Equipment
In-hand photos of Tiger’s new driver
Check out the in-hand photos we snapped of Tiger’s new Nike Covert Tour Version 5 driver.
Click here to see the other clubs in Tiger’s bag.
Unlike the Nike Covert Tour driver that is sold to the public, Tiger’s driver does not have the company’s “FlexLoft” hosel system, which allows for the adjustment of loft and face angle.
According to sources at Nike, Tiger prefers the longer, skinnier look of a glued hosel at address.
Tiger’s driver also lacks a weight in the sole of the driver, as well as the white Nike Swoosh that is prominently displayed on the crown of all of Nike’s other 2013 driver models.
Click here to see what our members are saying about Tiger’s driver in the forums.
This week, we have our Tour Photographer, Greg Moore, on the ground at the OccuNet Classic at Tascosa Golf Club in Amarillo, Texas, for the 14th event of the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season. With that, we see some great things in the Lead Tape Report as we roll into Amarillo.
Joel Thelen
Monday Qualifier, Joel Thelen is in the field this week. He has played on the Korn Ferry Tour for a full season in 2023, and he is back in action this week. A couple of clubs caught my eye this week in his bag.
First off: His trusted Titleist 816 H2 hybrid. This club came out in October of 2015, and it still remains strong in the bag. Also, take a look at this Odyssey White Hot OG 7, putting a capital S in the 7S model. This custom neck has some impressive lean for an arm-lock-style putter. The bottom of the putter is covered in tape for optimal weighting.
Mitchell Meissner
Taking a look at Mitchell Meissner’s bag this week, we have some great lead tape coverage. Top to bottom working from fairway metals, irons, and wedges. We can see on the short irons and wedges that there is tape at the base of the grip, adding a little counterbalance. Along with that, some tape on the short irons and wedges as well. Moving to his putter, he rolls the Odyssey 7 Bird putter. Meissner putts left-handed and strikes the ball right-handed.
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.
Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: Titleist GTS3 (15 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 70 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 80 TX
Irons: Titleist U505 (3), Titleist 620 MB (4-9)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 8 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putters: Scotty Cameron Tour Prototype, Scotty Cameron GOLO 6.3 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
In our forums, one user has offered up a prompt for the true sickos, inviting fellow forum members to share every set of irons they’ve ever owned. As to be expected, this is a lengthy forum topic.
@Lamosteve began:
Can you name every set of irons you’ve owned? Here’s mine
Spalding Dots
Spalding Eclipse
Ram Lazer FX
Lynx Parallax
Mizuno EZ Comp
Ben Hogans
Cleveland CG Red
Taylor Made R9s
PING i20
PING iE1
Taylor Made M6
Our members in the forum have been offering up their own collections. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- macedan: “Started with a hand-me-down Golden Bear set from my brother when I was in high school, never really played more than once a year or got into the game until about summer of 2017. First purchased a set of Cleveland CG4’s (I actually really miss this set sometimes, soft & not terribly large for a GI iron), moved into Nike Vapor Fly’s by the end of the year. Those lasted until spring of 18 when I decided I wanted new, so I traded them in for TM Rbladez. Honestly, although I liked the Rbladez, poor decision on my part, I think this was really about the only time so far that after a week or two I was kicking myself for not staying with what I had. Rbladez stayed with me until late last summer when I switched to P790’s and (knock on wood) I am hoping this will be my longest lasting set.”
- JimmyC59: “MacGregor Jack Nicklaus Triple Crown. Palmer The Standard. Still play these.”
- jgrzask: “Tommy Armour 845u
Mizuno MP-32
Mizuno MP-33 (2 sets)
Bridgestone J33cb – still own
Srixon i-302 (2 sets) – still own
Tourstage X-Blades – still own
Mizuno Hot Metal – still own
Nike Forged Blades – still own
Titleist 714 AP1 – still own
Cobra Forged SS – still own”
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Memorial Tournament Tour Report: Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young switch up drivers, and more
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
J.T. Poston’s winning WITB: 2026 Memorial Tournament
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Best irons 2026: Best irons overall, most forgiving irons, and more
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Bud Cauley WITB 2026 (June)
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
Hannah Green WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting) Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RB 53 S 3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees,...
Asterisk Talley WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (16.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Brianna Do WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 3-wood: Callaway Elyte Titanium (15 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 5-wood:...
