Equipment
Nike Golf’s new Flyknit Chukkas, polos and… tights?
Nike has rolled out a slew of new golfing apparel — including new polos, tights and joggers — and a golf-specific version of the company’s popular Flyknit Chukkas. The Chukkas were created in 2013, and popularized during the Sochi Olympics after appearing on medal-winners’ feet.
Like the original Chukkas, the golf versions have a lightweight, form-fitting, one-piece upper for comfort. They also have “Flywire cables” for added support.
The new releases, however, are designed with golf-specific soles for extra traction in the toe and the heel, and the upper is “skinned” with a layer of thermoplastic urethane (TPU) for waterproofing.
The Nike Golf FLyknit Chukkas are available at nike.com for $190 in two colorways (black/white and racer blue/white) for males.
Nike Golf’s new Spring/Summer 16 apparel line includes three different collar designs — blade, roll and classic. Here’s a look at the three different designs, which are each available in standard and “modern fit” for a slimming look.
Nike MM Fly “Blade” Polo
Nike MM Fly “Roll” Polo
Nike MM Fly Framing Commander Polo
Also, here’s a look at the Nike Golf Hyperwarm tights, which Brooks Koepka says, “are good for recovery.”
Athletes in basketball and football commonly sport a similar look during competition, so why not golf? Nike’s Golf Hyperwarm tights are designed to provide compression, body temperature regulation and an “added layer of warmth,” according to Nike. They’re “made with a high-stretch Dri-Fit material” to keep golfers dry, says Nike.
“I absolutely love wearing the tights when I practice and workout,” said Nike endorser Scott Pinckney. “I feel more athletic and my legs always feel better after I practice when I wear them.”
We’ll take his word for it.
Lastly, a look at a group photo of Nike-sponsored pro golfers showing off Nike’s new Spring/Summer 16 line.
Do I spot joggers? It would appear that Rickie Fowler has started a trend.
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Whats in the Bag
Kevin Tway WITB 2024 (May)
- Kevin Tway what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Utility (2), Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT 100 TX (2), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F @51, 56-14F), SM7 (60-10S)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48-56), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: Scotty Cameron Black Baby T
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus4
More photos of Kevin Tway’s WITB in the forums.
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Equipment
Did Rory McIlroy inspire Shane Lowry’s putter switch?
Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
The timing of Lowry’s putter changeup was curious: Was he just using a Spider putter because he was paired with McIlroy, who’s been using a Spider Tour X head throughout 2024? Was Lowry just being festive because it’s the Zurich Classic, and he wanted to match his teammate? Did McIlroy let Lowry try his putter, and he liked it so much he actually switched into it?
Well, as it turns out, McIlroy’s only influence was inspiring Lowry to make more putts.
When asked if McIlroy had an influence on the putter switch, Lowry had this to say: “No, it’s actually a different putter than what he uses. Maybe there was more pressure there because I needed to hole some more putts if we wanted to win,” he said with a laugh.
To Lowry’s point, McIlroy plays the Tour X model, whereas Lowry switched into the Tour Z model, which has a sleeker shape in comparison, and the two sole weights of the club are more towards the face.
Lowry’s Spider Tour Z has a white True Path Alignment channel on the crown of his putter, which is reminiscent of Lowry’s former 2-ball designs, thus helping to provide a comfort factor despite the departure from his norm. Instead of a double-bend hosel, which Lowry used in his 2-ball putters, his new Spider Tour Z is designed with a short slant neck.
“I’ve been struggling on the greens, and I just needed something with a fresh look,” Lowry told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship. “It has a different neck on it, as well, so it moves a bit differently, but it’s similar. It has a white line on the back of it [like my 2-ball], and it’s a mallet style. So it’s not too drastic of a change.
“I just picked it up on the putting green and I liked the look of it, so I was like, ‘Let’s give it a go.’”
Read the rest of the piece over at PGATour.com.
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Equipment
Webb Simpson equipment Q&A: Titleist’s new 2-wood, 680 blade irons, and switching to a broomstick Jailbird
With seven career wins on the PGA Tour, including a U.S. Open victory, Webb Simpson is a certified veteran on the course. But he’s also a certified veteran in the equipment world, too. He’s a gearhead who truly knows his stuff, and he’s even worked closely with Titleist on making his own custom 682.WS irons.
On Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, I caught up with Simpson to hear about his experience with Titleist’s new prototype 2-wood, how Titleist’s 680 Forged irons from 2003 ended up back in his bag, and why he’s switching into an Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Cruiser broomstick putter this week for the first time.
Click here to read our full story about Simpson’s putter switch on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, or continue reading below for my full Q&A with Simpson at Quail Hollow Club on Wednesday.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
GolfWRX: It seems like you’ve been a little all over the place with your irons in the past six months or so, and now going back to the 680’s. Is that just a comfort thing? What’s been going on with the irons?
