By Stuart Goldstein
AmateurGolf.com Player Staff »
Many of today’s putter designs are based off
designs of yesteryear. The Ping Anser,
Bullseye, Zebra and other original designs have
proven
the test of time and remain a catalyst for
modern putter design and functionality.
With an enhanced spin on new technology and
materials, Nike has taken the old-new school
approach to engineering and design to a
unique level with the new Method Mod series.
The Method MOD line is a unique combination
of classic and contemporary -- old and new.
Inspired by some of the most popular models of
the past half century, Nike has successfully
married tradition and innovation to create a
new line that is pleasing to the eye and a
pleasure
to putt with.
The Method MOD series introduces a functional
putter that's as visually appealing as any
putter Nike Golf has released to date. Premium
milled, the MOD putters are made with a satin
chrome finish with subtle red detailing and a
clean black alignment line.
This satin finish reduces glare and comes with
a sleek stepless classic steel shaft with a
subtle 'swoosh' decal on the shaft band.
Completing the look is a retro style grip looks
old but feels new, providing golfers with a firm
and tacky putter grip.
PHOTO
GALLERY: NIKE METHOD MOD PUTTER
SERIES
The key design focus for Nike when making the
new Method MOD series was blending the old
(style and comfort) with the new (technology
and improved functionality).
“We were able to take a range of classic
designs and make them perform like modern
putters," said David Franklin, Nike Golf Master
Modelmaker. "We incorporated Polymetal
Groove technology, which allows athletes to
lift the ball, launch it and turn it forward as
quickly as
possible for a truer roll. We removed weight
from the center, placing it in the heel and toe
instead for a lower and deeper center of
gravity.
"It’s Nike’s interpretation on classic, familiar
shapes.”
Each Method MOD putter is weighted to length
to ensure proper feel by perfectly balancing
each putter with toe and heel tungsten
weights. This is in part to counterbalance the
weight that is removed by the polymer in the
polymetal groove technology. Determining
where the weight is in relationship to the
putter allows the golfer to choose which model
fits their personal putting preference and style
allowing for optimal roll and accuracy.
Method MOD putters come in four styles: MOD
00 (face-balanced), MOD 30 (30 degrees of
toe hang), MOD 60 (60 degrees of toe hang),
and MOD 90 (90 degrees of toe hang).
The numbers in the names refers to the
amount of toe-hang for each design and is
designed for different putting styles. They
range from
the MOD 90-strong arc stroke to the MOD00 –
straight back and through.
I was fortunate to try the MOD-90, Nike’s
version of the classic Bullseye putter. True to
form, the MOD-90 was a great fit for the
strong
arc stroke it was designed for. The heel/toe
weights made swinging the putter a breeze.
Off center hits produce a true roll, a very tight
dispersion and really no loss of distance.
An additional design feature that one quickly
notices is the high toe. Prevalent in all the
models, the high toe is a unique feature that
gives
the putters a new spin on design without
taking away from the originals. These putters
also come with a curved sole. While that in of
itself
might not seem like such a new feature, I
found that these soles help when putting from
the fringe -- sort of like a hybrid going through
rough.
When it comes to putting, and putters, feel is
perhaps the most important quality. Some
prefer putter faces with grooves, some inserts,
some just a plain milled face.
According to Nike, “Divide a second by 1,000.
Now divide that in half. That’s how little time it
takes to launch a golf ball that is just over an
inch-and-a-half in diameter from where it sits
nestled on a green.”
So what did Nike do to enhance this
millisecond of ball/club contact? It enhanced
its groove technology.
The Method MOD putters come with Nike’s
enhanced Polymetal groove technology. This
polymetal groove technology can be seen not
only
on the face, where it matters, but also on the
sole. This is where Nike’s designers cut a slot
on the sole and filled it in with the polymer.
This design feature helps improve feel and is
instrumental in delivering optimal sound, which
by any measure, is an important detail for
proper putter design.
All 2014 Nike Method MOD models come are
currently available and retail at $299 in models
ranging from 33-35 inches.