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Tempo Power
Aug 18, 2013 at 5:26 pm
On YouTube there is a English gent named Rick, he is a PGA pro. He matched many of this years drivers, and Nike Covert, TaylorMade RBZ hade best distance number. Not mush difference in any of them. certainly not 100 dollars.
caleb
Aug 16, 2013 at 5:19 pm
There are some interesting points in time in this post but I don’t see whether I see all of them center for you to heart. There’s some quality but I will require hold thoughts and opinions until I look into that further. Good article , thanks and that we want more! Added to FeedBurner too
caleb http://my.opera.com/mckinley87shut/blog/2013/08/11/can-kidney-dialysis-be-temporary?firstpost=Y
Az
Aug 13, 2013 at 10:27 am
A better looking covert driver without the swoosh logo on top. Red color on top and black finish at the face and bottom with fixed hosel. I hope Nike would produce this driver on the market soon.
Scott
Aug 12, 2013 at 8:48 pm
The absence of the ‘swoosh ‘ on the crown should tell the marketing guys something. Not a big fan of the graphics etc on the top of drivers. Looks like TM has learnt this this past season. The SLDR whilst still having some graphics is much more toned down than the R1 and I’m pretty sure the only reason the R1 Black was brought in was because of a slow down in the purchase of R1s. If the world no.1 prefers simplicity maybe Joe Average does too. For what it’s worth, the 913 ( the most simple look wise) is the most sold driver this year at the club where I work.
JD
Aug 12, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Nike golf makes crap equipment. Their “off the rack” stuff is clunky and cheaply made; awful at address and feels terrible on solid shots.
MR
Aug 15, 2013 at 7:26 am
I could not disagree more. The Covert has been the best driver in about 80% of the 30+ fittings that I’ve done this year. On top of that, the new VR Forged wedges have a great feel to them. I’ve been skeptical about Nike in years past but this year, they have made a believer of myself as well as many doubters out there. Go give these clubs a try JD
Cyd
Aug 11, 2013 at 7:55 pm
Why would I want this club? If eldrick can’t hit a fairway with it, what chance would I have?
Foster
Aug 10, 2013 at 6:53 pm
This is indeed a Covert……the only difference that is not cosmetic is the fixed hosel and the lack of the weight screw. Which changes the MOI a bit.
I for one am glad to see TW swinging the Covert. I have one on my bag and it keeps me in the fairway.
Tom Jones
Aug 10, 2013 at 2:11 pm
How can anyone really care about this worthless information?
Blanco
Aug 10, 2013 at 5:46 pm
We are golf fans Tom Jones. Still selling out the banquet room at Circus Circus?
Lawton
Aug 10, 2013 at 8:17 pm
Nice looking driver. Why can’t Tiger hit the fairway during the pressure of a major for the last few years?
Honmagolfan
Aug 23, 2013 at 3:46 pm
Somebody does. We are commenting on it.
Trey
Aug 10, 2013 at 12:50 pm
The shape is the same as his VRS
Swooshmeup
Aug 10, 2013 at 11:49 am
This is the best driver on the market… By far!
Matt
Aug 10, 2013 at 11:48 am
FORE LEFT!!!!
bob
Aug 10, 2013 at 12:32 am
ITS NOT THER ARROW ITS THE INDIAN> INVE BEEN APGA PRO 50YEARS > A GOLFER 65 YEARS> WHEN I WAS AKID THE GOLF MAGAZINE ADVERTS FOR CLUBS AND BALLS CLAIMED MORE DISTANCE>
IF THE COMBINATION OF BETTER BALL AND BETTER CLUB GAVE US A MERE 5 YARDS EVEY YEAR WE’D BET HITTING 600 YARDS BY NOW.
THE CLAIMS ARE OUTRAGES!LOAD OF B/S THE AVERAGE GOLFER HAS NOT IMPROVED IN ALL THESE YEARS. COUSRE ARE BETTER GREENS ARE SMOOTHER>
LEARN HOW TO USE THEM FIRST. GET REGULAR LESSONS
Blanco
Aug 10, 2013 at 5:45 pm
no yelling
Matt
Aug 10, 2013 at 11:30 pm
I agree with you 100% Bob its all just a bunch of marketing B.S. I’ve been playing for 20 years now and I can honestly say there has only been one equipment advance where I saw a significant increase in distance and that was with the introduction of the ProV1. No significant changes before or since.
