Nicklaus Golf Balls Introduces Subscription Service

Ever jumped out of your car at the golf course and realized you're ball-less?  Your only option is to pay pro shop (read: "pro-foundly expensive") prices because you forgot to hit the discount golf center before your round.  Now there's a solution: Nicklaus Golf Balls has launched an industry-first subscription service that provides registered online customers a quantity discount on one dozen golf balls per month, while providing an applicable donation to children’s charities.

Showcasing a special rate of $5 off standard pricing, this new service offered on www.nicklaus.com includes free shipping and handling. It’s a perfect way for players to effortlessly  make sure their personal stock of premium Nicklaus Golf Balls never runs low or out. This subscription model also continues the commitment of the Nicklaus Companies to make a minimum donation of $1 each to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation (NCHCF) for every dozen sold through nicklaus.com. When FedEx delivery services are used, another $1 is donated to St. Jude.

During the online checkout process, shoppers are offered the opportunity to make their own voluntary charitable contribution.  Quite notably, to date nearly 80 percent have chosen this option.

“We wanted to make it easy for our devoted customers to receive product year-round, without having to visit the website or pro shop every time they needed golf balls,” said Howard Milstein, Co-Chairman of the Nicklaus Companies. “By simplifying the process, we’ve introduced yet another innovation alongside our unique commitment to offering the highest quality golf balls at unmatched prices and helping to support pediatric charities.”

Launched last fall, Nicklaus Golf Balls are engineered for players with a variety of swing speeds. They are offered in three models—Nicklaus Black, Blue and White—so golfers choose their ball according to the color of the tee markers from which they hit.

Based on the premise that swing speeds can be accurately estimated by knowing the tees golfers regularly use, each model was designed to positively impact players who swing within specific ranges. The color-coding makes choosing the correct ball easy, simplifying the ball-selection process while reducing both scores and pace of play.

“All you need to know is the tee you hit from,” Milstein added.

Nicklaus worked closely with experts in materials, technology, engineering, design and manufacturing to develop these made-in-the-USA products. Nicklaus Golf Balls are exclusively sold at nicklaus.com and pro shops at the more than 200 domestic Nicklaus Design courses. This saves players money by reducing costs built into products sold through traditional retail channels. As a result, the premium line is attractively priced at $28 to $32 per dozen, and generates greater charity donations.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Nicklaus Golf Balls Pass My Test

Confused about golf balls?  Do you play a Pro V1 because it's the market leader?  Bridgestone because Freddie Couples is your hero?  Top Flite because they're a dime a dozen or something?  Why not play a ball that's actually going to perform according to your swing speed and fit your game?  Gee, what a concept!

You don't have to make an appointment with a launch monitor to do it, either. Just choose the appropriate ball from the new Jack Nicklaus models based on the tees you usually (or should) play. The Nicklaus White ball is designed for golfers who typically tee off from the forward or white tees; Blue is for those who prefer the middle or blue tees; and Black is for lower-handicap golfers who might use the back or black tees.

www.nicklaus.com

“By simply knowing the tees golfers play, we can estimate swing speed ranges,” says Nicklaus, winner of more than 120 professional tournaments, including a record 18 majors and 73 PGA TOUR events.  “So, we conceived the balls based on each golfer’s unique ability, be it an everyday player or professional, to score better and enjoy the game even more. All you need to know is the tee you play from.”

The Nicklaus White is for players who swing under 90 mpg (that's most of us, in case you didn't know), Blue for 90-105 mph better players (are you really in the top 10%?), and Black for guys who really do hit their drives 280 yards without a tail wind and three-story down-sloping fairway.

Does it really make a difference?  I put all three models to the test recently in an unscientific but fair trial.  My driver swing speed (91 mph) is right on the line between white and blue. I played each ball for six holes on three different courses--Salem CC, Pelham CC, and Whippoorwill CC--on three successive days.  I played from my usual tees at each, which were:

Salem CC  White tees  6,486 yards  par 72  72.1 rating  137 slope
Pelham CC  Blue tees  6,388 yards  par 70  72.2 rating  138 slope
Whippoorwill CC  White Tees  6,327 yards  par 71  71.4 rating  142 slope 

FYI, I shot my handicap or better on two of the three rounds (Pelham and Whippoorwill) and was over by three shots at Salem so the overall performance was pretty standard for me.

