Nike unveil the VR_S Covert driver

Nike have introduced what they claim is the world’s first-ever cavity-backed driver at their global innovation summit in Orlando.

The visually stunning red driver is the most innovative club the company have ever produced.

It has three key technological features:

• A high-speed cavity back – previously only seen in irons, this leads to more forgiveness and higher ball-speeds on off-centre shots

• FlexLoft adjustability – a simple pull, turn, and push/tighten mechanism that allows for an intuitive adjustment system

• A NexCOR face – creating higher ball speeds from a larger area of the face

These technologies combine to create unprecedented distance, control and forgiveness.

The VR_S Covert also benefits from simplicity.

The FlexLoft adjustability system allows for the driver to be easily changed to any loft and any face angle at any time. There are 15 settings available to optimise your individual launch conditions and the loft can be adjusted from 8.5˚ to 12.5˚.

The Covert was named on account of the way in which the cavity-back is concealed.

The technology is universally employed in irons and has been for many years but Nike are the first company to bring it to drivers, fairways and hybrids. It leads to more stability at impact, which delivers more energy to the ball, resulting in more distance and control.
The VR_S Covert offers distance, forgiveness and adjustabilty
This cavity is only visible from the sole view – it is covered and hidden underneath by the crown to be more visually and pleasing at address.

It has allowed Nike Golf engineers to move weight to the heel and toe, raising the Moment of Inertia (MOI) to increase forgiveness and add even more distance to off-centre shots.

“We have created a game-changing piece of technology that has already begun a growing industry buzz,” said Rob Arluna, Nike Golf’s global golf club business director. “It is visually exciting, it feels and sounds amazing and, most importantly, it creates powerful results with a high degree of control. Golfers and our Nike Golf Tour athletes are going to have a lot of fun with this driver.”

FlexLoft allows for an intuitive adjustment system. The patented Dual Axis adjustment allows golfers to choose their loft and face angle independently of each other by decoupling loft from face angle. This all leads to better ball flight for more distance as well as enhanced workability.

The NexCOR face technology featured in the VR_S Covert line is designed to deliver faster ball speed and longer shots from a wider area of the face. NexCOR creates more speed at impact by employing a variable face thickness that moves the sweet spot higher from the heel of the club to the centre high, where most golfers are likely to make impact.

Available: February 8

Models: VR_S Covert and VR_S Covert Tour

The Tour model has a 430cc head and features a deeper face and fixed weight screw. It comes with Mitsubishi Rayon’s new Kuro Kage 60s shaft, produced with higher carbon fibre density for superior control and power.

The VR_S Covert is 460cc and has a wider breadth. It also comes with a Mitsubishi Rayon Kuro Kage shaft, this time the 50s version.

SRPs: VR_S Covert £249.99; VR_S Covert Tour £349.99