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Spy Pic: Nike’s 2015 Vapor Driver

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Here’s a sneak peek of what looks to be one of Nike’s 2015 Vapor drivers, which was posted in our forum by GolfWRX Member wldchld22.

Other than the lime green paint — Nike calls it “Volt” on its 2015 Vapor iron line — the most notable addition to the new drivers is a channel on the front of the driver’s sole. A “Compression Channel” originally appeared on Nike’s VR Pro drivers that were released in 2011, marking the first time the golf world saw a “slot” on a modern driver.

See article and photos of Rory McIlroy putting this new Vapor Driver in play at Ryder Cup

Slots have since been used by several companies including Adams, TaylorMade and Titleist in their drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and certain Adams and TaylorMade iron models. They are said to improve ball speed consistency across club faces by allowing the faces to flex more at impact, especially on shots hit low on the face.

vapor3 vapor2

Like Nike’s 2013 Covert and 2014 Covert 2.0 drivers, this Vapor driver appears to have the “High Speed Cavity-Back” and “Fly-Brace” constructions that Nike says makes its drivers more forgiving and more efficiently transfer energy into the ball.

Vapor Flex Driver

A Nike video has also surfaced that discusses another new driver called the Vapor Flex. It has a removable cartridge in its cavity that can shift the driver’s center of gravity 2 mm forward or back in the head, depending on a golfer’s needs. Moving the cartridge forward will lower spin, while moving the cartridge rearward in the head will raise spin.

The Vapor Flex also includes a lighter Flex Loft hosel, as well as a lighter overall construction that’s possible through a carbon-reinforced RZN material. That material allows for the creation of of geometries that were not possible with cast titanium, the engineers said, and contributes to improved energy transfer at impact.

See article and photos of Rory McIlroy putting this new Vapor Driver in play at Ryder Cup

In each of the last two years, Nike has released two distinct driver models: a “Performance” driver that was slightly higher spinning and more forgiving, as well as a “Tour” driver that was lower spinning and more workable. Based on the leaks, it appears that Nike will release at least two versions of its Vapor driver — the Vapor and Vapor Flex — and potentially a Vapor Pro driver to keep consistency with its new Vapor iron line.

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84 Comments

  1. Mike

    Jan 14, 2015 at 8:54 pm

    It’s ugly, gross, blah, blah blah. Really? You folks still don’t get it. The volt color scheme is being marketed to the younger generation not you old farts so stop your whining. Golf’s future is in the hands of the 20 – 40 somethings because they are the ones that will spend the $$$ to get the latest tech stick out there. Personally, my VR Pro 8.5 gets the job done. Long and in the short grass but if I hit this stick more consistently in the sweet spot, I will consider switching (regardless of color) because that will yield real yardage gains I can count on.

  2. Nigel

    Sep 23, 2014 at 2:45 am

    Guys check out this interview
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/29314127
    It has a small clip on the range which shows him hitting the driver pictured above, not the one with Flex Flight. The back of the head is completely Volt. @ 2:45

    For what it’s worth… I think they look awesome. Nike have got right up there with the best for me. I like the hype and knowing all about the tech. Plus nike is more my generation (26yo) !

    • Alan

      Sep 23, 2014 at 9:10 am

      Rory is using Vapor Pro, which like the Covert line has a black bottom and face, the one with the silver bottom and face is the Vapor Speed. Doesn’t seem like much difference from Covert 2.0 line at this rate.

      The only drivers on USGA Confirming Driver Heads list are above, with images. No Flex Flight option at all….

  3. Deaus

    Sep 21, 2014 at 7:17 pm

    I would try the Fixed Hosel version. I would have done the same with either of the first Covert and the New 2.0. I still prefer finding the feel of Hosel drivers. I have seen pics of the Version 5 covert that tiger uses and Would love to try that. Currently gaming a Dymo 380 and VR Tour 400cc and love them.

  4. C

    Sep 21, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    Been waiting for this to happen. Tiger is about done so they are moving away from the Victory Red line. Rory is the man for Nike now.

