Nike Golf rolls out its Blue Chip putters

Tom Stites is probably best known as a forged iron guru and Tiger Woods' clubmaker of choice. But he is showing off his prowess as a putter designer with the debut of Nike Golf's Blue Chip Putter line.

Available in select golf shops nationwide in April, the Blue Chip line offers three specific models: the BC101 (suggested retail price $130), the BC002 ($130) and the Oz ($155). All are designed for optimal balance and feel and to diminish skidding at impact.

The center of gravity in each club, according to Stites, is positioned deeper in the clubhead to diminish the initial skidding at impact that can force balls off line. Instead, he said, the dual-density weighting of each Blue Chip sends the ball rolling quickly off the face and on a truer line.

"I'm proud of what we've created with the Blue Chip Putters in performance, style and point of difference," said Stites, Nike Golf's Director of Product Creation, Clubs. "It may sound simple but our team set out to knock down scores and reduce putting by increasing feel and forgiveness."

The common element among the three is the Blue Chip insert on the hitting surface for which the line gets its name. This 6061-aluminum insert, according to Stites, is 65 percent lighter and 73 percent softer than steel, offering improved feel and forgiveness while redistributing weight in the heel and toe. In the case of the BC101 and the BC002, Stites said, the insert moves 16 grams of weight deeper and evenly between the heel and toe.

The unique design of the Oz, featuring lightweight aluminum in front and 66 percent of the clubhead weight in a rearward stainless steel ring, magnifies the reduction in skidding and ensures a smooth, true roll.

The Nike Blue Chip Putters all feature a paddle-style grip with a smooth front and a textured back and are available in lengths of 34 and 35 inches.