Nike Testing New Irons

Nike Golf have begun field-testing their prototype irons in practice rounds and on the range with American PGA Tour professionals.

The new clubs come in two models - a forged half cavity and a forged full cavity - and Kel Devlin, Nike Golf's director of sports marketing, said: "We have been working on this for 12 months. We are in the stage of feel and touching things.

"Every other product at Nike starts with the best players in the world for their opinions. We have no set timetable to introduce the irons. If we think they're ready, and if Tour players think they're ready, then we will determine when to introduce the irons.

"We own the design and the intellectual property which is consistent with everything that Nike does. We have worked with people over 25 years when it comes to sourcing and we don't reveal those relationships.''

When asked if Tiger Woods, who is currently contracted to play Titleist clubs on a per-event fee basis, has tried the irons, Devlin added: "Tiger is aware of what we are doing. But we don't want Tiger to change anything. With what he has accomplished this year, how could anyone ask him that?''

Apart from the Tour Accuracy ball, with which he won the US Open, Open and USPGA last summer, Woods is also under contract with Nike for apparel, hat, shoes and gloves.