NIKE 2014 Ball Review

I will start this by saying that I am a Nike staffed PGA Professional, so it is easy for me to compare these golf balls to their other products. I got 2 dozen of each as my Christmas gift from my rep and now that I am returning from Florida I had a good chance to review them.

I played all my tournaments in 2013 with the 2013 20xi ball, which I felt was a huge improvement over the first generation. I play to a plus 2.7 handicap and my basic launch numbers with my driver are 121 mph clubhead speed average, 180 ball speed but I launch the ball low with a lot of spin. I was initially excited to try the Black to see if I could drop my spin numbers off the tee and to see if the ball launched slightly higher.

I will break down this review by ball and in categories of Driver Performance, Irons/Wedges, Feel, and Likeliness to put in my bag.

NIKE RZN Black:

Driver: Due to me tracking with my Bushnell Tour V3 and a SkyCaddie, I averaged 312 yards off the tee with the Black. It launched at a height similar to a ProV1x. It seemed to release about ten to fifteen yards on well struck drives and was very stable in the wind.

Iron/Wedge: This is where the Black surprised me. It felt softer then any distance oriented tour ball I have ever played but it gave me about a club longer then my current gamer ball. The ball was fairly stable in the wind, but I was more impressed with the spin it offered around the greens. I was able to able to stick anything 7 iron and under right where I wanted to with a dead hand shot and the ball backed up about 3 to 5 feet with a normal swing with those clubs. 7 and 6 iron shots stopped dead and my 5 and 4 irons took about two hops and stopped. It was very predictable and easy to control.

Feel: I know this is the most personal aspect of testing any piece of equipment, but the infamous click of the 20xi balls is long gone. These sounded and felt great.

Likeliness to be in bag: I would say that I prefer a very soft ball but if I ever needed a bit extra distance on any given day, these will surely be in my bag.

NIKE RZN Platinum:

Driver: This ball was totally different off the tee then the Black, but not in a bad way. I averaged 307 which is not bad, but this ball launched slightly lower but instead of being a fairly straight shooting golf ball, I could work the Platinum left, right, high or low and that was a huge advantage.

Iron/Wedge: The Platinum was by far the best ball I have ever played with my irons. I was about a half club longer then my 20xi gamer ball. The spin control was unreal, and I will tell you exactly why. I enjoy shaping shots, and I had a 186 yard shot which was a little bit into the wind, with a back right pin location on a green that ran a bit away from me. I hit a cutting 7 iron that started off low and rose into the air, landed about 3 feet past the pin, took a jump forward and backed up about ten feet into the hole. It was a lucky shot, but I was surprised how the ball reacted when it hit the green. I played everything about ten to fifteen feet past the hole on full swings and I was hole high all day, and I could get the ball to stop dead on my dead hand shots that I play to kill spin.

Feel: This ball felt like you were hitting a long marshmallow. It was extremely soft of the face of my irons and wedges, but still gave me a fairly solid feel with my driver, 3 wood and hybrid. It did not click like the 20xi balls, and I was thoroughly impressed with their overall performance.

Likeliness to be in bag: Guys, I lied. These are my new gamer. The 2013 20xi ball is out. The Platinum offers everything I am looking for in a golf ball.

Well thank you for reading this, and if you have any questions or comments please post them! Thank you!!

Well done!

[quote name='swanry30' timestamp='1385423324' post='8206860']
Well done!
[/quote]
Thank you!

From a fellow Nike staffed PGA Professional, good work.

Sounds like I can finally stop using the One platinum from 2009.

[quote name='dcosby' timestamp='1385423580' post='8206888']
From a fellow Nike staffed PGA Professional, good work.

Sounds like I can finally stop using the One platinum from 2009.
[/quote]
Thanks man! And I held onto that ball until the start of 2013. No point in changing something that already works. Best of luck to you this year!

Awesome review. My rep is supposed to have some on the way to me and I can't wait to try them out.

[quote name='shakey' timestamp='1385423756' post='8206902']
Awesome review. My rep is supposed to have some on the way to me and I can't wait to try them out.
[/quote]
I know you will enjoy them. Truly a special ball.

