Better Balance, Smoother Weight Transfer and Stronger Push Through Impact
BEAVERTON, Ore. (August 10, 2006) – The upcoming PGA Championship in Chicago, Illinois, will provide the stage for Tiger Woods to experience new traction and comfort in his feet when he debuts footwear incorporating Nike Golf’s newest footwear technology, the Nike Power Platform. Wearing footwear with this revolutionary new technology will result in better balance, smoother weight transfer and a stronger push through impact.
Those watching Woods and his feet at Medinah Country Club will get a glimpse of the Nike Power Platform in Nike Golf’s new SP-8 TW Tour, which will be available among other new Nike Golf footwear styles this fall. While each of the styles that are being introduced is distinctive from one another, there is one common and important feature throughout – Nike’s new Power Platform technology.
Tested by the owner of one of the most powerful golf swings in the world, Tiger Woods, the Nike Power Platform generates just that – power. By wear testing several early prototypes, Woods was instrumental in the development of the new technology and design.
Nike Power Platform is an outsole that comprises four vital technologies, all of which provide Total Traction with Nike Golf’s fifth generation of the Traction @ Contact technology; and Total Comfort, which is a combination of flexibility, cushioning, weight-reduction and waterproof technology. The four technologies include the Nike Power Channel; Forefoot Flex Channel; Medial (Inside) Push Plate and the Lateral (Outside) Stability Plate.
· Nike Power Channel – liberates your feet to push for more power. The Nike Power Channel technology allows the Medial Push Plate to flex independently from the rest of the outsole – this keeps the driving service of your rear foot grounded longer. Now you can push harder and exploit more energy in an aggressive, confident attack on the ball. Because of the Power Channel, the golfer gets Total Traction.
· Forefoot Flex Channel – helps the golfer flex their foot like it’s supposed to. The natural flex of the foot needed to walk the course in comfort is enhanced with Forefoot Flex Channel grooves. Regardless of terrain, your foot flexes where it’s supposed to, especially on demanding uneven ground and hilly lies. Because of the Forefoot Flex Channel, the golfer gets Total Comfort.
· Medial (Inside) Push Plate -helps the medial side (inside) of the shoe to stay on the ground longer creating more power. Green-friendly nubs are located on the medial side of the outsole penetrating into the ground, thus keeping feet on the ground longer.
· Lateral (Outside) Stability Plate -located on the lateral (outside) side of the shoe, the Lateral Stability Plate controls weight shift back and through the swing. Green-friendly nubs are located on the lateral side of the outsole preventing slippage during the rotation of the golf swing.
The new Nike Golf footwear also includes the revolutionary Nike Air Technology that provides lighter, softer and more stable comfort. Designed to control rotational movement and keep the golfer centered and stable, Nike Golf uses Champ Q-Lock Scorpion Spikes and directional resistance nubs. In the heel area of the foot, there is a Heel Plate that provides steadiness on downhill strides.
In addition to the SP 8 TW Tour being previewed at The PGA Championship, the new Nike Power Platform technology will be included in other men’s and women’s footwear launches this fall. These are the men’s SP-8 Tour Saddle (SRP $220), SP-6 and SP-6 Saddle (SRP $155), SP-5 (SRP $110) and the Air Max Dual D (SRP $125), both of which are available on 10/1, and the popular women’s SP-5 (SRP $110), which will be available in black/white-Atom Red on 10/1 and in white/metallic silver on 11/1.
The new SP-8 TW Tour and SP-6 styles being previewed at The PGA Championship include:
· Premium full-grain leather
· Full-length Poron sockliner
· 2-year limited Waterproof Warranty
· Scorpion Stinger Spikes and Q-Lock System
Other specific features include:
SP-8 TW Tour and SP-8 Tour Saddle
· SRP $220.00
· Low profile caged Air-Sole unit
· TPU T@C (traction at contact) with Power Channel outsole
· SP-8 TW Tour available on 11/1 in Black/Black and White/White
· SP-8 Tour Saddle available on 11/1 in White/Sienna
· Sizes 7-12, 13, 14 (M); sizes 7.5-12, 13 (W/EE)
SP-6 and SP-6 Saddle
· SRP $155.00
· Caged Zoom air
· Rubber T@C (traction at Contact) with Nike Power Channel outsole
· SP-6 available in White/Black on 10/1, and in Black/Gunmetal on 11/1
· SP-6 Saddle available in White/Buckskin on 10/1, and in Black/Black and White/Black on 11/1
· Sizes 7-12, 13, 14 (M); sizes 7.5-12, 13 (W/EE)
· SP-6 Black/Gunmetal and SP-6 Saddle White/Buckskin also available in size 15.
Images are available on: www.nikegolf.com/presscenter
user name: nikegolf password: forged
Located in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike Golf designs and markets golf equipment, apparel, balls, footwear, bags and accessories worldwide. Nike Golf is passionately dedicated to honoring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the absolute best equipment in the game. In 2006, Nike Golf’s PGA Tour Staff has accumulated 10 PGA Tour victories and 38 top-10 finishes, as well as one victory on the Nationwide Tour and five additional international wins. For more information on Nike Golf, visit our Web site at www.nikegolf.com. Editors and journalists in the U.S. seeking editorial information and downloadable images, visit www.nikegolf.com/presscenter. For international journalists, please contact Nike Golf’s public relations representative in respective countries for information.
Contact:
Beth Gast – Nike Golf
(503) 532-8852
Beth.Gast@nike.com