Webb Simpson: Titleist has been so great at working with me, and R&D, on trying to get an iron that kind of modernizes the 680. And so the 682.WS took the T100 grooves, but kinda took the look and the bulk and the build of the 680’s into one club. They’re beautiful, and awesome looking. I just never hit them that well for a consistent period of time. It was probably me, but then I went to T100’s and loved them. I loved the spin, the trajectory, the yardage, but again, I never went on good runs. Going through the ground, I couldn’t feel the club as well as with the blade. So last week, I’m like, ‘Alright. I’m gonna go back more for…comfort, and see if I can get on a nice little run of ball striking.’
So that’s why I went back.
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OK, that makes sense. I know you had done some 2-wood testing recently. Is that in the bag right now?
It’s like day-by-day. I used it at Hilton Head every day. Valero, I used it one round. And this week, me and my caddie will do the book every morning, and if it’s a day where we think we need it, we’ll just put it in and take the 3-wood out. I love it because it’s a super simple swap. Like, it doesn’t really change much.
Yeah, can you tell me about that club? I mean, we don’t really know anything about it yet. You know? I haven’t hit it or anything, obviously.
It has grooves like a 3-wood. Spin is perfect. And it’s honestly, like, everything is in the middle of a 3-wood and driver number. Trajectory, spin, carry, all of it. So, a Hilton Head golf course is almost too easy to talk about because, you know, there, so many holes are driver 3-wood.
Valero, our thinking was we had two par-5’s into the wind, and we knew that it would take two great shots to get there in two. So instead of hitting driver-driver, we just put it in. And I used it on those holes.
Hilton was a little easier because it was off-the-tee kind of questions. But Colonial will be a golf course where, you know, there’s a lot of driver or 3-woods. It’s kind of like a backup putter or driver for me now. I’ll bring it to every tournament.
So it’s, like, in your locker right now, probably?
Well, it would be. It’s in my house [because Webb lives near by Quail Hollow Club, and is a member at the course.] It’s in the garage.
Oh, yeah, that’s right. Do you know what holes you might use it out here if it goes in play?
Potentially 15, depending on the wind. Second shot on 10. Could be 14 off the tee. The chances here are pretty low (that he’ll use the 2-wood). But, like, Greensboro would be an awesome club all day. I’m trying to think of any other golf courses.
There’s plenty that it’ll be a nice weapon to have.
It’s interesting, the wave of 2-woods and mini drivers. Like, it’s just really taken off on Tour, and all the companies have seemed to embrace it.
Yeah. The thing I had to learn, it took me, like, at least a week to learn about it is you gotta tee it up lower than you think. I kept teeing it up too high. You need it low, like barely higher than a 3-wood. And that was where I got optimal spin and carry. If you tee it up too high, you just don’t get as much spin and lose distance, I don’t know if that’s just a mini driver thing.
And you obviously have a Jailbird putter this week. What spurred that on?
Inconsistent putting. I’m stubborn in a lot of ways when it comes to my equipment, but I have to be open minded – I just hadn’t putted consistently well in a while. And I’m like, ‘Man, I feel my ball-striking coming along. Like I feel better; for real, better.’
If I can just get something in my hands that I’m consistent with. Being on Tour, you see it every year, guys get on little runs. I can put together four to five tournaments where I’m all the sudden back in the majors, or in the FedExCup Playoffs. You can turn things around quick out here. I’m like, ‘Man, whatever’s going to get me there, great.’
My caddie, David Cook, caddied for Akshay at the Houston Open and he putted beautifully. Then, I watched Akshay on TV at Valero, and he putted beautifully. And, I’m like, ‘I’m just going to try it.’
I’ve never tried it for more than a putt or two, and I just ordered what Akshay uses. It was pretty awkward at first, but the more I used it, the more I’m like, ‘Man, it’s pretty easy.’ And a buddy of mine who’s a rep out here, John Tyler Griffin, he helped me with some setup stuff. And he said at Hilton Head, he wasn’t putting well, then tried it, and now he makes everything. He was very confident. So I’m like, ‘Alright, I’ll try it.’”
And you’re going with it this week?
Hundred percent.
Alright, I love it. Thank you, I always love talking gear with you. Play well this week.
Thanks, man.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
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Edgar Hoover
Feb 25, 2016 at 9:49 am
Umm… I think compression pants for golf may be a bridge too far. This stuff looks ridiculous. I’m 30 not 75. I’d much prefer to dress like Watson (Tom not Bubba) than looks like Keopka, Finau, or whoever the other member of that skater gang are above.
Bobby
Feb 20, 2016 at 6:32 am
I have absolutely no opinion on this, positive or negative.
