Nicklaus Golf adds high MOI, reasonably priced products to line

By Chuck Stogel
Courtesy of CBSSports.com

Nicklaus Golf Equipment has joined the high MOI trend in clubmaking for 2008, especially among its Premium products line.

MOI, as we've learned, stands for Moment of Inertia, a mathematical formula that equates to stability on off-center hits. The higher the MOI number, the more stable and forgiving woods and irons should be.

Designed by veteran craftsman Clay Long, NGE's Premium line has added two new drivers, a revamped fairway wood and hybrid series and a new set of high MOI irons to its lineup for 2008.

In test sessions conducted on course and at the range with a variety of golfers assembled by CBSSports.com, the new Nicklaus clubs received very high ratings. The NGE Premium products were rated "must consider" across the board.

Long credits owner and namesake Jack Nicklaus for providing the impetus to reach "perfection" in clubmaking.

"The perfection in (Jack's) life that transcends into the golf club equipment business is that his integrity is on the line," Long said. "He will not stand behind something that is not a great product. He's that way about everything he does."

Under the NGE umbrella, the company manufactures three distinct club lines geared for different types of golfers. The Golden Bear line is "affordable enjoyment" for the beginner, with list prices for drivers at $69.99 and an 11-piece club set listed at $199.99. Launched in 2006, the Jack Nicklaus line of clubs is targeted at the intermediate player and offers everything from adjustable technology to anodized finishes. The value-priced technology in the JN line lists drivers at $149.99 and a 10-piece set of clubs for $349.99.

The Premium line is for the avid golfer, and offers clubs for skilled players as well as mid- to higher-handicap golfers. Available at specialty golf and pro shops, the company encourages would-be buyers to be custom fit for the Premium clubs.

"We want people to get fit," said Jim Cormier, NGE director of marketing. "Every set we make is individually customized to certain specifications. That's the benefit of having a small company, and being able to produce and ship clubs quickly."

Here's a closer look at the latest in the Nicklaus Premium lineup.

Drivers

Dual Point is the general name Nicklaus has applied to its Premium drivers.

Common engineering features in the clubs include: a center of gravity that is aligned with the optimal face flex point to capitalize on the trampoline effect; a multilayered face that is thinner around the perimeter and thicker in the center to further enhance energy transfer; and strategic weighting to provide a high launch angle and help maximize clubhead release, ball velocity and stability.

The name Dual Point emanates from aligning the center of gravity with the most flexible face point.

Last year, NGE introduced the Dual Point 460 driver, and that club continues into 2008. Joining the driver family for this season are two clubs taking advantage of the latest in geometric developments: the DP Fastback 460 and the DP Drawback 460.

Both of the new drivers are at the USGA conforming limits for dimensions, overall size and spring-like effect. Somewhat triangular in shape, the geometry skews toward the hosel side of the head as progresses deep and back.

"While most geometric shaped drivers expand weight out ... to increase Moment of Inertia, we have found that too much weight in the toe area makes the club 'slice biased,'" said Long. "By eliminating the excess weight in the toe, we have found that these drivers are not only very forgiving, but are easy to square at impact."

In our test sessions, CBSSports.com golfers praised the new Nicklaus Dual Point drivers highly. The Fastback was cited especially for being exceptionally straight off the tee, and both drivers delivered suitable trajectories and long carries. Like other deep triangular drivers, the Fastback has a slightly louder sound at impact, but the driver was also rated as high as any other driver we've tested this season. One tester compared the Dual Point Fastback favorably to TaylorMade's new Tour Burner sensation.

The Fastback driver comes in lofts of 8, 9, 10.5 and 13.5 degrees. Fujikura Pro graphite shafts in a range of flexes are standard for the men's drivers, Nicklaus Pro shafts for women. Custom shafts are also available.

The offset Drawback driver is offered in lofts of 10.5 ands 13.5 degrees, with similar shaft choices.

Suggested retail prices for both Fastback and Drawback drivers range from $299.99 to $349.99, depending on choice of shaft.

Fairways and hybrids

Nicklaus Golf and its designers focused on improving a smoother swing through the turf for both its fairway woods and hybrids, which like the driver also contain Dual Point technology.

The new Claw Fairway Woods and Claw Hybrids models feature redesigned soleplates to help reduce turf drag. "Basically, we've taken the sole of the clubhead and sort of scooped out the flanks," Long said. "We've created a center runner flanked by thinner stabilizer rails that create less turf drag through impact, allowing the clubhead to stay on line more easily."

According to the company, the Claw Fairways have 26.1 percent less sole drag than "traditional" fairway clubs, while the Claw Hybrids have 42.7 percent less sold drag than "traditional" hybrids.

Both types of clubs have a wide range of lofts offered. The fairways are numbered Strong 3, 3, 5 and 7 with lofts of 13, 15, 18 and 22 degrees, along with an Offset 3 and Offset 5 with lofts of 15 and 18 degrees. The hybrids are numbered 2, 3, 4 and 5 with lofts of 18, 21, 24 and 27 degrees.

The Claw Fairways feature an extra 35 grams of weight throughout the center runner, in line with the club's center of gravity for increased launch angle. The Claw Hybrids have an extra 50 grams of weight throughout the center runner.

CBSSports.com testers rated the fairway and hybrid clubs "very satisfactory," with particular praise for "easy to get the ball airborne," "very solid" and "great trajectory."

Suggested retail prices are $179.99 each for the DP Claw Fairway, and $89.99 to $99.99 for the Claw Hybrid, depending on shaft selection.

