McIlroy debuts Nike’s new Vapor Pro driver at Ryder Cup

World number-one Rory McIlroy debuted Nike’s new driver, the Vapor Pro at the Ryder Cup. The new driver has bold visual styling with black on the crown and ‘volt’ green in the cavity back and ‘Compression Channel’. Nike states that the Vapor Pro produces a penetrating, tour-launch with low spin and added speed across the face.

McIlroy was influential in the development of the Vapor Pro, says Nike. Like his Nike Covert Tour 2.0 driver, McIlroy wanted a 460cc pear-shape profile. He also was looking for stability and speed through added flexibility across the face.

The Vapor Pro driver blends three key technologies: Nike’s new FlyBeam reinforced Covert Cavity Back design, a re-engineered Compression Channel and FlexLoft 2. All of these are vital to the golf athlete in achieving the ultimate in hitting their window of distance, speed and launch conditions. The FlyBeam construction stiffens the Covert Cavity in the back of the club, while the Compression Channel, with variable compliance, accentuates the spring-like effect across the face. Together the two focus, store, and return impact energy to the golf ball for shots struck at all points on the face, Nike claims.

FlexLoft 2 allows the golfer to select from five lofts and three face angles within 15 different settings. The new, improved system is five grams (30 percent) lighter without compromising function. The redistribution of mass creates more stability, better launch conditions and faster swing speeds. Another benefit of FlexLoft 2 is its forward and backward compatibility. Golfers with previous generations of Covert can use shafts with the original adaptor in the new head or vice versa.

McIlroy commented, “The first thing I noticed when I hit this driver was how hot it was. Then, I found that I could really control the flight and work it both ways on the golf course. I saw added ball speed on the monitor and am getting ten to 15 yards more distance on the golf course.” More at: www.nike.com/nikegolf

The Vapor Pro driver will be available from February 2014. Pricing to be confirmed.