NG NATION — Nike Golf Fan Blog
The blog by and for fans of Nike Golf.
Personally speaking, I am really looking forward to getting the TW Free Golf Shoes on my feet for the summer. Here, the folks at GPPGolf.com have posted a first look video to go through some of the features. Looks like they will still launch officially on June 1, 2012 in limited quantities in both the white and black colorways.
It’s no secret, Nike Golf is making a huge splash this year with its VR_S family of woods, hybrids and irons, and it’s been well documented here on NG Nation. From the VR_S launch event at the PGA Merchandise Show in January, to the Speed Trials that are going on through May 13th (which I will be officially taking in the next week or two), Nike Golf is getting the word out about this amazing new line of equipment.
Just after the February 3rd release date, Nike Golf sent me one of the new VR_S Drivers in 9.5-degree loft with a stiff shaft to test and review. Since then I’ve been gaming it in every round I’ve played, and have hit it many times on the range, so I can give you a good idea how this driver has performed for me. I share the results of my testing with you here.
FIRST IMPRESSION: DESIGN/APPEARANCE
My first impression of the looks of the VR_S driver was that this is a really well designed game improvement driver. From the playing position the crown is deep, giving the driver a big footprint, but not an excessive one. It’s deeper than the VR Pro LE, but still retains some of the pear shape of a player’s driver. The STR8-FIT collar is much more integrated into the hosel than the previous iteration in the SQ MachSpeed Black driver, and does not draw attention from the playing position. The crown has a metallic dark gray paint finish with a subtle design pattern that mimics the design motifs found in the VR_S irons. From the playing position this is a great looking driver.
The face has a large hitting area, and has the new NexCOR icon in the center. The sole incorporates several design elements from its predecessor the SQ MachSpeed Black, including the diffuser plate and the aerodynamic channel around the back of the crown. A new addition to the sole is the new configuration of the STR8-FIT adjustability system, which is now accessed through an opening in the sole near the neck of the club. The VR_S has a different wrench than previous STR8-FIT models, which is easy to use and loosens a nut inside the head that releases the shaft from the head. The stock shaft is a Mitsubishi Fubuki, and the grip is a Nike VR Tour Velvet from Golf Pride.
All in all the VR_S driver is a good looking game improvement driver that does not stray too far away from the look of a players driver — less so in my opinion than some of the other game improvement drivers on the market today,
FIRST IMPRESSION: PERFORMANCE
From the first swings on the range, to my first rounds on the course and every round since, this driver is long — really long. Using a launch monitor on the range I was hitting the ball an average of 10-15 yards extra total distance (8-12 yards carry distance), and I gained 4-5 mph average in ball speed in comparison with the driver I was testing it against, the SQ MachSpeed Black. The NexCOR face technology really delivers — the ball simply rockets off the face of the club. The face is designed to be forgiving towards the heel and toe, as that’s where mid to high handicappers tend to miss (rather than the top or bottom of the face). I noticed that mis-hits, most predominantly out towards the toe for me, went just as far as shots hit in the center of the face.
Like the MachSpeed Black, the diffuser plate in the sole and the aerodynamic channel at the back of the crown help reduce drag on the downswing, helping to increase clubhead speed. This combined with the NexCOR face technology helped me gain distance on most of my drives. The new configuration of the STR8-FIT adjustability system makes it easy to change the club face to any of the 8 available positions, allowing the player to quickly set the club to favor a fade or draw.
The bottom line for this driver is speed — its design promotes an increase in clubhead speed, and for me that equaled a significant increase in distance.
DISTANCE
As mentioned above, this is my main reason for gaming this driver. Gaining an average of 10-15 yards extra total distance (8-12 yards carry distance), and 4-5 mph average in ball speed has been enough of a reason for me to keep this driver in my bag since first testing it.
ACCURACY
My driving accuracy has also improved with the VR_S driver, mainly because I feel like I can swing smoothly (and not overswing) and still get great distance with this club. There’s nothing like the feeling of hitting it long (relatively in my case) and being the only one in my foursome to hit the fairway.
PLAYABILITY
The STR8-FIT adjustability system lets me adjust the face angle to be open or closed, flat or upright, in any one of 8 different positions. The system lets me set the club up quickly and easily to promote a fade or a draw, helping me to create a particular shot shape, or help prevent a slice or hook. This makes the VR_S driver not only long, but great for shaping shots too.
FORGIVENESS
The NexCOR face technology in the VR_S driver makes this club extra forgiving. With the sweet spot extended towards the heel and toe (where most mid to high handicappers miss on the face), mis-hits go just as far as shots struck in the center of the face. This forgiveness inspires confidence, and for me confidence results in better golf swings.
