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Product Review: Nike Departure Roller

November 11, 2011 By 5 Comments

A while back I posted my review of the Nike Departure Backpack, and since then I’ve added a few more pieces from the Departure line to my luggage collection. One of these is the Nike Departure Roller, a carry-on size case that is now part of my standard traveling ensemble. I’m a huge fan of this piece of luggage, I don’t travel without it and below are the features that are the reasons why:

FEATURES
The Departure Roller features three main interior compartments, two on one side of the bag and one on the other. A heavy duty zipper bisects the bag so it opens flat for easy access to all compartments. The main compartment is the full height of the bag, the second compartment is about 2/3 the height and the smallest takes up the remaining third. All compartments have zippered mesh covers to keep contents securely in place. The smallest compartment is accessible from the outside, which is very handy. The outside of the case also has a roomy pocket that’s the perfect place for a sweater or light jacket. The case has inline skate wheels and a telescoping handle (long enough for this 6’3″ traveler to not have it hit my heels) that makes rolling through the airport a breeze.

PERFORMANCE
This bag is the perfect size to fit 2-3 days worth of clothes and accessories for a short trip (maybe even 4 days if you pack efficiently). This is now the case I use for all trips — I use it in combination with my Departure Backpack, and between the two I can fit all I need for my trip. On a plane the roller fits perfectly in the overhead compartment, and the backpack fits easily under the seat in front of me, so I have everything I need at arms reach. The case rolls easily, and I can also put the backpack on top of the case resting on the handle and roll both together, a great feature.

DURABILITY
I’ve used the Departure Roller on at least 6 trips in the last 8 months, and it still looks like new, with only a few scuffs here and there. The heavy-duty nylon has no rips, tears or signs of wear. All zippers are working fine and the mesh pocket covers are like new. The telescoping handle and skate wheels are all still working perfectly. From what I can tell, this is a very sturdy piece of luggage.

CONVENIENCE
The Departure Roller has several convenient features that make it a winner on short trips. Two pockets that are accessible from the outside make it easy to put away items while going through security at the airport. Top and side heavy duty reinforced nylon handles, and a molded plastic handle at the bottom make handling the case and putting it in the overhead bin on the airplane a cinch (it’s also the perfect size to fit in the overhead bin straight in, not sideways). The telescoping handle and being able to put my Departure Backpack on top of the case so I can roll both together is very handy also.

SUMMARY
I’m a huge fan of the Nike Departure line of luggage, and of the Departure Roller in particular. It’s a must-have for short trips, and this is the bag I now always travel with. If you are looking for a new carry-on bag to take on your next adventure, I highly recommend checking out the Departure Roller.

Note: I’ll be reviewing the Departure Shoe Tote, and hopefully the new Departure Messenger bag here on the blog in the near future.

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.

Filed Under: Accessories, Departure Roller Duffel, Equipment, Equipment Product Reviews, Luggage, ngnation.com, Nike Golf

Nike Golf VR Pro Limited Edition Driver and Fairway Wood: In-hand Pics

October 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The VR Pro Limited Edition Driver and Fairway Wood will be available at retail on Tuesday, and Nike Golf sent me a 9.5-degree driver and 19-degree 5-wood to test and review. I will be testing them later today, but I wanted our NG Nation readers to get a first look at these beauties here. Take a look at the photo galleries below and I’ll post the results of my testing in my product reviews in the next few weeks. Enjoy!

VR PRO LIMITED EDITION DRIVER (9.5-DEGREE, STIFF SHAFT):

 

VR PRO LIMITED EDITION FAIRWAY WOOD (5-WOOD, 19-DEGREE, STIFF SHAFT):

Filed Under: 2012 VR Pro LE Fairway Woods, 2012 VR Pro LE Forged Driver, Drivers, Equipment, Equipment Product Reviews, Fairway Woods, ngnation.com, Nike Golf

Product Review: 2011 VR Pro Combo Irons

October 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It’s taken a few months for me to provide some good feedback on the 2011 Vr Pro Combo Forged Irons from Nike Golf. Fortunately, I had been playing the older model of the Pro Combo irons (which I absolutely fell in love with), so I had a good baseline to compare the old with the new.

Before I start, here’s a little history about the Vr Pro Combos from Nike:

In 2009 Nike Golf introduced its line of Victory Red irons, which featured three different models for three levels of play — The VR Forged TW Blades for better players, the VR Forged Split Cavity Irons for low- to mid-handicappers and the VR Cast Full Cavity Irons for mid-to high-handicappers. Nike Golf then updated and (slightly) renamed the VR line for 2011 to be the new VR Pro line, again consisting of three iron models — 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. The VR Pro line retains the classic look and feel of the previous VR line, and reintroduces a club design that fans of Nike Golf have been asking about for the last several years — the Pro Combo iron.

DESIGN/APPEARANCE

I don’t know if it was because my old PCs were dirty and dinged up, but I was so impressed by the appearance of this new set. The moment I opened the box and removed the plastic wrap I knew I was opening something special. The chrome on the heads is so shiny and sleek. The faces are crisp and clean. It just gave me that new iron excitement. These are truly beautiful sticks.

From a design/appearance perspective, there are four core differences from the old PCs and the new PCs:

  1. Head size: The new PCs have noticeably smaller heads than their predecessors. In terms of height, they are about 2 to 3 grooves less (more on that in a bit), and in terms of width, it’s just a smidge smaller.
  2. Offset: The new PCs have very little offset vs. the old PCs. This has definitely taken some getting used to. Check out my pic comparison of the 3- iron and the 7-iron to see for yourself.
  3. Grooves: With the recent groove changes to u-shaped grooves, Nike has tackled this change by increasing the overall number of grooves and spacing them closer together.
  4. Cavities: The biggest change is the replacement of the full cavity with the pocket cavity in the 3 and 4-irons. Also the blades no longer have the two tone cavity and now look like a single forged blade like the old forged irons or the new Vr Pro Blades. The split cavities also have a slightly different look. However, one thing to note is that from address, the appearance of the cavity is unnoticeable.

