Equipment Review: Nicklaus Premium Golf Equipment
DualPoint ML3 Driver, Polarity Hybrid
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

Jack Nicklaus is the most revered name in all of golf. He’s the game’s greatest champion. So, when Jack lends his name to a product, it had better reflect that superior quality. Few golf greats have been able to transfer their success on the fairways and greens to other golf ventures, in particular the golf club industry. But with Nicklaus Premium Golf Equipment, the top line from Nicklaus Golf Equipment, Jack scores an ace.

This month, we review two of the best offerings from Nicklaus Golf: the DualPoint ML3 Driver; and the Polarity Hybrid. Both are among the very top in their class.

DualPoint ML3 Driver

One of the largest 460cc drivers on the market, the DualPoint ML3 Driver isn’t just about quantity: this is a quality driver with some of the very best technology offered in today’s high-tech clubs. In recent times, we reviewed the Fastback Driver, a behemoth big dog; and the original DualPoint Driver with a more traditional pear-shaped head but providing just as much bite as the Fastback.

Make room for the DualPoint ML3 – the longest and most accurate of the trio. Now, as a low-handicap golfer, I don’t always warm up to an oversized driver when I first grip it and rip it, but kudos to Nicklaus Golf for creating this driver: the DualPoint ML3 had me in its grip right away thanks to its length and ease of use. Despite its over-sized head, I was actually able to work the ball with ease – not always an easy feat with today’s large driver heads.

The DualPoint ML3 is super long with a mid to high trajectory, but again, thanks to Nicklaus technology, the ball doesn’t balloon as it does with some oversized drivers. The secret lies with the new multi-layered face. Hot face technology sees a thin upper heel and toe face, with an expanded hot flexible area all resulting from use of what Nicklaus Golf calls an “elliptical multilayered system.” A greater sweet spot and improved ball velocity are the end results. The new three-level face enhances the hitting area with a trampoline effect. After a lengthy test session at the range, I concur: this driver is crazy long and outstanding in the accuracy department, too.

I tested a 9.5° loft with stiff Fujikura SG Pro 4.01 shaft – a perfect marriage of technology. Shaft options of 8.5°, 10.5° and 13.5° (RH), plus 10.5° (LH) and three offset models are also available. There are custom shaft options, too.

The DualPoint ML3 – benefiting from DualPoint technology which sees its CG aligned with an optimal face flex point for maximum trampoline effect – also benefits from enhanced back weighting. What more can I say about this club? It is the best driver from Nicklaus Golf which we at London Ontario Golf have ever tested.

The DualPoint ML3 sells for about $300 US, and in our opinion is one of the top driver offerings of its class in 2009.

Polarity Hybrid

I’m starting to fall in love with the Nicklaus fairway fare, namely the Claw Fairway Wood, one of the very best to ever find room in my bag. Nicklaus Golf has a new hybrid club for ’09 – the Polarity Hybrid – which is also turning heads.

Following in the footsteps of the Claw Hybrid, the Polarity Hybrid uses a patented Extreme Polar Weight System for an extremely high MOI for shotmaking stability. A minimal offset (I like this feature) and flat, iron-like face make this hybrid unique. Alignment is a cinch, and you really feel like you are hitting an iron when you address the ball, thanks to these aesthetics: an iron look with all the forgiveness of a hybrid club. There are 50 g of extra weight low and deep in the head, too, for an increased launch angle. Multi-layered face construction provides plenty of punch.

I tested the 21° 3-hybrid with stiff Precision Rifle graphite shaft. There are 2-, 4-, 5- and 6-hybrid clubs too with 18°, 24°, 27° and 30° lofts respectively. And there are custom shaft options, including a steel shaft option.

The Polarity Hybrid really benefits from perfect balance via extreme polar weight. The result is straighter, more accurate shots from a variety of lies. I tested this club from the tee, fairway and rough and it produced time after time. Two thumbs up for a great little hybrid club from Nicklaus Golf.

The Polarity Hybrid sells for about $120 US – a steal in our books.

For more information on all of the 2009 offerings from Nicklaus Golf, visit www.nicklausgolf.com.