Equipment
Nike Golf’s Full 2015 Equipment Line
Those of you making a new equipment wish list will love this: all of Nike’s 2015 products, which includes many things we expected and a few things that we didn’t expect.
Regulars in our forum knew that there were three new Nike drivers: the Vapor Flex, the Vapor Pro and the Vapor Speed, and we assumed that new fairway woods and hybrids were coming in 2015 as well. Nike also announced the release of three new Vapor irons in August. What we didn’t know, however, was that Nike would bring radical new wedge designs called “Engage” and two new lines of Method putters.
Take a look at our screen dumps of the new clubs and specs below (you can click on the images to enlarge them), or click this link to read the discussion in the forums.
2015 Nike Vapor Drivers
2015 Nike Vapor Fairway Woods
2015 Nike Vapor Hybrids
2015 Nike Vapor Irons
2015 Nike Engage Wedges
2015 Nike Method Putters
- LIKE31
- LEGIT25
- WOW72
- LOL9
- IDHT5
- FLOP8
- OB4
- SHANK16
Equipment
What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing Mini-Drivers and accompanying shafts. WRXer ‘JamesFisher1990’ is about to purchase a BRNR Mini and is torn on what shaft weight to use, and our members have been sharing their thoughts and set ups in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- PARETO: “New BRNR at 13.5. Took it over to TXG (Club Champ but TXG will always rule) in Calgary for a fit. Took the head down to 12, stuck in a Graphite Design AD at 3 wood length and 60g. Presto- numbers that rivaled my G430Max but with waaaaay tighter dispersion. Win.”
- driveandputtmachine: “Still playing a MIni 300. The head was only 208, so I ordered a heavier weight and play it at 3 wood length. I am playing a Ventus Red 70. I play 70 grams in my fairways. I use it mainly to hit draws off the tee. When I combine me, a driver, and trying to hit a draw it does not work out well most of the time. So the MIni is for that. As an aside, I have not hit the newest BRNR, but the previous model wasn’t great off the deck. The 300 Mini is very good off the deck.”
- JAM01: “Ok, just put the BRNR in the bag along side a QI10 max and a QI10 3 wood. A load of top end redundancy. But, I have several holes at my two home courses where the flight and accuracy of the mini driver helps immensely. Mine is stock Proforce 65 at 13.5, I could see a heavier shaft, but to normal flex, as a nice alternative.”
Entire Thread: “What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/26/24): Artisan 0521 custom putter
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 an Artisan 0521 custom putter
From the seller: (@Nobody2): “$775 -Artisan 0521 custom putter PVD (black finish) with sweep neck hosel. There are no personal stampings other than my player # in very small print on the side of the hosel (all Artisan products have this along with the date it was made). This putter looks absolutely amazing and has only been used for 3 rounds. It has a black steel shaft and has a very Cam Smith look to it. The putter looks new and has no wear marks anywhere on the putter. It comes with extra weights (one set of of 5 gram weights and one set of 15 gram weights). The head cover is a a navy blue ‘quilted blade putter cover.’ If you are wondering why I am selling…I flat out have the yips and the only thing saving me is a broomstick. New, this putter is $1085, so if the specs work for you (grip, length and lie can certainly be tweaked) it will save you some good money and 2 month wait time.
Specs:
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Artisan 0521 custom putter
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
- LIKE1
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
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.
View this post on Instagram
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.
View this post on Instagram
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.
View this post on Instagram
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!
- LIKE8
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole4 days ago
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole4 days ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Brandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
DJ
Dec 11, 2014 at 10:17 pm
Those wedges look terrible!
killerbgolfer
Nov 28, 2014 at 12:55 pm
Can’t wait to see some of these in person. The vapor irons look great in person, but I haven’t seen the woods, wedges, or putters yet. NIKE has really come a long way in the last few years.
Teaj
Oct 20, 2014 at 8:15 am
does anyone know if the black part on the back of the clubs is just paint or an insert? The reason I ask these clubs would look a lot better after I took some paint remover to them.
Mrmagooz
Oct 8, 2014 at 8:48 pm
Wow is nike going backwards? Ugly stuff!
Todd
Oct 8, 2014 at 10:49 am
I don’t get it….if the line isn’t out yet, how the heck is Rory already playing the new Vapor driver 🙂
Pat
Dec 3, 2014 at 6:24 pm
The guys on tour sponsored by Nike have access to prototypes at their disposal before the public does.
MHendon
Oct 5, 2014 at 11:17 pm
The Vapor pro irons looks great from the address position and I like the flex driver best from the address position of the drivers. So did Rory switch to everything in the Vapor line, fairways too?
