Today Nike Golf released information “officially” on new products in golf clubs, golf balls, footwear and apparel for 2014.

According to Nike’s press release: Cavity Back technology in golf clubs; Speedlock RZN Core technology in golf balls; Lunar technology in footwear; and Mobility Enhanced technologies in apparel.

“For us, innovation and design is at the epicenter of everything we do,” said Cindy Davis, President of Nike Golf. “We obsess every detail. Is it fast enough? Is it light enough? Does it feel right? Sound right? Does it meet the eye? Does it move with the body? We challenge everything. We think something nobody else thinks. We build something nobody else builds. We improve something that no one else thinks needs improving. If it’s good enough, then we must make it better.”

VRS Covert 2.0 Drivers:

Photos above are the Covert Driver (left) and Covert Tour Driver (right)

According to Nike’s press release: An enhanced cavity back design with new Fly-Brace technology delivers increased energy transfer at impact for more ball speed and forgiving distance. The new VRS Covert 2.0 drivers deliver more forgiving distance, faster ball speed and simple, intuitive customization to meet the swing needs of every athlete. High-Speed Cavity Back technology redistributes weight to the heel and toe allowing for increased distance and more stability across the face of the driver. See the original photos of this driver we spotted out on tour.

“We re-engineered the VRS Covert 2.0 with enhancements to our High Speed Cavity Back technology that allow athletes to experience more forgiving distance than ever before,” says Nate Radcliffe, Nike Golf Director of Engineering. “The new VRS Covert 2.0 driver features a redesigned cavity with Fly-Brace technology that ties the sole to the crown. By stiffening the rear portion of the club, more energy is transferred to the face at impact. The end result is even greater ball speed and up to six yards of distance gain over last year’s model.”

The VRS Covert 2.0 drivers feature two additional proprietary technologies: A larger, re-engineered NexCOR face for increased ball speed and distance, and FlexLoft adjustability, which allows athletes to easily customize loft and face angle positions for 15 drivers in one.

Photos above are the Covert Driver (left) and Covert Tour Driver (right)

The redesigned NexCOR face incorporates variable face thickness for a faster, hotter face and as a result, more speed at impact. It is 15-percent larger in the VRS Covert 2.0 Tour driver and seven-percent larger in the VRS Covert 2.0 driver.

Nike Golf’s patented FlexLoft system offers the same, intuitive adjustability system featured in the VRS Covert driver. Athletes can adjust lofts from 8.5 to 12.5 degrees while independently modifying for three different face angle positions to optimize launch and spin conditions for maximized distance and accuracy.

Photos above are the Covert Driver (left) and Covert Tour Driver (right)

The second generation of Mitsubishi Rayon’s Kuro Kage shafts are the standard graphite option for both models. In the VRS Covert 2.0 Tour, the Kuro Kage Silver 60 graphite, featuring Titanium Nickel fiber in the tip section, creates more stability and lower spin. The VRS Covert 2.0 utilizes the Kuro Kage Black HBP Graphite 50 shaft with a higher balance point, allowing for higher swing speeds without adding shaft length.

Both drivers will be available for pre-order on Nike.com on Jan. 6, 2013. The VRS Covert 2.0 Tour driver and VRS Covert 2.0 driver will be available on Nike.com and at select retailers on Jan. 31, 2014 for a suggested retail price of $399 and $299, respectively.

VRS Covert 2.0 Tour Driver Specifications: 8.5-12.5º, RH/LH: R, S, X

VRS Covert 2.0 Driver Specifications: 8.5-12.5º, RH/LH: A, R, S, W

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VRS Covert 2.0 Fairway Woods:

Per Nike’s Press Release: Coupled with High Speed Cavity Back technology for longer and straighter shots, a lower center of gravity promotes a higher launch with reduced spin, which produces an average of eight yards in additional distance compared to last year’s model.

Nike Golf re-engineered the Fly-Brace design within the cavity back of the VRS Covert 2.0 fairway woods similar to that of the VRS Covert 2.0 driver, re-distributing material from the center of the club toward the heel and toe for increased stability. The Fly-Brace technology stiffens the chassis to focus flexing toward the variable thickness NexCOR face. The result is a faster, hotter face with higher ball speed.

Photos above are the Nike Covert 2.0 (left) and the Covert 2.0 Tour (right)

The VRS Covert 2.0 Tour fairway woods feature Nike’s patented FlexLoft technology, a simple pull, turn, push-and-tighten adjustment system that allows golfers to choose their loft and face angle independently of each other, providing more range and versatility in the bag.

