Equipment Product Reviews | NG NATION — Nike Golf Fan Blog

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

August 16, 2011 By Damian Daniels 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 Bob Diercksmeier 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.

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

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

June 12, 2011 By Damian Daniels 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 Bob Diercksmeier 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.

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 >>

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

Product Review: 2011 VR Pro Hybrid

April 26, 2011 By Bob Diercksmeier 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 >>

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

Nike Method Core 4i Putter Review

April 26, 2011 By Alan Numsuwan 4 Comments

Nike Golf’s Method putter series has experienced huge success on Tour, with three major victories in its first year or so. They include the U.S. Open (Lucas Glover), British Open (Stewart Cink), and the Masters (Charl Schwartzel). Several other non-Nike Athletes have either used the putter on Tour or tested it out, including Ricky Barnes, Davis Love III, and Ian Poulter.

Fittingly so, the Method is in the higher-end bracket of the putter world in terms of price, with its $250 tag. However, only recently has Nike offered a little bit of the Method magic at a reduced price with its Method Core line. Three great things off the bat about the Method Core – it incorporates the same polymetal groove technology seen in the Method, it costs over $100 less with a retail price of $130, and it is sold in big box retail sporting goods stores so it’s easy to find.

Coincidentally, this is how I stumbled upon this gem of a putter. Over the weekend I was at a Dick’s Sporting Goods and ventured over to the putter section to see what was new. (Now, I should add that as a player who has 3 more putters than one should have, I was not in the market to buy - I was actually there to look at a kayak), but amongst a sea of options the 4i caught my eye.

First off, I’ll be honest, there’s an immediate and obvious difference in appearance versus the original Method. The Method Core uses cast steel whereas the original Method used precision-milled stainless steel. What this means is that the finish on the Method Core appears shiny and more metal-like. Secondly, the grooves on the Method Core are actually in a red insert which is glue in, as opposed to being injected directly on the Method. However, I did not feel any glaring difference when making contact.

In regards to model, despite the big selection (they had the 1i, 2i, 3i, and 4i – I did not see the 5i full mallet), I found myself drawn to the 4i because of the center shaft and it’s zero offset. In addition, the 4i had a mallet shape with a B-back flange which helped with alignment. And even though I kept hitting balls with this on Dick’s artificial carpet test green, I couldn’t help but notice how easy the club went back and forth on a straight line. Could I tell how many revolutions it took to get the ball rolling forward? Absolutely not, but the roll off the face certainly felt solid and smooth.

The B-Back Flange

I would recommend the Method Core 4i Putter for those with a straight back-straight through putting swing and for those looking to reap the benefits of Polymetal Groove Technology without dropping a ton on a single club. Personally, I ended up not buying the putter (I really don’t need another one) but if I were to pick one up, it would definitely be this one.

Filed Under: Equipment Product Reviews, Method Core, Putters

Product Review: 2011 VR Pro STR8-FIT Fairway Wood

March 23, 2011 By Bob Diercksmeier 2 Comments

I recently had the chance to review Nike Golf’s VR Pro STR8-FIT Driver, and to follow up that review I’ve had the opportunity to test and review the VR Pro STR8-FIT fairway wood. I’ve also had the chance to test the VR Pro hybrid, and that review is coming soon. I tested the VR Pro STR8-FIT 15-degree 3-wood, and I’ve hit it on the range several times and played it in four live rounds on the course here in Phoenix. I was also able to test it against last year’s VR STR8-FIT 3-wood, and I’ll make comparisons in the review below.

FIRST IMPRESSION: DESIGN/APPEARANCE

Out of the box the VR Pro STR8-FIT fairway wood is clearly a player’s club. From the playing position it has a traditional pear shape, similar to last year’s VR STR8-FIT fairway wood, although last year’s model was a touch more c-shaped. The crown has the same metallic black finish, and Nike has done away with the powerbow at the back of the crown in this year’s model. The sole again features Nike’s Compression Channel technology, but in this year’s VR Pro model the channel goes completely across the sole (last year’s model had the compression channel covered by the sole plate). The sole plate has also been redesigned from last year, with it residing completely behind the compression channel. The compression channel itself is black this year, fading nicely to red at the rear of the sole.