Rich
Oct 3, 2014 at 7:38 pm
Does anyone else think it’s weird that the woods and irons are the “volt” and black colour scheme but the putters are red and black? How annoying! Why on earth would they do that!
Johnnie
Oct 3, 2014 at 6:13 pm
Best-looking Nike clubs ever.
paul
Oct 3, 2014 at 12:21 am
Putters look sexy in a futuristic way. I have gamed a Nike putter and almost bought a second. Might have to give that pro combo a try as well…
chad
Oct 2, 2014 at 7:14 pm
Really not feeling the look of these. IMO the worst looking clubs out there.
Nigel
Oct 2, 2014 at 10:14 am
I think the Pro driver, speed fairway and hybrid will be seeing the inside of my golf bag next year.
Love the colourway
BCav
Oct 2, 2014 at 10:07 am
Is Nike’s club business robust enough to carry three separate product lines? Seems like a lot of product.
ally smith
Oct 1, 2014 at 8:42 pm
sure glad you guys got this before they (NIKE) took it off line. thanks again
Christosterone
Oct 1, 2014 at 8:33 pm
I like my gap wedge to match my set.
I wonder if the AW from the Pro Combo would match 4-pw Pro???
Cwolf
Oct 1, 2014 at 6:05 pm
So excited that they are bringing back the ds wedge and having a raw finish. That is exactly what I was hoping for. The vr ds wedge is in my bag now and I love it, but the glare is awful. This new one is perfect!!!!
Jericho
Oct 1, 2014 at 1:21 pm
The Nike Camerons look pretty good
Chris
Oct 2, 2014 at 6:40 pm
yeah, almost as good as the cameron Pings…..
Lane
Oct 8, 2014 at 11:00 am
Which resemble the Ping Pings…
kess
Oct 1, 2014 at 1:19 pm
I like the engage wedge… That about sums it up.
Tizod
Oct 1, 2014 at 1:17 pm
Kinda surprised by the length of the Speed iron lineup. The Coverts 2.0 were already longer than “standard” and now they increased it another 1/4″
nothing0017
Oct 1, 2014 at 1:08 pm
43.75″ 3 Wood?! Yikes.
AdamB
Oct 1, 2014 at 5:38 pm
+1!! Yikes
Josh white
Oct 1, 2014 at 12:44 pm
Take 20% off msrp and that’s retail
cdvilla
Oct 1, 2014 at 12:01 pm
Nike Golf just gets better… I really like this offering. If I’m going to pick nits, I like the sole offerings but just wish their wedges were “classic.”
TR1PTIK
Oct 1, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Agreed. Although a bigger gripe on the lineup would have to be their inclusion of the Wrap 2G grip for the woods and hybrids. That grip seems to wear rather fast and is horrible for moisture control – I’m currently playing the grip on my irons and can’t wait to switch. No way would I want that grip on the fastest swinging clubs in my bag! They should have used the Tour Velvet or similar grip. Actually, they could have kept their “volt” theme going and used the Niion grips throughout the entire lineup. It would have been uglier, but at least it’s a better grip in my opinion.
John
Oct 1, 2014 at 1:54 pm
On your comment about the wedges. I do understand where you’re coming from, but I think one of the things that I’ve admired most about Nike’s recent golf offerings is the fact that they’re willing to be a little different in order to innovate. They don’t look like Vokey’s, because I think Nike doesn’t want to be associated with Vokeys, they want to be able to stand out on their own as an innovative wedge that performs. Same with the Covert Drivers and the cavity. And as an owner of a toe sweep 58*, I can attest, that they do indeed perform. But I have been waffling back and forth between going to a slightly more forgiving GI iron, and the vapor speeds have my attention. Fitted, of course, so I wouldn’t have to deal with the generous length, I’m -1/2″ from standard as it is.
dot dot
Oct 1, 2014 at 11:56 am
Look at that price list. They sure aren’t shy about wanting top dollar as an MSRP
J
Oct 1, 2014 at 11:53 am
Adjustable weight in the putter grip seems like a neat idea.
TR1PTIK
Oct 1, 2014 at 11:42 am
Surely retail prices will be lower, but I nearly crapped myself when I saw the MSRP for the Vapor Flex driver! Glad I don’t have any interest in that one, but I am interested in the Vapor Pro and would hope that retail will be closer to the $400 mark. Nice to get a look at the full lineup though, and I’m very interested in the putters and wedges as well. Great looking stuff from Nike this year!
MHendon
Oct 1, 2014 at 12:18 pm
Give it a year and get them for half price.
TR1PTIK
Oct 1, 2014 at 12:37 pm
Very true! Nike’s markdowns are often some of the biggest when new releases are just around the corner.
golfpunk46
Oct 1, 2014 at 11:40 am
Ew
http://tinyurl.com/lhncxd4