PERFORMANCE

I think players who have played the old PCs and made the switch to the new PCs will have a bit of adjusting to do. Those who play blades or “players” irons will likely find the transition seamless. The smaller heads took me some time to get used to especially with the 3, 4 and 5-irons. However, the feel of solid contact is so much better on the new PCs. At first I was overshooting greens left and right, and it took me a few times to get used to my 10 yard gains. Unlike Bob, I have gained yardage on my irons although that could be due to old age and wear and tear in my old PCs.

Off the tee I am so accurate with these irons. I am still working on my long irons which I had been hitting so well with the old PCs. A few more rounds and some time on the range should rectify that.

In terms of spin, I am definitely not seeing a change from the pre-2011 grooves and the X3X grooves. In fact I have generated a lot of spin with my blades but again that could be due to the wear and tear on my old clubs.

APPEARANCE AT ADDRESS

Everyone is always so concerned with the topline view of irons these days. I would say that the Pro Combos are near the thinner side but certainly not super thin. In fact, I think they are pretty similar to the old PCs.  The offset issue had initially caused some issues with the fact that I was laying my irons slightly open. I will say that the Golf Pride Decade Multi-compound grips on my old clubs really helped with my alignment. The Tour Velvets on the new clubs don’t have any alignment aids, but I will be replacing the grips soon.

PLAYABILITY

There is definitely a high ball flight with the new Vr Pro Combos. Fading the ball has been a slight challenge with the new irons but I am working on that. Drawing the ball on command has been a quick adjustment.  Spin has been a slower adjustment. In my last round I hit a 5-iron off the tee to a green about 195 away and it went so high and literally rolled back off the green through a fairway into the pond protecting the front of the green. The backspin was remarkable. My suggestion is to get to a range and understand your distances and trajectories. These irons will allow you to do whatever you want to the ball, so commanding control of them is paramount.

FEEL

The iron faces are so hot and solid that shots on the mark will feel great. For those looking to try blades out, this set is a perfect transition into them. I feel super confident and accurate with the blades and I believe that mid-handicappers out there will appreciate the usability of these irons. In terms of forgiveness, the 3 and 4-irons really are players’ irons so despite the pocket cavity, it will be extremely important to make solid contact. I found the shorter irons to be extremely forgiving however.

SUMMARY

I made the change from my old Pro Combos to the new Vr Pro Combos mid season this summer. The transition has been a good experience but one that will take some practicing. The best gains so far for me are from the solid feel, the extra distance, and the spin workability. The points of improvement for me are adapting to the reduced offset and the smaller heads. I have no doubt that I’ve made an upgrade, but like with any irons, it will take some getting used to. As an aside, my friend Stephen, who played golf at Coastal Carolina, recently bought the Vr Pro Combos and upgraded from a different manufacturer. As a scratch golfer, Stephen has given me some great input on how solid they feel and how well he can work them. Clearly, he has adjusted to the Vr Pro Combos better than I have but that is testament to his scratch handicap and my 11-handicap. The best response he wrote to me when I asked him how he liked his new clubs was that they have helped him scramble very well because they’ve given him a variety of shot options in terms of workability and trajectory. My plans for my Vr Pro Combos are to keep working on my long irons, put some new grips on them and keep working on spin control. I really stand behind these clubs and recommend them for low and low/mid handicap players.

Check out this video in which Nike Golf athletes talk about the VR Pro Combo irons >>

Read Nike Golf’s press release about the VR Pro Combo irons >>

Check out the VR Pro Microsite on nikegolf.com >>

Check out Bob’s review of the Vr Pro Combos >>

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.

Filed Under: Equipment Product Reviews, Irons, ngnation.com, VR Pro Combo Irons, What's In YOUR Bag?

Product Review: Nike Golf Air Range Shoes

September 26, 2011 By 1 Comment

With the proliferation of athletic and street-style golf shoes hitting the market late this year, more attention is being paid to casual golf shoe designs. For years Nike Golf has had several athletic golf shoe designs in its lineup, and I have owned several of these including the Air Max Edge and last year’s Air Rate. This year Nike Golf added a new athletic shoe to their footwear line — the Nike Air Range.

Every spring I pick up a new pair of warm weather golf shoes for summer play here in Phoenix, as I prefer lighter, more breathable shoes for those hot summer rounds (in winter, I wear a standard pair of Nike leather golf shoes). Earlier this year Nike Golf sent me a pair of Air Ranges in the White/Blue colorway to test and review, and I also bought a pair in the Dark Gray colorway. I’ve put them through thorough testing in many rounds over the past six months, and below I share my findings with you.

INITIAL IMPRESSSION
Out of the box these shoes are very comfortable, and they have a definite athletic feel to them. They are very light, and the predominantly mesh upper is very breathable just like a running or training shoe. The sole has the same integrated spike pattern as the Air Rate, and the same Nike Air unit in the heel. I found the fit to be true (the Air Rate was a bit narrow for me), and the shoe was comfortable straight out of the box. The Air Range feels basically like a running or training shoe with a sole pattern that incorporates golf spikes.

VISUAL DESIGN
With casual golf shoes gaining greater acceptance (and fewer sideways glances) on the course, the Air Range fits right in with this new trend in golf footwear. A smart visual design features a mesh upper with synthetic leather accents. The 2011 line features three colorways — White/Blue/Black, White/Black/Red and Gray/Dark Gray, and a fourth colorway is being added for 2012 (Black, White/Yellow). The design is that of an athletic shoe all the way.

TECHNOLOGY
One feature of the Air Range surprised me — its 2-year Limited Waterproof Warranty. At first glance it looks like the mesh would be porous, and I’m not sure how Nike achieved the waterproofing but I can attest to it because in my first round wearing these I stepped in a puddle and the water did not seep through. As mentioned above the mesh breathes well and my feet feel cool and dry while wearing these. Like the Air Rate, the sole features a molded spike pattern, with two spikes at the ball of the foot and two at the outer heel. The rest of the sole has molded ridges that provide plenty of traction. The heel features the Nike Air unit that is visible at the back of the heel, and the Nike Power Channel runs in a zig-zag from the toe to the heel.