    • tbowles411

      Sep 22, 2014 at 10:31 pm

      Correlation does not imply causation. That makes zero sense since Tiger AND Rory helped design and both had input in their new line.

      • Shelby

        Oct 5, 2014 at 8:54 pm

        Agreed, these things have been planned for a while. Separate tracks.

  5. phil

    Sep 20, 2014 at 7:00 pm

    If you take a look ariund you for a brief second, you will notice bright colirs on most every athletic performance comoanies products. Nike is going with what’s hot, not what the same traditionalists who bashed TM for releasing a white driver bekieve.

    • Brandon

      Sep 20, 2014 at 10:23 pm

      You call them traditionalist, I call them people who can see through the BS.

  6. Jimmer

    Sep 20, 2014 at 5:38 pm

    Has anyone seen this video of the vapor flex flight http://youtu.be/36PSDkIm_4M makes me think this isn’t the final product

    • Christosterone

      Sep 20, 2014 at 6:44 pm

      Awesome video…i love my covert 2.0 with a whiteboard x
      While i use a dj7x in winter, i love the head…

      • JGB

        Sep 21, 2014 at 12:31 am

        everyone should check that video out.. that driver looks so much better with new technology; hopefully golfwrx didn’t post an ugly prototype

        • MHendon

          Sep 22, 2014 at 1:37 am

          where’s the new technology? compression channel, nope, moveable weighting, nope, adjustable neck, nope, 460 head, nope, 46 inch graphite shaft, nope. Yeah I’m afraid it’s all been done.

          • Derek

            Sep 22, 2014 at 10:01 pm

            You’re clealy very clueless. You realize that Nike pioneered the compression channel across any club? (IE on the VR Pro line…)

            You also realize that Nike pioneered the Fly Brace and Cavity Back technology in woods and drivers right?

            You’re also aware the the geometry of the Vapor driver is actually fundamentally different than drivers that have come before due to the incorporation of the RZN in its design?

            You’re clearly very misinformed.

  7. Jon

    Sep 20, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    I just want to point out that someone finally said Nike was the first with the slot technology. AMAZING, how other companies ran with that technology. Glad to see it back

  8. bobby golfbags

    Sep 20, 2014 at 12:02 pm

    You guys sound like women. Who cares about colors, do you need it to match your purse?

    The top is going to be black, at least that will match the runs in your mascara

    • JGB

      Sep 20, 2014 at 12:10 pm

      good one.

    • Derek

      Sep 22, 2014 at 10:05 pm

      That…

      Was AWESOME. Great comment and I agree whole heartedly. Any “Traditionalist” who “absolutely needs my Driver to look the same as every other Driver before it…” Clearly doesn’t have the mental make up to be very good at this great game. Inspiring confidence is one thing… Having it to begin with is another.

      My 2 cents.

    • Shelby

      Oct 5, 2014 at 9:25 pm

      +1

  9. Andrew

    Sep 20, 2014 at 10:51 am

    GROSS!

  10. moses

    Sep 20, 2014 at 10:27 am

    Hmmm. Not a fan of HEY LOOK AT ME clubs.
    IMO most heads will perform very closely once dialed in. That club would be towards the bottom of my to do list.

  11. JP

    Sep 19, 2014 at 10:52 pm

    It will not sell, Nike never sells. TaylorMade, Ping, Titleist and Callaway. Everything else can go away in drivers.

    • Jacob Koehn

      Sep 22, 2014 at 11:44 am

      you dont work retail do you? Nike ish sells like there is no tomorrow! i sell more Nike drivers just cuz people see Rory and Tiger hit em then i sell other brands. nike is making money hand over fist on drivers and woods. they are great performing clubs and they look great too.

    • Shelby

      Oct 5, 2014 at 9:31 pm

      Get out much? Clueless comment bro!

      • Shelby

        Oct 5, 2014 at 9:32 pm

        Meaning JP – agree, he’s been on the moon!

  12. Yes to Lime

    Sep 19, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    That is the most awesome color there ever was. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

    I love it!

  13. paul

    Sep 19, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    Sexy color. I will take two please ????