ACOUSTICS
The VR_S driver has great acoustics — it has a pleasingly solid sound when striking the ball. It has just the slightest hint of a “plink”, which is very minor and by no means distracting. Some of the other game improvement drivers I’ve hit have that hollow, tinny, aluminum sound — the VR_S sound is much more solid than that.
SUMMARY
The VR_S driver is a great looking game improvement driver that hits the ball a long way. I experienced total distance gains of 10-15 yards on average, and that was enough to make it my gamer to this day. It sounds great, and the STR8-FIT adjustability system allows me to set the club to promote a fade or draw and help me shape shots when I want to. If you’re looking for a new driver that will help you hit the ball farther, I highly recommend you check out one of Nike Golf’s Speed Trial events at your local golf retailer to see how much distance you gain over your current driver. I’m sold on the VR_S driver, and if you try it for yourself I think you will be too.
Read Nike Golf’s press release about the VR_S Driver and Fairway Wood >>
Check out this Oven Files video about the VR_S NexCOR Face Technology >>
Watch the “VR_S: Face” Driver TV Spot with Lucas Glover >>
Visit the VR_S microsite on nikegolf.com >>
Find out more about the VR_S Speed Trials >>
Editor’s note: The product reviewed above was supplied by the manufacturer to the reviewer/author free of charge for reviewing purposes only. The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.
There is something to be said about Nike’s relentless pursuit of innovation and performance, and there is no greater accomplishment than what the company did with its new Tiger Woods Collection, under the Tour Performance apparel line.
According to the company, the new apparel focuses on moisture management, cooling, and stretch technologies, and the line provides exceptional Lightweight Performance for golf athletes. But the new TW Dri-Fit Ultra Light pant goes well beyond consumer expectations. Nike Golf has truly set a new benchmark when it comes to performance golf pants with the TW Dri-Fit Ultra Light.
Last week, I was able to get a pair from Golf Coast Pickers who offer the pants for 10% off using the #GCpickers code at check out. Here’s my review of the pants:
Initial impression:
When I opened the package I thought there was no way that a pair of pants could be that light. Made of 95% lightweight polyester and 5% spandex, the pants, well, look like a pair of pants – but have the weight and feel of lightweight tennis shorts. The dark gray color was very versatile, and the screen print swoosh patch on the left thigh was a new styling feature that immediate caught my eye. The notched bottom hem is also very subtle, so as not to look like a pair of bell bottoms. The unwrapping was a great experience and I was ready to test.
Fit:
Nike Golf pants now come with a tag (see pic in gallery) to indicate whether the pants are standard fit, like the TW Ultra Light, or slim fit, like the Modern Tech Pant. At first, I was hoping that the TW Ultra Light would be a slim fit but when trying them on, they were actually very tailored. The only difference is that there is a little more room in the leg from the knee down to the ankle in the standard fit. In the thigh area, the cut and tailoring in the two models are virtually the same.
The pants provide a level of comfort that no other athletic pant has every provided me. The material is actually a four-way stretch Dri-fit material that really makes it impossible to snag, grab, and not move with you. The range of motion it allows is unparalleled.
Style:
New features to the Tiger Woods Collection pants include a new grip in the inside waist band in order to keep your shirt tucked in. It consists of small rubber dots to decrease weight but provide the same grip capabilities. Also, the button is now a snap close and presumably this too reduces weight. It is important to get the size right, because you do not want this snap to come undone during your swing. The v-notch hem is a very good improvement because the notch overlaps itself so its provides a nice lay down effect over your shoes but not so much that it looks like you’re a disco dancer from the 70s (no offense Rory). I like the way the swoosh is on the left thigh to proudly display the brand insignia. The back pockets are plain which is a welcomed change from last year’s Hyperlite pants that had contrast pockets.
Performance:
While I have only worn the pants walking around and hitting some balls outside, I can say that these are a great walking pant for warm temperatures. The stretchiness of the pants makes it feel like you’re not weighed down or uncomfortable, and gives you that athletic feel. While the pants are not water resistant, they do dry easily. I got the bottom wet to test it out, and while it did get wet like any other pant, it dried relatively quickly.
The pants do look great with shoes, as I have demonstrated with my Lunar Control in the gallery. The all white Zoom Trophy I have looks great too with the gray pants, so I would recommend these with a classic performance shoe.
