Equipment: Nike Method Origin as used by Rory and Charl
With four wins already in the hands of Rory McIlroy and Charl Schwartzel, the new Nike Method Origin putter almost needs no introduction.
Nike set out to create a classic-looking blade putter but wanted to incorporate their RZN technology which we have seen in their golf clubs and balls.
With the new putter, the RZN material forms a layer between the face and the back of the putter which gives more consistency to off-centre hits.
“The more off-centre the hit, the more the RZN compresses and the more energy is returned to the ball. The response is similar to our Compression Channel and improves consistency across the face,” said David Franklin, Nike Golf Master Modelmaker.
The putter was first put into play by McIlroy at the PGA Tour Championship last Autumn but since then the Nike team have refined the grooves on the face.
They reengineered the polymetal groove technology to offer full-length grooves that are linear from heel to toe. This is designed to provide a more consistent, efficient and faster forward roll.
The roll was perfect and I felt like the contact was so much softer than my previous putter” – Rory McIlroy The new face features twice the number of grooves of previous Method putters. More grooves means increased friction and traction on the golf ball, creating earlier forward roll and a smoother, softer feel at impact.
“I love the new grooves,” McIlroy said. “The roll was perfect and I felt like the contact was so much softer than my previous putter; it got the ball rolling so much quicker.”
Available in two models, the B1-01 and B2-01, the Method Origin putter is in the bag of McIlroy (B2-01), Schwartzel (B1-01), Russell Henley (B2-01), Scott Pinckney (B1-01), Ryan Ruffels (B1-01), Nick Watney (B2-01), Lucas Bjerregaard (B1-01) and Ross Fisher (B2-01).
Available: April 15, 2016
SRP: TBC
More at Nike.com
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.