The ball that performed best over the three rounds was the one the literature would suggest for my swing: Nicklaus White.  On the 18 holes I played it, I scored a stroke better than my handicap.  The other two were slightly higher, with Blue at two strokes over and Black one over.  It's not exactly a FDA-human-trial-quality experiment, but it's good enough for me.

Generally speaking, I couldn't feel much difference off the driver face between the White and the Blue but the Black really "clicked" and probably gave me a couple more yards off the tee.  Where the White performed best was with my irons and around the green.  I felt it compress more often with a full swing and it seemed to hold the greens better.  That would make sense given my swing speed.

In addition to easy selection and an easy-on-the-pocketbook price, the Nicklaus Golf Balls carry another big advantage: every sale supports the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and St. Jude's.  Available exclusively at www.nicklaus.com and through pro shops at the more than 200 Nicklaus Design courses in the U.S., a percentage of the sales price is donated to the charities.  Consumers using nicklaus.com to purchase balls at essentially a wholesale price also receive free shipping.  If via FedEx delivery services, an additional donation is made to St. Jude.

Online sales save golfers money because distribution costs typically built into product sold through traditional retail channels have been reduced.  This allows Nicklaus Golf Balls to be priced attractively at $28 to $32 per dozen and generate greater charity donations. Visitors to nicklaus.com can also make voluntary contributions; to date, nearly 80 percent of consumers have opted to make a donation.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Charities Benefit from New Nicklaus Golf Balls

The Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital get a boost every time someone buys the new Nicklaus Golf Balls, which were designed, tested and perfected under the active supervision of the legendary Jack Nicklaus.

Available exclusively at www.nicklaus.com and through pro shops at the more than 200 Nicklaus Design courses in the U.S., a percentage of the sales price is donated to the charities.  Consumers using nicklaus.com to purchase balls at essentially a wholesale price also receive free shipping.  If via FedEx delivery services, an additional donation is made to St. Jude.

Available in three specially-designed models, each golf ball accommodates a specific player type.  A color-coding system makes the selection process extremely easy.  The Nicklaus White ball is designed for golfers who typically tee off from the forward or white tees; Blue is for those who prefer the middle or blue tees; and Black is for lower-handicap golfers who might use the back or black tees.

“By simply knowing the tees golfers play, we can estimate swing speed ranges,” says Nicklaus, winner of more than 120 professional tournaments, including a record 18 majors and 73 PGA TOUR events.  “So, we conceived the balls based on each golfer’s unique ability, be it an everyday player or professional, to score better and enjoy the game even more. All you need to know is the tee you play from.”

The Nicklaus team assembled experts in materials, technology, engineering, design and manufacturing to develop the product.  Launched roughly seven months ago, the high-performance, made-in-the-USA Nicklaus Golf Balls have already won media-bestowed awards for providing golfers with exceptional control, feel, spin and distance.

Online sales save golfers money because distribution costs typically built into product sold through traditional retail channels have been reduced.  This allows Nicklaus Golf Balls to be priced attractively at $28 to $32 per dozen and generate greater charity donations. Visitors to nicklaus.com can also make voluntary contributions; to date, nearly 80 percent of consumers have opted to make a donation.

“We wanted to reduce consumer confusion associated with selecting a ball, create high-quality options for all players, and give back to those in need in the process,” says Howard P. Milstein, Co-Chairman of Nicklaus Companies.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

New Golf Ball Will Catch Your Eye

As you might expect from the title of my recent book, Weird Golf, I get a kick out of some of the more unusual facets of the game.  Especially equipment.  That's why a new golf ball line caught my eye--literally.

It's the Vision Golf Ball, a line of dimpled pills that absorb UV rays from the sun, making them brighter and therefore easier to see.  That means you can more accurately follow the ball's flight and, heaven forbid, perhaps find it a little more readily in the tall fescue.  In fact, it even glows in the dark so you can squeeze in those last few holes after the sun goes down with less fear (at least of losing your ball).

The company also claims that the hi-tech, soft cover material on this ball is extremely slick, thereby creating less drag in flight and greater overall distance.  Good thing it's easier to find!

The company says they will be USGA-conforming, but I haven't seen the latest list so I can't attest to that. Vision Golf was founded eight years ago by the well known Australian father and son pairing of Bill and Wayne Bosley, who have 80+ years of combined International golf industry work experience plus extensive international top-level amateur play.