COMFORT
The athletic design, mesh upper and Nike Air technology in the heel all make this a very comfortable golf shoe. They feel great right out of the box, and on the course the shoes are very light on my feet, to the point that I don’t feel like I’m wearing golf shoes. The breathable mesh kept my feet cool and dry in the blistering Phoenix heat. I wore my Air Ranges for every round this summer, alternating between the white and dark gray pairs, and I can attest to the coolness and comfort these shoes provide.

FIT
The Air Range fit true to size for me. I mention this because certain pairs of Nike Golf shoes have felt narrow to me — the Air Rate and my old SP-5’s are examples of this. It seems like in more recent designs the fit has been a little wider and more true to size (I noticed the true-to-size fit in the Lunar Control also). As always I recommend trying these on before buying to make sure the size is right for you.

PERFORMANCE
From the name one would expect that shoe is designed for the practice tee and casual play, but this shoe is ideal for serious play on the course. The molded spike pattern on the sole provides more than enough traction on full shots. The shoe gives plenty of support at mid-foot, and it’s very stable on full swings. The lightness and comfort of this shoe is a bonus when walking the course.

SUMMARY
Nike Golf has created another great athletic golf shoe design in the Air Range. It is a light, breathable, waterproof golf shoe that is very comfortable, stylish, performs well on the course and is perfect for warm weather. Now that more casual shoe designs are gaining notice in the golf footwear marketplace, perhaps the Air Range will get the attention it deserves. If you are in the market for a comfortable athletic golf shoe, I highly recommend trying the Air Range.

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.

Filed Under: Air Range, Footwear, Footwear & Apparel, Footwear & Apparel Product Reviews, ngnation.com, Nike Golf

Initial Impressions :: First 36 Hours With My VR Pro Combos

August 16, 2011 By 6 Comments

Monday August 15

11:47am - I receive a call from my Mother that my clubs arrived. (Yes, I shipped them to her because she’s always home and I was at work)

11:50am – Leave work to go to my Mother’s and pick up my clubs.

12:10pm - Arrive at my Mother’s and stare at the box. Too scared to open box, I decide to open them at home after work. (Iron Specs pictured)

Yes, I got graphite shafts. These Project X Graphite Iron shafts should really change the stigma people have with graphite shafts. Drivers went graphite, Woods went graphite, Hybrids went graphite…what’s next, irons? Matt Kuchar is half-way there with steel-fiber shafts in his irons. Less wear on your joints and body and I’m just trying to show that they’re not just for “old men” with slow swing speeds.

12:30pm - Back to work, clubs sitting in the car.

4:36pm - Leave work, go to pick up the lady.

4:56pm – Arrive home.

6:00pm – 9:00pm - Open. Drool over clubs, take pictures, reorganize golf bag.

These clubs are gorgeous. I want to eat off of them. They look so clean, I want to perform surgery with them. These are my new babies. I was speechless all night. I just looked at the clubs, peeled off some stickers, made sure they weren’t scratched. I don’t have kids, but let me tell you, I just got 8 gems I will take care of for years to come.

B = Blade
S = Split Cavity
P = Pocket Cavity

(Pictures shown below with comparisons to my Nike Slingshot 4D’s)

9:01pm – hit an 8-iron punch shot in my bedroom into a pillow. (only ball I hit all day). BUTTER. I love these new grooves. There’s so many that I could feel them gripping the ball.

 

 

9:30pm – 10:30pm – Complete PGA Championship and Weekend Wrap-up posts for NGNation.

11:00pm – Tweet with Chris Wang and David Mullen about WWE

11:01pm – Good night.

Tuesday August 16
(sorry, no pictures)

6:45am - Wake up

7:50am – 4:30pm – Work

5:00pm - Go to GolfTown and help @thejanesnyder (loyal Fantasy Four player) pick out a new driver. She got a square SQ Machspeed Black! (Check out our NGNation review here >>)

7:00pm – 8:30pm – Serious range session. I hit the Pro Combos so well. I honestly was intimated by these clubs. Let me tell you this, the 8 iron is my favourite club by far. It feels like I’m hitting a wedge, except this is going with some serious distance. I probably gained 10 yards on these clubs. Can’t know for sure though.

I honestly hit them great. I mis-hit my 3-iron three times, because I haven’t hit a 3-iron in about 5 years. But I still had good shots with them. I hit the Split and Blades no problem. Heck, I even took my 4-iron on with some serious results.

I was grinning from ear to ear the whole time I was hitting these clubs. This was the BEST I’VE EVER HIT THE BALL. I’m not even lying. Ask Jane, she was with me. Best range session ever.

I’m going to try and put in 9 holes Thursday, 27 on Saturday and 18 on Sunday. I have a tournament on Monday for work, so I want to put in some work as much as possible before then.

I’m in heaven.

9:00pm - Call my brother who is visiting this weekend to tell him I’m going to CRUSH him when we play.

I’ll be back with a full review after a few rounds.

Check out Bob’s full review here >>

*Just some background info on me since this isn’t a detailed post. That will come later. I’m a 16.7 handicap. I’ve played 15 rounds this year on the East Coast of Canada and I’ve been playing Nike Slingshot 4D’s for the past 4 years. I play a slight fade on my irons, I wear black socks when I golf and I work as hard as I play*

Filed Under: Equipment, Equipment Product Reviews, Irons, ngnation.com, VR Pro Combo Irons

Product Review: Nike Method Core Putter

July 6, 2011 By 1 Comment

It wasn’t long after Nike Golf’s Method putter began appearing in the bags of Nike Athletes in late 2008 that it began racking up wins. Paul Casey won twice with it before the 2009 Masters, and later that year it captured two majors in a row when Lucas Glover won with it at the U.S. Open at Bethpage and Stewart Cink won the Open Championship at Turnberry using the Method putter. Since then it has racked up several more victories including this year’s Masters, where Charl Schwartzel won with his Method 004.

