As a pro, if you're found to be playing nonconforming equipment, it's a major issue. When Nike announced Friday that some of its Sumo2 drivers were found to be nonconforming because of a manufacturing error, PGA Tour player K.J. Choi was quick to report his driver was fine.
"No, we get ours from Fort Worth (Nike testing facility) and they're triple tested," he said at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. "It's not a problem."
Late last month, Nike was notified by the United States Golf Association that there could be a problem with the CT measurement of some Sumo2 drivers, known for their square shape and distinctive sound on impact. The CT measures the potential for spring-like or trampoline effect on the driver's face. For some golfers, that could mean an extra distance benefit of 1 to 2 yards.
It appears that a competitor brought the issue to the attention of the USGA, which investigated and discovered the problem. Nike officials believe a manufacturing variance that fell outside their initial specs is to blame, but don't know - or won't say - how many drivers were affected. The company has launched a replacement program for consumers, so their possibly nonconforming clubs can be exchanged for drivers without the issue. Those new drivers will feature a sticker that proclaims their adherence to the regulations.
"Nike Golf is a company that cares about fair golf competition, and that our customers have complete confidence that the club in their bag conforms to the Rules of the game," said Nike Golf President Bob Wood. "As such, we are working with the USGA to implement a process to replace any Sumo2 driver. It is Nike Golf's commitment to do the right thing for golfers in an open and straightforward manner."
Just as Choi, who won the Chrysler Championship last fall with the Sumo2 driver, was not concerned about his club conforming, Chad Campbell thought the Nike club would be a good addition to his bag.
Campbell put the Sumo2 driver in his bag last week for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and reported that it resulted in straighter drives on the tight fairways at Bay Hill.
"It seems to go straighter and right now that's what I need, just something that keeps the ball in the fairway, especially out here. If you're in the rough, it's U.S. Open rough out here," Campbell said. "I had heard something this week (about the possible nonconformance). Obviously they are checked and everything is fine on those."
But consumers who purchased the drivers may not be as pleased as their professional counterparts. While Nike has unveiled the Sumo2 Conformance Program that allows golfers to trade in their existing driver for a new, guaranteed-to-conform version, some golfers are worried about what to do in the meantime.
"I was told this weekend that I will not be allowed to use my Sumo2 in our upcoming Club Championship, March 24 and 25," said 6-handicapper Bill Torres from Huntington Beach, Calif. "The membership decided that in the best interest of the game of golf.
"While I will always walk the line when it comes to game improvement and technology, I love the history of the game too much to ever cross the line. Consequently I am preparing to enter our annual Club Championship without a driver. I'm not a happy camper."
Torres said he had also replaced the standard shaft and grip with ones more to his liking, and wasn't sure if Nike would compensate him for that.
"If they will not replace it with the shaft that I had installed in it at my expense I will ask for a full refund and buy another make," he said.
Nike did not return calls Monday seeking a clarification of how the Sumo2 Conformance Program would work for players like Torres who had changed components in the club.
The Conformance Program is Nike's attempt at righting a problem with its equipment, but because this issue is a relatively new one for the industry, there aren't a lot of already established protocols in place.
"In the absence of a published protocol, Nike Golf is taking the lead for the industry by voluntarily conducting this testing and replacement program that could serve as a model for other manufacturers," the company's press release read. "Nike Golf also expects other manufacturers' products to be tested by the USGA in the future."
