Nike Golf and Rory McIlroy debut new Engage wedges
With three sole grinds made from the hands of Master Craftsman Mike Taylor, the new Nike Golf Engage wedges are the newest solution aiming to help athletes such as current World Number 1, Rory McIlroy both score and escape adverse conditions on the course.
Nike Golf say that the name Engage comes from the three important interactions between the golf club, the turf, the club face, the golf ball and the connection between the athlete and his or her equipment.
McIlroy debuted the wedges today at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, putting a Nike Engage 59-degree wedge to good use during his round.
“To me, they perform really well from the rough around the greens,” McIlroy said. “The ball seems to consistently get up easier and land softer.”
Nike engineers have followed a similar design that to that of the Nike Vapor family of clubs, utilising Nike’s Modern Muscle technology. Modern Muscle shifts the centre of gravity to promote stability and consistent turf interaction in even the worst of playing conditions.
To me, they perform really well from the rough around the greens
McIlroy was one of the Nike athletes who tested the new wedge design and provided valuable feedback to Taylor and the Nike club team during the product development process.
Based on athlete feedback and testing, the Engage wedges will all feature a raw finish instead of chrome plating. The finish aims to reduce glare as well as increase surface roughness to improve ball spin and control.
The Square Sole has been designed to be played with a squared-up club face while the Dual Sole offers two distinctive surfaces for a wide range of shots. The Dual Sole is inspired by grinds used by Tiger Woods and McIlroy.
The second-generation Toe Sweep with its wide toe and narrow heel width allow the club to be laid open at address and stay open through impact in even the deepest of grass.
The Nike Engage wedges are precision milled with X3X grooves to deliver maximum spin on full shots. The grooves have more volume and sharper edges to help deliver a more consistent shot in any condition as well as a more consistent ball flight.
The precision milling process that makes the X3X grooves is offered for the first time with the Engage Wedges.
These wedges will be available in three distinct sole grinds: Toe Dual Sole, Square Sole and Toe Sweep.
Nike Engage Wedge Specifications
Square Sole (RH): 50°/11°, 52°/11°, 54°/9°, 56°/9°, 58°/9°, 60°/9°
Square Sole (LH): 52°/11°, 56°/9°
Toe Sweep (RH): 54°/9°, 56°/9°, 58°/9°, 60°/9°
Dual Sole (RH): 58°/13°, 60°/13°
Dual Sole (LH): 60°/13°
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400
Grip: Golf Pride Tour velvet, black
The Nike Engage Wedges will be available in April.
SRP: £99.99
