Nike new “Mod” putters, short for “modern classics,” are offered in four styles that will evoke memories of some of golf’s most memorable designs.

David Franklin, Nike’s master model maker for putters, said the inspiration for the putter line came from the automotive industry, where companies such as Dodge and Chevrolet are releasing retro-styled muscle cars with modern engines and interiors.

“They put different motors in them, we put more efficient faces [on the Mod putters],” Franklin said.

Mod-90

All four putters use Nike’s Polymetal groove technology (called Method), to offer increased moment of inertia and a better roll. Take, for example, the Mod-90, which looks much like the Bullseye-style models that were widely used on the professional tours decades ago, but are now only used by a handful of professional golfers.

The Mod-90 has the same size and shape as a traditional bullseye putter, but its Method technology moves about 30 grams of weight from the middle of the putter head to the heel and toe areas. That adds stability, making the putter play “about 10 percent larger than it is,” Franklin said.

Above: Not only do the Nike’s Method putter grooves result in a better roll, but the slot cut in their the sole (filled with polymer) saves valuable weight that is redistributed to the perimeter of the putter head for increased stability. 

Mod-00

On the other end of the spectrum is the Mod-00 putter, which has a look that is reminiscent of RAM’s Zebra putter that dates back to the 1970s. But Nike gave it a modern flair, milling out the middle of the putter to create a cavity that moves the weight low and deep in the head to add even more stability to the design.

The Mod putters also follow the modern trend of fitting golfers to putters with specific toe hangs.

The Mod-90 has a 90-degree toe hang (its toe hangs perpendicular to the ground), while the Mod-00 has a 00-degree toe hang (it’s face balanced). In between are the Mod-30, an Anser-style putter that has a 30-degree toe hang, and the Mod-60, a half-mallet with a specially design hosel to give it a 60-degree toe hang.

Mod-30

Above: The Mod-30 has a shape that is slightly more square than the company’s Method 001 putter used by Tiger Woods.

Mod-60

Each model is 100 percent milled from a block of a 303 stainless steel and has a “silver satin chrome” finish. Their mill marks are easily seen on the top of the putters, including the arced top lines, which Franklin said required a special milling process in order to create straight lines on the curved surface.

The Mod line will supplement Nike’s current line of putters, adding more models to their already wide selection of Method, Method Core Weighted and Midnight Method putters.

Each model is available in lengths of 33, 34 and 35 inches. With the exception of the Mod-00, the 33- and 34-inch models come stock with a 360-gram head and the 35-inch models have a head weight of 345 grams. The Mod 00 has a head weight that is 5 grams heavier, 365 grams in the 33- and 34-inch models and 365 grams in the 35-inch model.

Each Mod putter has two weight ports, which are not removable, but can be customized to make the putter head heavier or lighter through Nike’s custom department.

The putters will be available on Nov. 1 and will have an MSRP of $299.