Conclusion:
At its price point (MSRP $125.00), the TW Dri-Fit Ultra Light pant is the most technologically advanced pant in the Nike Golf lineup. But if you are looking for a performance pant, a pant you want to wear when you are in the competitive mindset, then these are for you. Alternatively, they are just great for a spring day when you want to look stylish on the course. I recommend these pants, and hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.
Gallery:
Sources:
Pictures taken by Golf Coast Pickers GCPickers.com page and myself.
Editor’s note: The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.
A few weeks ago a large box arrived on my front porch, and I couldn’t have been more surprised and pleased to see that inside was a new 2012 Nike Golf 20XI staff bag, complete with my name embroidered on the front panel (read the story here). This is the same bag that the Nike Athletes use on tour — I had seen this bag several times in person, but I never dreamed of owning one of my own. After picking my jaw up off the floor, I proceeded to check out all of the cool features this bag has, and I wanted to relay those to you here in this product review.
First of all, the bag is predominantly silver, a departure from last year’s mostly black VR Staff Bag. The 20XI staff bag is constructed mostly with a smooth silver leather, with a second textured silver leather used in a few areas on the sides. It has accents of black textured leather on the top, sides and bottom, and touches of red at the top, the back pocket zipper and around the bottom. The embroidery is red also, as are the various swooshes on the bag — at the top, the back magnetic pocket and the large red vinyl swooshes on the molded side panels. The 20XI logo is embroidered into the black accent panels on either side, the panel on the back silver pocket and on the black panel on the bottom of the bag (the logo on the bottom is vinyl with black stitching on the edges). The 20XI staff bag is definitely an eye-catching golf bag design.
The bag has a large padded carrying strap that attaches at the top (where it’s covered with a silver leather snap-on cover) and at a ring attached to the two black leather adjustment straps at the bottom of the bag (there are 6 grommet positions for adjusting the length of the carrying strap at the bottom of the straps). There is a second ring on the bag for a second carrying strap so the bag can be carried on both shoulders (the second strap does not come standard with the bag). The back of the large strap is covered with the smooth silver leather with a vinyl Nike Golf logo stamped on it. The bag has a heavy-duty rubberized carrying handle with the Nike Golf logo molded into it, and a second small leather handle/strap under the back pocket for easy loading into and unloading from a vehicle.
As far as pockets, the 20XI staff bag has plenty. The main pocket is in the belly, behind the embroidered front panel (the front panel zips on and off for embroidery). On the inside of the main pocket there are two small mesh pockets and one larger mesh pocket at the bottom, and there is a small zippered pocket on the outside. There is a zippered fur-lined valuables pocket on the left side, and on the right side there is a slot for an umbrella, with a mesh panel at the bottom to let water drain from a wet umbrella. On both sides, below the valuables pocket and the umbrella slot, there are insulated cooler pockets to keep beverages cold during the round. There is a large back pocket for carrying golf balls and tees, and on the outside there is a smaller zippered pocket for other accessories. Just above the back pocket there is a covered pocket with a tab for easy opening and a magnetic closure, just the right size and in just the right position to carry a laser rangefinder.
Of course, the 20XI staff bag is designed to carry golf clubs, and it does that with plenty of room to spare. The bag’s top opening is large (10.25” wide) and has a 6-way velvet-covered divider for easy club organization. And the bag comes with a large silver leather snap-on rain hood to keep clubs dry in the rain. At first glance, the bag looks like it might be heavy, but in my opinion it is actually pretty light for its size, and that surprised me. It’s not as light as a carry bag of course, but it’s definitely lighter than the heavy leather bags I remember lugging around Brooklawn Country Club back in my caddying days.
In summary, the 20XI staff bag is a very sharp-looking professional-grade golf bag that is designed for performance at the elite level. It is constructed of high-quality leather and is built to withstand the rigors of tournament golf. It has ample room for the equipment you’ll need on the golf course, and plenty of pockets and storage for apparel and accessories. Not only was I surprised to find myself in possession of one of these amazing bags, I was also impressed with the many features and design details incorporated into it. If you are looking for a truly top-of-the-line golf bag, or you want to own the same bag that the Nike Athletes use on tour, then the 20XI staff bag is for you.
Editor’s note: The product reviewed above was supplied by the manufacturer to the reviewer/author free of charge. The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.
NGNation reader Anthony Chapa sent me this video review of the Method Concept and Method Core Drone. As a very loyal Nike Golf enthusiast, I thought I’d share an additional review of this putter.
In addition, here is my short review of the Method Core Drone and here are Bob’s first-look pics of the Method Concept (Bob’s full review will be coming soon here on NGN).
