Anyone that has ever started playing with an “intro” set of irons, or even Grandpa’s hand-me-downs, has explored game improvement to some extent. This area of golf technology has increased in popularity over the last several years, with some major leaps forward. With the advantages of increased forgiveness on mis-hits, greater control, distance, and consistency, it is hard not to be sucked in. While game improvement is a major area of focus for mid- to high-handicappers (like me), we are still not a pushover for these promises. To quote Luke Donald, “No matter how rich or powerful you are, you can’t buy yourself a good golf game.” While Luke Donald does not typify the golfing public, this notion still holds true for us regular folks as well.
Nike is continuing the tradition of game improvement, and bringing the technology and geometry found in their yellow, bricklike SQ Sumo line of drivers and fairway woods to the forefront of their latest release of SQ Sumo irons and hybrids.
I have a mixed opinion of the SQ Sumo2. First, I think it’s uglier than sin. Second, at contact, the sound emitted from the club is decidedly piercing, to be as nice as possible about it.
But I’m also of the opinion of “if it works, use it.” Our forum members’ opinions are similar. The popularity of the Sumo2 driver was also affected somewhat by the recall Nike issued in March.
Opinions aside, the “power of geometry” is now available in the rest of your bag. By mixing in some of the geometry, and applying the same PowerBow technology found in their drivers and fairway woods, Nike has produced the SQ Sumo irons and hybrids. They are claiming that this new design has produced their highest MOI iron set ever.
“We have taken the premise of geometry that we started with in the original Nike SQ driver and are evolving it accross our club line,” said Tom Stites, Director of Club Creation for Nike. “With this new geometry and its high MOI, we have created what we belive is the most forgiving iron Nike Golf has ever developed.”
Reshaped with longer blades, wider soles, and extreme perimeter weighting, the next innovation of Sumo technology has taken shape in the form of the new irons and hybrids.
SQ Sumo and Sumo2 Hybrid
For those of you with enough skill to attempt reaching a par five in two, or if you need a pinpoint placement on the short stuff, the high MOI delivered by the SQ Sumo hybrid belongs in the arsenal of those searching for accuracy in a workable player’s club. This club is being offered in both square and traditional head designs.
The square head combines a generous offset and extreme perimeter weighting to make this Nike’s highest MOI hybrid ever. Designed to deliver exceptional stability at impact and produce high launching soft landing shots, this club should allow for more control and precision around those hazard-laced greens. The square hybrid is complemented by a lightweight Diamana High Launch graphite shaft, custom designed for this club by Mitsubishi. The shaft promotes an increase in clubhead speed and high ball flight. This shaft is available in X, S, R, A. Also, an identical sub 50-gram shaft is available for women.
With the introduction of the SQ Sumo2 hybrid, Nike takes “square” from the tee box to the fairway.
The other, more “normal looking” hybrid, designed with feedback from Nike’s Tour Staff, utilizes a more compact, traditional hybrid head design with minimal offset to offer the benefits of a high MOI hybrid, and still retain the ability to shape shots. In addition, this unit features a Variable Cryo Steel face that is thicker in the middle, and progressively thinner at the edges, resulting in a more consistent ball speed, maximum distance and increased forgiveness off the clubface.
This club is offered with the user’s choice of Dynalite Gold Steel by True Temper, or a middleweight (81 grams) version of the aforementioned hDiamana shaft. This shaft has a stiffer tip to deliver greater control, and maximum stability with a more penetrating ball flight. This shaft is available in X, S, R.
More traditional (and better) golfers will want to give the SQ Sumo a try instead of the square version.
Availability: Nov. 1, 2007. MSRP: $179 in graphite (both models) and $159 in steel (both models)
SQ Sumo Irons
Designed using the same ground-breaking (and ear-shattering) technology behind the SUper MOment (Sumo) of Inertia that has helped propel the company into becoming a significant leader in the club market, these irons will be the other extension to Nike’s successful SQ Sumo family of drivers.
Nike PowerBow design and an ultra-light Cryo-Steel face combine to deliver an expanded COR and high MOI. With a longer blade length, wide sole, and extreme perimeter-weighting, this promises to be the highest MOI iron set that Nike has ever offered. The PowerBow technology moves the CG low and deep, giving more stability at impact and increasing the MOI even more. A responsive ultra-thin Cryo Steel face plate (Irons 4-7) is welded around the perimeter of the clubhead to increase the COR across the face for greater distance, further amplifying the forgiveness across the hitting surface.