Like the VR Pro driver, one of the most significant features of the new VR Pro fairway wood is the black SRT8-FIT collar (last year’s was silver), which blends in nicely with the hosel of the club, minimizing visual distraction. The club comes with a stock Project X 6.0 shaft and a Nike STR8-FIT Tour Velvet grip by Golf Pride. The grip has the STR8-FIT diagram on the butt end of the grip showing the 32 club face angle positions. The headcover is similar to that of the VR Pro driver, bit instead of a magnetic closure it has a sock below the main part of the headcover that protects the shaft. The club also comes with three tabs to identify which fairway wood it is (3, 5 & X), the STR8-FIT manual, the diagram showing the possible clubhead positions and the STR8-FIT wrench to remove and replace the clubhead.

FIRST IMPRESSION: PERFORMANCE

My first swings again confirmed that this is truly a player’s fairway wood. The first word that came to mind was “solid” — when striking the ball the VR Pro fairway wood has a very solid feel, and the clubhead has great weighting that allows the clubhead to do the work. I didn’t feel like I had to swing hard to get great distance with this club. Easy swings resulted in long, straight shots.

The VR Pro fairway wood has great playability, and I was able to work the ball both right and left with the club. Also knowing that I can adjust the face to counteract a hook or slice on any given day gives me increased confidence. It has great acoustics, a pleasingly solid “plink” at impact. It is also very forgiving, with the compression channel helping to give shots that are struck low on the face and towards the heel added distance. Thin shots go just about as far as shots struck in the middle of the face.

ADJUSTABILITY

Like the VR Pro STR8-FIT driver, the VR Pro STR8-FIT fairway woods can be adjusted to any of 32 possible face positions and subsequent lie angles. This allows better players to quickly dial the club in to their specific specifications. 32 positions is probably overkill for an average golfer like myself, but knowing the club can be easily adjusted to offset a hook or slice is a big advantage. This can be done when warming up on the range before a round, and if you are slicing or hooking you can adjust the club to counteract that, which can give confidence going into the round. I am able to take head off, put it back on in a different position and tighten it with the STR8-FIT wrench in a minute or less.

PLAYABILITY

The traditional pear shape of the VR Pro fairway woods invites shot shaping. Better players will be able to work the ball right and left with this club. They’ll also be able to adjust the clubhead position to promote a particular shot shape for a particular day, perhaps for a course with doglegs primarily in one direction. Average players will also benefit from the clubs ability (through its adjustability) to help them achieve a certain ball flight and shot shape, if they happen to struggle with fading or drawing the ball, or hitting the ball particularly high or low. The VR Pro fairway woods can help average golfers shape shots like just like the pros do.

DISTANCE

I got great distance with the VR Pro 3-wood. I hit it about 5 yards farther than last year’s VR STR8-FIT 3-wood. Most notably was that I was able to get that extra distance while swinging easier, with the weight of the club doing the work for me. I notice this particularly on long par 5’s, when sometimes I’ll use it for my drive to place the ball in the fairway, and many times I’ll use this club for my second shot where it gives me the ability to put the ball closer to the green for a (hopefully) more accurate third shot — if it’s not already on the green that is!

ACCURACY

I’m able to place shots effectively with the VR Pro 3-wood. Sometimes I’ll use this club off the tee when I need to place a drive in a particularly tight fairway. Or I’ll use it on an approach shot on a long par 4 or a second shot on a long par 5 when accuracy is critical. I’m confident in this club, and that confidence allows me to pick a target and (most of the time) put my ball there (or close) without over-swinging.

FORGIVENESS

The VR Pro 3-wood is very forgiving, primarily because of the compression channel technology in the sole of the club which gives thin shots and shots hit close to the heel almost as much distance as a solidly struck shot. I’m confident that if I mis-hit a shot with this club that it will go almost as far and pretty much on the same line as a shot that I’ve struck well.

ACOUSTICS

This club has a great sound at impact, a pleasingly solid “plink” like last year’s VR ST8-FIT 3-wood. The VR Pro 3-wood has the standard sound you would expect from a 3-wood, similar to other metal fairway woods on the market.