Polarity MTR Irons

There are four models of irons in the Nicklaus Premium portfolio. The High CT cavitybacks, NPS-1 muscle/cavitybacks and individually forged JNP lines are continuing sets. The Polarity MTR irons are all new, and serve as replacements for the previous Progressive XC irons.

The Polarity MTR irons boast a very high MOI, which translates to Maximum Twist Resistance. Designer Long engineered the new irons with extreme weight distribution that goes beyond toe to heel to toe to hosel.

"This extreme polar weight distribution provides maximum twist resistance and a tighter shot dispersion," said Long.

The heads on the Polarity MTR irons are multimaterial with an extended face for added stability and urethane inserts in the rear to help dampen vibrations and enhance feel. There is progressive offset and sole width, and a low center of gravity to promote a high ball flight.

Nicklaus Golf execs assert the Polarity irons have the highest MOI among comparable cavitybacks. The Nicklaus 6-iron, for comparison, has an MOI figure of 315.7 compared to 309.1 for Nike's Slingshot 4D and 293.1 for Cobra's King Cobra S9. Clubs from Cleveland, Callaway, TaylorMade, Adams and Ping all rate lower, according to NGE.

Our CBSSports.com golfers rated the irons "satisfactory," and a consensus cited the clubs as "very solid" and "easy to get the ball airborne." More skilled players also said the irons were "workable" with a "good feel and control."

The Polarity MTR irons are available in Nos. 3-PW, along with a 51-degree gap wedge, 56-degree sand wedge and 60-degree lob wedge. Suggested retail prices for a set of eight irons are $499.99 with steel shafts and $599.99 with graphite. A Plus Set with two hybrids and six irons (5-PW) is priced at $499.99 with steel shafts and $599.99 with graphite, while a Super Set with three hybrids and five irons (6-PW) is listed at $549.99 and $649.99.

Specs for new Nicklaus Golf Equipment clubs

Dual Point Fastback 460 driver -- 460cc; lofts of 8, 9, 10.5, 13.5 degrees (left-handed in 10.5 only); enhanced heel weighting, maximum limit dimensions, high MOI (stability factor); Dual Point technology aligns center of gravity with optimal face flex for maximum trampoline effect; 10-gram weight plug positioned low and deep; multilayered face, thinner around perimeter and thicker in the center; standard 45-inch graphite shafts include Fujikura Pro 3.01 in A, R, S flexes, Fujikura Pro 3.01 TS in S, X flexes, 44-inch Nicklaus Pro 3.01 in L flex; custom shafts include UST ProForce, Adlila VS Proto, Grafalloy Pro Launch; list prices $299.99 to $349.99 depending on shaft selection.

Dual Point Drawback 460 driver -- 460 cc; lofts of 10.5, 13.5 degrees; offset hosel design, enhanced heel weighting, limit dimensions, high MOI; very similar to Fastback technology and composition, but with strategic weighting and offset to promote slice correction characteristics; same shaft offerings as Fastback; list prices $299.99 to $349.99 depending on shaft selection.

Claw Fairway woods -- Nos. Strong 3, 3, 5, 7 in lofts of 13, 15, 18, 22 degrees plus Offset 3 and Offset 5 with lofts of 15, 18 degrees (left-handed in regular 15 and 18 degrees only); Dual Point technology; multilayered faced; Claw soleplate design with larger center runner, scooped out flanks and thinner side runners; extra 35 grams of weight throughout the center runner in the sole, in line with the club's center of gravity for increased launch angle; 26.1 percent less turf drag than "traditional" fairway woods, per the company; standard graphite shafts include Fujikura 3.01 in A, R, S flexes, Pro 3.01 in S, X flexes, Nicklaus 3.01 in L flex, plus FST Pro Black Lite steel shaft in R, S flexes; list price $179.99 with graphite shaft.

Claw Hybrids -- Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5 in lofts of 18, 21, 24, 27 degrees (left-handed only in 21, 24, 27); Dual Point technology; straight topline and flat-iron like face to aid alignment; 42.7 percent less turf drag than "traditional" hybrids, per the company; extreme polar weight distribution, optimized stability; center runner in soles flanked by thinner stabilizer rails; extra 50 grams of weight throughout center runner for increased launch angle; standard graphite shafts include Precision Rifle Black in A, R, S flexes and Nicklaus Pro 3.01 in L flex, plus FST Pro Silver Lite steel shaft in R, S flexes; list prices $89.99 with steel shaft, $99.99 with graphite.

Polarity MTR irons -- Nos. 3-PW, plus 51-degree gap wedge, 56-degree sand wedge, 60-degree lob wedge; high MOI irons with extended face designs; extreme polar weighting from toe to hosel; multimaterial heads with 431 double heat-treated stainless steel body, multicavity rear with urethane inserts for vibration dampening and enhanced feel and control; low center of gravity; progressive offset from less on short irons to more on long irons; graphite shafts include Precision Rifle Black in A, R, S flexes, Nicklaus Pro 3.01 in L flex, plus FST Pro Silver Ultra Light steel (100 grams) in R, S flexes; list prices per set (3-PW) $449.99 with steel shafts, $549.99 with graphite; $56.99 steel and $69.99 graphite for GW, SW and LW wedges; Plus Set with two hybrids and six irons (5-PW) listed at $499.99 with steel shafts, $599.99 with graphite; Super Set with three hybrids and five irons (6-PW) listed at $549.99 with steel shafts, $649.99 with graphite.