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Nike Method Putter Official Release. It's been a full year since it first made it's mysterious debut, a full year since Paul Casey had to fight for it and convince officials at the 2008 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational to let him play with the prototype, but the year is up and the waiting is over. Nike has officially announced the entire Method line of putters and by the looks of things, they are looking to shake things up and prove once again that they are at the head of the class with their putters.
Five Method Putters Make Up The Line
Word on the block is that there will be five different Method Putters that constitute the new line and all of them will hover around the $250 range when they are released, albeit in limited numbers and small releases, later on in 2009. Worry not, for all of us that aren't connected and tapped into the "limited release" type crowd, they will be coming out to the general public and all of us sad, sad amateurs in February of 2010.
Method 1 + Two Other Blades & Two Other Mallets
The photo above, from golf.com, is the Method 1, which is "an Anser-style, heel-toe weighted blade with a plumber's neck and side dot." In addition to the one above, there are going to be two other blade putters and two heel-shafted mallets that fill up the line as well. No matter what option you choose, they are going to be all lofted at 2° and available in three different lengths, ranging from 33 inches to 35 inches. Many have mentioned, and we're inclined to agree that while the designs and head shapes are not exactly revolutionary, it's the technology being employed inside the putter that is noteworthy and pushing the putter into the spotlight.
Some Specs...
Check it out:
"The grooves in the face of the Method putters are what Nike calls Polymer Groove Technology. A channel is cut in the sole of the club and behind the face. A soft polymer material is then forced into the channel and allowed to seep out of slots cut into the putter's face (right). A portion of the polymer is then cut out, leaving a tiny gap between the soft material and the sharp stainless steel grooves."
What Does It All Mean?
Great, but does this all mean? It means, according to Tom Stites, Nike's director of product innovation:
"As the putter is coming up and through the ball, these tiny little knife edges of steel will actually dig into the ball, and the polymer will dampen the feel..."
Now We Wait...
So basically it softens the feel, dampens vibrations and puts the ball spinning forward, rather than backspinning and skidding first. Sounds great to us, and it's apparently also sounding great to the select few pro's that have had advanced access to these new Method putters like Paul Casey and Lucas Glover. Once again it shows just how genius Nike is, releasing these putters as prototypes to pro's in high profile events to help generate buzz. Well, consider the buzz generated, because people everywhere are frothing at the mouth about the entire line. The question is, can we all wait until February to get our hands on them? I guess we'll have to.
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