SUMMARY

The VR Pro fairway wood, like the VR pro driver, is another great club design from Nike Golf. Definitely a player’s club with a traditional club head shape, the VR Pro brings great distance and shot shaping capability to better players and average golfers alike. The STR8-FIT adjustability allows a player to dial the club in to their particular specifications, and adjust the club to counteract a particular swing flaw or promote a particular shot shape. The compression channel gives thin shots almost the same result as solidly struck shots. This club is in my bag for the 2011 season, and if you are looking for a fairway wood that will give you confidence and maybe become your go-to club for pressure shots, I suggest you give the VR Pro fairway woods a try.

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

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

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

Visit the VR Pro microsite on nikegolf.com >>

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

Product Review: Nike 2011 VR Pro STR8-FIT Driver

February 25, 2011 By Bob Diercksmeier 13 Comments

Last year I had the opportunity to review the 2010 VR STR8-FIT driver, and I was impressed with its length and the confidence I got from the adjustability of this traditionally shaped driver. This year Nike Golf has introduced the second generation of the VR driver in the VR Pro Driver, and they’ve taken the technology they put into the original VR STR8-FIT to the next level.

Nike Golf has posted several interesting videos about the VR Pro driver on their YouTube channel, there are links to those at the bottom of this post. They also recently began airing several new TV commercials about the VR Pro equipment line, and you can see the commercial for the VR Pro driver here:

VR PRO TV COMMERCIAL >>

Several weeks ago Nike Golf sent me the VR Pro driver to test and review, so I headed over to the range at my local course Stonecreek Golf Club. I also brought along my 2010 VR STR8-FIT for comparison, and since the range test I have played several rounds on the course with the VR Pro. Both drivers feature Nike Golf’s STR8-FIT technology, and both have 10.5 degrees of loft and the stock shaft in stiff flex.

FIRST IMPRESSION: DESIGN/APPEARANCE

The 2010 VR STR8-FIT driver was traditionally shaped but more rounded than the 2010 VR Tour (glued) version, which was more pear-shaped. The first thing I noticed about the new 2011 VR Pro is the truly traditional shape of the head in the STR8-FIT model — it now has the classic pear shape when viewed from the playing position. Another big change is the rework of the STR8-FIT hosel, which is now black and blends in more with the hosel, so now you can get the adjustability with minimal visual distraction.

The crown has the same metallic black paint as the 2010 model, but the sole plate has been redesigned, and the compression channel is now black, fading to red towards the rear of the sole. The VR Pro features a blue Project X 6.0 shaft and the VR Tour Velvet STR8-FIT Tour grip by Golf Pride with the face angle position diagram on the butt end of the grip. The headcover is similar in design to last year’s, with a magnetic closure and elastic under the head to keep the cover securely in place. This year the side panels are red and contain the words “Compression Channel”, the VR Pro logo is on the top and there is a silver panel across the back that contains the Nike swoosh. The STR8-FIT wrench comes with a nylon bag and stores easily in a pocket in my golf bag.

The overall look of the VR Pro driver is traditional all the way. If you are a fan of traditional design in golf clubs like I am, you’ll definitely want to check out the VR Pro.

FIRST IMPRESSION: PERFORMANCE

When I first stood over the VR Pro, the first word that came to mind was “control”. I was really pleased with the traditional look, and at address I felt confident I could shape shots with this club. After my first few swings I was even more pleased — from my first initial swings the VR Pro really felt like a player’s driver. I really felt like I could control my shots and work the ball when swinging this driver.

The VR Pro has a very solid feel when striking the ball. It has an equally solid sound, a pleasing “thwack” at impact. It’s also long — my initial shots were about 5 yards longer than my 2010 VR STR8-FIT. I was able to shape shots right and left when I wanted to, and by adjusting the face angle using the STR8-FIT system I was able to consistently produce a particular shot pattern (fade or draw, depending on whether I set the face in an open or closed position), which will come in handy on days when I’m fighting a slice or a hook.

