Hello, my name is Patrick and I’m a golf snob. Yes, as sad as it is to admit, I have a tendency to view golf products not made by mainstream manufactures with utter apathy. I know what you’re thinking, Tiger plays Nike clubs – and you’re right. But that doesn’t change the fact that I’ve never seriously considered stocking my bag with any of them. Golf shirts, yes. Golf clubs, no. So when Nike Golf contacted Gear Patrol about their new SQ DYMO STR8-FIT driver I saw my opportunity to finally overcome my bias. Immersion therapy.
“The guy next to me had a fairly pronounced hook, so I offered him the SQ DYMO STR8-FIT. A few striped drives later and I’d attracted a crowd.”
I had my first breakthrough at the driving range. After hitting a few dozen balls, I knew that this club had the requisite moxie and bad-assery (that’s a technical term) to hold its own against my driver or any other on the market, for that mater. Then, in true Gear Patrol fashion, I gave it away. The guy next to me had a fairly pronounced hook, so I offered him the Nike SQ DYMO STR8-FIT. A few striped drives later and I’d attracted a crowd. With wrench in hand I made a full lap around the range. Changing the head set-up was so easy (see our video below) with the included wrench, that each tester was ready to rumble in seconds. When it was over I managed to find enough people that all 8 club head setting were used (read: they’d play them during a real round) and I had established myself as everyone’s best friend.
Nike even offers a tutorial to help you select the best setting for your game (read: to shape or to correct your shot). However, I’d recommend some real world testing just to make sure. A note on the wrench: it’s very easy to use, stores in the head cover, and offers audio and visual cues when the head is tight, which you can see in the video below. Very cool, very cool indeed.
As for the club itself, the SQ DYMO STR8-FIT has a 460cc head with ridiculous MOI (Moment of Inertia) and a 45.75″ UST Proforce AXIV Core shaft equipped with the STR8-FIT shaft adapter and hosel system, also seen in the video. Nike even designed a 360° universal grip that’s usable in all 8 positions. The sound at impact is improved over its predecessors but still has a bit of a hollow ring. It took me a few holes to get used to it, especially when trying to judge how far the ball went. I was consistently amazed at how much father I hit this club than my TaylorMade r7. Bring on the par 5’s.
After my time with the SQ DYMO STR8-FIT, I must admit that it really suited my eye and felt great in my hands. Once I had found a comfortable setting (#3 for me), I was confident to step on the tee and let one fly. I’ve long given up on hitting a consistent draw with my driver, and after the nicely controlled fades I hit with the SQ DYMO STR8-FIT, I may never try again.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Eric’s note on the lead picture. I won’t go into specifics, but the round I played with the SQ DYMO STR8-FIT was effortless. It’s been a long time (read: never) since I spent an entire round in the center of the fairway with scoring irons in hand. Even I couldn’t screw it up from there.
