Nike Golf Issues Recall of Sumo2 Drivers

Nonconforming spring-like faces are the result of an “unauthorized manufacturing variance.” Nike will replace any driver sold to date.

Nike Sumo2-DriverPushing the edge as manufacturers are doing these days, it was only a matter of time before something like this happened.

Although the Sumo² (the square one) had been approved by the USGA, apparently an unnamed equipment competitor went to the USGA in late February and made a complaint. Upon subsequent testing, the USGA notified Nike that a number of clubheads were found to be non-conforming.

Conforming models will be shipped within a month. They’ll come marked with a circular notch on the soleplate indicating they conform to USGA rules. Nike has a plan where consumers can trade in their drivers beginning March 26 either through their website or by calling 800-632-6453. The recall period will run until April 30. You can watch a video of Nike Golf President Bob Wood’s mea culpa here.

Callaway X Hot Fairway Wood Review

The Callaway X-Hot fairway wood is both long in the shaft and off the tee. It serves as a great second option off the tee and doesn’t do too bad off the deck either.

Callaway X Hot Fairway Wood HeroLast year, Callaway introduced its X fairway woods. That design harkened back to the old, and still popular, Steelhead and Steelhead Plus series. After carrying a Steelhead plus in my own bag for over five years I replaced it last year with a TaylorMade r7. I saw a jump in distance and accuracy that was impossible to ignore. It kept my beloved Callaway from getting back in the bag.

I had a chance last year to demo the non-Hot Callaway X fairway wood and liked it. It felt pretty good but it wasn’t quite good enough to make me think about removing the TaylorMade from my set – but it did make me think.

This year I was able to get my hands on the new Callway X-Hot fairway wood. Now I would be able to take a full and even better look at the new design. The question is, would it be enough for me to make a change after having a great experience with the r7? Read on to find out if Callaway is back in my bag.

Nike CCi Cast Irons Review

Nike Golf’s newest irons are solid all the way around, nothing more and nothing less.

Nike CCi Iron HeroI’ve had the opportunity to review a few different sets of irons over the past six or eight months, all of which were positive experiences. I had the Nike Slingshot OSS Irons first, and I hit those pretty well. They weren’t as consistent as I would have liked, so I was very excited to give the Nike CCi Cast irons a chance.

The Slingshot and CCi irons are completely different when it comes to technology and look, but in the end, they are about the same when it comes to performance. The CCi Cast irons are respectable in all categories, but is respectable enough in the competitive world of golf equipment? Read my breakdown to find out if they are made for you or not.

Scotty Cameron Detour Putter Review

I call my Detour “Vera” after Vera Wang. I’ll let you figure out why…

Scotty Cameron Detour Putter HeroScotty Cameron putters are synonymous with tradition, elegance, and simplicity. With the exception of the geeky (and I mean that in a good way) Futura, Cameron’s putters feature simple, austere designs, clean lines, and a classic look that begs the owner to use the putter as frequently as possible. Once on the course, Cameron’s putters are often used quite infrequently – they’re as good as any on the market at getting the ball in the hole, and many of the world’s top PGA Tour stars rely on Cameron putters to earn a living.

So it was no doubt a shock when the “C-5” prototype putter became the August-released “Detour” putter. Essentially a blade putter with a curved alignment aid making for an askew “T,” the Detour is not what you might expect from Scotty Cameron.

Adams Idea Pro Hybrid Iron Review

Adams Golf recently released their new Idea Pro hybrid. Intended to fill a need for a non-offset players club it has found a good reception amongst professionals.

Adams Idea ProThe Adams Idea Pro hybrids follow in the footsteps of the popular Adams utility family. The difference here is that Adams is, with the advent of the Idea Pro hybrids continuing their foray into club-building for the player’s market.

They have been very well received on the PGA, Champions, and Nationwide Tours. Trevor Immelman won the Western Open with an 18° Idea Pro in his bag, John Rollins won the B.C. Open using an Idea Pro hybrid, Jason Wagner won the Nationwide’s Cox Classic with an Idea Pro, Kevin Stadler used one to win the Nationwide’s Xerox Classic, and Allen Doyle used one to win his second consecutive U.S. Senior Open Championship. This club has become very popular in a short amount of time.

Adams spent a considerable amount of time and effort getting this club in play on Tour prior to its September release so it will have been well tested before it makes its way into your hands.

Pinemeadow Excel Hybrid Review

Pinemeadow makes affordable clubs, but can they stand up to the stiff competition in the hybrid market?

Pinemeadow Excel HybridPinemeadow Golf has been around since 1985, but I didn’t know much about them until this year. After checking out their website, it’s easy to see they are looking out for the “average” golfer. Most of the die-hard golfing fanatics want the most expensive and popular golf clubs, whether it’s TaylorMade, Titleist, Callaway, etc.

Pinemeadow Golf takes a different and much more affordable approach, and it’s very respectable. I started my golfing career with a Dunlop driver from Wal-Mart, a Dunlop putter from Wal-Mart, and some King Snake (knock-off of King Cobra) irons. All in all, my first set of clubs cost about $200 total. I played with these clubs for almost ten years, so I always have a soft spot for inexpensive golf equipment.

Callaway Fusion Wide Sole Irons Review

Callaway’s Fusion Wide Sole irons promise to help you improve your game without doing anything to your swing. Possible? Check out our review to find out.

Callaway Fusion Wide Sole IronsLet’s face it: the average American male golfer’s handicap is 16; the average female handicap is 29. There are a lot of us who can use all the help our equipment can give us.

Callaway’s Fusion Wide Sole irons join a growing industry trend to create a wide-sole, large-face, generously offset iron for the average golfer. The original Fusions were heralded as some of the most forgiving irons ever made. The Fusion Wide Soles took that forgiving design even further.

Do the Callaway Wide Sole irons live up to their ultra-forgiving promise? I compared these irons to the regular Fusions and the forged clubs I normally play and came to some interesting conclusions. Take a look at what I found…

Titleist Forged 755 Irons Review

In the new 755 irons, Titleist has a forged cavity back design that mid-handicappers can call their own.

Titleist Forged 755Over the last two seasons, I have tried on two occasions to work a set of Titliest irons into my bag. The results left me feeling a bit like a modern-day (and male) Goldilocks. One set – the Forged 690.CB – was too hard to use. They were a great set of irons that looked great, but were a bit too demanding for my 10-handicap skills. Another set, the Forged 775.CB was too soft, loaded with game-improvement technology, and too much offset for my swing.

I’ve now had the chance to play several rounds with the new Titleist Forged 755 irons. Were they just right for me? Read on and see.

Titleist 585.H Hybrid Review

The Titleist PT 585.H is a holy grail of sorts: the perfect hybrid blend of long iron and fairway wood. Me likey.

Titleist 585.H HybridTitleist was admittedly a bit late to the hybrid market, and when they first arrived, it was only with the 503.H, which I reviewed in early 2005. The review was rather favorable if the club is viewed as a driving iron, but the 503.H lacks the true versatility found in most modern hybrids. Getting the ball airborne with a 503.H from poor lies, for example, was much more difficult than with most other hybrids.

After giving the 503.H half a season, I moved on to a TaylorMade Rescue Dual TP in mid-2005. My complaints in the Rescue Dual review: the ball got up in the air, but workability and trajectory control was lacking. Early 2006 brought a truer hybrid from Titleist, the PT 585.H. Read on to see whether it kicked the Rescue Dual out of my bag or whether I’m still searching for my 2-iron replacement…