I recently had the chance to review the Nike Golf VR Pro Limited Edition Driver, and I was impressed with its solidity, the distance I got and the control I had with that club. Nike Golf also sent me one of the new VR Pro Limited Edition Fairway Woods (the 19-degree 5-wood) to test and review, so I headed over to my local course Stonecreek Golf Club for a few testing sessions on the range and a couple of live rounds on the course to put the VR Pro LE Fairway Wood through its paces. Here are the results of my testing:
FIRST IMPRESSION: DESIGN/APPEARANCE
Out of the box you can tell the VR Pro LE fairway wood is designed for the serious player. From the playing position it has a traditional pear shape, similar to last year’s VR Pro STR8-FIT fairway wood. The crown has the same metallic black finish, the sole again features Nike’s Compression Channel technology, and the sole plate has the same configuration, although on this year’s model the paint color is metallic red across the entire sole, just like the VR Pro LE Driver.
Like the VR Pro LE driver, the biggest difference between this year’s VR Pro LE fairway wood and last year’s VR Pro is the absence of the STR8-FIT adjustability system — this year’s model is a glued version. The VR Pro LE also has a small white Swoosh on the toe that further distinguishes it from the VR Pro. The face has a similar profile to last year’s model, but it does not have the STR8-FIT icon in the middle of the face, the grooves go all the way across the face.
The club comes with a stock Diamana ‘ahina shaft and a Nike VR Tour Velvet grip from Golf Pride. The VR Pro LE comes with the same old school knit headcover that the driver comes with, and as I said in that review I’m a big fan of the sock headcover.
My first look at the VR Pro LE fairway wood gave me the impression of a player’s club that’s designed for distance, shot making and controlling the golf ball.
FIRST IMPRESSION: PERFORMANCE
My first swings with the VR Pro LE confirmed my initial impressions — like the VR Pro LE driver, the fairway wood is rock solid, it rips the ball off both tee and fairway, and it makes shaping shots a breeze. First, the weighting of the club head and the solid feel when striking the ball really impressed me. The pleasing “thwack” sound at impact has no trace of a “plink” that you hear with other fairway woods — this club is solid all the way. It’s long too, the ball just shoots off the face, and I picked up 5-10 yards over my VR STR8-FIT 5-wood. I love being able to smooth a shot with this club off the tee or fairway with an easy swing, and watch it just fly down the fairway. The VR Pro LE is also very forgiving thanks to the compression channel technology in the sole, which helps to give shots hit low on the face about as much distance as those struck in the middle of the face.
From the playing position, the look of the VR Pro LE fairway wood invites shot shaping, and it does not disappoint — I was able to easily hit draws and fades with this club. The playability of this club makes working the ball an absolute joy, it really lends itself to moving the ball right and left, and makes pulling off shots from tough lies and tricky positions easy and fun.
My first impressions of the VR Pro LE’s performance were that of a player’s fairway wood built for bombing the ball and shaping shots when and where I needed to.
DISTANCE
The VR Pro LE fairway wood really made the ball go for me, both off the tee and off the fairway. I picked up 5-10 yards over my VR STR8-FIT 5-wood. I love being able to swing easy with this club — I’m able to make a controlled swing and still get great distance while maintaining control over the golf ball.
FEEL
The VR Pro LE has terrific feel, it gives a really solid strike to the ball and has a great feeling at impact. Mis-hits have good feel also thanks to the compression channel technology in the sole. The Diamana ‘ahina shaft also contributes to the smooth, solid feel of this club.
PLAYABILITY
The traditional pear shape of the VR Pro LE 5-wood invites shot making, and this club has great playability. Moving the ball right and left is a breeze, and it makes shots from trouble spots and difficult lies easier to pull off.
ACCURACY
I really enjoy placing shots where I want to with the VR Pro LE. I use this club off the tee on long par 3’s, or on par 4’s or 5’s when driver or 3-wood is too much and I absolutely must hit the fairway. Off the fairway this club is a pleasure to hit — nothing beats the feeling of watching the ball fly high, long and straight at my target, and seeing it land softly on the landing area or putting green.
FORGIVENESS
The VR Pro LE 5-wood is very forgiving, thanks to the compression channel technology in the sole that gives thin shots and shots hit close to the heel almost as much distance as shots struck in the middle of the face. Mis-hits went just about as far as solidly struck shots, and they held their line almost as well also.
ACOUSTICS
This VR Pro LE produces a solid “thwack” at impact, not the tinny “plink” you sometimes hear from other fairway woods. This club has just about the best acoustics I can remember hearing from any metal fairway wood I’ve ever hit.
