Equipment

Two Nike Vapor drivers hit the USGA Conforming List

Published

10 years ago

Sep 23, 2014

Photos of what appeared to be Nike’s new 2015 Vapor drivers started circulating recently leading to speculation about models and specs.

On Tuesday, two new Nike Vapor drivers — a “Pro” and a “Speed” — hit the USGA Conforming List, verifying the authenticity of the recent photo leaks. There’s also rumored to be a Nike Vapor “Flex” driver, with an adjustable cartridge, which has yet to appear on the conforming list. That means the new Nike Vapor line will most likely consist of three different models (Pro, Speed and Flex).

Note: Although the photos of the drivers on the conforming list are black-and-white, it is assumed all models will come equipped with a lime green color scheme, which Nike calls “Volt” in its Vapor iron line.

See what GolfWRX members are saying about the Vapor products in the forums.

Nike Vapor Pro

Nike Vapor Speed

The two new Vapor drivers hit the conforming list the same day Rory McIlroy was spotted testing out a Nike Vapor driver at the Ryder Cup. Check out the photos of Rory testing a new Vapor driver, with a Diamana Blue Board shaft. This means McIlroy is legally allowed, if he chooses, to play the 2014 Ryder Cup with one of the conforming Nike Vapor drivers.

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

23 Comments

Golfraven

Sep 22, 2015 at 3:19 pm

Are those pics in black&white? First time I see Nike going for more classical looks.

Reply Report comment
JGB

Sep 25, 2014 at 11:12 am

speed: $299
Pro: $399
flex: $499+?
The flex seems awesome with tons of technology, just hope the price isn’t outrageous..

Reply Report comment
pingmatt

Sep 24, 2014 at 7:42 am

Wouldn’t the R&A equipment rules apply since the Ryder Cup is in Scotland? USGA doesn’t have jurisdiction.

Reply Report comment
Deaus

Sep 23, 2014 at 7:15 pm

I heard that they were going to release a Fixed hosel. I really hope that happens. I prefer the feel of fixed hosel and I know im not alone.

Reply Report comment
- COGolfer
  
  Sep 23, 2014 at 11:42 pm
  
  I’m with you, especially in the driver. Fixed all the way.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - marcel
    
    Sep 24, 2014 at 2:32 am
    
    makes little to no difference unless you did not screwed it properly – then it winges all the time!!!
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Joey2aces
    
    Sep 24, 2014 at 9:00 am
    
    I concur. 99% of amateurs have NO clue on how the adjustable works. In fact, I will say 99.9%.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - M.
      
      Sep 24, 2014 at 9:28 am
      
      Enlighten us…
      
      Reply Report comment
    - TR1PTIK
      
      Sep 24, 2014 at 9:59 am
      
      You’re dumb if you truly believe that. Adjustable hosels should be used for proper fitment and then left alone. There might be a few instances where you’d want to play with it, but only those who really know their swing and are seeking a specific ball flight should bother. The fact is, most people won’t spend the money or time to get properly fitted and probably leave it in the stock setting. If that’s what you were trying to convey, then I guess I agree with you, but you’re statement is ripe with arrogance.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - bradford
        
        Sep 24, 2014 at 11:15 am
        
        *rife, not ripe. But I agree with the rest of what you said.
        
        Reply Report comment
      - MHendon
        
        Sep 24, 2014 at 12:18 pm
        
        Here’s the thing about adjustable clubs. What good are they if your swing is to inconsistent to deliver the club to the ball in a consistent manner. Most amateurs swing path can change significantly from one swing to the next. The adjustable hosel was one of Taylormade’s original gimmicks to sell drivers and got enough market share to force other companies to follow suit. If anything adjustable hosels may be bad because they encourage poor mechanics. As far as weather you can feel the difference, I doubt it but personally I don’t like the way they look.
        
        Reply Report comment
      - bradford
        
        Sep 25, 2014 at 7:11 am
        
        You can absolutely tell the difference, BUT the adjustments aren’t actually doing what the sleeve tells you. There is no hozzle adjustment that actually adjusts the loft of the club. In fact, the only thing that ever did was the face angle adjustment on the R1.
        
        Reply Report comment
enrique

Sep 23, 2014 at 7:13 pm

Sound:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=809733172404340&set=vb.126462397398091&type=2&theater

Reply Report comment
Jason Hawk

Sep 23, 2014 at 6:54 pm

Wow. This looks incredible, will have to see if it compares to my r7 limited!

Reply Report comment
Cwolf

Sep 23, 2014 at 6:50 pm

The white looks great!!!

Reply Report comment
- Scooter McGavin
  
  Sep 23, 2014 at 8:49 pm
  
  Isn’t it just white because these are black and white photos? It’s probably still volt.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - TR1PTIK
    
    Sep 24, 2014 at 10:08 am
    
    If they were black & white photos there would likely be a shade of gray instead of white to convey that color is present. These are most likely color photos featuring black & white driver heads.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - B
      
      Sep 24, 2014 at 10:15 am
      
      *Face Palm*
      
      Reply Report comment
    - bradford
      
      Sep 24, 2014 at 11:17 am
      
      are you serious? These are black and white photos. Period.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - MHendon
        
        Sep 24, 2014 at 12:03 pm
        
        No TR1PTlk is right they are color photos. The green would show up as a shade of grey if they where black and white photos.
        
        Reply Report comment
      - Jeremy
        
        Sep 24, 2014 at 4:55 pm
        
        They’re black and white photos for sure. The green is showing up as a shade of grey.
        
        With digital processing, the green could be any value of luminance from black to white. As it is, volt is a fairly light color and this looks about like what it should when converted to B&W.
        
        Reply Report comment
      - bradford
        
        Sep 25, 2014 at 7:14 am
        
        Hole up something white next to the image and tell me again that it’s not a shade of grey…AND–in B&W photography, the lightest color will always show as white. That would be the Volt in this case anyway.
        
        Reply Report comment
TR1PTIK

Sep 23, 2014 at 6:37 pm

I definitely like the white on this driver better than the volt color Nike’s going to be selling, but I’ll buy either way if I have the money and the numbers look good. Definitely leaning toward the Pro version (especially if it’s 460cc).

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

13 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

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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