Equipment

Tech Talk: Nike’s New VR_S Covert Irons

Published

11 years ago

Nov 7, 2012

Golfers love long and forgiving drivers. But when it comes irons, many golfers prefer an aesthetically pleasing model over one that packs the most performance.

Nike’s new VR_S Covert irons are a replacement of the company’s VR_S iron from last year. Like the VR_S, they are a cast iron aimed at double-digit handicapers. But thanks to a design initiative called “Covert,” the company was able to add distance and playability to the irons without the bulkier chassis of last year’s model.

Tony Dabbs, product line manager for Nike Golf, said the biggest problem with the VR_S irons was that they had thick toplines and thick soles. This made them less appealing for single-digit handicap players than Nike’s VR_S Forged Irons, which were used to win on the PGA Tour by Tiger Woods (3 iron) and Carl Pettersson (4 iron).

The Covert irons actually have higher a Movement of Inertia (MOI) than the VR_S irons from 2012 thanks to extreme perimeter weighting. Like Nike’s Covert Drivers, the Covert Irons move a substantial amount of weight away from the center of the club face and to the heel and toe sections of the club where it adds forgiveness.

Moving weight away from the center of the club face can result in a harsher feel and clickier sound, which is why Nike engineers added a polyurethane badge behind the impact area that softens the feel and quiets the sound.

“It’s a decoration, but it also has a purpose,” Dabbs said. “Without the badging, it really rings.”

The Covert irons also use Nike’s NexCore faces that debuted in the VR_S and VR_S Forged irons, but the faces are even thinner that last year’s models, which according to Dabbs provides more flexibility and thus more distance, especially on mishits.

The Convert long irons and middle irons are constructed from 450 Carpenter steel, while the short irons are made from 1704 stainless steel for a slightly softer feel.

The irons will come stock with True Temper Dynalite 90 steel shafts (S and R-Flex, RH and LH), and will be available for $699 on Feb. 1. The stock graphite option will retail for $799 with Nike KuroKage Black 70 shafts in S, R and A-flex (RH and LH).

Click here for more discussion in the “Tour/Pre-release equipment” forum.

Click here for more discussion in the “Tour/Pre-release equipment” forum.

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29 Comments

John

Jun 27, 2014 at 4:30 pm

Hi, Could somepone please tell me how good are the standard Dynalite 90 shafts in these clubs as I have ordered a set. I am trying out the Regular shafts from my current KBS tour stiff which are in my Mizuno MP53’s. I am looking to swing a little easier and hopefully gain more distance and straighter. Any comments or suggestions will be appreciated.

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colin liddle

Jan 4, 2014 at 2:51 pm

I bought a set yesterday. I am high handicaper and I am so impressed by the feel of these clubs. Dont give a toss what they look like.

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joe dagostino

Aug 14, 2013 at 8:51 pm

I too like several of you who posted was not even considering Nike. LOL it was actually not even a club I was considering to hit. However after spending a few hours at Edwin Watts and trying more than a 1/2 dozen irons, the representaive after looking at my numbers suggested I give these a try. After the first few hits with the 7 I knew it felt the best and the numbers showed it. I now own the set and love them and don’t regret it at all. I can’t wait until the newer model comes out just to give them a shot. I’m a 4 handicap. Joe, Palm City Fl

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Andy H

Jun 9, 2013 at 11:07 am

To all of those commenting on the looks of clubs – are you insane? Personally it’s what they do rather than the look that’s important to me. I think you all need a slap.

If you are hanging these on your wall at home however, please ignore me!!

Reply Report comment
- Louis P.
  
  Jul 26, 2013 at 4:26 pm
  
  Well said!
  
  You can have the most beautiful clubs in the universe but if you can’t hit them, they are not worthy!
  
  After 2 hours trying several clubs from many brands, the last and the more effective were these Coverts. How impressive they perform, they were the chosen one.
  
  Reply Report comment
afogie

May 5, 2013 at 3:41 pm

I just bought the irons and couldn’t be happier. They have a funny sound but fly true and long. I don’t like thick topline clubs and I can say without question the irons are not ugly at address. I tested them against my Titleist AP1’s and the Coverts were a club longer. I am a 9 looking to get lower and I know these irons will help.

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Shark

Apr 16, 2013 at 1:24 pm

Looks are not great from behind. I know you don’t see at address but we all like to look at clubs sticking out if our bag with at least a moderation of looks.
But at address they were great. I likes the compact for game improvement size. Waggling it felt great.
Going to sim test the them based on a great review on YouTube (considering guy said repeatedly…. Irritatingly… Oh my god easiest to hit irons…. I’ve ever tested!) I have to ignore busy ugly back for nice at address look and supposed performance.

