Equipment
Nike Golf unveils new Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour golf shoe in collaboration with Brooks Koepka
In collaboration with World Number One Brooks Koepka, Nike Golf has launched the Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour golf shoe.
The Nike Air Zoom Infinity shoe bids to provide maximum speed and comfort to golfers and is designed to produce maximum energy return from the ground up by re-harvesting and redistributing some of the energy lost during a player’s swing.
The collaboration on the project began in 2017 when Koepka challenged Nike designers to create a running shoe he could play golf in. The result of which is the Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour shoe which looks to blend comfort and style while also generating maximum power from the ground upwards.
Speaking on the creation of the new Nike Air Zoom Infinity shoe, Matt Plumb, Nike Golf Product Line Manager stated
“Brooks was instrumental in the Air Zoom Infinity Tour iterative process, helping us get to the point where we can now help golfers look at their footwear as part of their equipment on the course.”
According to Nike, designers analysed data from pressure maps to see where traction elements needed to be positioned on the shoe for an ultimate return on movement. They developed a holistic system that transfers more power up the kinetic chain. The brand then obsessed the areas of fit (to reduce in-shoe movement), ride (for maximum energy retention) and traction (for zero slip in any direction).
The Nike Air Zoom Infinity shoe contains Nike Zoom Stroble technology and moderator plate, first tested on court by Kevin Durant in Nike Basketball’s KD12 – designed to provide structure, comfort and enable energy return needed on the golf course.
Another feature of the new addition from Nike is the company’s weather-resistant Flyknit.
The brand also borrowed design elements, and Nike REACT foam from Nike Running’s Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit for added cushioning and energy return on the golf course.
Nike’s Air Zoom Infinity Tour golf shoe releases April 1 on nike.com.
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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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Natty
Jan 26, 2020 at 4:07 am
40% of america is anti-america. Thats exactly the side Nike has chosen. Sad.
dat
Jan 23, 2020 at 10:25 pm
No longer support this disgusting company. What I have is what I have, but I’m not buying anything new. Their hardgoods were great, and bags were even better. But, once they got out of that it was all downhill and it shows in the softgoods as well as their politics.
Phil
Jan 24, 2020 at 12:44 am
please explain how their politics correlates to their product quality? My guess is you’re just a racist but i could be persuaded otherwise!
Ray
Jan 23, 2020 at 12:27 pm
My family will never buy another Nike product again. I’d go barefoot and naked first
Tim
Jan 23, 2020 at 4:32 pm
Same here. Nike = anti-American.
Charles
Jan 24, 2020 at 12:41 am
Not supporting American companies = anti American
Jerry
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:55 am
I am assuming this won’t be the only color scheme, but they look nice. Now the more important question, how much?
Fred
Jan 19, 2020 at 5:11 pm
Wow that’s a nice combo, it’s funny seeing non sneaker heads talk about how a shoe looked, but tech wise I have flynit reacts and they are very useful for walking and keeping that constant comfort/support in a good level versus other shoes that’ll bottom out after 1-2 hrs of wearing them. Very nice they put a zoom unit in them which is a great addition. Y’all old heads stick to your bs saddle shoes while I wear some of these and let my feet stay comfy
Michael
Jan 19, 2020 at 12:35 am
Same company that makes a Kapernick shoe with the date of his first kneeling. Not for me.!
Brad
Jan 19, 2020 at 2:48 am
You should buy a pair and then set them on fire. That’ll show em!
george
Jan 22, 2020 at 8:09 pm
Yea I don’t buy anything Nike for that reason
Stephen
Jan 24, 2020 at 1:25 am
No, but if you buy them and set them on fire everyone will see how much you hate them!
Wes B
Jan 23, 2020 at 11:33 am
Definitely agree. As good as these look no way I’m giving them money after they support someone like that.
Jerry
Jan 24, 2020 at 1:27 am
I think we all know what the “B” in Wes B stands for. And we know it stands for something because it darn sure doesn’t kneel!
Teetee
Jan 17, 2020 at 4:24 pm
Who erased the LGBTQ comment?
I am LGBTQ, and I think these shoes are perfect for me.
The heel spinning comment was spot on, that’s exactly what this shoe looks like!
DB
Jan 16, 2020 at 4:23 pm
Clothing/shoes made with Brooks Koepka? The guy who wears thongs on social media? Haha. No.
Mark M
Jan 16, 2020 at 3:39 pm
I like everything they’re saying about the making of the shoe, but do they have to be so damned ugly?!
Brandon
Jan 18, 2020 at 9:30 am
All Nike shoes are ugly,golf or otherwise.
Deion
Jan 24, 2020 at 1:24 am
Hot take there, Brandon. Don’t cut yourself on that edge.