SasQuatch sightings increase with new Nike irons, hybrids

Nike Golf continues its story of advanced geometry in club-making with the launch in November of new irons and hybrids that join its distinctive SQ Sumo lineup.

The new clubs complement a selection of Sumo drivers already available, including the Sumo2 (Sumo Squared).

Nike Sumo irons

First, Sumo stands for SU and MO, as in SUper MOment of Inertia. The MOI of a club is a number derived by a mathematical formula designed to measure stability. For golfers, stability relates primarily to forgiveness on off-center hits, but the MOI of a club also plays into characteristics such as trajectory and distance.

For Nike, SQ represents SasQuatch, the mythical Bigfoot creature (actually spelled Sasquatch).

"We have taken the premise of geometry that we started with the original Nike SQ driver and are evolving it across our club line," said Tom Stites, Nike's director of club creation.

The new SQ Sumo irons join a company irons portfolio that also include forged blades for the most skilled players, CCi forged and cast irons for low- to mid-handicap golfers, the oversized Slingshot OSS set and the new Slingshot 4D series.

The new hybrids come in two models: Sumo, which is more traditional in shape; and Sumo2, which like the driver has a square head.

To fill out the set for golfers, Nike offers a series of SasQuatch 2 fairway woods.

The use of Nike's SQ clubs on tour is growing as the line grows. Pros listed on Team SasQuatch include Tiger Woods, Paul Azinger, Chad Campbell, K.J. Choi, Stewart Cink, Trevor Immelman, Justin Leonard, Carl Petterson and Rory Sabbatini.

Here's a selected look at Nike's new golf products shipping in early November.

SQ Sumo irons

Geared for golfers seeking the most help in game improvement clubs, Nike's new SQ Sumo irons are packed with technological developments.

First, the irons feature Nike's trademark PowerBow weighting system that helps create a high Moment of Inertia by repositioning weight low and deep to enhance stability. Also, the cavityback irons feature a long blade length and a wide sole, to help players lift the ball solidly and cleanly.