SUMMARY
The VR Pro Limited Edition fairway wood follows the VR Pro LE driver’s lead as a players club built for distance and shot-shaping control. The traditional pear-shaped head design looks great from the playing position, and invites the player to work the ball. This club is long, it has a great solid feel that makes drawing and fading the ball easy, and the forgiveness of the compression channel adds to the club’s playability. The confidence the VR Pro LE inspires takes the intimidation out of difficult shots, and its outstanding acoustics makes the great shots this club produces even more memorable. I’ve had this club in my bag for three months now, so I feel qualified to say that if you’re looking for a new fairway wood to add to your bag this season — one that will make the ball go a long way, where you want it to — the VR Pro LE fairway wood may just be the one for you.
Read Nike Golf’s press release about the VR Pro LE fairway woods >>
Check out this Oven Tech video about the VR Pro Compression Channel >>
Visit the VR Pro microsite on nikegolf.com >>
Editor’s note: The product reviewed above was supplied by the manufacturer to the reviewer/author free of charge for testing and reviewing purposes only. The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.
Early last year I had the opportunity to test and review the 2011 VR Pro STR8-FIT Driver, and I was impressed with the combination of length, forgiveness and shot-shaping control I got from that traditionally pear-shaped driver. Late last year there was a lot of buzz about what would be the next generation of the VR Pro Driver, and on November 1, 2011 Nike Golf released the 2012 VR Pro Limited Edition Forged Driver at retail.
Just before the release date, Nike Golf sent me one of the VR Pro LE Drivers in 9.5-degree loft with a stiff shaft to test and review. Since then I’ve hit it on the range several times and gamed it in several rounds, so I have a pretty good feel now for what this driver can do. I share the results of my testing with you here.
FIRST IMPRESSION: DESIGN/APPEARANCE
Out of the box, my first impression of the VR Pro LE Driver was that of a finely-crafted player’s driver, designed for distance and control. I also immediately noticed there are several differences that distinguish the 2012 VR Pro LE from its predecessor, the VR Pro STR8-FIT. The first thing you notice from the playing position is the absence of the STR8-FIT collar on the hosel, as the driver head is glued onto the shaft in this model. The second difference from the playing position is the slightly smaller 430CC head size — the VR Pro STR8-FIT head size was 460CC. The VR Pro LE has the same metallic paint on the crown as the VR Pro, the same compression channel and sole plate configuration, but the metallic red from the compression channel on the VR Pro LE continues all the way to the rear of the sole, where it faded from black to red on the VR Pro STR8-FIT. The face of the VR Pro LE has the new NexCOR technology icon, and there is a small swoosh on the toe that also distinguishes it from the VR Pro.
Another big difference is the headccover. The VR Pro LE comes with a red, white and black knitted sock headcover with a special VR Pro LE patch on the back and pom-pom on top, a big change from the VR Pro headcover. I really like this old school headcover, and think it was great idea to use it on the VR Pro LE. The VR Pro LE features a Diamana ‘ahina shaft (the VR Pro had a Project X shaft) and comes with a stock VR Tour Velvet grip from Golf Pride.
The look of the VR Pro LE is that of a driver built for players looking for more distance and more ability to control the ball off the tee box.
FIRST IMPRESSION: PERFORMANCE
From the playing position, the traditional pear-shaped look of the VR Pro LE inspires confidence, and the smaller head size immediately says “ball control”. This truly has the look of a player’s driver. And the VR Pro LE is solid, really solid. From the first few swings I could feel pure contact with the ball, I heard the pleasing “thwack” sound at impact, and I saw the ball fly far and where I wanted it. This must be due to the new 4-piece forged construction of the head.
I was really impressed with the distance I got from the VR Pro LE — I picked up about 5 yards over my VR Pro. The ball really shot off of the face, I’m assuming because of the new NexCOR material used in the face. According to Nike the NexCOR face technology maximizes distance for the widest range of players through a new speed-expanding multi face thickness design (read more in Nike Golf’s press release about the VR Pro LE Forged Driver). I was able to produce a mid to high ball flight with the VR Pro LE, both because of the head construction and the Diamana ‘ahina shaft. And not only was the VR Pro LE long, I was able to shape shots right and left with ease.
The VR Pro LE is also very forgiving on mis-hits. The compression channel in the sole also helps maximize the NexCOR face by helping to increase speed in more spots on the clubface. This shows up when I hit one a bit high on the face or low on the heel and the ball still goes surprisingly far.
I was really impressed with the performance of the VR Pro LE. It’s solid, really long, forgiving, it helps me shape shots and most importantly for me it gives me confidence when I stand on the tee box.
