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Nike releases Tiger Woods prototype driver

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Have you always wanted to use the same driver as Tiger Woods? Now you can.

On June 1, Nike will release a limited-edition Vapor Speed driver designed to Woods’ preferences, which include a smaller head (420 cc) and a bonded hosel. The driver also has a slightly different Compression Channel that was developed based on feedback from Woods, Nike says, and has more subdued crown graphics than Nike’s other Vapor drivers.

For comparison, here’s a graphic of Nike’s original Vapor Speed driver:

Screen Shot 2015-05-26 at 4.31.01 PM

See what GolfWRX members are saying about Tiger’s prototype driver in the forums.

Based on the photos, the only difference between Tiger’s actual driver and Nike’s limited-edition replica is the Volt-colored “TW” logo on the heel.

The limited-edition driver ($399) is offered with 10.5 degrees of loft and a Mitsubishi Rayon’s Diamana Blue 73-gram shaft — available in Stiff and X-Flex. It’s available on Nike’s website starting June 1, and will be sold through select retailers starting June 15.

Woods has been been playing the Vapor Speed prototype driver since the 2014 Hero World Challenge. According to Nike, Tiger likes more forgiving drivers, but prefers a pear-shaped head that allows him to shape the ball off the tee.

Related: Tiger Woods WITB 2015

The buried lead? Golfers now have two options if they wish play a compact, pear-shaped Nike driver inspired by the eye of Tiger Woods:

  1. The more forgiving Vapor Speed Prototype
  2. The lower-spinning, more adjustable Vapor Flex

See what GolfWRX members are saying about Tiger’s prototype driver in the forums.

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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.

66 Comments

66 Comments

  1. shelb

    Jun 9, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    Lay off the guy!

    If I recall…
    Fowler MC
    Day MC
    Schwartzel MC
    Every (tour winner this year) MC
    Gary Woodland MC
    Ernie Els MC
    Tommy Fleetwood MC

    He had a brutal 3rd round…so what?

    The driver looks awesome

  2. gvogel

    Jun 7, 2015 at 10:54 am

    85.

  3. Pat M

    Jun 5, 2015 at 9:58 am

    If I buy this – will I slice it into the trees, snap hook it or block it like Tiger? The dude could not make it on the web.com tour the way he is playing.

  4. Shakers97

    May 29, 2015 at 3:59 pm

    When they say he likes to shape shots I assume they mean a snap hook into the crowd?

  5. TW

    May 29, 2015 at 10:56 am

    Never have and never will be a Tiger fan but I love this idea. There is a small demand for sub 460cc drivers. If Nike missed anything here I think they should’ve continued to use the adjustable hosel because most amateurs still need the options. People are trashing the club cause it has Tigers specs. well on the day that one of the critics on this board has a driver designed and produced for retail then they can joke about missed fairways. Ill even go as far to say there isn’t a single person on here including me that would hit more fairways than Woods on tour set-up. I don’t like the guy but this club is a nice change from big 445-460cc drivers.

  6. christian

    May 29, 2015 at 10:01 am

    I actually like the look of this driver. Nice pear shape, clean crown. Quality shaft too. What’s not to like?

    • Js

      May 31, 2015 at 10:06 am

      There’s no adjustability and the price is about $50 too much, but other than that I don’t see an issue either.

  7. Billy__Baroo

    May 29, 2015 at 1:24 am

    Geez…I was definitely anticipating some poorly crafted jokes about Tiger missing fairways and what not, but you people have really outdone yourselves. Regardless, I think it’s a great looking driver shape wise, and now without the ugly swoosh on the crown I would love to give it a swing!

  8. Mark

    May 28, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    The club will be bought by gear heads with a collecting fettish or those with too much spare cash and too little sense.
    After ( is it? ) 15+ years, Nike has still to be accepted as a serious club manufacturer, failing in its objective, by a huge margin, to dominate in our sport as had been the result of their more successful plans for soccer and athletics.
    Now where can one find ‘serious clubs for serious golfers?’

