Equipment
Non-adjustable Nike Covert driver spotted
Here’s a safe bet — the non-adjustable Nike Covert Tour Version 5 driver that made its way onto the USGA’s List of Conforming Driver Heads this week was created specifically for Tiger Woods.
Click here to see what members are saying about the driver in the forums.
According to a source at Nike Golf, Woods was “really close” to switching to an adjustable version of a Nike Covert Tour driver earlier in the year — the Tour-only Version 3 or Version 4 model of the driver that was spotted on the USGA’s list in February. But after Woods rattled off wins at the WGC-Cadillac Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship, the world’s No. 1-ranked golfer lost interest in testing new drivers, the source said.
After disappointing weeks at The Memorial, where Woods finished T65, and the U.S. Open, where he finished T32, it appears that Woods is ready to test drivers again.
Like the Version 3 and 4, the Covert Tour Version 5 does not have a visible weight screw in the sole, which indicates a center of gravity change from the retail model. And while the USGA’s photos are black and white, it is obvious that the driver has the same Covert Tour color scheme, which features a black PVD finish on the face and sole instead of the silver face and sole on Nike’s higher spinning non-Tour driver.
The Nike Covert Tour Version 3 (left) and Version 4 (right) are nearly indistinguishable from each other. But the new Version 5 lacks Nike’s FlexLoft system, which removes adjustability to give Woods the longer, skinnier hosel he prefers to see at address.
The thing that’s new about the Version 5 is that it lacks Nike’s FlexLoft technology, an adjustable hosel that allows Covert drivers to be tweaked from 8.5 to 12.5 degrees of loft, and accommodates three independent face angles — left, neutral and right (Click here to read more about the retail versions of Nike’s Covert and Covert Tour drivers).
It’s doubtful, however, that a golfer of Woods’ caliber needs to make loft and face angle adjustments to a custom-made driver, as he’s been playing drivers with similar lofts and face angles for several years. And the lack of an adjustable hosel means that the Version 5’s hosel is skinner, a look that Woods prefers at address.
Woods is currently on a break from competitive golf until the British due to golfer’s elbow, a condition that he said he aggravated during The Players Championship in early May.
At this year’s Masters, Woods decided to put a new Nike VR_S Covert 3 wood in his bag, which he said was necessary because he had “cracked,” or broken the faces of too many of his old Nike VR Pro Limited Edition 3 woods.
As in most British Opens, Woods likely won’t be hitting the driver that much anyways. He’ll rely on his Covert 3 wood, and maybe a 2 iron or 5 wood off the tee. So it wouldn’t be a shock to see him use a new driver on July 18 in Scotland.
Click here to see what members are saying about the driver in the forums.
Equipment
Neal Shipley, AKA, the “Big Fridge’s,” custom stamping
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.

“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
Equipment
From the GolfWRX Classifieds: L.A.B. Purple DF3 with Masters cover
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.

From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Whats in the Bag
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4

3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms

Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80

Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105

Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet




RD MCavoy
Jul 17, 2013 at 12:36 pm
Yawn…snore….doze..zzzzzz. Who really GAS what Eldrik plays ’cause we can’t buy that wrench anyway. Just like is “custom” ball will never see the light of a pro-shop. Plus do folks really care what a club “looks like”? Really? All I want to know is in my hands: A) Is it longer ? B) Straighter? If it ain’t 10 yds. minimum longer v my 913-D2 (275 avg) I ain’t interested. Go get a real fitting from a clubmaker and be done with all the hysterics. You ain’t buying a golf game.
Deaus7
Jul 16, 2013 at 10:01 pm
I would consider switching from my 910D3 for the Long hosel. Very very nice looking driver, as long as its black!!
Jeffrey C Daschel
Jun 27, 2013 at 12:52 am
That thing would be absolutely sick in matte black. Throw out all the red and silver. I don’t know why they dont just rhino-line one apart from the science of it. It would look cool, I wish the real thing was black and white.
Tyson
Jun 26, 2013 at 2:40 am
I’m stoked for this. Like Tiger and many others, I prefer the look at address more when there is no adapter there. And no need to buy those damn adapters also helps. Hope these reach the market!