Photos above are the Nike Covert 2.0 Tour (left) and the Covert 2.0 (right)

The second generation of Mitsubishi Rayon’s Kuro Kage shafts are the standard graphite option for both models. In the VRS Covert 2.0 Tour, the Kuro Kage Silver 70 graphite, featuring Titanium Nickel fiber in the tip section, creates more stability and lower spin. The Kuro Kage Black HBP Graphite 60 shaft in the VRS Covert 2.0 fairway woods features a higher balance point allowing for higher swing speeds without adding shaft length.

Photos above are the Nike Covert 2.0 Tour (left) and the Covert 2.0 (right)

The VRS Covert 2.0 Tour fairway woods and VRS Covert 2.0 fairway woods will be available on Jan. 31, 2014 for a suggested retail price of $249 and $199, respectively.

VRS Covert 2.0 Tour Fairway Woods Specifications: 3W: 13°-17° (RH/LH), 5W: 17°-21° (RH/LH)

VRS Covert 2.0 Fairway Woods Specifications: 3W: 15° (RH/LH), 5W: 19° (RH/LH)

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VRS Covert 2.0 Hybrids:

According to Nike’s press release: Nike Golf engineers tapped into their “Linear Transition Design” methodology to create a new line of hybrids with progressively smaller head designs while increasing face height on each model.

Tapping into what the engineers at The Oven call “Linear Transition Design,” the club team crafted the VRS Covert 2.0 hybrids with progressively smaller head sizes as loft increases, while increasing the face height on each model. The #2 and #3 hybrids, with larger heads, perform more like fairway woods to advance the ball, while the #4 and #5 hybrids are designed for approach shots toward the green.

Photos above are the Nike Covert 2.0 (left) and the Covert 2.0 Tour (right)

Both the VRS Covert 2.0 Tour and VRS Covert 2.0 hybrids feature a Fly-Brace reinforced High-Speed Cavity back design for longer and straighter shots. The cavity back design improves the moment of inertia, helps to stiffen the back of the golf club and improve the energy transfer across the club face.

“With the new VRS Covert 2.0 hybrids, the longer the shot, the more forgiving the club,” says Tony Dabbs, Nike Golf Global Product Director, Golf Clubs. “When we looked at it, we realized it makes more sense, especially with a #2 and #3 hybrid, to produce ball flight that is more similar to a fairway wood. As the line progresses, the heads get smaller, and the #4 and #5 hybrids are designed to hit the green with a little higher trajectory and more shot-making precision.”

In addition to the VRS Covert 2.0 hybrids, the VRS Covert 2.0 Tour hybrids feature Nike’s patented FlexLoft technology, a simple pull, turn, push-and-tighten adjustment system that allows golfers to choose their loft and face angle independently of each other, providing more range and versatility in the bag. NexCOR face technology, which incorporates variable face thickness for a faster, hotter face, results in more speed at impact.

The second generation of Mitsubishi Rayon’s Kuro Kage graphite shafts are the standard graphite shaft option for both models. In the VRS Covert 2.0 Tour, the Kuro Kage Silver 80 graphite shaft creates more stability and lower spin. The VRS Covert 2.0 hybrids utilize the Kuro Kage Black HBP Graphite 70 shaft, featuring a higher balance point to allow for higher swing speeds without adding shaft length.

The VRS Covert 2.0 and VR Covert 2.0 Tour hybrids will be available January 31, 2014 for a suggested retail price of $179 and $229, respectively.

VRS Covert 2.0 Tour Hybrids Specifications: 3H: 17°-21° (RH/LH), 5H: 21°-25° (RH/LH)

VRS Covert 2.0 Hybrids Specifications: 2H: 17° (RH), 3H: 20° (RH/LH), 4H: 23° (RH/LH), 5H: 26° (RH)

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VR X3X Toe Sweep Wedges:

According to Nike’s press release: With a wider sole area toward the toe and improved Nike X3X groove technology, the VR X3X Toe Sweep wedges deliver a more consistent shot in any condition, providingbetter ball flight and stopping power on the green.

Over the course of five years, the Nike Golf team prototyped, analyzed and tested a range of functional sole configurations before landing on an innovative design that makes it significantly easier to hit out of the toughest lies from anywhere around the green. A wider sole area toward the toe and a relieved heel ensure versatility around the greens and make it easier for golfers to hit out of the bunker. Improved X3X groove technology delivers a more consistent shot in any condition, better ball flight and superior stopping power on the green.

“We built the VR X3X Toe Sweep wedges from the ground up,” said Mike Taylor, Nike Golf Master Modelmaker. “Our Tour athletes have told us that the toe side of the sole is most critical in bunker performance. In a bunker shot, these new wedges are carefully crafted to provide bounce relative to the path of the club head. Around the green, our athletes ask for material to be ground away from the heel to aid open-face versatility–and we’ve done that with this new design.”