DISTANCE
I was happy, and a bit surprised at the distance I got with the VR Pro LE driver. I gained about five yards over my VR Pro driver, and when I hit the ball on the sweet spot I gained closer to 10 yards at times. I felt the performance of the Diamana ‘ahina shaft also contributed to the increase in distance I got with this club, as it seemed to me to be a bit stiffer from the middle down to the tip than the Project X.
ACCURACY
The VR Pro LE made me feel like I could put the ball in the fairway of the tee, and for me that increased confidence is one of the biggest benefits I got from this club. I was able to swing easier because I was less worried about where the ball was going to go, and as a result I was able to put a smooth swing on the ball and put the ball where I was aiming (and get even more distance as a bonus).
PLAYABILITY
The VR Pro LE is made for shaping shots — moving the ball right and left is a breeze with this club. From the appearance at address I felt I could set up to create a fade or draw and this club would help me make it go there. Better players will really like the shot-shaping characteristics of this club.
FORGIVENESS
The VR Pro LE’s compression channel technology in the sole makes it very forgiving. When I hit the ball thin it went almost as far as a shot hit closer to the middle of the face. Shots hit off-center, low on the clubface or toward the heel went just about as far as solidly stuck ones.
ACOUSTICS
The VR Pro LE continues the VR line’s ability to produce the pleasing “thwack” at impact that its predecessors the VR Pro STR8-FIT and VR Pro are known for. The VR Pro LE sounds as solid as it feels.
SUMMARY
The VR Pro Limited Edition Forged driver carries on the tradition of the VR line — that of a player’s club that’s built for performance and distance. The smaller 430CC pear-shaped head design will appeal to the better player’s eye, and also promotes shaping the ball. The 4-piece forged construction of the head creates a solid feeling at impact, and the new NexCOR face technology increases ball speed and makes the ball fly off the face. The compression channel technology adds forgiveness to an already winning combination of characteristics. If you’re in the market for a new driver for the upcoming golf season, and you want one that can not only help you put your ball in the fairway but also push it past the other players in your group, I suggest giving the VR Pro LE some serious consideration.
Read Nike Golf’s press release about the VR Pro LE Forged driver >>
Check out this Oven Tech video about the Compression Channel >>
Visit the VR Pro microsite on nikegolf.com >>
Editor’s note: The product reviewed above was supplied by the manufacturer to the reviewer/author free of charge for reviewing purposes only. The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.
The 2012 PGA Merchandise Show is less than a week away, and the eyes of the golf world will be on Orlando, Florida’s Orange County Convention Center to see what new products the golf equipment, footwear, apparel and accessory industries have to offer for 2012. Last year I had the good fortune to spend some time in the Spirit Leatherworks booth, the official licensing partner for Nike Golf and Tiger Woods accessory collections. Nicole Leatherbury from Spirit gave me a tour of their booth, and left me with two belt samples, and mailed me two more after the show. I’ve worn these Nike Golf belts faithfully all year, and here I share with you what I think of them.
LASER ICON RED ENAMEL BUCKLE WITH BLACK BELT
When Nicole first showed me this belt, I wasn’t quite sure it was for me. I’m more of a conservative accessory guy — black and brown belts are the norm for me — and the bold red swoosh on the buckle seemed a little flashy. But after I wore it a few times, I really started to like this belt. The 1.25″ soft Nappa black leather belt has some really cool design details — the red stitching and golf ball dimple pattern are great accents, and the buckle has tiny nike shoes molded into the back that hold the post and belt attachment clip. The belt is very sturdy, comfortable, and obviously very stylish. This progressive belt design has made this conservative belt guy a convert.
SIGNATURE SWOOSH WHITE BELT
This belt also challenged my conservative style — I don’t consider myself young or hip enough to be wearing a white belt. Again, after wearing this belt a few times, I changed my mind about white belts. The 1.5″ white belt is sturdy and comfortable, and the swoosh design cut out of the brushed metal makes for a very stylish design. Several Nike athletes can be seen wearing this classic Nike belt design on tour, as it complements a wide variety of apparel and footwear combinations. I may not be young and hip enough to be wearing this belt, but I like it so much I’m wearing it anyway.
PERFORATED REVERSIBLE BLACK/BROWN BELT
When a box arrived at my door from Spirit Leatherwear, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect after their initial selections for me at the PGA Show. But Nicole did a great job in selecting two belt designs for me that are just my style. The Perforated Reversible Black/Brown belt is an awesome design that gets much use with my wardrobe. The heavy-duty brushed metal swivel buckle makes switching from one color to the other a breeze (the buckle swivels at the base where it meets the belt). The 1.25″ soft, perforated Nappa leather belt is comfortable and breathes well on hot summer days — which we have plenty of here in Phoenix. This belt is also very durable, I’ve worn it several times a week for a year and it shows minimal signs of wear. All in all this is a great belt design that I wear often.
