Nike One Ball In High Demand

Less than one week after the introduction of Nike Golf's new premium golf ball, the Nike One, some unusual examples of the high demand for the first three-cover ball have already sprung up.

Tiger Woods debuted the first three-cover technology ball on Tour last week at the U.S. Open in Olympia Fields, Ill. By the opening round of the event, talk of the ball's complete performance capabilities - long off the tee, control through the wind, great feel around the green - had already started circulating.

By Tuesday morning of this week, Nike Golf learned that the 50 dozen Nike One TW balls, slightly different from the Nike One, that Tiger Woods used on the practice range at Olympia Fields had reportedly disappeared. The 50 dozen Nike One TW balls, with a slightly softer cover to enhance Wood's creative short game and a slightly higher spin rate than the Nike One, were to be shipped ahead to Rye, NY for this week's Buick Classic. The balls never reached their final destination and Nike Golf over-nighted 25 dozen for Woods to use on the practice range.

Meanwhile, the Nike One has appeared on eBay before retail availability, selling as high as $25 for a single ball...quite a mark-up for a ball with a suggested retail price of $57 per dozen.

The Nike One and the Nike One TW will be available at golf shops and golf specialty stores in limited quantities beginning this week.

June 18, 2003