It was also forgiving on mis-hits, especially when I hit a shot low on the face and close to the heel. Thanks to Nike’s compression channel technology, which they introduced in last year’s VR driver, whenever I caught a shot thin I got almost as much distance as a solid shot hit near the center of the clubface.

My initial swings and rounds on the course with the new VR Pro driver left me very impressed with it’s length off the tee, shot shaping capability, adjustability and forgiveness on mis-hits.

ADJUSTABILITY

Like its predecessor the VR STR8-FIT, the VR Pro STR8-FITfeatures 32 face angle options, ranging from 2 degrees open to 2 degrees closed in .25-degree increments. A player can easily adjust the club to their particular specifications to optimize its performance, as well as set the club face and lie angles to create a particular ball flight pattern. A notable change from last year’s model is the black STR8-FIT collar (last year it was silver), which allows it to visually blend in much better with the hosel of the club. The driver is very easy to adjust — with a few turns of the included STR8-FIT wrench I was able to remove the head and move it to one of the other face angle positions in under a minute. An enclosed card has a diagram of all 32 positions, and it’s easy to tell which position the clubhead is in by using the diagram on the butt end of the grip in relation to the arrow on the hosel.

PLAYABILITY

The VR Pro is truly a player’s driver, and is made for shaping shots and moving the ball. The STR8-FIT adjustability allows you to open or close the face angle to consistently promote a specific shot shape. The compression channel gives you a quality shot when you hit the ball low on the face and toward the heel (where better players most often have their misses on the club face), so you can swing with confidence. The Project X 6.0 shaft is a mid-frequency, mid-weight shaft that is designed to give the lower launch and penetrating ball flight that better players prefer. It gave me a medium trajectory ball flight that seemed to bore through the wind (especially during one particularly breezy round).

DISTANCE

I was pleased with the distance increase I got with the VR Pro driver. I gained about five yards on average over the original VR STR8-FIT driver, and when I hit the ball on the sweet spot I gained closer to 10 yards in extra distance. I felt the ball flight produced by the Project X shaft definitely contributed to the increase in distance I got with this club.

ACCURACY

The VR Pro gave me confidence standing over the ball, and the result was that I felt I was able to put the ball in the fairway when I needed to. The extra distance I gained allowed me to swing more easily, focusing on my target without feeling I had to swing harder to put the ball out there.

FORGIVENESS

The compression channel technology makes the VR Pro driver very forgiving. When I hit a shot low on the club face or toward the heel, the ball went almost as far as a shot hit closer to the middle of the face. Thin shots went just about as far as solidly stuck ones.

ACOUSTICS

The VR Pro produces a sound that is similar to its predecessor the VR STR8-FIT, a solidly pleasing “thwack” at impact. It doesn’t have the hollow, tinny or aluminum bat-like sound that some metal drivers have, the VR Pro’s acoustics are very solid.

SUMMARY

The VR Pro driver is a traditional looking driver that’s loaded with technological advancements. It looks great and performs even better. It’s a player’s driver that allows you to shape shots and work the ball, and the 32-position STR8-FIT adjustability allows a player to tweak the driver to their exact specifications. It also has a lot of forgiveness for off-center hits, which makes this club a solid choice for players with a wide range of abilities. If you’re looking for a new driver for the upcoming season that will help you put your drives in the fairway and past the other players in your group, I suggest you give the VR Pro a test drive.

Check out the new VR Pro Driver TV Commercial >>

Check out this video in which Tom Stites and Nike Golf athletes talk about the VR Pro driver >>

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

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

Visit the VR Pro microsite on nikegolf.com >>

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

Product Review: 2011 SQ MachSpeed Black Driver

November 24, 2010 By Bob Diercksmeier 1 Comment

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to review the 2010 SQ MachSpeed driver, and I was impressed with not only how far I hit it (for me), but how straight I hit it. The MachSpeed line was expanded to include fairway woods, hybrids and irons, all packed with technology that maximizes distance, accuracy and forgiveness, as well as the cutting edge visual design that Nike Golf is known for. You can see more about the line in the SQ MachSpeed driver microsite and irons microsite on nikegolf.com.