NIKE CASUAL BROWN BELT
The second belt that was in the box was the Nike Casual belt in brown with brass buckle and rivets. This casual belt looks great both on the course and off. The 1.5″ oil-tanned leather belt has brass rivets at the tab by the buckle and at the tip, and the tab has a debossed swoosh on it. The brass buckle has a small, tasteful swoosh on it, and the brass looks great with the brown leather (the belt also comes in black with brushed metal buckle and rivets). The leather belt is not as thick as the other three, so it’s a little more flexible than the others, but it’s plenty durable and has stood up to a year’s use with minimal signs of wear. This belt looks great with jeans as well as golf pants, and it will continue to be an integral accessory in my wardrobe.
I’m really impressed with the belts and accessories Spirit Leatherworks continues to produce for Nike Golf. They offer a wide variety of designs that range from formal to casual, and styles that will please both progressive and conservative tastes. I personally can’t wait to see what Spirit has come up with for 2012 that they will be unveiling at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show.
Editor’s note: The product reviewed above was supplied by the manufacturer to the reviewer/author free of charge for reviewing purposes only. The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.
LASER ICON RED ENAMEL BUCKLE WITH BLACK BELT:
SIGNATURE SWOOSH WHITE BELT:
PERFORATED REVERSIBLE BLACK/BROWN BELT:
NIKE CASUAL BROWN BELT:
This is the third in my series of reviews of the Departure accessory bag collection — previously I’ve reviewed the Departure Backpack and Roller. I’m a big fan of the Departure line, and my enthusiasm continues here with this review of a fairly simple, yet elegantly-designed item, the Departure Shoe Tote which I purchased earlier this year.
What can be so special about a straightforward item like a shoe bag? Well, in the case of the Departure Shoe Tote, several things. Start with the heavy duty nylon that it’s constructed from, add a heavy-duty handle (the same handle design that matches the roller), and this tote has durability written all over it. The roomy main compartment is fleece-lined to protect the shoes inside, and a fleece-covered divider keeps them from rubbing against each other in transit.
The shoe compartment is vented on both sides with mesh, and on the back end by three grommets, which keeps my shoes fresh even in the hot summer months. The tote opens and closes from the top with a 3-sided flap (as opposed to a straight center zipper) that makes getting the shoes in and out very easy. The flap has a heavy-duty zipper with two tabs that matches the rest of the departure line.
The bag also has a zippered, fleece-lined valuables pocket where you can keep special items like a watch or jewelry safe and protected. There’s also dimensional swoosh on both sides on a small panel over the mesh side vents.
So this review is sweet and simple, just like the Departure Shoe Tote — a spacious, thoughtfully-designed shoe bag that gives my lunar controls the royal treatment. If you’re looking for a new shoe bag or, if you don’t have one, a great way to carry your shoes with you, check out the Departure Shoe Tote. It also makes a great gift, and it’s one of my top picks in our 2011 Nike Golf Holiday Gift Guide: Equipment Edition.
If you have the Departure Shoe Tote, let us know what you think of it in the comments below.
Editor’s note: The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.
Early this year Nike Golf released its line of VR Pro irons, which features classic iron designs in three different models for three levels of play. The line includes the VR Pro Blades for better players, the VR Pro Combo Irons for low- to mid-handicappers and the VR Pro Cavity Irons for mid- to high-handicappers. After reviewing the VR Pro Combos, I was curious to see how the VR Pro Cavities would compare. Earlier this year Nike Golf sent me a set of the VR Pro Cavities to test and review, and I share my findings with you here.
FIRST IMPRESSION: DESIGN/APPEARANCE
Out of the box the VR Pro Cavity irons have the appeal of a traditional iron design that also incorporates game-improvement characteristics. The head design is clean and classic, with progressive elements incorporated into the cavity. The head is beautifully chromed from hosel to toe, with the exception of the face where the grooves are and inside the cavity. The cavity incorporates an Opti-Mass insert (the same material that’s used in the new Method Core Drone putter) that moves weight lower and deeper in the head, keeping the center of gravity in an ideal position to optimize trajectory and distance. The CG also moves throughout the set, keeping its position ideal for each club in the bag (read more about the technology in the VR Pro Cavity irons in Nike Golf’s press release). There is also extra weight added to the toe to help higher handicappers close the face at impact. The toe profile is higher than in the VR Pro Blades or Pro Combos, the topline is thicker and the sole is wider, all to increase forgiveness. The stock shaft is the True Temper Dynalite 110, and the stock grips are VR Tour Velvet by Golf Pride. Overall The VR Pro Cavity is a great looking iron with built-in game improvement technology.