Nike Golf established the Method putter in the premium putter market by introducing its Polymetal Groove Technology, which produces a fast forward roll at impact. The difference in roll is really noticeable, and I talked about this in detail in my product review of the Method putter. In March of this year Nike Golf released another version of the Method putter, the Method Core, which incorporates Nike’s Polymetal Groove Technology into an insert. This allows the putter to produce the same great roll on the ball at a little more than half the price of the original Method (milled version) — about $250 for the Method milled and about $130 for the Method Core.

But is the Method Core as good as the Method Milled? What are the differences? I will attempt to let you know in this product review of the Method Core. Shortly after its release, Nike Golf sent me the Method Core 3i to test and review, and since then I have bought the Method Core 1i. I own the Method Milled 001 and 003 models, and have played several rounds with all four putters (all four putter models can be seen in the photo gallery below), so I can give you a good idea of what I think of the Method Core and how it compares with the original Method milled version. And if you want to read what Alan Numsuwan thought of the Method Core 4i, you can read his review here.

FIRST IMPRESSION: DESIGN/APPEARANCE
The first thing I noticed when I unboxed the Method Core was the new Nickel plating on the putter head. I really like the darker look of the Nickel finish, it’s a great contrast to the lighter silver head of the original Method Milled (the Method Core’s head is cast, the original Method is precision milled stainless steel). The Polymetal Groove Technology is incorporated into the face using an insert that is comprised of an anodized red aluminum faceplate backed by white polymer. The red aluminum with the white polymer lines look great with the darker head color.

The lines on the Method Core are softer than on the original Method milled version, with more curves and rounded corners incorporated into the design. There are five models in the Method Core line (five models also in the original Method line), and as I mentioned above I have the Method 001 and 003 models. Both are blade style, heel-toe weighted designs, the 001 has a thinner blade and features a slant neck, the 003 has a deeper flange and features a plumber’s neck. The 001 has a sightline on top of the blade, the 003 has the sightline on the flange. Both models feature a Method Core stepped shaft by True Temper (the Method shaft is stepless) and the Method Core Pistol Grip by Golf Pride, which is tackier than the Method’s Golf Pride Method Tour Tradition grip, which has a more “velvety” feel.

FIRST IMPRESSION: PERFORMANCE
The first thing I noticed when I rolled my first few putts with the Method Core was how similarly it rolled the ball to the original Method. The roll was immediate, and the ball noticeably hugged the green on its way to the hole. The roll really is different with the Method putter line (both the Method Core and the original Method) — the ball comes off the face and almost immediately starts rolling, without skidding or hopping.

The Method Core’s weighting feels similar to the original Method, and it feels really solid when you strike the ball. There is a slight difference in feel between the two putters that is difficult to describe, but I make an attempt in the “Feel” section below. I had a lot of confidence with the Method Core right out of the box, it was easy to control the distance of my putts because of the fast forward roll off the face, I felt like I could lag it close from long distance and pretty much make everything from close range. Short putts were no worry with this putter.

FEEL
The feel is slightly different between the original Method milled version and the Method Core — neither is better or worse, just different. Both produce the same fast forward roll, but there is a very slight difference in feel between the two putters. The best way I can describe it is the directly-injected polymer of the original Method milled version feels more fully integrated into the entire head of the putter than the Method Core ‘s insert. With the original Method you are striking the actual face of the putter that has the groove lines machined out of it, and then filled with the polymer. The Method Core has the area for the insert machined out of the face, and the 2-piece insert is put in its place — so you are striking the insert, not the actual face of the putter, which gives a slightly different type of feel and feedback. I don’t prefer the feel of one more than the other, they’re just a little different from each other, but I felt I should mention it. Both putters feel very solid and the difference is very slight and hard to describe, so I suggest trying both to feel the difference and decide which you model you like best.

ROLL
The Method Core yielded the same, fast, green-hugging forward roll that I experienced with the original Method. The ball comes off the face and starts rolling almost immediately, and tracks straight and true on its line. I saw no difference in roll off the face between the Method and Method Core, both give the same benefits from the Polymetal Groove Technology in the face.

WEIGHTING
The weighting feels similar between the Method Core and the original Method. The Method milled features tungsten weights in the heel and toe that create the perimeter weighting. The Method Core does not have these weights, but gets its perimeter weighting from a slightly larger putter head, and the redistribution of the weight removed from the center of the face (to make the cavity for the insert) to the heel and toe of the putter head. The weighting of the Method Core and the original Method felt similar to me.

DISTANCE CONTROL
I was able to easily control the distance of my putts with the Method Core, which is one of the primary benefits of the forward roll produced by the Polymetal grooves. The more consistent forward roll makes it easier to more consistently roll my putts the same distance. That control increased my confidence, and more of my putts started finding the bottom of the cup.

ACCURACY
Because of the more consistent roll produced by the Method Core, I was able to keep my putts on line more consistently, and hit my targets more often. Whether that is a certain point on the line of a breaking putt or the back of the hole itself, I was able to be more accurate with this putter because of the way I could control the roll of my putts more consistently.

SUMMARY
The Method Core is a great looking putter that gives all of the benefits of the original Method milled putter for a little more than half the price. It gives the same roll, but feels slightly different than the original Method milled, so I suggest trying both putters to see which one you like better. The head designs also vary between the two lines, so that may also influence your decision on which model you go with. You can’t go wrong with either the original Method milled or the new Method Core in my opinion, but if you want to see the benefits of Nike’s Polymetal Groove Technology help your putting game, and you want to save a few bucks in the process, the Method Core may be the putter for you.

Read Nike Golf’s press release about the Nike Method Core Putter >>

Check out the Method putter microsite on nikegolf.com >>

VIDEO: See what Nike athletes think of the Method Core putter >>

Read Alan Numsuwan’s review of the Method Core 4i >>

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.