For 2011, Nike Golf is adding to the SQ MachSpeed line, and they are doing so in impressive fashion. They are introducing the new SQ MachSpeed Black driver which will be available in both round and square models, and Nike Golf gave us a sneak peek at this very cool new driver in this video on their YouTube channel. The driver will be available at retail this Friday, and it’s no coincidence that’s Black Friday. Yesterday Nike Golf rolled out their new TV commercial featuring the MachSpeed Black, you can see that here:

Check out the new MachSpeed Black TV Commercial >>

A few weeks ago Nike Golf sent me the round version of the new SQ MachSpeed Black driver to test and review, so I headed over to the range at my local course Stonecreek Golf Club. Along with the new MachSpeed Black driver I brought the original SQ MachSpeed (square) driver for comparison. Both drivers feature Nike Golf’s STR8-FIT technology, and both have 10.5 degrees of loft and the stock shaft in stiff flex. I share my findings with you below, so let’s get started.

FIRST IMPRESSION: DESIGN/APPEARANCE

Straight out of the box, this is one very cool looking driver. “Stealth” is a great way to describe it with it’s all-black appearance. It has a black metallic crown, dark metal face, black glossy sole with MachSpeed Black graphics and contrasting matte black diffuser inset in the sole. Notably, the STR8-FIT collar on the hosel is now black (it was silver on the original MachSpeed driver). The matte black Mitsubishi Fubuki shaft continues the dark look, and it has a cool Japanese throwing star pattern on the top of the shaft by the grip. The grip is Nike SQ Crossline STR8-FIT by Lamkin.

The headcover continues the black theme, and has a molded pattern that reflects that of the sole diffuser. The pocket for the STR8-FIT wrench has been eliminated from the headcover, which is a great move that keeps the headcover simple and light. The STR8-FIT wrench comes with a nylon bag (like the VR driver) and stores easily in a pocket in my golf bag.

The overall look of the SQ MachSpeed Black driver is very striking — if Darth Vader played golf, this club looks like it came straight out of his bag. The design details are thoughtfully considered and attention grabbing, and the first time you pull it out of your bag your friends will definitely want to check it out.

FIRST IMPRESSION: PERFORMANCE

The style of the MachSpeed Black is impressive, but the performance is even more so. In the initial swings on the range the first thing I noticed is that the club head feels lighter than the original SQ MachSpeed driver. The head feels like it glides through the air, and I think the advanced aerodynamics are responsible for that. The sole diffuser and powerbow channel in the toe and trailing edge of the head help smooth the airflow during the swing. It felt like I could generate a lot of speed with this driver without over-swinging — a smooth swing creates a pleasing “whoosh” sound through the hitting zone.

I brought a launch monitor with me so I could measure distance in comparison to the original MachSpeed. That driver was long and straight for me, but the MachSpeed Black is longer. In my tests the MachSpeed Black was on average 5 to 8 yards longer than the original MachSpeed, and at times the distance I got was 10 or more yards longer.

The MachSpeed Black was not only longer, it was straight too. The original MachSpeed felt very straight at address because of the square shape, and I can only think that the square version of the MachSpeed Black will have the same feel (I tested the round version). But the results of my drives were very straight (for me), and I can only think the lighter (or lighter feeling) head and the aerodynamics are responsible for the combination of accuracy and increased distance. I was initially very impressed with the performance of the MachSpeed Black, both in the distance I gained and the accuracy I was able to maintain.

ADJUSTABILITY

Like its predecessor the SQ Machspeed, the MachSpeed Black features eight face angle options, ranging from 2 degrees open to 2 degrees closed. It’s very easy to adjust — with a few turns of the included STR8-FIT wrench I was able to remove the head and move it to one of the other face angle positions in under a minute. An enclosed card has a diagram of all 8 positions, and it’s easy to tell which position the clubhead is in by using the diagram on the butt end of the grip in relation to the arrow on the hosel.

PLAYABILITY

The round version of this driver lends itself to playability and shot-shaping. The STR8-FIT adjustability allows you to open or close the face angle to promote a fade or a draw. I feel I can work the ball with this driver, especially with aid of an open or closed face angle position.

