A technological collaboration with Nike's Golf division and DuPont, a specialist manufacturer of highly engineered technical materials, has yielded a new range of RZN Speedlock golf balls. According to Nike, these are designed to deliver greater speed through the air, longer distances from the tee and off the ground, and better in-flight stability to lessen deviation after striking. This is down to the DuPont designed core, featuring HPF advanced ionomer resin technology, which translates to a stronger internal structure.

For a long time, manufacturers struggled to strike the right balance in the feel and firmness of their golf balls. Softer balls gave a greater degree of control which is perfectly suited to players with a strong short game. Harder balls conversely generated greater speed through the air and travelled further, a good fit for players who played well off the tee. In order to create a golf ball that levels the playing field somewhat and demands skills of a golfer with a strong all-round game, Nike has turned to DuPont to design an internal structure to meet a variety of needs and perform consistently in a wide array of conditions.          

The result of this has seen DuPont create the aforementioned HPF advanced ionomer resin technology, said to be “a softer and faster RZN material” that features “an interlocking core design to reduce energy loss at impact."

Nike and DuPont have been quite pleased with the results of their joint efforts, going as far as to boast the fact that five professional tour players have won major events when playing with the new RZN Speedlock golf balls, most notably being world number seven Rory McIlroy.

These new RZN Speedlock golf balls are currently available at major golfing retailers and should go for roughly R35 per ball.