    • christian

      May 29, 2015 at 9:49 am

      Too much spare cash? This club costs 400 dollars. It’s positively cheap for a special edition/limited club. There are MANY drivers that cost a LOT more. I actually like the look of this club, and the spec seems pretty suitable for me too. Are you commenting on GolfWRX of all places about a 400 dollar driver being expensive? Wrooooong place

  9. J.R.

    May 28, 2015 at 9:58 am

    So who’s gonna buy the Tiger Bang! Stick?
    Hits 50% of fairways and has a 2-way miss… Also has a disclaimer “May cause First Tee Jitters. Some side effects may include blurting out obscenities. In some cases players recovery abilities have skyrocketed. Use at your own risk.”

    https://vid.me/e/ZaNP

  10. Mike honcho

    May 28, 2015 at 8:49 am

    Hey mhendon do you have to comment on everyone else’s business on this website

    • MHendon

      May 28, 2015 at 5:56 pm

      Nope

      • Mike honcho

        May 29, 2015 at 10:21 pm

        ???????????????????????????? that’s a pretty good comeback

      • Mike honcho

        May 29, 2015 at 10:25 pm

        That was supposed to b the laughing emoji

        • MHendon

          May 31, 2015 at 12:46 am

          Yeah well I was going to go with the response you probably expected. Like this is a public forum and if these people didn’t want their business responded to then they should keep it to themselves. That I’m only exercising my 1st amendment rights by offering my opinions to what they had said by hitting that little reply button at the bottom of each comment. And if you don’t want me responding to something you commented on then don’t say anything stupid because I usually only make sarcastic responses to ignorant statements. But then again I decided no I’ll just go with Nope! How’s that is that better? 😉

          • Truth

            Jun 1, 2015 at 8:09 pm

            You seem to be the person in real life that everyone hates but you dont know it cuz you never shut up and if you do no one ever says anything cuz they know if they say anything even just yeah youll just talk for another hour. You seem to do a lot of talking at and not talking to people. At least youll never really know everyone dislikes you and you can continue to think you have a lot of friends.

            • MHendon

              Jun 3, 2015 at 12:35 am

              lol awe that was mean!

              • Leslie Chow

                Jun 3, 2015 at 12:44 pm

                Mean but True.

                • MHendon

                  Jun 5, 2015 at 10:05 pm

                  Hey my old buddy Leslie. How’s it going Bro? We need to get together some time and play a round. I’m always looking for another chumps money to take! lol

  11. MLH

    May 28, 2015 at 7:03 am

    I meant to say TW equipment being made available.

  12. MLH

    May 28, 2015 at 7:01 am

    The Nike Vapor Pro is a great driver. Hit my longest drive this year which was 283 (270 carry and…in the garden of the hole) and for a guy in his mid 40’s…I can play that anywhere. So enough with the Nike equipment isn’t quality…that’s 100% pure rubbish considering the raw materials are the same company to company. As for TW, he’s always had difficulty off the tee. Ah, he has 79 wins and 14 majors (so before pointing the finger I have a question for you. How many do you have?). Finally, in regard to TW being made available to the public, wonderful. It can only benefit the game, which seriously is in need of financial support so kudos to TW for helping grow the sport.

  13. Matt

    May 28, 2015 at 2:23 am

    Only 10.5

    We want the Tiger 8.5

    • christian

      May 29, 2015 at 9:51 am

      From what I understand his actual loft IS 10-10.5 degrees..His head has been bent open, the 8.5 on the head is not the actual loft. This has been cleared up many times over.

  14. JuNiOR

    May 28, 2015 at 1:51 am

    Does anyone else see similarity’s to his old 970 Titleist 3 wood from the top?

  15. Pat M

    May 27, 2015 at 10:40 pm

    Tiger barely is making the cut at tournaments. Maybe they should launch a club from Rory instead of a now journeyman golfer.

    • John Krug

      May 28, 2015 at 12:21 pm

      Rory just shot 80, again!

    • Steve

      May 28, 2015 at 3:54 pm

      They did, I think this is a response to the Rory limited edition putter they sold awhile back.

  16. KenN

    May 27, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    I can’t blame Tiger for trying everything he can, including forging some new equipment. If it works for him, it’ll be the hottest club in the market. If he continues to miss cuts or finish in the bottom half of the weekenders, he’ll inevitably be seen as an aging, injury-plagued star whose best days are behind him and will never reach the heights of a decade ago. Oh. I mean he’ll still be seen that way.

    How many of us have told ourselves that if we just had a new driver, our games would take off? Granted, none of us are not Tiger Woods, but nobody points to one club in the bag and credits it for making their career for them.

  17. MHendon

    May 27, 2015 at 2:21 pm

    I Think it’s a great looking driver from every angle and could care less who’s name is attached to it. Only thing is, no way am I spending $400 on a club I can’t demo first and make sure it’s a good fit for me.

  18. cdvilla

    May 27, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    Essentially they’ve made him a flat 3-wood. Probably not a bad idea. He can just keep hitting down on it and probably chase it out there around 300. I really like the TM Aeroburner Minidriver and this is just that with a little less loft. This club would kill your game if you’re a handicap golfer.