Filed Under: Equipment, Equipment Product Reviews, Method Core, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, Putters

Product Review: Nike 2011 Lunar Control Golf Shoes

June 23, 2011 By 2 Comments

I should preface this review with a brief story. I originally wanted to write a review the day I got my pair of Lunar Controls. From the moment I opened the box I knew I was going to be experiencing something new in the golf world. I was excited, and anxious. I took pictures on my phone and emailed them to my parents and girlfriend. They didn’t get why I was so thrilled, but I knew. I posted it to the twitterverse, excited that I could be one of the first to share my thoughts with fellow golfers. But there were two important things that occurred when my shoes arrived from Nike Golf, and perhaps one had a significant and necessary impact on the other. It was a cold, blustery winter when my shoes came. There was still snow on the ground and it seemed like winter would never end. I had no golf trips planned, and I had just returned from a week of playing golf in Tucson the month before. Sitting inside my apartment, looking at New York City, with not an outdoor driving range open made me realize something – I was going to write the most detailed review I could, testing these Lunar Controls out in a variety of conditions and temperatures and making sure that it was different from any review out there. I didn’t give myself a deadline, and I figured I would know when the time was right. In the months of testing, a number of reviews came out, some were great and detailed, others were short and to the point, but one thing was common between all of them. They all looked unworn.

So here I am now, in June with more than 20 rounds under my belt. These Lunar Controls have been with me from Florida up to New York, in the snow, rain, and heat and I’m ready to write my review.

 

Technology

I thought I would begin with the obvious, and perhaps the most important. By now you’ve seen a number of Lunar Controls, between the four original models (White/Metallic Pewter/Black, Black/Black/Metallic Silver, White/Volt/Black/Metallic Silver, and White/Varsity Red/Black), and the limited edition Major editions, you’ve seen that the Lunar Control was the first golf shoe to incorporate Nike’s Flywire technology. As a quick refresher to the technology, Flywire is a very strong thread that is both used to minimize weight and maximize support. For the ultra technical, it’s called Vectran, and it’s super thin, super strong, and first originated in other scientific uses outside of apparel. Nike first introduced Flywire in running technology to give support on the inside and outside of the foot but keep shoes super light to increase speed. After incorporating the technology into basketball, it finally made its way into the golf line. The result of the Flywire, mixed with the TPU saddle, is a 50% weight reduction as well as full waterproof functionality. If you rub your fingers alongside the saddle, you’ll be able to feel the wires embedded in there. In my experience, I have not seen a better saddle. It’s like taking a bunch of light straps and securing your foot to the base. Nike has built that capability into the shoe and managed to reduce weight – it’s really impressive.

The other technology they’ve incorporated is the Lunarlon base. Lunarlon has been used in running shoes as well, including my favorite running shoe from 2010, the LunarElite+2. In comparison to the latest golf shoes I’ve been using and their support, I have not seen much of a difference however. Up until now, I thought the 2008 SP-8 TW would be the most comfortable golf shoe I ever wore, and that used a caged Air Unit. So did the Zoom Elite which I loved. When I moved onto the Zoom Trophy, which used a Zoom Unit, I also thought it was comfortable. The Lunarlon insofar maintains the comfort, but it doesn’t appear to be much softer. I think the real benefit is that it is probably lighter than previous bases.

What is a big improvement to me however, is the new sole. I don’t know if there’s an actual name for it, but what I found to be noticeably different was that when wearing the Lunar Control I had more stability and I could really plant my weight and shift weight with ease. It was like sticking to the ground and then quickly moving off like a sprinter. I wondered why this occurred and then pulled out my old shoes. I compared the bottom to the Zoom Trophy and the original Zoom Elite. I noticed that the Lunar Control replaced the black square edged base spikes with rounded, rubbery spikes. They also seemed longer. I think it really helped in feeling close to the ground. Nike has definitely made a big improvement with this seemingly small change. And maybe the Lunarlon in the heel allowed me to feel the difference. Here’s a comparison of the two:

 Lastly, the other important trait that often gets overlooked in reviews is that the shoe is waterproof. I was skeptical of wearing these at a rainy round at Royce Brook Golf Club in Hillsborough, NJ in fear of damaging them, but they really are waterproof. I really don’t know what else to say about it. The upper, while fully leather, is made of Sadessa waterproof leather. Now I don’t know how they did it, but it literally repels water and there is a 2-year warranty for it.

Performance

The performance shoe is really what set the Lunar Control apart from its competitors. The stability it provides when swinging can truly be a benefit to your golf game. When I take my back swing, I load up weight on my back (right) foot and turn around it. Therefore, I want to feel planted into the ground.

 

But the good thing is that the shoe allows you to release quickly as well. The inertia generated by my swing transfers weight to my entire left side and really kept me on balance in my follow through.

 

Also, as I mentioned before I really wanted to give these shoes a true test. So, while a little embarrassing, I ran 50 yard dashes in these shoes to try out how comfortable and “athletic” they were. The goal was to see if the athletic feel of the Lunar Control and its take on a classic saddle shoe meshed well. And I can firmly say that if you wanted to run the course in these shoes you could and it would feel nearly as natural as your running sneakers. Here’s the picture to show that I actually ran sprints. And yes, I was carrying my Vr wedge with me.

 

Fit and Look

Nike’s golf shoes, for some reason, have always fit a half size smaller than their normal shoes. And I think this is true for the Lunar Control. As for fit, well, there is no breaking-in phase for this shoe. The new sockliner is something that they have incorporated in their higher end shoes for some time and it is definitely comfortable. I walked 9 holes in 95 degree heat at Fort Lauderdale Country Club in these and had no trouble at all. And that was only my second round in them. I also wore these the first time I broke 80.

One thing to consider though, is that on the white/volt version the black saddle extends through the laces area. The reason I am bring this up is because sometimes when I look down at putts I don’t want to be distracted by anything but my putter and my ball. The black sometimes caught my eye. Maybe it was because I have been wearing all white shoes for a while, but it did make me think. I’ve compared the top view of my Zoom Trophy to my Lunar Control to help demonstrate what I mean. Fortunately, if this is an issue for you, the other two white versions of the Lunar Control do not have the black color in the lace area.

 

As for overall look, there’s a reason why nearly all of Nike’s Athletes wear the Lunar Control on Tour. It’s stylish and comfortable and looks great with a number of outfits. For me personally, as I turn 30, I am walking along the line of young and sporty, and classic and not too flashy. The Lunar Control hit that middle area for me, especially with its neon color, which is on bottom of the shoe, as well as on the flywire and on a small swoosh on the tongue. I think for my dad, he would be fine in the all black or the white/grey version. Although when I showed him my volt version, he did ask if they were for him!