DISTANCE

I was impressed with the distance increase I got with the SQ MachSpeed Black driver. I gained 5 to 8 yards on average over the original SQ MachSpeed. and when I hit the ball on the sweet spot, the ball just rocketed off the clubface and I gained 10 or more yards in extra distance.

ACCURACY

The MachSpeed Black is not only long, but straight too. I was able to control the club and keep my drives on line, thanks to the lighter head weight and advanced aerodynamics. My drives flew long and straight at my target.

FORGIVENESS

The MachSpeed Black was very forgiving — mis-hit shots went pretty much as far as solid hits. A shot hit in the middle of the club face went the farthest of course, but evens shot hit away from the center of the face went surprisingly (and pleasingly) far.

ACOUSTICS

One of the more notable changes (some would say “improvements”) in the MachSpeed Black is the sound at impact. The acoustics are noticeably quieter than those of its predecessor — the sound is a solid, pleasing strike. If you happened to shy away from the previous model for this reason, give the MachSpeed Black a try to see the difference.

SUMMARY

The SQ MachSpeed Black is a beast, both in looks and performance. The dramatic visual design grabbed my attention, and the distance I gained kept my attention. The lighter head weight and solid, quieter acoustics were notable changes from the original SQ MachSpeed driver. If you’re looking for a new driver with amazing styling and impressive distance, the SQ MachSpeed Black is worth taking a serious look at.

Check out the new MachSpeed Black TV Commercial >>

Check out this video in which Tom Stites and Nike Golf athletes talk about the SQ MachSpeed Black driver >>

Check out the SQ MachSpeed Black teaser video >>

Read Nike Golf’s press release about the SQ MachSpeed Black driver >>

Visit the SQ MachSpeed Black driver microsite on nikegolf.com >>

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Filed Under: Drivers, Equipment, Equipment Product Reviews, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, SQ MachSpeed Black Driver

Product Review: 2011 VR Pro Combo Irons

November 17, 2010 By Bob Diercksmeier 8 Comments

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. Now Nike Golf has 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 (finally) reintroduces a club design that fans of Nike Golf have been asking about for the last several years — the Pro Combo iron.

The Pro Combo was one of Nike Golf’s more successful iron designs, and some Nike Golf equipment aficionados (myself included) say it’s one of the best, if not the best, irons they have produced to date, perhaps with the exception of the current VR line. We’ll have to see if the new VR Pro Combo irons can live up to the reputation of their predecessors, and from the looks of the sleek new design and initial comments by other Nike Golf fans it looks like this is a distinct possibility.

A few weeks ago Nike Golf sent me a set of the new 2011 VR Pro Combo Irons to test and review. I’ve tested the VR Pro Combos on the range as well as in a couple of rounds on the course, and I share the results of my tests here:

FIRST IMPRESSION: DESIGN/APPEARANCE

Right out of the box you know this is a special set of irons. Clean and classic describes the design, and the gleaming chromed forged steel grabs your attention immediately. The set consists of blades for the 8, 9 and PW, split cavity backs for the 5, 6 and 7 irons, and pocket cavity backs for the 3 and 4 irons. If you want learn more about the Pro Combo set makeup you can find more information in the press release and in the VR Pro microsite at nikegolf.com.

The 8-PW are all-chrome blades, the 3-7 irons have a beautiful matte finish inside the back cavity with chrome around the outside, and the soles of all irons are all chrome. The new VR Pro Combo logo and Nike swoosh are on the back of each iron, and the straight line of the muscle back/split cavity/pocket cavity complete the clean look of the back of the iron. As a side note, you’ll be able to personalize your VR Pro Combos starting in Spring 2011. The stock shafts are True Temper Dynamic Gold, and the stock grips are Nike VR Tour Velvet by Golf Pride. Custom options are available for both shafts and grips.

Simply put, the VR Pro Combo is a beautiful, clean, classic iron design that’s loaded with cutting edge technology.