    • MHendon

      May 27, 2015 at 2:12 pm

      It’s 420cc not only is that bigger than the TM Aeroburner it’s way bigger than any 3 wood. Some of the stupid comments people make on here!

  19. BigC

    May 27, 2015 at 10:45 am

    Rory’s; MAYBE………Tiger’s; NOT!!

  20. Mr.Smith

    May 27, 2015 at 10:11 am

    Tiger is a joke! How dumb making a driver with specs off a players club who couldn’t win a nationwide tour event. Give the tard a 975D with a steel shaft and he may find a fairway!

  21. Paul

    May 27, 2015 at 9:58 am

    Why would anyone want Tiger’s driver? He can’t hit it for toffee to so how can we?

    And, a 420cc head? Tiger, seriously, you need to go bigger. Maybe then you’ll be able to hit it!

    • MHendon

      May 27, 2015 at 2:26 pm

      Yeah for sure, god know’s those additional 40cc make all the difference between hitting a fairway and not. lol

  22. JillC

    May 27, 2015 at 9:57 am

    Actually, it has a built-in block to the right free of charge! Also included in the price is a paint job that won’t chip when significant others smash cars with it.

    • Tony

      May 27, 2015 at 10:08 am

      I’ve always been surprised that Tiger has access to Nike r&cd and somehow they can’t make him a super straight driver… Maybe this is it? Or will he abandoned it like he did his new shoe line for 2015!!!

      • Bill

        May 27, 2015 at 3:54 pm

        Do you really think that R&D can make a driver he can hit straight? If the club face isn’t square at impact it’s going to miss the fairway. It’s not the club

        • MHendon

          May 27, 2015 at 5:26 pm

          Wait just one minute there Bill… are you suggesting its the Indian and not the arrow? Hmmmm

  23. SCAR

    May 27, 2015 at 9:52 am

    GET IN THE HOLE !!!!
    The big one full of sand.
    Only joking, ya gotta love Tiger….
    especially if you’re a waitress.
    He’s been great for the game….
    There’s way more new Golf jokes.

  24. Chad

    May 27, 2015 at 9:48 am

    So this driver is considered to be more forgiving then the Flex? How? I have the flex and absolutely love it. Both appear to be very similar in size and shape. So how exactly is this driver more forgiving than the Flex?

  25. Bar

    May 27, 2015 at 9:43 am

    Why dont they bring out a Nike version of the 975d .

    • MHendon

      May 27, 2015 at 2:15 pm

      So you want them to come out with an even smaller headed driver. People are already acting like 420cc isn’t forgiving enough on hear.

  26. Regis

    May 27, 2015 at 9:35 am

    I personally would be equally served by getting a Jack Nicklaus commemorative Mac Gregor driver with a persimmon head and steel shaft. I guarantee it wouldn’t fit my swing any worse than the Nike and it would grab more attention when on the tee.

  27. Steve

    May 27, 2015 at 9:03 am

    Maybe five years to late? Lets sell the Tigers driver, the one he has never won with and has taken him to 156 in OGWR.

  28. Jonny B

    May 27, 2015 at 8:04 am

    Is the snap hook included with purchase or is that extra?

  29. Jeff

    May 27, 2015 at 1:19 am

    It’s still a pretty sweet driver. Everyone wants the one Rory hit in the majors last year. I think it’s sweet, Vapors in general are great clubs.

    • MHendon

      May 27, 2015 at 2:36 pm

      Vapors, R15’s, 915’s, G30’s, Biocells, Alpha etc. are all great clubs. It just come’s down to what suits the individual. It’s comical how so many people have loyalties to certain brands just because their favorite player uses that equipment. But all these jokers prove to companies like Taylor made, Callaway, and Nike specifically that the marketing dollars are worth it.

  30. MRC

    May 27, 2015 at 12:46 am

    Why would anyone want a TW driver? I drive it bad enough….

  31. BOB

    May 26, 2015 at 10:01 pm

    Knowing Nike, it’s not a real replica.

  32. JR

    May 26, 2015 at 9:51 pm

    As soon as I saw this story, I knew what the comments would be. Thanks for not disappointing.

  33. Gorden

    May 26, 2015 at 8:06 pm

    Got to wonder why you would spend money pushing a driver that has not proved a valuable tool for one of the best players in history? It reminds me of Wilson ending John Daly’s contract and killing it’s golf program for years, Nike has made a big mistake here. I am still waiting for Woods to put a steel shaft back in a 43 inch driver and take over the fairways again.

  34. Mike

    May 26, 2015 at 6:41 pm

    Does it cheat on its girlfriend too?