  14. ND Hickman

    Sep 19, 2014 at 6:44 pm

    It certainly looks “interesting” but I think I’ll be sticking with my Ping G30.

  15. Rich

    Sep 19, 2014 at 6:40 pm

    YUCK!

  16. RocketShankz

    Sep 19, 2014 at 6:36 pm

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

  17. Golfraven

    Sep 19, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    what the … ?? Neon green, really? I thought the pink ish outfits all Nike tour players had to wearing recently were a joke but this is taking the biscuit. Thing the designer is on some drugs trip. whats next – glitter?

    • B

      Sep 20, 2014 at 10:27 am

      You haven’t patented the “glitter” idea, right? Going to take that idea to the bank!

    • Jeff Trigger

      Sep 20, 2014 at 10:43 am

      Glitter causes ripples in the air, giving you explosive distance.

      • Teaj

        Sep 22, 2014 at 9:55 am

        its all about energy transfer right? so glitter would attract the suns energy and transfer it to the ball, no?

  18. MHendon

    Sep 19, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    As long as it looks good from the address position, is well balance, has a nice solid feel on impact, and gives me the flight, direction, and distance I’m looking for I could give a crap about the color painted on the bottom.

    • Jerry Errigo

      Sep 19, 2014 at 8:48 pm

      Agreed, you could paint fill the back of my mp-64’s pink, green, whatever you would like and I wouldn’t give them up, and would have no problem purchasing a 3rd set with a paintfill color that may not be my cup of tea.
      That being said, just as the person above mentioned, at address does it really matter? IMO I really think Nikes vapor green looks great on the irons, haven’t seen a driver in person to give an opinion, but as long as the top is appealing to me in color and shape at address, doesn’t bother me.
      I think Nike is going the right direction, yes mm proto’s are beautiful, but the vapor will bring a new look to what they consider a more technologically advanced club head. Black and/or red will look like their last 10 years of players offerings. In turn, won’t get the consumer attention they are already grabbing. The facelift will get them noticed, and probably allow them to progress as that’s their intentions.
      I would play them, and if they are great, I will.

      (Also, a little lacquer thinner or acetone, and you can have whatever color you want, or none for that matter)
      They should allow for a “NIKEID” program on colors of paintfill on irons and drivers for those it really bothers. Or those who just want something different.

  19. BP

    Sep 19, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    I don’t understand you guys on here always freaking out if a product is anything but blue, black, white or red? Everyone has a colors they like. I’d like to think you could say that most everyone has a sense of style as well. But it looks like its only okay with you guys if its plain and looks just like they other guy at the course as to not stick out too much. Maybe its to blend in so your crappy swing and scores are hidden better?

    • JGB

      Sep 20, 2014 at 2:46 am

      That driver is just straight ugly. People don’t complain bc of the color, they complain of the looks, and yes looks does matter. Unfortunately, not many people like the color and a lot of people dislike the looks. NO driver out there is WAY longer than the other, the usga doesn’t allow that so more consumers have to buy to what’s appealing to them.

  20. Mark

    Sep 19, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    Truly vile colour scheme.

  21. john

    Sep 19, 2014 at 4:08 pm

    Is this a joke?

  22. Tony

    Sep 19, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    Looks like the Covert and Sasquatch had a baby…

  23. Alex T

    Sep 19, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    People saying “who cares what colour it is if it’s on the sole, you won’t see it” are expecting too much from the performance of their clubs. ALL modern drivers, no matter the brand, are made to the same regs and tolerances as any other on the market, so if youre hitting the centre of the club face as most pros do there will be next to no difference from one driver to the next, watch any of Mark Crossfield’s video reviews on YouTube and this will be apparent. The brands know this and that is exactly why cobra are able to offer 5 different colours of the same club. How a club looks is 80-90% of making a sale nowadays, so if people don’t like the look of Nike’s new colourway then that’s a problem for Nike. In 2014 not liking how a club looks is a legitimate gripe, sad but nonetheless true and the manufacturers know this.

