Hot List 2009: Innovation Category Leaders: Golf Digest

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Hot List: golfdigest.com

Hot List Category Leaders: Innovation

Innovation factor (30%): In consultation with our technical panel and based on company interviews and our review of company technical documents, this grade reflects how a particular technology advances the category in all aspects, to what degree the commitment to fitting the vast majority of golfers is executed, and how that technology is explained to the public and to our editors.

Other Hot List Slideshows: Performance | Innovation | Look/Sound/Feel | Demand

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DRIVER: NIKE SQ DYMO/DYMO2 STR8-FIT

STREET PRICE: $450
WEBSITE: nikegolf.com
LOFTS: 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5, HL

TECH TALK: Dymo and Dymo2 versions allowed designers to manipulate the CG, lie angle, rear weighting and face size, but the most interesting feature is the adjustable hosel. Players can change to one of eight lie- and face-angle combinations. (Lie angle and face angle can change by 4 degrees.)

PLAYER COMMENTS: (H) "I like the ball flight, and it's long. The ball goes left, for sure."... (M) "A good-looking club at setup. It sounds a little thud-ish, but the ball went forever." ... (L) "My favorite of the square shapes."

HOT: It's easily the most interesting, effective and flexible implementation of the USGA's recently relaxed rules on club adjustability. The three weight options of the impressive UST AXIV Core shaft are unique.

NOT: The high MOI doesn't push the USGA limit as it did in last year's SQ Sumo2 5900.