LIVE Q&A w/ NIKE GOLF - Feb 7, 2013 - Read the Transcripts

[HipCheck]

**** LIVE NIKE GOLF CHAT RIGHT NOW! CLICK HERE TO JUMP TO THE START ****

 

Perhaps no manufacturer has made a bigger splash in 2013 than Nike Golf. They've signed many top athletes this year, including World #1 Rory McIlroy. Shortly thereafter, had a victory at Torrey Pines for Tiger Woods.

 

From the November announcement to demo day at the the 2013 PGA Merchandise show, the Nike VR_S Covert Line has made a bold impression.

 

Now, Nike Golf wants to answer GolfWRXers' questions about the new VR_S Covert line in a LIVE Q&A before the Covert line appears in stores on Friday (2.8.13).

 

 

 

 

Please join us at 1PM ET, Thursday February 7th for a LIVE Q&A with Nike Golf.

 

Representing Nike Golf will be:

• Robert Boyd - Long Term Research Engineer Director
  
• Tony Dabbs - Product Line Manager
  
• Gidge Moody - Product Line Manager
  

They'll be here to answer all your Covert your questions, big and small.

 

To provide additional incentive, if you ask a question and it's answered during the Q&A, you'll be entered in a random drawing for one of two Covert drivers (one tour, one non-tour).

 

So please join us. Feel free to ask a question ahead of time in this thread below.

 

Thanks Nike Golf for joining us at GolfWRX!

 

**** LIVE NIKE GOLF CHAT RIGHT NOW! CLICK HERE TO JUMP TO THE START ****

[rok78]

There's been a couple posts on here about how the Covert drivers isn't that new because of the old Mac Powersphere driver. Obviously the exact tech is much different, but how much does the older designs influence current and future Nike designs? Do you ever look at older "out there" club designs as a way to be inspired?

[blblco02]

Has Tiger tested the new Covert drivers and any clue if he might put one of them into play?

[BILLYMALOOLY]

1- Ok cavity back looks awesome bye the way but why did it take so long for you to try this concept ?

2 - is it lower spin then last years driver ?

3- the new line looks amazing from woods to wedges congrats

[BILLYMALOOLY]

Thew new 20xi is it more dourable then last years, last years was great but i thought it cut to easy

[BILLYMALOOLY]

Why you pushing so hard for all the top player,

[BILLYMALOOLY]

What made you guys go with red ? it does looks fricken awesome though

[Boogs2]

With many people who have hit the Covert drivers, the initial review is that both are low spin heads, especially the tour version. With many WRX'ers getting lower spin than usual, do you recommend or expect golfers to go with a much higher launch/spin shaft to counter the lower spin characteristics of the Covert driver heads? Was there initial design prototypes to incorporate the Compression Channel as well as the Cavity back design? Final question, most retailers I contacted concerning swing weight stated that Nike would not take requests of swing weight. Why is this an issue with the Covert driver series?

Thank you Nike Golf and WRX for the opportunity!

[scottvw13]

There have been claims on this board by very respected members that it is impossible to create an adjustable hosel that changes loft without changing the face angle. How were you able to achieve this in the Covert?

[drifter12]

its great to see nike golf doing a Q&A for us also!

you guys signing Rory is quite the coup- exciting and I know a lot of us will be looking closely at what the swoosh brings out for us during the year! here's my question: the cavity back is not something we see from any other OEMs right now with the big stick, what benefits in particular should golfers expect to see with the cavity back covert driver over other driver offerings from other brands? thanks!!

[huskerpower_105]

1. with your new flex loft system you claim to have independent control over low and face angle. most of us here understand how these shaft sleeves work in combination with the sole of the club. does the cavity have an effect on the change of loft not affecting face angle or is it the design of the sole.
2. in regard to the cavity- is this why the drivers seem to have such low spin since the COG is so much closer to the face and i would assume higher than traditional drivers

[TheMoneyShot]

#1 Have you considered releasing a replica Tiger Woods/Rory McElroy LE 001/006 putter? Many of us would really like the exact same models they are playing.

#2 Will you please release a new MB blade that resembles the original swoosh blade? Nice and simple with no other markings beside the swoosh logo?

#3 Why have you not been able to get Tiger into the Covert Tour driver yet? Do you anticipate him switching to this before Augusta?

Thanks for coming on here to answer our questions, your new products that are being released are top tier and I cannot wait to play them!!