    • Derek

      Sep 22, 2014 at 10:18 pm

      I watch Mark Crossfield on a regular basis and the one point you forgot to bring up that Crossfield likes to stress on a regular basis is that the consistency of the strike on a “mis-hit” can be wildly different from Driver to Driver. For example, anyone who watches Crossfield knows he now games a 460 CC SLDR. He also mentioned that he enjoys the higher launch angle and descent paramters over other Drivers. Moreover, he also stated that he feels as though he achieves his 265-270 carry more frequently with a SLDR due to its construction and forgiveness across the face. This is something that NIKE does very well as well. I game Nike throughout my bag but only because I didn’t understand the SLDR when it came out otherwise I would have one. If Nike can promote consistently higher numbers across the face and help achieve more distance for people who mishit more than they hit the centre then technically Nike is improving distance for a lot of golfers. I am a 5 handicap and even I don’t the sweet spot on my Driver every time. I enjoy the consistency across the face of my Driver which I don’t feel like I get with other Drivers.

      I think people misinterpret the data. I will also agree with you that Colour is a major selling point because as you say on perfect strikes with perfect club delivery the distance is going to be almost identicle between Drivers. However, since none of us are Tour Pros then we should be looking for Drivers that can give us higher numbers and distances across strikes on the face. IE SLDR and COVERT 2.0 or Vapor (I’m assuming)

  24. Lloyd

    Sep 19, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    Not as nice as the red covert i cant see these catching on with nike lovers. Theres a lot of golfers out there including pro’s that wont play a club unless it looks & performs well. This club certainly dont look good & i cant see it performing ant different than the covert.

  25. stripe

    Sep 19, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    Someone please make it stop! Horrible.

  26. golf guy

    Sep 19, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    Wish somebody would start a REAL website that gave REAL reviews, GolfWRX is worst than GolfDigest now. Where are we supposed to go to get any true information out there? Every member here hits it 320 with a 124 mph SS, I swing 103-108 on avg and we just want the facts! Wouldn’t be surprised if a major OEM buys GolfWRX secretly to give themselves good reviews….

  27. John

    Sep 19, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    I think the key thing to consider is that these are obviously not the greatest quality of picture that could’ve been taken, no offense to the awesome forumite who spotted these. But I will reserve judgement until I see high quality in-hand pictures. I’m looking forward to trying it. Volt, or lime green as I always knew it, has been my favorite color since I was 7. My big complaint about the Covert was that, at least with the demo model I tried, the head felt like it weight 20 lbs compared to everything else I tried. If the swingweight feels nice with this, I’m open.

  28. Boner

    Sep 19, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    Looks like something from 1991.

  29. Joe

    Sep 19, 2014 at 12:17 pm

    Does it perform? That’s all that matters! If I can drive it 90% has far as Rory I’ll be all over it, I’ll even add Bubba’s pink shaft if it helps.

    • James

      Sep 19, 2014 at 12:59 pm

      You and the guy I work with in the golf industry. He put a bi-matrix shaft in his Bio Cell so that he can be “Bubba Long.” And refers to every drive as “going Bubba long.”

  30. blink3665

    Sep 19, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    I’m excited to give it a shot. The Volt is on the bottom. You won’t see it at address. Who cares? If it’s really that big of a deal, take some paint to it!

  31. cdvilla

    Sep 19, 2014 at 12:01 pm

    I like it. First of all, as a Seattle resident and Seahawks fan, this color is staple accent for the entire region but I understand why people bristle at the non-traditional aspect of it. The Covert 2.0 is a great driver and if there are improvements to this version then great, people will buy. While I’m usually an “every other” buyer, I might have to go all in on the new color scheme for Nike.

  32. Garrick

    Sep 19, 2014 at 11:18 am

    I game the covert tour and these things are so ugly. They look cheap and look like a driver from a junior set. Honestly the ONLY way people will buy this if it out-performs EVERy driver on the market…

  33. dot dot

    Sep 19, 2014 at 11:15 am

    Ok, any betting men out there? When these clubs are released will the GWRX review grade them A+, A or A-? Post your guess via the reply button.