By nature, a thin-faced, extreme perimeter weighted club head has the potential to create a harsh feel. To offset this unwanted feedback, the SQ Sumo irons include a TPU polymer insert to dampen the harsher vibrations at impact for an improved feel. Sound familiar? (Hint: Cleveland’s Gelback Technology).
These irons are available in Speed Step SL shafts, and a custom designed iDiamana Graphite shaft. Women’s shaft choice is the same sub 50-gram shaft mentioned before. Custom shafts are also available from Mitsubishi Rayon, Royal Precision, and True Temper.
Availability: Nov 1, 2007 MSRP: Steel $799.99 Graphite $999.99
These additions to the Nike family of clubs will put “the power of geometry” into your whole game.
This article was written by guest author Ryan Sullivan If you’d like to contribute, send us an email.
Well presented.
I tried the sq2 Driver and hated it . So I am not inclined to try any further Nike offerings any time soon. Bought the Ping G 10 to replace my G2’s So far I love the new G10’s
I have tried the hybrids and I think they are fantastic. They deserve a look if you’re in the market.
Where do the Nike Sumo Irons fit into the Company’s product line in relation to the Slingshots? More forgiving or less? Just more expensive?
i wonder if the hybrids and irons make that horrible sound.
I went to a local club fitting professional a couple of days ago and hit at least 8 different sets of irons. These included the new Taylor Made R7 Irons, Callaway X-20, Ping G-10, Nike Sling Shot 4D, Mizuno MX-19, & Nike Sumo Irons.
I must say that I was aiming to get the Taylor Made R7 Irons, but I hit two clubs extremely well….The Ping Irons, and the New Nike Sumo’s. It was a toss up. I hit the Ping Irons well and it was easy to get the ball in the air. The nike Irons were equally easy to hit and they went a full 10 yards longer. The nike yellow insert made a huge difference at impact (less vibration).
I chose to take home the Sumo Irons and am very happy with the decision.
have been playing with a 10 year old set of yonex graphite irons and decided it was time for a change. tried about 7 sets including taylor made burner and mizuno and titleist. wasnt looking for nike as was going for a higher profile name but the feel and consistency of the sumo irons won me over. the burners felt good but the difference in feel was minimal and didnt justify the extra £150.
😀 I absolutely love the Sumo Hybrid! (“traditional”, non square version) I sell golf clubs for a living on eBay, and go to many demo- days as well, so I’ve tested most of the Hotlist rated hybrids from the 2007 and 2008 Hotlists (plus a few more) and this is the model I’m now very happily using.
I tend to hook my mishits, so I often hook the hell out of most of the hybrids on the market (due to their draw bias) and find the hybrids for “better players”/ pros too hard to hit (and to get height with). This model is a beautiful balance between the two. It sits square and I usually hit the ball straight as an arrow (I hooked every shot I’ve hit with the Sumo2 hybrid (“square” version- great club if you slice, has a shorter shaft too).
The Sumo also has a stronger shaft and I love the feel and sound at impact (not loud like their 2007 drivers at all). I also absolutely love the trajectory. Straight and high (without balooning) and it goes LONG! It is still a club for “better players” to mid handicappers, though (Immelman used it to win this years Masters), so it can punish your mis- hits more than many hybrids on the market.
I so wish it came in the 5 hybrid, though, too. It also sits noticeably more upright than my Mizuno CLK Fli Hi 5 hybrid, which is also a top club (especially if you like flatter lie angles. I’m taller so the Nike Sumo suits me better). I don’t really like the Nike 5000 drivers, but love both their current models of fairway woods and these Sumo Hybrids.
SUMO2 hybrid is a great club. High pitched ping at contact that some may not like, but I enjoy it. I can hit a high shot when needed or keep it low like a fairway wood. I am a high handicapper, mostly due to my lack of short game, but I can hit this club 180-200yds consistently. Square head is not the most workable club, but if you need it to go straight and far this is a great club. Going to demo the sumo 2 driver and irons soon will check back. Will likely pick up a 4 hybrid non-square back soon. If anyone is in the market the sasquatch tour bag is the best bag on the market as far as I’m concerned. I never walked before I bought the bag…now I rarely ride.
=) 😆
As as senior I really enjoy my Sumo Irons in graphite A Flex. When testing them prior to purchase I was concerned about the lie angle being so upright. It did not seem to affect my ball direction. I suspect that the wider clubhead moves weight to the toe and therefor the lie angle flatens out by 1-3 degrees during the swing. I previously played Titleist 804s and Mizuno MX-25s. Although the set does not include a 3 iron you should note that the length of the 4 iron is 38.75 which essentially is a 3 iron.