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Nike’s new Covert 2.0 drivers retain the distinctive red crown and cavity-back design but promise to add up to six yards of distance compared to last year’s model thanks to Fly Brace technology which helps less energy to be lost as the rear of the head vibrates.
“It’s similar to an automotive frame design,” said Nate Radcliffe, Nike Golf’s director of engineering. “Fly-Brace technology reinforces the rearward portion of the club head to focus impact stress, flexing and subsequent energy transfer to the point of impact.”
The Covert 2.0 is also available in a Tour version, which perhaps shows the biggest improvements from last year’s model.
The NexCor face incorporates variable face thickness for a faster, hotter face and as a result, more speed at impact. It is 15 per cent larger in the Tour driver, and seven per cent larger in the regular one.
At 460cc, the Tour version is now much more forgiving than the previous version and has been universally well-received by Nike staffers like Rory McIlroy, Kevin Chappell and Nick Watney, who have already put the driver in the bag.
“I used to be able to get up to 180mph ball speed when I really swung hard,” says McIlroy. “I can do that comfortably with this driver and get up to 183 or 184 if I really need to. It means I can carry the ball 310 yards without any problem.”
"I can carry the ball 310 yards with the Covert 2.0 driver without any problem” – Rory McIlroy
“We work very closely with our athletes and the new drivers deliver on the shape, stability, and speed they have asked for,” Radcliffe added. This allows for an aggressive approach off the tee which is essential in the modern game.”
The new drivers retain the High Speed Cavity Back technology from the original Covert, as well as FlexLoft adjustability, which means you can adjust lofts from 8.5 to 12.5˚ while independently modifying for three different face angle positions – Left, Neutral and Right.
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The second generation of Mitsubishi Rayon’s Kuro Kage shafts are standard for both models.
In the Tour, the Kuro Kage Silver 60 graphite, featuring Titanium Nickel fibre in the tip section, creates more stability and lower spin.
The VRS Covert 2.0 utilises the Kuro Kage Black HBP Graphite 50 shaft with a higher balance point, allowing for higher swing speeds without adding shaft length.
Key facts
Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Driver
Lofts: 8.5-12.5º
LH: Yes
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Black
SRP: £249.99
Available: January 31
Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour Driver
Lofts: 8.5-12.5º
LH: Yes
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Silver TiNi shaft
SRP: £329.99
Available: January 31
Nike Covert 2.0 drivers
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