Equipment
Spotted: Nike Covert Tour 2.0 Driver
Say hello to the Nike Covert Tour 2.0 driver, which landed on the USGA’s List of Conforming Driver heads earlier this week and was being tested by Charl Schwartzel today at the Tour Championship.
Like Nike’s 2013 VR_S Covert and Covert Tour drivers, the Covert Tour 2.0 has Nike’s FlexLoft adapter, which is a clue that the driver is likely headed for retail (unlike the non-adjustable Covert Tour Version 5 and 6 drivers added to the list in recent months).
It’s hard to say from the photos exactly what has changed about the Covert Tour 2.0 other than the new graphics scheme. Nike has swapped the red paint that surrounded last year’s cavity-back area on the driver for white paint, which should further highlight the driver’s main selling point. The cavity section of the driver also appears to be larger than last year’s Covert Tour model, which should further increase the driver’s forgiveness on mishits.
Nike also placed the word “Tour” in large letters in the center of the sole, which will make it easier for consumers to differentiate between the company’s lower-spinning Tour model and Nike’s higher-spinning performance model.
Click here to see what GolfWRX members are saying about the driver in the forums.
Click here to see what GolfWRX members are saying about the driver in the forums.
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Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
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Whats in the Bag
Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
- Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 80 TX
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue (22 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 6.5 100
Irons: Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID, 58-10 MID, 60-06 LOW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
Check out more in-hand photos of Alejandro Tosti’s WITB in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
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Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
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Justin
Nov 1, 2013 at 9:38 pm
If it has a better sound than the last one then i’ll give it a try. Did not like the high pitch sound of the last VRS Tour
Pingback: New Nike Golf VR_S Covert 2.0 Driver Pics | NG NATION — Nike Golf Fan Blog
KCCO
Sep 30, 2013 at 7:29 pm
I actually liked the last covert (tour? Smaller/black face) anyhow, liked the sound and had a low trajectory to my liking, stock shaft wasn’t for me, but was able to play with a blk tie and enjoyed more than any other driver besides D3….but just don’t like the red, and not a hard decision when u put d3 next to it
J Duf
Sep 23, 2013 at 10:12 am
Just give up already…
lloyd duffield
Sep 20, 2013 at 6:41 am
i think nike has struggled to be taken has a major contender in the golf market but this year with the new gear and signing big names they stepped up big time. but saying that i had the covert tour driver is was great looking bit of kit but it wasnt the best i hit but i blame the crap stock shaft. but i did have there vr pro combo irons and they was one of the best irons ive hit and there putters are good as well. saying all this is good but they cant rely on staff players selling there products they need to stop saying BELIEAVE IN THE ATHLETE and start saying BELIVE IN THE PRODUCTS because how long has Tiger Woods got left and will Rory ever win again ? wot im saying is when Tigers gone and Rory stumps to 100+ wots going to happen to Nike Golf ? after all this im still a fan and wish them all the best
Pastorcam201
Sep 19, 2013 at 9:38 pm
I love my covert tour driver it’s a bomb I can draw or fade the ball I’ve never been able to do that before plus my neighbor through out his pulled real deal diamana ahina shaft I dumpster dove and put it in my covert and it really came alive
pablo
Sep 19, 2013 at 8:53 pm
I live in Arizona and hit callaway razr fit drivers and woods, but when we were on vaca in maui earlier this year, even at very close to sea level and with damp air, the covert rental metal driver and 3 wood produced insane distance and trajectory for me. i drove the green from 290 yards hitting from the forward tees (easier to play with my wife on vaca) and the ball went thru the green. the 3 metal i hit 250 yards on a par 5 second shot. normally i’m 265ish and 220ish. the sound of the driver is not to my liking, but that day i was ripping the skin off the ball!
Boo
Oct 19, 2013 at 4:47 pm
Bet your short game sucks though…
Jack
Sep 19, 2013 at 3:44 am
Yeah, the COR is maxed out. What else can you do other than spin? How much does driver perimeter weighting (a la the SLDR) affect clubface at impact? Good point on that though.
Zach
Sep 19, 2013 at 1:01 am
Honestly, I’m done buying woods now.. maybe one hybrid but that’s it. I’ve finally got out of my way and realized there are two types of drivers, low spinning, and high spinning. Everything else with CG and COR are basically the same. It’s about selling points.. No one is gonna say the driver is gonna perform the same, they’re gonna say it’s bigger, faster, stronger. Some in a blue moon will actually perform better, but in most cases they won’t..
Deaus7
Sep 18, 2013 at 9:57 pm
I would have to LOVE IT to put it in the bag cause I would have to pay someone to paint the thing black or do it myself. Other than the red it looks pretty sweet.
Steve
Sep 18, 2013 at 5:24 pm
I have been playing the Covert Performance driver all summer and I must say it is the BEST CLUB, of any kind, that I’ve ever hit. Im a 1 HDCP and have had the same Matrix TP7 HD shaft in 4 different heads (R11, R11S,Ping Anser and the Covert) 10-15 yds longer than the others and WAY more forgiving.
Guantanemo
Sep 18, 2013 at 4:57 pm
I tried out the original Covert Tour, and was really impressed by it. I like how the new version doesn’t have the “Covert” alignment aid on top. I’ll be looking forward to trying it.
gus
Sep 18, 2013 at 4:41 pm
The white in the cavity will surely reduce glare when addressing the ball…
[end of sarcasm]
tricky
Oct 3, 2013 at 8:09 am
you must be shorter than me, I cannot see the bottom of the club when I tee it up…..
[end of sarcasm]
Danny
Sep 18, 2013 at 2:18 pm
When will we be able to buy the Covert SQ? I thought square heads resulted in straighter drives & more fairways, Nike ditch that?
FATZ
Sep 18, 2013 at 2:58 pm
Actually, the Cavity was their way or duplicating SQ tech into the round head from what we were told in all ads and readings.
I am still of the camp which views Nike as being inferior. They had a golden era, but their new stuff is just inferior.
Jack
Sep 19, 2013 at 3:36 am
When was their golden area? The SQ series?
Jack
Sep 19, 2013 at 3:36 am
oops meant era
Blanco
Sep 20, 2013 at 1:35 am
I’m calling fugazi on Fatz.
Nike makes better or just as good putters, wedges, irons, and FAIRWAYS. ALL OF TODAY’S KIT IS GOOD. It’s what we like the best in terms of look, feel, performance, and we’re all different.
I’m on a mission to civilize.
Baba Booey
Sep 18, 2013 at 2:17 pm
that new paint job is scientifically proven to increase club head speed by 10x – Nike #faster #speed #longer #straighter #mostoftheirPGAprossuckordontplayit
Andrew
Sep 18, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Oh yummy…my two favorite colors, red and white…. a frigging strawberry Sunday.
Hey Cindy, TM has sunk both of those boats under your feet… What’s really interesting is there is a HUGE quantity of Gen 1 product in the pipeline…with no material differentiation. Good luck moving these at full price.
Matt
Sep 18, 2013 at 12:18 am
fugly
fjfj
Sep 18, 2013 at 2:05 pm
you wanna see fugly? look in the mirror.
Jesse
Sep 18, 2013 at 2:08 pm
+1^^
Billy
Sep 17, 2013 at 5:25 pm
Sick!!!
Dave
Sep 17, 2013 at 10:30 am
Yay?? pffft…