PRESS RELEASE FROM NIKE GOLF
ABOUT SUMO DRIVERS AND R&A/
USGA REGULATIONS
Nike Golf has discovered that an unauthorised manufacturing variance occurred such that the Characteristic Time (CT) measurement of a number of drivers fell out of Nike Golf’s approved engineering specifications.
While the result of this variance is an additional distance benefit of only 1 to 2 yards, it lies outside of the parameters as established by the R&A for elite competition only. There is no impact on the safety or durability of the product.
As a result, a number of SUMO drivers manufactured may not conform to USGA regulations.
As a precaution, another conforming SUMO2 driver has already been submitted to the USGA to be approved for placement on the conforming list. Nike Golf anticipates that it will complete the approval process with the USGA by March 19.
It should be noted that in Europe/Middle East/Africa the rules and regulations of golf are governed by the Royal and Ancient Club of St Andrews,
In Europe/Middle East/Africa, the clubs in question can be used until January 2008 in a round of golf for recorded handicap, but can not be used in elite competition (condition of competition). Nike Golf, being a global company, wants to ensure that it addresses any SUMO golfer who may be concerned about this rule for play in Europe/Middle East/Africa.
In addition, Nike Golf is implementing the Nike Golf SUMO Conformance Program -- the primary element of a Nike Golf action plan to ensure marketplace conformity to USGA regulations of the highly popular SUMO driver.
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. Nike Golf also expects other manufacturers’ products to be tested in the future. Nike Golf was notified by the USGA in late February 2007 that there was a potential concern pertaining to the CT of SUMO drivers in the marketplace. CT is a measurement that predicts the potential for a spring-like effect on a driver’s face.
On receipt of this notification, Nike Golf immediately embarked on a full and thorough investigation into what transpired since the original October product submissions for approval to the R&A and USGA, prior to manufacturing. It was subsequently revealed that during early production, an unauthorized manufacturing variance occurred.
“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 golf's governing bodies to implement a process to replace any SUMO driver. It is Nike Golf’s commitment to do the right thing for golfers in an open and straightforward manner.”
Nike Golf EMEA recommends that golfers visit www.nikegolfeurope.com where they will be informed about the details of the SUMO Conformance Program.
Within a matter of weeks Nike Golf will contact golfers with information on how they can have their driver tested and, if necessary, replaced with a new SUMO©— which will feature a defining mark of full compliance. This will be done at Nike Golf's expense.