[yedi015]

Anymore models in the original method putter in the works? Love the mallet and wide back method core but would love to see it with original method groves. Also what about maybe a heavier head for the methods like 350 gram range? Thanks

[texasdave]

This has been argued at great length on this forum so could you please verify for certain if we can specify a playing length and swing weight as a custom option on the Covert driver? Thanks, Dave

[texasdave]

Signing Rory, Nick, Kyle and Thorbjorn all make great sense as young golfers with very bright futures but what was the thought in re-signing David Duval?

I wish him well and always enjoyed watching him play.

Dave

[w8liftr]

Will Nike make the adapters available for the Covert? I'm sure many WRX members, like myself, own shafts they would love to use in the Covert.

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.

[Yepyukon]

Thank you Nike Golf for the Q & A.

[quote name='w8liftr' timestamp='1360034333' post='6364867']
Will Nike make the adapters available for the Covert? I'm sure many WRX members, like myself, own shafts they would love to use in the Covert.

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.
[/quote]

I would like to add to his question about golfers that have previous versions of your adjustable driver. Is there any way if we have a shaft that we ordered for an older driver, to have that shaft (say an exotic shaft) swapped to the new adapter?

[bosox24]

Excited to try the new driver. How did you guys settle on the name "Covert" for this line? How does it fit this line of products?

[jabrch]

How much input to do mega stars like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have in your testing and development process? What will it take to get them to game more of the brand new gear?

[browne11]

Will we be able to custom order any shaft that we would like, or are there only a limited amount of upgraded shafts available?

Will there be a fitting cart with different shaft options?

Also is there a pricing list anywhere for shaft upgrades? I haven't been able to find one.

Thanks for your time guys.

[browne11]

Did you guys consider using adjustable weights in the heel and toe? Is it something that me be in the works for next year?

[Pingman222]

Where does the vr tour 420cc head fit in with relation to spin numbers on the covert heads?

[Tread]

How much feedback goes into picking a drivers color during testing? Also, did you ask for feedback regarding the swoosh on the crown during your testing?

The driver looks great BTW.

[Eddie]

Can Nike Golf, for the record, let us know whether Covert shaft tips will be available individually to the general public? If so, when will these be available.

Although I've bought my Covert Tour, if Nike will not be providing an option for acquiring these Covert tips, I, as well as many I'm sure will reconsider.

Thanks Nike Golf for spending the time.

[15Over]

First, thanks for taking the time to come on WRX and responding to questions.

The 2013 wedge line looks just outstanding from the photos we've seen; clean and simple. But, can you give us some information about the sole grinds on the new line? I'd be interested in learning more about how, say, the "dual narrow" grind, or "dual wide" grind, is expected to work, if that is the correct name for the grind. Also, is it correct that the release date is May? Why not earlier? May seems fairly late in the golf season for a new release.

Again, thanks for putting up with us WRXers.

[j2_a2]

What made you guys decide to go with the Kuro Kage shafts to be the stock shafts in the Tour and Performance model as opposed to the many other aftermarket shafts out there?

Thanks

[Merle33]

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions and educate us on your products. I've been a Nike fan for years and a staff professional as well. You've always made high quality equipment and its very exciting to see the innovation with the 2013 Covert line of equipment.

- With the Covert series being the first high speed cavity back design, and the FlexLoft system, how many years of R & D have been behind the release of these clubs?

- I've hit both the Covert Tour and Covert Performance heads, how difficult was it to dial in the acoustics of these heads with the cavity back design? The sounds at impact are very solid and much different (but better) than previous drivers.

- Approximately what difference in launch and spin rate should we expect from the Tour to the Performance head when hitting with the same shaft?

- Previous versions of adjustable hostel adapters achieved different lofts by rotating the shaft varying degrees up to 90* from its original position, to add or subtract 1-2* of loft. It appears with the FlexLoft system, the shaft is rotated a much smaller amount, but still resulting in a 1* change in loft. The face angle is then adjusted independently with a separate gear. Can you explain how the new FlexLoft tips allow us to adjust to 5 different loft settings?

Thanks, and I can't wait to have all the new equipment in my bag!!

[TWshoot67]

Can you actually tell us who does the forging for your irons this year and last years blades. Is it ENDO of Thailand? Or all all your irons forged and cast done in China? So much mis information and so called experts that say one or the other. For once I'd like to hear it from the people who may know what's the truth!

Thanks, Tim

PS: I still love the Original Pro Combo's the first set Nike ever made. I was told they (iron heads) were done by ENDO of Japan. I just want to know because they were the best feeling forged irons I felt Nike ever made, although I haven't tried the new VR BLades....

[MiniJ83]

Where did the name "Covert" come from?

[whatswrong11]

What is the recommended swing speed for the Nike One RZN versus the 20 XI?