Nike Drone Putter Review!

[Eck42]

NIKE Method Drone Putter

 

Pros: Mallet design putter that can’t help but have a high MOI! Nike’s latest putter is filled with the latest technology including the polymer groove faced and red aluminum face insert. The putter has all ready been tour validated with two wins by Nike Staff player Suzann Pettersen.

 

Cons: Traditionalists will certainly shy away from the Drone-maybe even some mallet users will be scared away. The design and shape might be one that some might refuse to even try. Even compared to other mallets, the Drone appears to be quite wide.

 

Bottom Line: The putter might look like (insert your name here) but this new putter might be what you are looking for to get the ball in the hole. If you try it and are able to get past the look, just like Suzann Pettersen, you will have a “new best friend from Nike.”

 

REVIEW

 

Nike Golf says, “What you get with the Drone is a putter that combines soft polymer and milled steel grooves to generate faster, more controlled forward roll at impact. What you won’t get is backspin that causes skidding and hopping. The less putts hop, the more putts drop.”

 

Looks: My initial reaction when first looking at the Drone Putter was “”Wow,” this putter is out of the ordinary, even for a mallet. The back of the putter could be best described as having wings. My thinking is other players are going to describe this as a spaceship or something similar.

 

However, after the initial look, I put the putter at address and thought it looked like a combination of a blade connected to a mallet. The single sight line makes the putter seem quiet-in the sense that it does look busy at address (with the exception of the “wings” on back). The look at address especially on putts less than seven feet, instills confidence. I attributed this to the single sight line and blade look. I literally felt I could slam the ball in the hole with complete confidence. It was a good feeling to have during a round, especially if you begin to think you have a “must make.”

 

The putter is also nice in that there is very little, if any glare from the sun. The top of the putter is such that the glare is minimized.

 

One issue I have is that I am not a fan of the red colored insert (nothing to do with the insert, just the color) but the positive is that you do not see the insert at address, etc…

 

Performance / Playability: In testing the Drone for performance / playability I used it with other mallets and a blade. I used the Drone along with the TM Spider Vicino, Odyssey D.A.R.T, Odyssey 2-Ball Blade, and the Ping Anser 2. All the putters I played were 33in, with the exception of the D.A.R.T (34in). I was trying for the best possible review of the Drone versus other putters.

 

The first thing I noticed is the grip is a little bigger (thicker for lack of a better term) than the Spider. For myself I like the Spider grip, but the Drone grip is fine, nothing that would not turn me away, as it is the same as the other putters I played. Plus if it was a big issue it could just be changed. Playing in warm weather the grip was no problem as far as my hands slipping or unable to grip.

 

As stated above I found the Drone to be outstanding on shorter putts. With the seemingly blade/mallet combo (just my thought on the look) and the single sight line once the putter was aligned the ball could easily be slammed in the hole!

 

The one issue I had with the Drone was longer (lag) putting. I felt as though I really had to give it (as compared to the other putters) a little extra to get the ball going across the green. In all honesty the Spider and D.A.R.T seemed less effortless to me. Obviously, others would have different thoughts.

 

Feel: The feel of the Drone was my main issue. To me, it had a “hollow” sound and compared to other putters I thought it was very distinct. It seemed to have a louder than normal sound when striking the ball. I thought compared to other putters, the Drone had a good feel, but not as soft as some other putters-most notably the Odyssey D.A.R.T and 2-Ball. It depends what you like-it is not as though the Drone is a rock. It just did not have the “overall” feel I was hoping for. If you like a “soft feel” at impact there are putters that will have more of a soft feel (in my opinion) than the Drone. However, in my test with the Drone, the sound @ impact was more of an issue than the soft feel.

 

Overall Bottom Line: The Drone is surely worth a try / look. It seems mallet putters continue to have outlandish designs. Once you get past the “look” you will find Nike has a nice putter with the Drone. If mallet putters are what you like, once the Drone is given a chance you just might keep it in your bag. It can certainly instill confidence getting the ball in the hole!

 

 

[spoonhead]

I tried it out at the local Golftown, they had it as a belly and the normal lengths.
It putts really nice, very reminiscent of the Spider, I put 6 in a row in from 15 feet; don't do that too often.
If I wasn't putting so well right now I would serioiusly think about it.

[johnnythunders]

I tied it and it was accurate but had that funny "hollow" feel. I picked up the Method 002 and hit everything, Nice feel, I might have to get that one.

[wheeler]

Cool, thanks for the review! Looks like a spaceship...definitely different, but if it works, who am I to knock it!

[Fozcycle]

I picked it up at Edwin Watts this week at a significant discount, and used it yesterday. I like the alignment and the fact that it eliminates most glare. However, I have been putting with a 360 grm Slotline SSi 693 mid mallet and found the Drone to be very light. As such, I left quite a few putts way short. I am sure that once I have developed the proper feel, I will be draining them into the jar.

[jeffsbarnes]

Thx Fozcycle... Wouldn't expect it to be light with that head in it. Good to know

[Fozcycle]

Just thought I would drop back in for an update. I gamed the Drone for 1 1/2 years, then followed it up with a Ping Ketsch(6 mos.), followed up this Fall with a blade, Bellum Winmore 707. I liked the BW, but I was missing most putts just a hair left or right, always seemed to run over the edge of the cup. That said, I am now back with the Nike Method Drone. I used it last sunday and found that not only can I drain them from under 8' I can also lag to just beside the cup on 30 footers! The touch is still there, so the Drone( I call it Thor) is back in the bag.

 

Now I'll have to send the worn out head cover to Ace of Clubs Golf for a custom made cover leather headcover. www.aceofclubsgolf.com They are located inSeattle, WA which is a long way from Tampa, FL but the craftmanship is worth it.