 Conclusion

I can stand by this conclusion and this recommendation because I have tested the Lunar Control in more conditions than any published review out there. I got them wet, muddy, and put them through heat and cold. I walked and ran in them. And my conclusion is that the Lunar Control dethroned my SP-8 TW golf shoes as the best looking, best performing, and most comfortable I have ever worn. I’ve been through a number of golf shoes in between, and I am happy to say that this is the one.

Stats: The Shoe
Model: Nike Lunar Control
Style: 418471
Color: 171 White/Metallic Silver-Volt-Black
Retail: $150

Stats: The Tester
Name: NGN Alan
Age: 29
Handicap: 12
Rounds in Lunar Control: 11
Equipment: Nike Vr Wedge 58.06
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Photographer: Jen Savage

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.

Filed Under: Apparel, Footwear, Footwear & Apparel, Footwear & Apparel Product Reviews, Lunar Control, ngnation.com, Wedges

1 Round, 3 Balls :: 20XI-X, ONE Tour D and ONE Vapor Speed Comparison

June 12, 2011 By 3 Comments

Over the past two years, I’ve played 2 balls far more than any other; The Titlelist Pro V1x and the Nike ONE Vapor Speeds.
With the recent release of the Nike 20XI’s, I knew I had to try these. Along with the 20XI release, there was a significant price drop in the Nike ONE Tour balls, so I picked up a dozen of those, too.

I decided to play 1 round, playing 6 holes with the three Nike Golf Balls; 20XI-X, ONE Tour D and ONE Vapor Speed. I headed to The Links at Penn Hills to go birdie hunting.

I alternated balls for each hole, as (like most), I play better as the round goes on.

PRACTICE GREEN

I arrived about 30 minutes early so I could spend a bit of time with each ball hitting some chips and putts. Especially since this was my first time with the 20XI’s.  I was used to the feel  of the Vapor Speeds, so this was really just for the ONE Tour D’s and 20XI’s. All the balls felt great chipping and putting, but it was hard to get a good feel as I was just warming up myself.

Winner? Draw.

OFF THE TEE – DISTANCE, ROLL and BALL FLIGHT

I crush my Vapor Speeds, as I should, but where the Tour D’s and 20XI-X are distance Tour balls, I figured the distance would be pretty similar between the two of them. I prefer the higher ball flight of the Vapor Speeds, but the lower ball flight of the 20XI and ONE Tour D were nice, too. However, I felt like the 20XI-X kept true to it’s trajectory and seemed to be the most pure. I found the ONE Tour D had the most roll off of the tee.

Winner for Roll? ONE Tour D
Winner for Distance? ONE Vapor Speed
Winner for Ball Flight? 20XI-X

APPROACH – DISTANCE, SPIN and BALL FLIGHT

The only complaint I have with the Vapor Speed is that it lacks the spin of of a premium tour ball, that’s why I would alternate the Pro V1x. However, the 20XI-X felt extremley soft and stuck on my approach shots from 150 yards and closer. It was silly. The ONE Tour D was decent, but seemed to have a lower ball flight with my irons, so I give this to the 20XI-X hands down. I like the Ball Flight of the Vapor Speeds, it just doesn’t have the spin. In terms of distance, I felt like the ONE Tour D was about 5 yard longer than each of the other balls, but I prefr

Winner for Spin? 20XI-X
Winner for Distance? ONE Tour D
Winner for Ball Flight? 20XI-X and ONE Vapor Speed

ON AND AROUND THE GREEN – FEEL

I know my Vapor Speed inside and out. I know how to hit it on flop shots, punch shots and any distance putt on the green. With that said, I’ll try and be as unbiased as possible. I can say that the ONE Tour D felt much like the Pro V1x in that it was soft off of the putter face and seems to lack the roll that the Vapor Speeds have. When it came to the 20XI-X’s, I was pleasantly surprised. I expected something close the the ONE Tour D, but it seems to jump off of the face a little more, but not too much. I think it had just the feel that I want..quick, but not too quick off of the face with a great roll and pace.
Around the green, The 20XI-X checked amazingly. The contact and feel felt much like the Vapor Speeds, but with much more sping.

Winner? 20XI-X

SUMMARY

Overall, I really liked the 20XI-X, however can I justify the price? I’m sure I could, but with the ONE Tour D’s on sale as the same price at the Vapor Speeds…it’s hard to say if it’s worth the price jump. The best ball of the three is the 20XI-X, but for the value of Vapor Speeds, and now if you can find the ONE Tour’s on sale, you honestly can’t go wrong with any ball. I’ll play out the rest of my Vapor Speeds and Tour D’s and them I’ll probably pick up some 20XI’s.

Agree/Disagree? Let me know what you think below!

Check out Nike Golf’s golf ball recommender here >>

Check out the NGNation ONE Vapor Speed review >>

Check out the NGNation 20XI-X and S review >>

 

 

Filed Under: 20XI Ball, Balls, Equipment, Equipment Product Reviews, Nike ONE Tour D, Nike ONE Vapor Speed

Product Review: Nike 20XI Golf Balls

May 18, 2011 By 10 Comments

In 2000, Nike Golf turned the golf ball manufacturing world upside down with its introduction of the first solid core golf ball, the Tour Accuracy. When Tiger Woods committed to play the Tour Accuracy in competition, other wound golf ball manufacturers realized the solid core ball was here to stay and began scrambling to catch up.

Since then, improvements to the solid core ball have been limited to the number of layers in combination with a rubber core, so four years ago Nike Golf began experimenting with different materials to use for the core. The result of those years of experimentation and development is a core made of a proprietary resin manufactured by DuPont. This new, smaller, lighter resin core has made its debut in Nike Golf’s much-anticipated new 20XI golf ball. You find out more about the technology behind the new 20XI in Nike Golf’s Press release, and in this post (which includes links to several videos) about the official launch of the 20XI at the Cadillac Championship. You can also hear what Nike Athletes think of the new 20XI ball in this video on Nike Golf’s YouTube channel.

