In a flurry of activity Nike Golf has announced new shoe styles, which will be available from January, and the launch of a cold weather glove. Meanwhile Tiger Woods used the Nike 460cc Ignite driver to win the Dunlop Phoenix tournament in Japan and Cindy L. Davis was named the United States general manager for Nike Golf, three months after David Pillsbury left the position to become COO of PGA Tour Golf Course Properties
Introducing the New SP-6 Nike Golf Shoe……
Nike Golf are only too aware of the importance of a good, comfortable pair of shoes. New to the Sports Performance range is the SP-6, which sets out to be one of the most comfortable footwear releases of the forthcoming season.
Built on the same principles that made the SP-7, such a resounding success in 2004, the SP-6 marries comfort with durability to produce a strong, supple shoe with an extremely stylish finish. With all of the technological advances expected from footwear that bears the ‘swoosh‘, the SP-6 features a visible heel Air-Sole unit and a Phylon midsole for that all-important cushioning. In addition, there is a full length Poron sock liner that moulds to the contour of the foot.
The SP-6 offers supreme traction with the newly designed T@C4 TPU outsole technology. It offers more than 130 points of contact with the ground, providing maximum stability and enhanced flexibility for a balanced swing.
All of this is wrapped in soft, full-grain leather and protected by Nike WaterShield Plus waterproofing technology. The SP-6 is available from January 2005 from golf specialty stores throughout Europe and retails at £100, €150, SEK 1495
……and the SP-LS Ladies‘ Golf Shoe
Nike Golf say that the New Year will bring their most comprehensive range of ladies‘ golf equipment across every product category. As part of this expansion Nike Golf has introduced the LS range which includes new footwear and bags designed specifically with the lady golfer in mind. The SP-LS is Nike Golf’s latest high-performance footwear offering and forms part of the LS range.
Hot on the heels of last year’s success story, the SP-5, the SP-LS is an extension of Nike Golf’s popular and innovative line of golf shoes – the Sport Performance range. This collection is the culmination of Nike Golf’s innovative design and style concepts, incorporating the very latest in air, waterproofing and traction technologies.
The Nike Golf SP LS will be available across Europe from January 2005 with a suggested retail price of £80, €130 SEK 1295
A new generation of Cold Weather Gloves
Nike Golf has tapped into years of expertise across a variety of sports to create a new generation of winter gloves. Taking inspiration from the water ski industry and winter sports gloves, Nike introduces cold weather gloves to keep hands warm even in the coldest of conditions.
A new wrist-cuff opening is utilised instead of the usual tab design. This means that body heat cannot escape from the top of the glove and it allows the jacket to be placed over the cuff for added warmth. Nike has also used its proprietary Therma-FIT engineered fabric in the back of the hand and wrist, which is a densely woven, quick drying microfibre fleece, providing extra heat insulation.
“The goal was to make the warmest pair of golf gloves possible to cope with winter conditions across Europe,” said Sander Van Rijn, product line manager for Nike Golf Europe. “By combining our Therma-FIT technology we have a glove that means you can carry on playing even when the coldest spells hit the golf course.”
The Nike Cold Weather gloves will be available across Europe from January 2005 with a suggested retail price of £13, €20, SEK199 per pair.
Tiger Woods wins with 460cc Ignite driver
Playing Nike Golf’s largest driver and the largest allowed within USGA standards proved advantageous for Woods for the second-straight event. After finishing in second place at the Tour Championship with the 460cc Ignite driver, Woods outpaced the Dunlop Phoenix field by eight strokes.
The 460cc Ignite driver is the newest addition to Woods‘ bag. He has been playing Nike Golf’s forged blade irons exclusively since September 2002. He added Nike Golf’s 56° and 60° forged wedges to his bag last October when he first switched to the new Ignite driver at the World Golf Championship – American Express event.
Woods plays Nike Golf’s Nike One Gold golf ball for its control around the green and boring trajectory through the wind.
Davis to lead Nike Golf US
Cindy L. Davis has been named the United States general manager for Nike Golf, three months after David Pillsbury left the position to become COO of PGA Tour Golf Course Properties.
“Cindy Davis is a leader and a respected veteran of the golf industry,” said Bob Wood, Nike Golf’s president, in a statement. “She has proven that she has the skill set and the imagination to effectively manage Nike Golf’s business.”
Davis has been the senior VP for golf sponsorships, sports marketing and new media at The Golf Channel, but her rà©sumà© is one of a consummate golf business insider. Prior to starting with The Golf Channel, Davis was president and CEO of Arnold Palmer Golf. Previous to that position she had been a VP for the LPGA. She began her golfing career as an All-American at Furman University, graduating in 1984.
In her role Davis will oversee sales and marketing for the United States, as well as the company’s operations and distribution functions, including how they affect Nike Golf’s overseas sales. This last part takes on added importance now that all Nike golf clubs are assembled in the company’s Portland production facility.
Nike Golf www.nikegolfeurope.com