, is repositioned behind the face in the arcing Slingback. The Air CG resides between the back of the face and the Slingback. Attention to Every Detail Enhanced Consistency - The "cold-rolled" Custom 455 Stainless Steel in the clubface has a more consistent molecular structure than clubs having a cast clubface. All Slingshot clubfaces are CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) milled flat to within .002 of an inch and have engraved scoring lines to ensure consistent and predictable ball flight and spin rates. A flat face allows the ball to fully and evenly compress, creating predicable distances and shot patterns. Progressive Offset - Offset promotes solid contact and improved ball trajectory by positioning the golfer's hands ahead of the ball. The offset of the Slingshot irons is greater in the long irons to allow additional time to square the clubface before impact. As the emphasis moves from distance (long irons) to control and accuracy (short irons) the offset is gradually reduced throughout the set to allow more shot-making creativity. Wide Sole - The wide constant sole width of the Slingshot irons increases effective bounce to help prevent digging and "fat" shots. Lightweight Speed Step Steel Shaft - Made from a unique high-strength steel alloy, Nike's Speed Step steel shaft is 30% lighter than traditional steel shafts that increases club head speed for greater distance. The Speed Step also incorporates a soft tip profile that promotes higher ball flight. Constant Weight Slingshot Graphite Shaft - A distinct graphite shaft is made for each numbered club head while maintaining the same static weight (lightweight - low to mid 70 grams depending on flex). This specifically tuned constant weight shaft provides increased club head speed, optimum distance control, stiffness progression and trajectory throughout the set. Women's Slingshot Graphite Shaft - The ultra lightweight (sub 60 gram) shaft has been designed specifically with women in mind with a very soft tip to help launch the ball on a high trajectory. Slingshot Availability The revolutionary Slingshot irons (SRP: $799 for steel/$899 for graphite) will be available in standard, women's and left-handed set-ups beginning November 15, 2003 at golf shops and golf specialty stores nationwide. Description -- Length/Lie -- Flexes Custom set-ups (+1/2-inch, +1-inch length, +/-2* in lie) will be available from Nike Golf beginning February 1, 2004. Nike Golf, located in Beaverton, Oregon, is passionately dedicated to honoring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the absolute best equipment in the game in every product category. For more information on Nike Golf, visit our Web site at www.nikegolf.com. Editors and journalists seeking editorial information and downloadable images, visit www.nikegolf.com/presscenter. |