The first paragraph of a press release from Nike on March 16, 2007, read as follows:

“Nike Golf has discovered that an unauthorized manufacturing variance occurred such that the Characteristic Time (CT) measurement of a number of drivers fell out of Nike Golf’s approved engineering specifications. While the result of this variance is an additional distance benefit of only 1 to 2 yards, it lies outside of the parameters as established by the USGA. There is no impact on the safety or durability of the product.”

The press release continued to detail how the company would accept returns of its square-shaped, high-MOI SUMO2 driver for testing and/or replacement with a conforming club.

Now ask me if I’m going to send mine back.

The answer is “no.”

First of all, it seems like a hassle. Secondly, odds are that my driver is within the USGA’s tolerance. Third, and most importantly, I smack the living daylights out of mine and have grown very fond of it very quickly.

On a recent round at the gorgeous Barona Creek Golf Club at the Barona Resort and Casino in Lakeside, Calif., when the wind was howling at 30-50mph, I launched a 300-yard bomb on the par-5 17th hole – into the wind.

Let’s not even mention the 349-yard pop with the wind on the par-5 6th.

You’re going to have to pry this club out of my cold, dead fingers.

The only downside of the SUMO is the god-awful racket it makes when you hit the ball. Seriously, a slight mis-hit on the toe at the excellent Stonehouse Course at the Temecula Creek Inn left my ears and those of my playing partners ringing uncomfortably.

Even center-struck balls can rattle the eardrums so badly that your dazed playing partners might not even hear you as you pass them on the way to your ball.

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