| Nike Hybrid Golf Clubs are available in two | | | | |
| versions of two different models, for a total | | | | As stated, the Slingshot Tour Hybrid is for |
| of 4 product lines. These include the | | | | low handicap players. In fact Nike notes |
| Slingshot Hybrid and Slingshot Tour Hybrid, | | | | that their Tour staff requested such a model |
| the CPR3 Wood and CPR3 Iron-Wood. This | | | | be developed. Four clubs are available in |
| article will review the attributes of each of | | | | 1-4 hybrids. The shafts on the Slingshot |
| these hybrid golf clubs. | | | | Tour Hybrid are slightly heavier than on the |
| | | | Slingshot. The same options to customize |
| Slingshot Hybrid and Slingshot Tour Hybrid | | | | club length and lie angle can be chosen. |
| | | | |
| Both of these clubs have an MSRP of $199 US | | | | CPR3 Wood and CPR3 Iron-Wood |
| for either steel or graphite shafts. The | | | | |
| Slingshot Tour is targeted for low handicap | | | | These two hybrids have an MSRP of $139 with |
| golfers, and the Slingshot is for less | | | | steel shafts and $159 with graphite. The |
| skilled players. Both clubs aim to deliver a | | | | CPR3 Wood clubs have a deeper sole and have |
| center of gravity (CG) that is low and as far | | | | more of a wood bottom footprint, thus the |
| back behind the face as possible. This type | | | | name. The upper back section is cut out, and |
| of club head design is geared to making the | | | | thus again weight can be redistributed around |
| ball get up into the air easier and to be | | | | the periphery of the sole to lower the CG and |
| forgiving of off-center hits. Both clubs | | | | move it back. 2-5 hybrids are available, and |
| look like a hybrid or small fairway wood with | | | | all lofts come in left handed models. No |
| the upper back section removed. This is | | | | women's versions of this product line are |
| readily evident on the company's web site. | | | | available, nor are there any options for |
| The weight thus removed is then redistributed | | | | customization as there are with the |
| in a thick sole and a thick bar around the | | | | Slingshots. |
| back of the clubs called a Slingback bar. | | | | |
| The result of this design is to have 70% of | | | | The CPR3 Iron-Wood has a smaller footprint |
| the mass of the club head below the equator | | | | which is more like a typical hybrid club. |
| of the ball. The face plate on both clubs is | | | | This version is targeted to lower handicap |
| made of 455 stainless steel which is normal | | | | golfers and is available in 1-4 hybrids in |
| for high-end hybrid clubs like these. | | | | either steel or graphite shafts. Left handed |
| | | | clubs are available, and as with the CPR3 |
| There are 5 clubs available in the Slingshot | | | | Wood, there are no custom options for club |
| line. These are 2-6 hybrids. Perhaps it | | | | length or lie angle. |
| bears repeating that hybrid clubs are | | | | |
| designed to replace long irons that are | | | | Nike Hybrid Golf Clubs do not come with |
| difficult for most golfers to hit solidly on | | | | versions to provide a hook bias to help |
| a consistent basis. A 3 hybrid will replace | | | | golfers with a consistent slice, or |
| your 3 iron, for example. All the clubs in | | | | adjustable club head weight versions as is |
| the Slingshot product line are available for | | | | offered by Taylor Made, for example. It will |
| both left and right handed golfers. There is | | | | be interesting to see if the popularity of |
| no women's version of this model available, | | | | those design features or the demand for |
| or for any of the Nike hybrid golf clubs | | | | women's hybrids will be high enough to |
| models for that matter. Of course both steel | | | | motivate Nike to add these types of clubs to |
| and graphite shafts are available. Custom | | | | their product offerings. Nike is certainly a |
| fitting options exist for club length (-1/2" | | | | top rank golf company, however, so if one of |
| to +2" from standard) and for lie angles (-2 | | | | their models fits you properly, you will be |
| to +4 degrees from standard). One would need | | | | playing with excellent clubs. |
| to have a custom club fitting to know if he | | | | |
| needs to order any of these changes. This is | | | | Walt Ballenberger is a life-long golfer and |
| a good idea in any case for a person thinking | | | | founder of Hybrid Golf Clubs, a resource |
| of investing in a set of new golf clubs. | | | | site for golfers. |