FIRST IMPRESSION: PERFORMANCE

Both on the range and on the course I immediately noticed how solid these irons are. They have a great feel when you strike the ball, they are forgiving (especially as you progress from the short to the long irons) but still provide good feedback from mis-hit shots. A plus, scratch or low handicap golfer will really do these irons justice, but a mid-handicapper (like myself) can play these irons because of the forgiving design.

The VR Pro Combos promote a high ball flight, and that is consistent throughout the set — all clubs produced shots that were higher than my current irons, and as the clubs progress from the short to long irons that high ball flight is maintained, allowing shots to land softly even with the long irons. It’s easy to control the distance with these irons (I hit these exactly the same distance as my second generation Pro Combo Tour irons) as they promote a consistent shot from club to club.

They are very workable, and I felt I had great control over the ball with these irons. Spin control was also good, and there was no noticeable difference between what I am used to with my clubs with pre-2011 grooves and the VR Pro Combos with the new USGA and R&A conforming X3X grooves (more on this below).

APPEARANCE AT ADDRESS

A thin topline and classic iron profile are what you see at address. The toplines are slightly thicker than a blade, about the same as my Pro Combo Tour irons, and the 3 and 4 iron actually have a slightly thicker topline than the rest of the set. A slight offset promotes forgiveness and confidence. You can’t see any of the pocket cavity in the long irons or the split cavity in the mid irons at address. These are gorgeous irons to look at when you’re over the ball.

PLAYABILITY

The VR Pro Combos are extremely workable, and it’s easy to shape the ball right or left throughout the set. The high ball flight allows you to land the ball softly from a variety of distances. I have good control of the ball with these irons, and with a solid downward strike I can spin the ball when I need to.

LAUNCH ANGLE

The VR Pro Combo irons promote a high ball flight throughout the set. Whether I’m using a short, middle or long iron, I am able to consistently produce shots that fly high and land softly.

DISTANCE CONTROL

Distance control was exceptional with the VR Pro Combos. I was able to rely on distance being consistent from shot to shot and from club to club. The high ball flight also added to distance control, as I was able to land the ball softly and consistently.

SPIN CONTROL WITH NEW GROOVES

The VR Pro Combos feature new conforming X3X grooves — this means there are more grooves on each club face, and the groves are deeper and closer together. This groove configuration yields a result that is very similar, if not identical, to pre-2011 non-conforming grooves. For me there was no noticeable difference in the spin produced by these irons compared to my irons with pre-2011 grooves. I was able to effectively spin the ball when I needed to with these irons.

ACCURACY

I feel I can be very accurate with these irons, especially the short irons. I feel very confident when playing the VR Pro Combos, and confidence inspires performance. Whether I have a 5-iron or a pitching wedge in hand, I feel I can put the ball close to the flag when I have to.

FEEL

These irons have terrific feel, very solid on shots that are struck near the center of the face. The short irons have an especially pure feel, and the middle and long irons feel very smooth through the ball. They also give great feedback on shots that are less than perfect.

FORGIVENESS

The VR Pro Combos have a great balance of feel and forgiveness. Designed for players of varying abilities — from the advanced player to the mid-handicapper — they produce a great shot from a solid strike while still giving a decent result from mis-hit shots. The long irons (3 & 4) have game improvement characteristics built in — the pocket cavity puts weight further back in club head to help get the ball in the air and increase forgiveness.

ACOUSTICS

The VR Pro Combo irons have solid acoustics, that great sound you expect from a player’s iron when the ball leaves the middle of the club face.

SUMMARY

The VR Pro Combo irons are a true “instant classic” from Nike Golf. From the precise short iron blades, through the solid split cavity middle irons to the smooth, forgiving pocket cavity long irons, this third generation Pro Combo iron could very well be the best iron design Nike Golf has developed to date. Combining solid feel, forgiveness and playability, the VR Pro Combos are perfect for the better player and mid-handicapper alike. If you are serious about your golf game and are looking for a clean, classic iron design that incorporates the most up-to-date technology, the VR Pro Combos deserve serious consideration. I dearly love my second generation Pro Combo OS and Tour irons and never thought I would find something I liked more, but I’ve found a new favorite in the new VR Pro Combo irons.

Have you tried the VR Pro Combos 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 Combo irons >>

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

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

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