The 20XI comes in two models, the 20XI-X which is the distance version, and the 20XI-S which is the “spin” version, featuring a slightly softer cover for more feel around the greens. Nike Golf sent me a sleeve of each to test and review, and I have since gone out and bought a dozen of each to continue my testing. I have tested both models in several live rounds on the course, making note of several attributes as they apply to both balls when used with various clubs in my bag, and I share the results of my tests with you here:

FEEL: PUTTER

20XI-X: One of the most important aspects of the ball I play is how it feels off the putter face, and the 20XI-X shines here. It has a soft feel off both my Method 001 and 003 (and Method Core 001 and 003, review coming soon), and rolls true to the target, which may also be helped by the ball’s perimeter weighting. The feel off the putter is soft and true.

20XI-S: The feel of the 20XI-S is even more buttery soft off the putter face. It has a pillow-soft strike when the putter hits the ball, and rolls just as true as the 20XI-X.

FEEL: WEDGES

20XI-X: The 20XI-X has terrific feel off my VR wedges. It has great feel off the face and exceptional spin when it hits the green, biting quickly and stopping on a dime when I want it to. The cover of the 20XI-X is slightly firmer than the 20XI-S, and is slightly more durable also.

20XI-S: The 20XI-S has an even softer feel and more spin with the wedges, and I feel really confident I can stop this ball where I want to on the green.

FEEL: IRONS & HYBRIDS

20XI-X: I had great control with the short irons with the 20XI-X, distance control was spot on and spin is great when the ball hits the green. The 20XI-X has a high ball flight with the short irons for me, and it landed soft and stopped where I wanted. Mid-irons produced a similar result – the 20XI-X had a mid to high, penetrating ball flight, held it’s line in the breeze, and I got an extra 5 yards of distance with each club. For hybrids, the distance gain was 5-10 yards, and again the ball really held its line. Overall, the shorter the club, the greater the gain in spin I got, and the longer the club, more noticeable was the distance gain.

20XI-S: The above was all true with the 20XI-S, but more noticeable was the gain in spin with the short irons, and slightly more spin offline with my mis-hit shots. However, I didn’t really notice a difference in distance, the gain was about the same.

FEEL: FAIRWAY WOODS & DRIVER

20XI-X: The most noticeable advantage I saw with my fairway woods was the increase in distance, where I gained between 5 to 10 yards. Ball flight was mid to high and penetrating—this ball really holds it’s line, especially in the breeze. It feels really solid at impact, not hard like a distance ball, just firm and solid. With the driver the distance gain again was 10 yards, and reduced spin was noticeable, especially on mis-hits. I’m prone to a hook and the ball seemed to curve less when I made a bad swing. Again, the 20XI-X produced a high ball flight that cut through the wind and seemed to go forever.

20XI-S: Again the above is true for the 20XI-S, with the exception that is has a very slightly softer “hit” at impact, barely discernable from the 20XI-X. I didn’t notice any drop off in distance and it had a very similar mid to high, penetrating ball flight.

DISTANCE

20XI-X: The increase in distance is outstanding with the 20XI-X, for me it was 5-10 yards throughout the bag. The lighter, resin core creates faster ball speed that equals greater distance. The perimeter weighting of the heavier outer layers allows this ball to travel further in the air, reaching the apex of its flight further down range, and creating a noticeably longer ball flight.

20XI-S: The same is true for the 20XI-S, I saw the same gain in distance and same increase in flight characteristics as the 20XI-X.

ACCURACY

20XI-X: On long shots, the perimeter weighting of the 20XI-X allows it to stay online more than other balls I’ve played. I noticed the mid to high ball flight and its staying in the air longer (longer flight time to the apex) allows better distance control and softer landing shots, and I felt I could be more accurate, especially on shorter shots.

20XI-S: The same holds true overall for the 20XI-S, but the slightly increased spin had my mis-hit shots traveling offline just a bit more than the 20XI-X. But the increased spin and control on short shots and around the greens, and the buttery-soft feel off the putter face got my attention, making my decision between the two balls more difficult (see Summary below).

BALL FLIGHT

20XI-X: The ball flight of the 20XI-X was overall a mid to high flight for me throughout the bag, with the shorter irons producing a higher ball flight, and longer irons, hybrids, fairway woods and driver producing a mid to high ball flight. The flight was long and true, with the ball staying in the air longer than other balls I’ve played. The ball stayed online more consistently also, presumably because of the perimeter weighting.

20XI-S: The 20XI-S produced a slightly higher ball flight overall throughout the bag, with the short irons producing a high flight, and mid-irons through driver producing mid to high, a bit higher than the 20XI-X overall. It also stayed in the air and online similarly to the 20XI-X.

SPIN

20XI-X: The 20XI-X had less spin off the driver, fairway woods and hybrids (good shots went straighter, hooks and slices curved less), and increased spin on mid to short irons. Spin off wedges on approach shots and around the green was superb. With short irons and wedges I was able to get the ball to drop and stop on the green when I wanted it to.

20XI-S: The 20XI-S had similar reduced spin of the driver and longer clubs, and even more exceptional spin with the short irons and wedges. If you are looking to create that one-hop-and-stop shot on the green, or to spin it back and make your golf buddies jealous, this might be the ball for you.

SUMMARY
Nike Golf’s Ball Recommender suggested the 20XI-X to me (with the ONE Vapor Speed and Crush as alternates, the other two balls I play along with the Power Distance Soft), and it seems to know what it’s talking about as the 20XI-X seems to be the ball for me. It’s long off the tee, giving me about 5-10 yards extra distance, holds its line well in the wind, spins less with the driver and more with the short irons, spins well on approach shots and around the green, and feels great off the putter face. I love the 20XI-S also—its soft cover really helps the ball spin around the green and it feels great off the putter face, but I’m choosing to go for the slightly less spin (and slightly more forgiveness on mis-hit shots) the 20XI-X gives me. If you’re a better player and you keep your shots online more consistently than I do, you may prefer the extra benefits of increased spin that the 20XI-S can give you.