RL(Nihonsei)
Feb 18, 2016 at 10:14 am
Have been waiting for Flyknit for golf and it looks like I will be waiting still until I can afford them next season on sale? If you can afford them, give them a chance! I Love the Flyknit running shoes(3.0) and I’ve played mine in a few afternoon rounds but they will slip out on loose dirt so these Chukka spikeless are going to be fun to meet! My Flyknits wear like socks and keep the whole foot active, comfortable, and sensing the ground like feet radars on the course and the greens where it’s especially useful.
My FootJoys will always get the most action over my Pumas and Adidas but these Flyknits may be my go to spikeless, Next Year….
Johnny5
Feb 26, 2016 at 12:13 pm
Man, I just got the flyknit golf shoes last week and I can’t believe how good they feel over the ball. Shot my rest round in 3 years first time I wore them. I was hesitant to spend the $ at first, but absolutely 100% worth it for me.
The Dude
Feb 18, 2016 at 9:43 am
New from Nike’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” line…
ComeOnSense
Feb 18, 2016 at 7:47 am
Tights??,, you mean Yoga pants,,, for Men? Let me guess, you don’t use underwear with them because your,,, underwear lines would show? And I bet, that soon, your shorts that you wear over your,,, tights are going to feel uncomfortable too, so you’ll start to show up at the golf course wearing just your cute Tights, then when you bend over to pick up the putt you just made the rest of us will need a bucket to vomit.
Come on !! gives us a break.
J
Feb 18, 2016 at 2:15 pm
Your fantasy that you’ve just played out for us makes me believe you’re a little too excited about these new trends.
Dev
Feb 18, 2016 at 2:54 pm
Clearly you’ve never tried on compression clothing. I’m curious to see how old you are. Too Old for your opinion to matter is probably around the right age.
Raj LP
Feb 20, 2016 at 4:34 pm
What he said.
Ally
Feb 24, 2016 at 8:31 pm
I agree. Maybe wearing them under shorts will look lots better. Not to mention real health benefits to your legs.
Mark
Feb 17, 2016 at 6:47 pm
Women wear tights. Thank you.
RoGar
Feb 17, 2016 at 11:53 pm
And wear them well!!!
Troy
Feb 17, 2016 at 1:20 pm
I don’t mind having players wear these in practice rounds or even underneath their pants but hopefully not in professional tournaments. I like to see the continued classic look and keep some of the traditions of the game.
Cheers
Phil
Feb 17, 2016 at 3:06 pm
Get with the times…
OH
Feb 17, 2016 at 10:24 am
The Chukkas look fine. Not my cup of tea but that’s ok. If it gets millennials more interested in the game then I love what Nike is doing there. The joggers, though…please make it stop!! I’m all for fashion forward and such but these are just bad. As for the tights/shorts on the practice range – I’ve never personally done that but I think it’s a great idea. It is, after all, practice so you should be comfortable. Save the pants and polos for the course.
Phil
Feb 17, 2016 at 3:08 pm
Here we go again, pant’s and polo’s.. Why? Have you ever spent a 90*- Plus summer in FL.?
Danny
Feb 17, 2016 at 10:24 am
Not for me, but I honestly don’t care if guys wear this. I’ve seen much worse from guys who consider themselves purists
steve
Feb 17, 2016 at 8:29 am
so bad
Ryan
Feb 17, 2016 at 3:56 am
I’m in love with those Chukkas. Too bad they’re way out of my price range 🙁
Jeff*
Feb 16, 2016 at 7:27 pm
WhIle the skinny pants aren’t for me, tights are incredibly comfortable, and I’d love to see that style break out so I can wear my golf shorts and tights in the future instead of khakis or pants that I only wear to play golf.
Joshuaplaysgolf
Feb 16, 2016 at 11:42 pm
I’ve been doing this for years…its super comfortable and really versatile, as it wicks away sweat in the heat and keeps you cool in the winter…but I’ve also never cared about people’s opinions of how I dress, and I think some people might be too entrenched in their pleated slacks (gross). Try it out, just please, for the love of God, always wear some gym shorts over top.
TheCityGame
Feb 17, 2016 at 9:53 am
Waiting for the style to change so you can wear what you want.
Where are you posting from, North Korea?
Joshuaplaysgolf
Feb 18, 2016 at 7:35 pm
Did you read the first 6 words of my post? I never have and never will care what the ‘trends’ are, I do my own thing. Plenty of us have been way ahead of this, but your reading comprehension is clearly inhibiting you from understanding my post.
Phil
Feb 17, 2016 at 3:10 pm
Ditto… They ARE very comfortable and to each his own. If you’re not into that, that’s OK too. Just don’t go blowing that “tradition” smoke!