Jericho
Aug 9, 2013 at 11:07 am
with that said..I have a Mitsubishi rayon kura kage prototype ion TiNi coming in..yea.. i know
Jericho
Aug 9, 2013 at 11:04 am
which is why so many amateurs relate to the LPGA tour.. 1st off they play the same yardage as most everyday golfers.. around 6,500 ..2nd the “majority” of the LPGA equipment is off the rack..sure..some tweaking..but nothing like the PGA..7,400yrds..”one off” custom engineered fabricated heads, $2,500 drivers painted to look like off the shelf stuff..leading the public to think “wow if I get that equipment I could have that game” bad news is that equipment will cost ya $8,000..you want impressive.. how about a 14 year old girl that plays our yardages and shoots a 64 with stuff she got at Golfsmith..thats impressive/relatable.. ive got 6 rounds at 66 on my home course..68 elsewhere and im in my 40’s.. best round at 7,400 at sea level was a 74.. I dont think an $8,000 bag is gonna help
Tyler
Aug 9, 2013 at 12:18 pm
How do you explain K.J. Choi playing off the racl MP 64’s? Most of the equipment tour players play are comparable to that of a college player or low amatuer. We see the clubs every week on this site.
Jericho
Aug 9, 2013 at 12:54 pm
you’re absolutely right there are Tour players that don’t use totally custom stuff however I think at the least KJ choi’s irons are a blue printed set.. Dave Butler built my blue printed set of Miura baby blades.. Dave told me that KJ Choi had a set built for him, a blue printed set of Miura 501’s.. chances are his 64’s are also blue printed although the heads were probably not not messed with as far as weighting or grinds is concerned.. of course KJ is one of my all time favorite players I’ve had four sets of irons with the KJ Choi MFS 115 shaft in it.. then I had a set recently of Thee Ozik matrix program.. in my opinion absolutely no comparison against the MFS 115.. the Ozik feels hollow the MFS 115 is a solid killer
Sid
Aug 9, 2013 at 3:19 pm
KJ Choi talks openly about his iron choices. He was matched up by a club fitter for the Miura 501’s just before his Players win.
Allegedly and I am sure Google will back this up, he purchased the Mizuno’s off the rack at Golf Galaxy the week of the Memorial. No tour vans allowed at the memorial.
Grab yourself a set of limited edition KJ Choi Miuras!
Nate
Aug 9, 2013 at 10:51 am
I don’t understand everyone’s issue saying this is just a modified vr tour with covert cosmetics in an attempt to sell more coverts. Of course it’s a mere deviation from his old gamer. It’s tiger’s driver…..the best player in the game…..a staff member of the most powerful brand in sports. He’s going to get whatever he wants and this is the result. It’s not nike pulling a marketing scheme on the public, it’s an example of how a manufacturer takes care of its pro. Nobody would turn down the opportunity to have a driver built exactly to your specifications from specs to appearance. It’s a perk of being the best.
Matt
Aug 10, 2013 at 11:42 pm
Most high handicap golfers want to believe what sets them apart from the pro’s is custom fitted equipment. Fact is you can put any off the rack set in a pro’s hands and he will brake par almost every time in a casual round. But when your playing for millions of dollars with all that pressure where one less shot a round can mean the difference between making 400,000 or 50,000 then custom fitted equipment can help a little.
dolphlundgrenade
Aug 15, 2013 at 11:46 pm
Correction @Matt: 1. break, not “brake” 2. All PGA card holders will always break par with any clubs you give them. Off the shelf or not. I would say “almost” if you only gave them a 3 iron, 56 degree wedge and a putter- then, they may not break par every time, but I bet they would most of the time.
Jordan
Aug 9, 2013 at 9:57 am
Looks just like the vr pro le, which I love
Jordan
Aug 9, 2013 at 9:57 am
I agree. Make this model available to the public and I’ll buy one right away.
Matt
Aug 8, 2013 at 11:50 pm
it’s just an updated version of his old driver. they’re just trying to sell more covert tour drivers because “now Tiger uses one”
Matt
Aug 9, 2013 at 12:45 am
well if they’re trying to sell more drivers then they need to bring that one to market and I just might be a buyer. Like Tiger I prefer a glued head too.
Jack
Aug 8, 2013 at 10:57 pm
Sooo Tiger prefers the lower end non adjustable non weight version (yeah I know his is not the same, but it’s the same setup). Wait… I thought those things made a better club? I totally buy into the marketing hype. And then I never adjust my driver one iota.
Tyler
Aug 9, 2013 at 11:27 am
Tiger’s always been a minimalist with clubs. The majority of golfers would hit the Nike club with “technology” better than Tiger’s.
Sam
Aug 13, 2013 at 11:31 pm
Pros dont need adjustable drivers when they have drivers made specifically for them. And its not like the head weight is very different, probably moved that weight to personalize the CG to what Tiger likes
Toan
Aug 8, 2013 at 7:03 pm
This is basically a remodelled VR Tour with a cavity back and painted in red with a black face
Zach
Aug 10, 2013 at 11:24 am
So a covert…
Blanco
Aug 10, 2013 at 5:42 pm
haha
george
Aug 8, 2013 at 2:30 pm
nice club