Nike VRS Covert 2.0 driver review

Components:

1) Shaft options - The Mitsubishi Rayon Kuro Kage Silver TiNi is a new shaft designed to produce a lower launch and less spin than the original Kuro Kage Silver offering.

2) Grip - The Nike Tour Golf Pride Wrap 2G is white as standard. The look and feel will divide opinion, particularly when tested in the rain, as it doesn't provide as much grip as others in the Golf Pride range.

Technology:

3) Adjustability - Nike's impressive FlexLoft system returns, offering lofts from 8.5 to 12.5 degrees in one head, with three different face angle positions also available at each loft. Despite the number of options, the adjustability is easy to understand.

4) Head design - New Fly-Brace technology joins the sole to the crown. This stiffens the rear portion of the club so that more energy can be transferred to the face at impact to improve distance.

Aesthetics:

5) Shelf appeal - As with the original, the cavity will certainly catch the eye; the sole in the 2.0 looks even more futuristic.

6) Address - The bold red crown design remains, as does the white Nike swoosh near the heel. A new ‘2.0' alignment aid is clear without being distracting.

Performance:

7) Flight - Although the stock shaft promises a lower flight, the 2.0 actually felt slightly easier to launch than the original at the same loft. With slightly more loft than the ideal settings for most drivers, the flight on offer here was excellent.

8) Distance - Compared to the original, distance gains weren't dramatic, but it did prove slightly longer on average. With so much adjustability on offer, the distance varied dramatically depending on the setting. The 2.0 is so easy to adjust that you can set the driver to suit course conditions and weather, as well as your swing.

9) Forgiveness - The cavity design and face combination provide impressive forgiveness, particularly on shots that find the heel and toe of the club. Overall performance is very good, with tweaks to the original rather than a complete redesign.

10) Impact sound - The addition of Nike's Fly-Brace technology seems to have provided a more solid impact sound, which is sure to appeal to many golfers.