    • Dan

      Sep 19, 2014 at 1:17 pm

      A+++…gave me 17 more yards off the tee over another driver released 6 months ago!

      • Dan

        Sep 19, 2014 at 1:20 pm

        BTW, pay no attention to this reviewer’s sig line that clearly states I game a G30 even though I claim I’m putting this “Vapor” or whatever the heck it is into my bag immediately!

    • paul

      Sep 19, 2014 at 9:08 pm

      A-

    • Shelby

      Oct 5, 2014 at 9:15 pm

      Covert 2.0 tour is a fantastic driver! Beautiful, too! Nike is on a roll! Haters gonna hate.

  34. RobG

    Sep 19, 2014 at 10:59 am

    All of these complaints about the color…. Honestly who gives a rats … about the color on the bottom of the club which you will NEVER SEE. If the club performs why should it matter what color the sole is painted?

    • Golfraven

      Sep 19, 2014 at 5:08 pm

      well, I care about the color and design because when I pull the head cover this is what I can see first and I don’t want to get eye cancer

  35. BC

    Sep 19, 2014 at 10:45 am

    anyone else see this as a pretty obvious branding change to market Rory instead of Tiger?

    • RobG

      Sep 19, 2014 at 10:57 am

      You hit the nail on the head right there!

    • MHendon

      Sep 19, 2014 at 12:25 pm

      Hmmmm interesting perspective. The red has always been associated with Tiger but I can’t say any particular color is associated to Rory.

  36. Rory

    Sep 19, 2014 at 10:45 am

    You would have to pay me $200 million to play this thing… oh wait

  37. Rob

    Sep 19, 2014 at 10:44 am

    If the crown is black or dark gray, you won’t see the green, so who really cares what the sole looks like under a headcover? It’s not white and doesn’t have turbulators, so that’s a big head start on the competition.

    If it goes far and straight, I’ll give it a whirl.

    • MHendon

      Sep 19, 2014 at 12:28 pm

      That’s right its not Red. That should create interest for a lot more people right there. Although I actually liked the red.

      • Dale Doback

        Sep 19, 2014 at 2:28 pm

        what about different cavity color options and crown options like cobra! I liked the red too, but it was just a little bright on the crown cobra had a red that was a little softer.

  38. Greg

    Sep 19, 2014 at 10:37 am

    Thanks Nike, I was enjoying my lunch. Key word “was”.

  39. Bryan

    Sep 19, 2014 at 10:32 am

    Thank you for reminding me why I’ll never leave Titleist for K-Mart…

  40. w

    Sep 19, 2014 at 10:31 am

    i hope they got rid of the red

  41. Christosterone

    Sep 19, 2014 at 10:23 am

    Its gonna look even better if the top is still red.

  42. chad ryan

    Sep 19, 2014 at 10:19 am

    it looks like a half eaten piece of fruit

  43. Mike

    Sep 19, 2014 at 10:15 am

    I hope this thing performs better than it looks. It’s hideous.

    • adolfo

      Sep 19, 2014 at 10:21 am

      I totally agree. They should have stayed with the Red concept. These had better be a great set of drivers.

  44. TR1PTIK

    Sep 19, 2014 at 10:14 am

    I’m really interested to see how these perform. I don’t care for the “volt” color (as I’m sure many will agree), but I wouldn’t let that stop me from buying one if the numbers were good – along with feel and appearance at address. Hopefully, Nike will offer some other color options down the line though.

  45. Chris

    Sep 19, 2014 at 10:07 am

    Gross. Since when did the makers of The Fast and the Furious start designing golf clubs?

    • John

      Sep 22, 2014 at 11:49 am

      Well played!!!! Ugliest thing I’ve ever seen. Belongs in Dicks and Wal Mart. One person cannot sell your golf clubs. Numbers sell your golf clubs. If Tiger in his prime could not take Nike hard goods to top 5 in any market other than apparel. I don’t see Rory or anyone else for that matter being able to do it either, Especially when it looks like this alien.

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Equipment

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 one degree upright 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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Whats in the Bag

Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X

Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X

Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X

Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

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Whats in the Bag

Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX

3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX

Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

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