FIRST IMPRESSION: PERFORMANCE
From my first swings on the range I could feel the game improvement characteristics of these irons. These irons are very solid and easy to hit, without the clunkiness that some super game improvement irons have. This was confirmed on the course, where the VR Pro Cavities helped me get the ball in the air and swing with confidence. These irons have a great feel and solid sound at impact, and produced a mid to high ball flight for me. They have a great combination of forgiveness and workability — they make it easy to get the ball in the air and still have great feel for working the ball in either direction. Distance was great with these irons, both because of the technology in them and the fact that I was able to swing easily and confidently. Overall I was very pleased with the performance of the VR Pro Cavities — they were easy to hit, produced a great ball flight and allowed me to swing with confidence.
APPEARANCE AT ADDRESS
The topline of the VR Pro Cavities is thicker than that in the VR Pro Blades or Pro Combos, but I did not find this bothersome or distracting. The cavity was not visible in any of the irons in the set. These irons have a slight offset that will help higher handicappers close the face at impact. The look at impact is pleasing, that of a traditional, classic iron design.
PLAYABILITY
These irons are easy to hit and make it easy to move the ball right or left. I was able to spin the ball when I wanted to, but I didn’t get as much spin as I do with my Pro Combos. I was able to hit the ball high and land it softly when I needed to, and with the confidence I had with these irons I felt I had control of my golf ball on the course.
LAUNCH ANGLE
The VR Pro Cavity irons promote a mid to high ball flight throughout the set. With the longer irons I got a lower, boring trajectory and with the short irons I was able to consistently produce shots that fly high and land softly.
DISTANCE CONTROL
I had very good distance control with the VR Pro Cavities. I was able to swing easier and get great distance, and distance was consistent from club to club and from shot to shot. Both long and iron shots traveled the distance I expected.
ACCURACY
The confidence I gained from these irons allowed me to play more aggressively with these irons. I felt I could aim at my target, swing easy and the ball would go there. Off-center hits also kept their line very well thanks to the game improvement technology in these irons. These irons promote confidence, and for me confidence promotes accuracy.
FEEL
The VR Pro Cavities have great feel and feedback considering the game improvement technology these irons possess — not the same feel you would get from a blade, but substantially better than a super game improvement iron. They feel pure and solid when the ball is hit near the center of the clubface, and off-center hits have a solid feel also thanks to the dampening effect of the Opti-Mass insert. And even with the solid off-center hits, I was able to consistently sense when I mis-hit a shot and where on the club face.
FORGIVENESS
These irons are very forgiving — I was able to get good distance on off-center hits, almost the same as one hit near the center of the face. The taller toe helps with misses out towards the toe (where most higher handicappers tend to miss). My mis-hit shots felt solid, went towards my target and went about the distance I would expect from a good shot hit in the middle of the club face.
ACOUSTICS
The VR Pro Cavities have nice solid sound at impact. I had heard that they had a “clanky” sound at impact, sort of like a “plink”, but this was not my experience. I only heard a pleasing “thwack” when I struck the ball.
SUMMARY
The VR Pro Cavities lived up to my expectations, and they complete a trio of great iron designs in the VR Pro line. They look great, they have great feel and the game improvement technology they possess helped my game. The traditional lines of the head design looked great in my bag. They felt solid at impact, I was able to work the ball right or left, and controlling distance was easy. The mid to high ball flight allowed me to hit longer iron shots on a medium trajectory that held its line, and short iron shots flew high and landed softly. The high toe profile and extra weight behind the toe helped shots missed in that area of the club face to hold their distance and direction. And the Opti-Mass insert dampened off-center hits and gave each shot a solid feel. These irons are part of the 2012 Nike Golf equipment line also, so if you’re looking for an iron that has a clean, classic look and will also help you improve your score and make the game more fun, look no further than the VR Pro Cavity irons.
Have you tried the VR Pro Cavities yet? If you have, let us know what you think in the comments below.
Check out this video in which Nike Golf athletes talk about the VR Pro Cavity irons >>
Read Nike Golf’s press release about the VR Pro Combo irons >>
Check out the VR Pro Microsite on nikegolf.com >>
Editor’s note: The product reviewed above was supplied by the manufacturer to the reviewer/author free of charge for reviewing purposes only. The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.
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