I suggest trying both balls for yourself to see which you like better, and if you try the 20XI I’m confident the question you’ll have won’t be “Is the 20XI the right ball for me?” but “Which model is the right one for me?” Try the 20XI and see for yourself.

Have you tried the 20XI yet, or are you playing it regularly? Let us know how you like it with a comment below.

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.

Check out the 20XI experience site on nikegolf.com >>

Read Nike Golf’s press release about the 20XI golf ball >>

Check out our post about the 20XI product launch at the Cadillac Championship >>

Hear what Nike Athletes have to say about the 20XI in this video on Nike Golf’s YouTube channel >>

Try Nike Golf’s Ball Recommender to see which 20XI model is right for you >>

Filed Under: 20XI Ball, Balls, Equipment, Equipment Product Reviews, ngnation.com, Nike Golf

Product Review: 2011 VR Pro Hybrid

April 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I recently had the opportunity to test and review the VR Pro Driver and the VR Pro Fairway Wood, and as a follow-up to those two reviews I’ve been able to test out the VR Pro Hybrid. I’ve been playing Nike hybrids for several years now—my first were the Nike CPR hybrids, then I moved to the SQ hybrids and then to the VR hybrids, so I was excited to see if the new VR Pro hybrid would live up to its predecessors. I’ve had the opportunity to play the VR Pro hybrid in several live rounds as well as hitting it on the range, and here are the findings from my tests.

FIRST IMPRESSION: DESIGN/APPEARANCE

Out of the box, the new VR Pro hybrid is visually different than previous Nike hybrid designs. Prior models including SQ and VR hybrids had a somewhat rounder geometry, whereas the new VR Pro has a noticeably square geometry. The face has a distinctly rectangular shape, with hell and especially the toe much more squared off than previous designs (the faces of previous models look more like the face of a fairway wood).

From the playing position, the head has a distinct pear or teardrop shape, and the crown is definitely thinner than (not as deep as) previous Nike hybrid models, more like an iron than a fairway wood. The iron-like appearance of the VR Pro reminds me of the Nike CPR iron-wood design from several years ago.

The crown has a metallic black paint finish, and the sole features Nike’s compression channel technology that is also found in the VR Pro driver and fairway woods. However the hybrid does not feature Nike’s STR8-FIT technology that’s found in the driver and fairway woods. The VR Pro hybrid features a project X 6.0 shaft and Nike VR branded grip by Golf Pride.

Out-of-the-box the VR pro hybrid says “player’s hybrid” all the way.

FIRST IMPRESSION: PERFORMANCE

My first swings on the range with the VR pro hybrid confirmed what I saw when I opened the box  – the VR pro hybrid feels like a player’s club. It swings more like an iron than a fairway wood or rescue club. In my reviews of the VR Pro driver and fairway wood I mentioned the word “solid”, and the VR Pro hybrid is even more so. The first shots on the range yielded a pleasingly solid feel, and I got great feedback from the club. I also got great distance, about 5-10 yards more than my VR hybrids. I was able to work the ball both ways, and I felt I could be very accurate with this club—shots flew straight and true to the target. The teardrop shape of the head puts more weight out towards the toe, making it easy to close the clubface. The club is very forgiving, and the compression channel gives thin shots and mis-hits about the same distance as a solidly struck shot. The acoustics are great – the sound is a distinct “snap” or “smack”, not the “plink” or metallic sound I’ve heard from other hybrids. On the course when I used this hybrid to get out of trouble, the solid feel gave me confidence the shot would end up where I was aiming. I was able to swing easy and get great distance, and I didn’t feel like I had to over-swing to get the ball where I wanted it to go.

Overall I was really pleased with how the VR Pro hybrid performed on the range and out on the course.

DISTANCE

I got great distance with the VR Pro hybrid, about 5-10 yards farther than my VR hybrid and SQ hybrids. I was able to swing easy and get good distance, I didn’t feel like I had to over-swing to hit the ball far with this club.

FEEL

The VR Pro hybrid has tremendous feel and gives great feedback. I was able to work the ball both ways when I needed to with this club. Shots struck in the middle of the face yielded a very pleasing, solid feel at impact. There’s nothing like the feel of a solidly struck golf shot, and that couldn’t be more true with the VR Pro hybrid.

FORGIVENESS

The VR Pro hybrid is very forgiving. The compression channel technology in the sole allows shots that are struck close to the heel and low on the face to get almost as much distance as shots struck in the middle of the face.

PLAYABILITY

The VR Pro hybrid is a very workable club. I was able to move the ball left or right at will with this club. The confidence I have with how solidly shots come off of the face, allows me to confidently create the shots I need to when I need to on the course.

ACCURACY

I feel like I can be very accurate with this club. The fact that this club is so solid when I hit the ball and that I don’t have to swing hard to get the ball to my target, gives me confidence that I can put the ball where I need to. I am able to see my target, swing easy and the ball will go there.

ACOUSTICS

The VR Pro hybrid has great acoustics. My previous SQ and VR hybrids both have the standard “plink” or metallic sound that I normally expect from hybrids. The VR pro hybrid has a distinct “snap” or “smack” which echoes the solidity of the shots that come off the club at impact. It’s a pleasing sound that just adds to the confidence I get when I use this club from the fairway or from the rough on the course.

SUMMARY

The VR Pro hybrid is one of Nike Golf’s strongest club offerings for 2011. The club’s solidity really impressed me in my tests. The extra distance I got was noticeable, 5 to 10 yards farther than my previous hybrids. The playability and feel are outstanding. The forgiveness of the compression channel technology on thin shots adds to the playability of the club, and the acoustics are excellent. If you are looking for a new hybrid, or for some extra help on those trouble shots on the course, you should definitely give the VR Pro hybrid a serious look.

View the Oven Tech video about the VR Pro hybrids and fairway woods >>

Check out this Oven Tech video about the VR Pro Compression Channel >>

Read Nike Golf’s press release about the VR Pro hybrids >>

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.

Filed Under: Equipment, Equipment Product Reviews, Hybrids, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, VR Pro Hybrids
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