Nike's SQ SUMO driver spawns full line of clubs

2007 was a big year for Nike Golf: two PGA Tour wins by staff pro K.J. Choi, one by Rory Sabbatini, and of course a passel of hardware and millions upon millions of dollars for Tiger Woods.

Not bad.

Seems like the weird-looking line of drivers whose future prominence on the Tour I predicted at the beginning of 2006 is coming of age.

In 2007, the original SasQuatch (SQ) has been followed by the even odder-looking SQ SUMO2, along with a Tour version SUMO (without the square head). Choi won with the SUMO2, while Woods and Sabbatini stuck with the lesser of two uglies.

Hot on the heels of this success, Nike has announced that the SUMO line is expanding into irons and hybrids.

The engineering mantra for the entire club line is MOI: moment of inertia.

“We have taken the premise of geometry that we started with in the original Nike SQ driver and are evolving it across our club line,” said Tom Stites, Director of Club Creation for Nike Golf. “With this new geometry and its high MOI, we have created what we believe is the most forgiving iron Nike Golf has ever developed.”

At present, it is unclear if the initial SUMO irons and hybrids will include versions for both low and high handicappers, but the descriptions sent out by the company highlight forgiveness and high ball flight, usually the hallmarks of game-improvement irons.

Look for the SUMO irons and hybrids November 1, and expect a price tag of $799-$999.

Success comes at a cost, after all.

Your first look at the recently announced Nike SUMO irons