Three golf balls—Nicklaus Black, Nicklaus Blue and Nicklaus White—will be marketed for players of three skill levels. The balls, which are going into production in October and will begin shipping in November, will initially be sold online and through over 200 Nicklaus Design courses nationwide, with a portion of sales going to the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation.
The Nicklaus Companies has announced that is introducing a line of golf balls design to support an emphasis on simplifying the game, as well as giving back through charitable donations. Theree golf balls—Nicklaus Black, Nicklaus Blue, and Nicklaus White—are being introduced to accommodate three player skill levels and the traditional tees from which they typically play.
The balls, which are going into production this month and will begin shipping in November, will initially be sold online at www.nicklaus.com and through golf/pro shops at the more than 200 Nicklaus Design courses nationwide.
A percentage from every golf ball sold in those shops will be donated directly back to the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation to support pediatric programs and hospitals nationwide, while visitors to Nicklaus.com will have the ability to support the Foundation with voluntary contributions.
“We all know that the game of golf can be challenging enough, so we are trying to simplify the decision-making process of selecting the right golf ball and at the same time provide consumers the highest-quality golf balls and at a price that encourages charitable support,” Jack Nicklaus said. “By buying these balls, players will get the added benefit of supporting these wonderful charities that help children in need as well as the families that dearly love them.”
The online sales model will save golfers money by reducing hidden distribution costs typically built into golf balls sold through traditional retail channels, the company said. This distribution approach lets people buy the highest quality balls in a way that encourages them to support the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, which champions the health, safety and well-being of children nationwide.
For example, Nicklaus Black will sell in pro shops for $50 a dozen, but while that is the recommended price when sold through Nicklaus.com, visitors to the site will pay $32 a dozen, plus a voluntary contribution of up to $20 for those who can afford a donation.
Nicklaus Blue and Nicklaus White are being priced somewhat lower, at $46 a dozen in pro shops, but on Nicklaus.com, visitors will only pay $28 a dozen, plus the optional contribution.
And during a month-long pre-order period, the company said, online customers will be able to order a dozen balls for discounted introductory prices of $30 (Nicklaus Black) and $26 (Nicklaus Blue and Nicklaus White).
“The idea of creating three balls corresponds to the teeing areas golfers typically play,” Jack Nicklaus noted. “The Nicklaus White ball is designed for the players who might typically play the forward or white tees. Nicklaus Blue is designed for players who would typically play the middle or blue tees. And, finally, Nicklaus Black is designed for the single-digit or better golfer who generally plays from the back tees.”
“For more than three years, we have contemplated entering the golf ball business, so over that time, I have been researching and testing golf balls,” he continued. “There are a lot of very good balls on the market, but I was not able to find a ball that fully met my expectations and hopes-not just for me or other professionals, but more importantly, for the everyday golfer. So I simply decided not to enter the business until I found that ball. Well, I found that ball—actually, I found three.
“These golf balls are designed for every level of play, from the everyday or recreational golfer—be it men, women, children, or seniors—to the tour professional,” Nicklaus added. “No matter the age or ability, there is a golf ball to fit your game.
“Our strategy is based on a simple principle: Skill level is an extremely important factor when selecting the right golf ball,” he explained. “From the tees you play, we know your swing speed; this is paramount when choosing a golf ball. But no matter the percentage of players who know their swing speed, 100 percent of them know the tees they play.”
The introduction of a Nicklaus-designed and branded golf ball is the latest venture for the Nicklaus Companies since Jack Nicklaus partnered with Howard Milstein in 2007 to help further the growth of the company and to realize the full potential of the brands and branded businesses. Howard Milstein, Chairman and CEO of New York Private Bank & Trust, is actively involved in the Nicklaus Companies as Co-Chairman along with Jack Nicklaus.
“The beauty of these balls is they solve the golfers’ dilemma of which ball to play,” Milstein said.-“All you need to know is the tee you play from-and no matter what your skill level, you know we’ve designed the highest quality golf ball best suited to your game.”
“My partner, Howard, who is a well-known philanthropist, emphasized from the start that if our company entered the golf ball business, it was going to be with a philanthropic vision,” said Nicklaus, who along with his wife Barbara, established the Foundation in 2004. “Specifically, he wanted to make as a priority the ability to raise funds for the Foundation through sales of the golf ball. Profit was secondary. So that is our mission.
“When Barbara and I created the Foundation, the goal was to provide access to world-class healthcare for all children and support innovative programs focused on childhood illnesses,” Nicklaus added. “With the introduction of this golf ball, we have created one more vehicle to help children in need.”
More information about the new Nicklaus Golf Ball, including product specs, features and benefits, or to place orders, visit www.nicklaus.com.
Customers and fans are invited to share their feedback via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by using the hashtag #nicklausgolfball.
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