Review: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 driver
We take the driver from Nike out for spin
WHEN Nike first entered the golf world in a whirlwind of PR hype, people were queuing up to criticise the brand for what they saw as an outsider trying to break into an insular golf industry.
Nike was seen to be encroaching into a field which already had dedicated, golf-only brands. Many thought it would struggle to compete as they were so far beghind in terms of research and development, technology, brand loyalty etc.
Fast forward a couple years and two of the most marketable athletes on the planet, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, are on Nike’s books and they have just released the much anticipated 2.0 range following the successful VR_S Covert range.
I think it’s fair to say Nike has arrived and it is here to stay.
I’ve had the Nike VR_S Covert Tour driver in the bag for some time now so I was excited to see what the new VR_S Covert 2.0 could offer me as, on first glance, it looked a very similar driver.
Essentially, this is an upgrade to the VR_S Covert, which the 2.0 name suggests, rather than a new driver.
From a brand which is heavily involved in fashion, you expect that Nike’s equipment is always going to look pleasant, and the new driver does not disappoint.
The famous red-head is still in use and it is still a predominantly traditional shape. The tour version has a black finish to the face and the underside of the driver which I prefer to the chrome finish used on the standard driver. The overall appearance has a futuristic, space age feel to it and I’m all for it.
The club sits nicely behind the ball which is important to me. When lining up my driver, I’ve got enough things to worry about other than working to keep my club flat on the ground and pointing it in the direction I want the ball to go.
In performance terms, this driver excels. Nike promised us more distance, thanks to the re-engineered NexCOR face, and I did see a couple extra yards being milked out by the 2.0 Covert. It wasn't a drastic extension, I’d say around 3-5 yards, but added length nonetheless.
The face has a fantastic feel and the ball explodes off it with the bi-product being a satisfying ‘whack’ sound.
FlexLoft adjustablilty is on offer, allowing users to take advantage of the 15 different lofts available, and I would definitely be taking advantage of this as the stock loft was throwing my ball too high for my liking.
This is the major advantage of adjustable drivers. Pre-adjustability, I wouldn’t even think about bagging this driver as I would be losing 10-20 yards due to my ball ballooning in the air. However, with a simple twist and turn, I can tune this flat stick to suit my swing allowing me to reap the benefits.
While the tour version has a smaller head, allowing for more workability but less forgiveness, the standard driver offers up a confidence-boosting amount of forgiveness. The sweet spot feels huge and will have you attacking the golf course.
It’s a nicely weighted driver which promotes good tempo and a smooth swing. It’s one of those clubs which seems to do the work for you. Get set at the top, start the down swing and next thing you know your ball's out there and you’re holding a pose.
Verdict
With both Rory McIroy and Tiger Woods using the VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour, you’re in good company. This is a forgiving big stick with great feel which will add distance to your drives.