The toe-sweep sole is an innovative combination that blends the best attributes of several of Nike’s most functional grinds. The VR X3X Toe Sweep wedges perform like a wide sole from the bunker, but slide through the tightest lies around the green with ease.

Included in the VR X3X line are the Tour-validated Dual Wide sole wedges, which have a wide “c-shaped” grind with heel and toe relief, making it extremely easy to launch the ball high with maximum spin.

Nike’s X3X groove technology features grooves that are closer together and deeper on the clubface. Nike Golf engineers added width to the shape of the existing X3X grooves to create a new X3X 27 groove design for the VR X3X line of wedges. The enhanced design improves spin consistency for more precision when approaching the green.

Both VR X3X wedges feature a satin chrome finish, Dynamic Gold Wedge shafts and Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 grips.

The Nike VR X3X wedges will be available on Jan. 31, 2014 for a suggested retail price of $109.

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VRS Covert Forged Irons:

According to Nike’s press release: Nike Golf engineers incorporated a NexCOR face, Nike’s proprietary technology that delivers faster ball speed and more distance, and a high-speed cavity back design with a lower, deeper center of gravity for longer and straighter shots.

Built with metal wood distance in mind, Nike Golf’s new VRS Covert Forged irons provide high-speed performance in a premium design. Nike Golf engineers incorporated a NexCOR face, Nike’s proprietary variable face thickness technology that delivers faster ball speed for greater distance. The new irons also feature a high-speed cavity back design with a lower, deeper center of gravity for longer and straighter shots.

“We focused on improving distance and off-center hit performance with the VRS Covert Forged irons,” said Chris Savage, Nike Golf Irons Innovation Engineer. “It’s the first time we designed a forged iron with a high-speed NexCOR face, and engineering the variable thickness really amplifies the trampoline effect off the face. We further enhanced the performance with balanced perimeter weighting via a deep, engineered cavity back design. In our testing, the VRS Covert Forged irons delivered up to seven additional yards in distance compared to last year’s product.”

“Our research shows that more than 80 percent of player impact is between the center and the toe side of an iron,” Savage adds. “So another key focus on this product was to shift the center of gravity to the center of the face. By moving the true sweet spot to the area where most people hit the ball, we enhanced the iron’s feel and improved off center performance by as much as 17 percent.”

Nike’s X3X groove technology features grooves that are closer together and deeper on the clubface. Nike Golf engineers added width to the shape of the existing high-frequency X3X grooves to maximize spin and maintain ball flight, resulting in a 50-percent decrease in long iron dispersion from difficult lies.

The Nike VRS Covert Forged irons will be available on Jan. 31, 2014 for a suggested retail price of $1,099.

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Speedlock RZN Core technology:

According to Nike’s press release: This new technology features an interlocking core design – the core’s surface is similar to that of a waffle iron – that interconnects with the compression layer to form a tighter bond. Speedlock Technology helps to harness more energy between layers for faster ball speed, longer distance and more stability into the wind.

Four new golf balls featuring Speedlock RZN Core technology:

•RZN Platinum: Tour Performance control and moderate spin

•RZN Black: Tour Performance distance and less spin

•RZN Red: Distance Performance, longer carry

•RZN White: Distance Performance, softer feel, for swing speeds 95-100 mph

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Nike Lunar Control:

According to Nike’s press release: Venom Green, Military Blue and Challenge Red pop against white and black premium full-grain leather uppers and highlight Nike’s proprietary full-length Lunarlon technology, a lightweight cushioning system that is highly responsive, resulting in a unique combination of comfort and support.

Nike Golf Athletes sport the Nike Lunar Control on Tour more than any other shoe because it offers the control and lightweight cushioning they need round after round – and now they have an expressive range of bold and confident colors to choose from beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

“The shoe is designed to be in contact with the ground as much as possible and that enables me to push off the ground with more control,” said Casey. “For me, it’s always incredible how Nike creates great shoes, and then improves on them in the next generation.”

Vibrant colors such as Venom Green, Military Blue and Challenge Red pop against white and black premium full-grain leather uppers and highlight Nike’s proprietary full-length Lunarlon technology, a lightweight cushioning system that is highly responsive, resulting in a unique combination of comfort and support.

“Our Tour athletes are on their feet all day, every day – they know what they need out of a golf shoe to perform at their best,” said Lee Walker, Nike Golf Global Footwear Marketing Director. “We relied heavily on their insights to create a shoe that provides optimal control and comfort in a range of confident colors.”