  35. Greg

    May 26, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    the top view looks exactly like the top of my Ignite 410 driver!

  36. Jeez Utz

    May 26, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    So if I buy this driver does that mean that I’ll never hit another fairway

    • joon

      May 26, 2015 at 5:37 pm

      hahahaha

    • AZ Golfman

      May 26, 2015 at 7:05 pm

      wow, how quickly you forget his 14 majors and 79 wins.

      • Michael

        May 26, 2015 at 7:15 pm

        no not forgotten, he is one of the best ever def best to ever watch but until he starts driving the ball well i would go on advertising a drivers with a selling point that this is tigers. the alst 2 years he is amatuer like when it comes to driving the ball. i hope he figures it out cuase off the tee is whats killing his game.

        • Regis

          May 27, 2015 at 9:39 am

          Problem with that is that Tiger was playing Titleist at that time. Not sure the marketing department at Nike would sign off on it.

    • MHendon

      May 27, 2015 at 2:18 pm

      No but your swing will.

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Equipment

Q&A: Martin Trainer on his Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers” putter, 6.5-degree driver, and “butter knife” 2-iron

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As unbiasedly as I can put it, Martin Trainer has one of the coolest club setups in professional golf. (At some point soon, I’ll put together a top-10 list of “coolest club setups on Tour,” but I know that Trainer will be in the top-10)

What a lineup. He plays a 6.5-degree Wilson prototype driver, a 13-degree Wilson prototype 3-wood, a true blade Wilson Staff Model 2-iron, and a Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers Commemorative” putter!

 

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A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

I mean, look at this 2-iron from address…

To quote the great author R.L. Stine: “Goosebumps.”

On Wednesday at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, I caught up with Trainer to learn more about his bag setup.

Here’s what he had to say:

You have the Internet going crazy over your bag setup, and your putter. Where’d you pick the Bobby Grace-Greg Chalmers putter up? How long have you had it?

MT: This was from when Bobby Grace came to my course in California: Cal Club. And for whatever reason, they just started having them in the shop. So then I took my buddy’s, started using it, and made, like, a million putts in a row, which is how every putter story begins, I guess.

And then, I bought a couple of my own, used it for years, got to the Tour with it, won on Tour with it (the 2019 Puerto Rico Open). Then, about a year later, started using another putter, did that for a couple years, but now it’s back in the bag.

When did it come back in the bag?

MT: December of this past year. So a few months ago.

What year would you say was the first time you threw that in the bag, or, like, when you bought it?

MT: God…Probably, 2016, maybe? 2018?

Do you remember how much you paid for it?

MT: I don’t know, actually. Maybe $100-150 bucks or something. I think that’s the only golf club I’ve bought between high school and now. Well, two, since I bought two of them.

The driver is interesting, too. What went into the prototyping process?

MT: That was a version of the current driver, but it was the prototype that they first came out with for Tour guys to try. And for whatever reason, I just never switched out to the new one.

It’s just 6.5 degrees, right?

MT: Yeah. Very low loft, yeah.

What kind of ball speed do you have with that these days?

MT: Like high 170’s.

Yeah, that’ll work. And then a 2-iron blade? We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those out here.

MT: Yeah. The butter knife.

Very cool thing to have in the bag. Have you done any testing with driving irons? 

MT: Yeah, I used to have a thicker one, but it was a little offset, and I never hit it that well. And then finally, I started messing around with the butter knife. And I remember the first time I looked down at it, I was terrified. And then I ended up getting used to it, putting it in play, and it’s been in place since. It’s a pretty good club for me.

How far do you carry that? 

MT: Like 235.

A good little wind club, I’m sure.

MTL Yeah, exactly. I can hit it very low. It’s great.

I love it. You have people shook looking at that. Thanks for the time, man. 

MT: Absolutely.

To see more photos and discussion of Trainer’s bag, click here.

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Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (3/28/24): L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick putter with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft.

From the seller: (@hibcam): “L.A.B. GOLF Mezz.1 Max Broomstick- LA Golf Paige Spiranac Shaft- 44″/79.5. Brand new, never used brown leather cover. The head was professionally anodized from Orange to Blue (Orange looked bad with the Pink shaft so I had it changed). Only a few rounds on this combo. Please see last pic- slight ding on back corner. 8.5-10 condition. THE SHAFT COST $475/ THE PUTTER $625. $799 shipped in the US. ONLY $699 SHIPPED.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

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Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.

However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.

“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”

Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.

Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.

Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.

One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play with an additional degree of loft to help dial in his desired launch.

We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!

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