The balls and other Vision products are distributed in the US by Eat Sleep Golf. If you'd like to try them out (and help fund their US expansion), go to www.indiegogo.com/projects/vision-golf-balls.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Jack Nicklaus Introduces Golf Ball Line

Jack Nicklaus will introduce a new line of golf balls with a double mission: simplifying the game and giving to charity. The winner of 18 major championships says the balls will accommodate three skill levels of player through a color-code system designed to match the traditional tees from which they play. The three golf balls--Nicklaus Black, Nicklaus Blue, and Nicklaus White--will be available online and in golf pro shops and other retailers.

The balls are going into production this month and will begin shipping in November. In addition to online sales, they will be sold at the more than 200 Nicklaus Design courses nationwide. A percentage from every golf ball sold in those shops will be donated directly back to the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation to support pediatric programs and hospitals nationwide, while visitors to Nicklaus.com will have the ability to support the Foundation with voluntary contributions.

"We all know that the game of golf can be challenging enough, so we are trying to simplify the decision-making process of selecting the right golf ball and at the same time provide consumers the highest-quality golf balls and at a price that encourages charitable support," Jack Nicklaus said. "By buying these balls, players will get the added benefit of supporting these wonderful charities that help children in need as well as the families that dearly love them.

"The idea of creating three balls corresponds to the teeing areas golfers typically play. The Nicklaus White ball is designed for the players who might typically play the forward or white tees.  Nicklaus Blue is designed for players who would typically play the middle or blue tees.  And, finally, Nicklaus Black is designed for the single-digit or better golfer who generally plays from the back tees."

The introduction of a Nicklaus-designed and branded golf ball is the latest venture since Nicklaus partnered with Howard Milstein in 2007 to help further the growth of the company and to realize the full potential of the brands and branded businesses. Howard Milstein is Chairman and CEO of New York Private Bank & Trust, and is actively involved in the Nicklaus Companies as Co-Chairman along with Jack.

Nicklaus added, "For more than three years, we have contemplated entering the golf ball business, so over that time, I have been researching and testing golf balls. There are a lot of very good balls on the market, but I was not able to find a ball that fully met my expectations and hopes-not just for me or other professionals, but more important, for the everyday golfer. So I simply decided not to enter the business until I found that ball. Well, I found that ball. Actually, I found three.

"These golf balls are designed for every level of play, from the everyday or recreational golfer-be it men, women, children, or seniors-to the tour professional. No matter the age or ability, there is a golf ball to fit your game. Our strategy is based on a simple principle: skill level is an extremely important factor when selecting the right golf ball. From the tees you play, we know your swing speed; this is paramount when choosing a golf ball. But no matter the percentage of players who know their swing speed, 100 percent of them know the tees they play."

Over the decades spent fashioning his record-setting career-one that includes a record 18 professional major championships, 120 professional victories worldwide, including 73 on the PGA Tour, as well as four captaincies of The Presidents Cup-Jack has exhibited a passion for introducing and growing the game worldwide. Jack has been a Trustee and national co-chair for The First Tee, and this year he launched an initiative with SNAG (Starting New At Golf) called the Jack Nicklaus Learning Leagues, which gives children ages 5 through 12 the opportunity to be introduced to the game at parks and recreation facilities nationwide. Jack was also a "Global Ambassador" for the game's unified campaign to have golf returned to the Olympic Games. In July, Jack received the Ambassador of Golf Award, presented annually to a person who fosters the ideals of the game on an international level and whose concern for others extends beyond the golf course.

With accessibility and growth of the game paramount, the online model will save golfers money by reducing hidden distribution costs typically built into golf balls sold through traditional retail channels. For example, Nicklaus Black will sell in pro shops for $50 a dozen, but while that is the recommended price when sold through Nicklaus.com, visitors to the site will pay $32, plus a voluntary contribution of up to $20 for those who can afford a donation. Nicklaus Blue and Nicklaus White are priced somewhat lower at $46 in pro shops, but on Nicklaus.com, visitors only pay $28 a dozen plus the optional contribution. This distribution approach lets people buy the highest quality balls in a way that encourages them to support the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, which champions the health, safety and well-being of children nationwide. During a month-long pre-order period, customers can order the ball for discounted introductory prices of $30 (Nicklaus Black) and $26 (Nicklaus Blue and Nicklaus White).

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf