Equipment
The Nike VR_S Family
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By Zak Kozuchowski, GolfWRX Staff Writer
Golfers spend countless hours on the range trying to learn how to hit their clubs further and make their approach shots land softer.
That’s why Tom Stites, director of product creation for Nike golf clubs, has spent years developing equipment that helps golfers accomplish those goals.
The pursuit of perfection is never complete, but Nike has made strides toward creating an line of products that aren’t just good looking, but perform well on shots that aren’t struck in the middle of the face.
Nike’s VR_S series — a line of drivers, woods, hybrids and irons, are all about increasing the ball speed of all shots.
“Without ball speed, there is no component of distance,” Stites said. “We know the equation, E=MV2. If we can increase the ball speed even a little amount it gets squared [in the equation]. So six years ago, we started an internal project where we tried to flatten out the .083 COR limit across the face.”
Stites said that better players who miss shots a little bit will see improvements from the VR_S line, but it’s players who miss the sweet spot often who will see the greatest benefit from the new line.
Even though the VR_S Forged Irons were not initially designed with Tour players in mind, the company has had quite a few of its staff players turn to the VR_S forged long irons instead of long irons and hybrid because they can hit them further and make them land softer. Tiger Woods is one of those players, who has recently been playing with a VR_S forged 3 iron (bent to 2 iron specs) as a replacement for his Nike muscle back 2 iron.
“I don’t think we’ll see a max exodus from hybrids, but it gives our players more options,” Stites said.
Nike will unveil its VR_S series across the country at “Speed Trials,” a marketing campaign at Nike demo days and select retailers across the country. Stores like Golf Galaxy, Golf Smith, Worldwide golf, PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE and Golf Town will offer Speed Trial fittings at weekend demo days throughout the year, as well as VR_S giveaways and the chance to play golf with Nike athletes.
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Whats in the Bag
Team McIlowry (Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry) winning WITBs: 2024 Zurich Classic
Rory McIlroy WITB
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @8.25) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X (45 inches)
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X
5-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (18 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9 X
Irons: TaylorMade Proto (4), TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9) Buy here.
Shaft: Project X 7.0 (4-9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (46-09SB, 50-09SB, 54-11SB) Buy here, Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks (58-K @59) Buy here.
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (46-54), Project X 6.5 Wedge (60)
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X3 Buy here.
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol Tour
Ball: 2024 TaylorMade TP5x Buy here.
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s WITB in the forums.
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Shane Lowry WITB
- Shane Lowry what’s in the bag accurate as of the Cognizant Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II (8.5 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ White 70 TX
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Buy here.
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 X
Irons: Srixon ZX Utility (3, 20 degrees) Buy here, Srixon ZX5 Mk II (4, 5) Buy here, Srixon ZX7 Mk II (6-PW) Buy here.
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X (3), KBS Tour 130 X (4-PW)
Wedges: Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID) Buy here, Cleveland RTX Full Face (58-8) Buy here.
Shafts: KBS Tour Wedge X Black
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Z Buy here.
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol 1.0
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Srixon Z-Star XV Buy here.
The winning WITB is presented by 2nd Swing Golf. 2nd Swing has more than 100,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
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Whats in the Bag
Steve Stricker WITB 2024 (April)
- Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 7.2 X
3-wood: Titleist 915F (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist 816 H1 (17 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 9.2 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (3, 4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 (46-10F @55), Titleist Vokey SM10 (54-10S @53), Titleist Vokey SM4 (60 @59)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 w/Sensicore
Putter: Odyssey White Hot No. 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip Rite
Check out more in-hand photos of Steve Stricker’s clubs here.
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Whats in the Bag
Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2024 (April)
- Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X
Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 TX
Irons: Ping iCrossover (2), Titleist T100 (4-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 9 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-12F, 56-12D, 60-08M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Bettinardi SS16 Dass
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Alex Fitzpatrick’s clubs here.
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Gifted Golfer
Jan 26, 2012 at 12:16 pm
I look forward to seeing it come to retail.
Frank
Jan 26, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Probably meant KE=1/2mv^2
Gfunk
Jan 26, 2012 at 11:16 am
In another thread I saw a picture from the PGA conforming site showing a VRs Tour model that appeared to be a bit smaller. Do you know if that will come to retail?