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rclwxmkoppdg

Mar 28, 2013 at 7:19 pm

gqluinnahihf

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ofdorlqzdenx

Mar 28, 2013 at 7:18 pm

oizzmvrdjblq

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Cronin1019

Mar 21, 2013 at 11:09 pm

I have never owned a Nike Club. Their first gen stuff left a lot to be desired. My buddies at Edwin Watts had me try the new VRS Covert Irons. We fitted the 7 iron to the same specs of my current clubs. 2 degrees up, standard length. I tested the Mitsubishi Kuro Kage graphite stiff. Looking at the club from the bag you wonder what they were thinking with all of the graphics and design. However, when I set the club down I understood what “covert” meant. The top line and offset are that of a good players club. The 7 iron was a degree in loft stronger than mine but I was hitting it longer and straighter than my current clubs. Making solid center face contact was easier than any club I have ever hit.

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Shineman

Mar 3, 2013 at 5:38 pm

I spent a couple hours getting fit for irons, hit Rocketbladez, Cobra AMP, Hot-X, and Nike Covert.
I did not even want to hit the Nike,but guess what – Nike was the club…. Tight dispersion and comparable distance with good feel.. now what

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- JAS
  
  Sep 28, 2013 at 11:04 am
  
  I has exactly the same experience as yours. So what?
  Rally huye difference: Easy, straight and long.
  
  Reply Report comment
digi168

Feb 7, 2013 at 9:03 pm

I thought these were pretty ugly looking in the photo’s but had a chance to see them up close and personal and they actually aren’t that bad. They do however go a long long way. I demoed the 7 iron and it was carrying 185 which is about 15 yds. longer than my mizunos. I know the lofts are bit stronger, but man are these easy to hit. Long, high, and straight, if you can get over the fact that they are Nike clubs I think they will impress a lot of people.

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- Greg Uptegraff
  
  Feb 27, 2013 at 9:48 am
  
  I hit all the newest irons looking for a replacement for my R9’s. These felt as good as any, picked up ball speed, consistent group and ball flight, and consistently longer.
  
  Reply Report comment
acaldwell

Dec 8, 2012 at 7:57 am

wow! thats ugly haha. i have the original vrs irons and they’re so much nicer than this.

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Punky

Dec 6, 2012 at 9:18 am

Would like to see the specs on the Nike Covert irons.

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Congo Starter

Nov 25, 2012 at 1:15 pm

Aside from the combos and forged irons of the past and present these are pretty ugly. They are, however, an improvement over past VRS. Would be nice if they closed the gap on the back. Looks like a smile with a missing tooth.

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Graphiteti

Nov 10, 2012 at 6:37 am

Rory’s new sticks!

Reply Report comment
Joe Golfer

Nov 10, 2012 at 2:10 am

If the shorter irons are made of 17-4 steel, that’s hardly considered to be a soft steel, as was mentioned in the article.
It’s actually a harder steel on the MOH’s scale. It’s just that the long and middle irons have that even harder Carpenter steel face (to make the face thinner, and I’m guessing that the hosel and perimeter of the club is also 17-4 steel in those irons.

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jay hall

Nov 9, 2012 at 10:21 pm

wow, looks like somebody did a $h!t on a shaft. Typical Nike stuff.

Reply Report comment
obvioustroll

Nov 9, 2012 at 9:36 am

ye dont like the looks.. too much is going on there.

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Hans

Nov 8, 2012 at 4:36 pm

Looks like mick Jagger’s tongue coming out of the back of the iron.

Reply Report comment
Gman

Nov 8, 2012 at 2:17 pm

I agree with Hoosier, very ugly. Top line is 6-7 mm thick, how can one get past this at address? i will stick with my MP-9’s , as they came with 1and 2 iron as well.

Reply Report comment
Hoosier

Nov 8, 2012 at 12:21 pm

not sure i’ve seen an uglier iron. i’ll stick with my mp64’s but if you want forgiveness and a good look the JPX825s are way to go. These are ugly

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William Klosek

Nov 8, 2012 at 12:20 pm

Wow that’s one boring and ugly iron….I predict they have a dud on their hands….My Wilson Staff Di-11’s are a MUCH better looking club (and probably hit better too)

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theoo

Nov 7, 2012 at 10:19 pm

not bad looking, wish they would put some blades or CBs out this year

Reply Report comment
paul

Nov 7, 2012 at 10:11 pm

I think TM will sell more rocketbladez then Nike will sell of these.

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Equipment

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

Published

16 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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