In addition to Lunarlon foam cushioning, the Nike Lunar Control also features Nike Flywire, another proprietary technology, which wraps from the midfoot to the heel for targeted support and lightweight structure.

Underfoot, Nike Power Platform stabilizes the foot to provide better balance, smoother weight transfer and more control at impact. Power Transfer Zone technology works in conjunction with the Power Platform to allow for constant ground contact and a smooth transfer of power throughout the swing.

The new colorways of the Nike Lunar Control will be available in Black/Reflect Silver-Light Crimson on December 1, 2013 and White/Team Red-Challenge Red; White/Black-Venom Green; and White/Military Blue-Venom Green on Jan. 1, 2014 for a suggested retail price of $160.

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Nike Lunar Clayton:

According to Nike’s press release: Nike Golf footwear designers combined a handcrafted, waterproof leather upper with lightweight Nike Lunarlon technology in the outsole for maximum responsive cushioning to create a versatile shoe for both on and off the course. A leather welt joins the upper to the outsole while protecting from the elements.

Nike Golf Footwear Product Line Manager Ryan Bucci was first inspired more than 5,000 miles from Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., while window-shopping in Florence, Italy.

“Handmade, Italian leather shoes are the essence of premium footwear,” said Bucci. “We saw that there was an opening in the marketplace for a high-quality, handcrafted golf shoe that we could marry with Nike technology to make it lighter, more comfortable and more wearable.”

To achieve the ultimate combination of craftsmanship and comfort, the Nike Golf footwear designers combined a handcrafted, waterproof leather upper with lightweight Nike Lunarlon technology in the outsole for maximum responsive cushioning. A leather welt, often utilized in traditional methods of making shoes, joins the upper to the outsole while protecting from the elements.

“In the past, wearing a high-end leather golf shoes meant you had to take the time to break it in. Those shoes can be rigid and uncomfortable,” Bucci says. “The Nike Lunar Clayton is a handcrafted leather shoe that is built to last but ready to wear. We obsessed the details, from the leather upper to the contrast stitching to stability and fit.”

A new Internal Dynamic Fit System provides a secure fit and stability in the midfoot through a lacing system that Nike Golf designers moved to the inside of the upper. A molded rubber outsole (Integrated Traction) makes the Nike Lunar Clayton a versatile, wearable shoe both on and off the golf course.

Additional design features include a Nike-crafted Swoosh on the upper, premium sock liner, contrast stitch details and two sets of laces with each pair of shoes.

The Nike Lunar Clayton with be available Jan. 1, 2014 for a suggested retail price of $249.

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Nike Hyperadapt Wind Jacket:

According to Nike’s press release: Featuring the same four-way stretch technology and sweater-like feel as the Hyperadapt Storm-FIT jacket, the Hyperadapt Wind jacket is a lighter, windproof and rain-resistant version perfect for spring. A transparent outer shell showcases the jacket’s technical details inside and out.

Baggy, bigger and bulky used to be the standard go-to for outerwear on the golf course. Nike Golf changed that with the Hyperadapt Storm-FIT jacket in 2013, and with the new Hyperadapt Wind jacket, available at retail Jan. 1, 2014, extra fabric and noisy, distracting swings are now null and void. The Hyperadapt Wind jacket features the same four-way stretch technology and sweater-like feel as the Hyperadapt Storm-FIT jacket in a lighter, windproof and rain-resistant version perfect for spring.

“With the Hyperadapt Wind jacket there’s no need to ‘size up’ – it’s designed to fit and move with your body,” said Merritt Richardson, Nike Golf VP of Global Golf Apparel. “The four-way stretch laminate through the back, shoulders and upper arms maximizes range of motion and eliminates distractions, and the lightweight outer shell provides superior protection from the elements for all day performance and comfort on the course.”

Inspired by a car with a see-through, engine-exposing hood one of the designers saw in a parking lot on Nike’s Beaverton, Ore., campus, the Nike Golf apparel team incorporated a half-zip, transparent outer shell that showcases the jacket’s technical details inside and out. A v-shaped panel underneath incorporates bonded mesh within the Hyperadapt construction for added breathability and mobility where golfers need it most.

In addition to a performance-driven design, the Hyperadapt Wind jacket is sustainable, too– recycled coffee grounds were used in part to make the windproof coating on the outer shell, which helps reduce odor from perspiration and assists in UV protection.

The Hyperadapt Wind jacket also features elastic cuffs to keep sleeves from moving up and down during a swing, as well as an adjustable waist and a back pocket for storage.

The Nike Hyperadapt Wind jacket will be available Jan. 1, 2014 for a suggested retail price of $100.

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