Are they good enough to make someone consider switching from the Pro V1 or Pro V1x? It is one thing to upgrade if you already use Nike, but a whole different deal to get people to come over from Titleist. I am very intrigued.

nice review, how was the durability on both the black and platinum?

[quote name='mgholda' timestamp='1385423983' post='8206924']
Are they good enough to make someone consider switching from the Pro V1 or Pro V1x? It is one thing to upgrade if you already use Nike, but a whole different deal to get people to come over from Titleist. I am very intrigued.
[/quote]
I would say yes, but then again only you can tell because you know your game and what works best for you.

[quote name='mgholda' timestamp='1385423983' post='8206924']
Are they good enough to make someone consider switching from the Pro V1 or Pro V1x? It is one thing to upgrade if you already use Nike, but a whole different deal to get people to come over from Titleist. I am very intrigued.
[/quote]

You are correct and that maybe a tough ask, but the ball is really good. I was as harsh as anyone in regards to both versions of the 20XI. They have come a long way with this new ball.

[quote name='TC-When' timestamp='1385423993' post='8206928']
nice review, how was the durability on both the black and platinum?
[/quote]
Sorry that I forgot to mention that, the durability was pretty good! Obviously a little scuffing with wedges but I easily played 1 ball for 18 holes at a time.

[quote name='dcosby' timestamp='1385424338' post='8206950']
[quote name='mgholda' timestamp='1385423983' post='8206924']
Are they good enough to make someone consider switching from the Pro V1 or Pro V1x? It is one thing to upgrade if you already use Nike, but a whole different deal to get people to come over from Titleist. I am very intrigued.
[/quote]

You are correct and that maybe a tough ask, but the ball is really good. I was as harsh as anyone in regards to both versions of the 20XI. They have come a long way with this new ball.
[/quote]

I will have to do a head-to-head comparison as soon as I can get my hands on some as it sounds like they are definitely worth a try. Jarring it from 186 with a 7 iron like cameronprine will convince me to switch!

[quote name='mgholda' timestamp='1385427684' post='8207284']
[quote name='dcosby' timestamp='1385424338' post='8206950']
[quote name='mgholda' timestamp='1385423983' post='8206924']
Are they good enough to make someone consider switching from the Pro V1 or Pro V1x? It is one thing to upgrade if you already use Nike, but a whole different deal to get people to come over from Titleist. I am very intrigued.
[/quote]

You are correct and that maybe a tough ask, but the ball is really good. I was as harsh as anyone in regards to both versions of the 20XI. They have come a long way with this new ball.
[/quote]

I will have to do a head-to-head comparison as soon as I can get my hands on some as it sounds like they are definitely worth a try. Jarring it from 186 with a 7 iron like cameronprine will convince me to switch!
[/quote]
That's all in the swing lol. The ball helps make good shots better and bad shots not as bad

[quote name='cameronprine' timestamp='1385428117' post='8207338']
[quote name='mgholda' timestamp='1385427684' post='8207284']
[quote name='dcosby' timestamp='1385424338' post='8206950']
[quote name='mgholda' timestamp='1385423983' post='8206924']
Are they good enough to make someone consider switching from the Pro V1 or Pro V1x? It is one thing to upgrade if you already use Nike, but a whole different deal to get people to come over from Titleist. I am very intrigued.
[/quote]

You are correct and that maybe a tough ask, but the ball is really good. I was as harsh as anyone in regards to both versions of the 20XI. They have come a long way with this new ball.
[/quote]

I will have to do a head-to-head comparison as soon as I can get my hands on some as it sounds like they are definitely worth a try. Jarring it from 186 with a 7 iron like cameronprine will convince me to switch!
[/quote]
That's all in the swing lol. The ball helps make good shots better and bad shots not as bad
[/quote]

No doubt! That was one great swing! Thanks for the feedback on the balls.

Helpful. Especially considering I only play Nike and I am interested in their new releases. Thanks

Great review. I know whats going on my xmas list

[quote name='Nelly32' timestamp='1385431111' post='8207684']
Great review. I know whats going on my xmas list
[/quote]
I would honestly say to anyone on here just to test them and give them a try. A lot of people are close minded when it comes to Nike as far as golf products go and they honestly are producing some great stuff right now

Great write up, thanks!
How'd they feel and sound off the putter? How was it around the green, you know like little 20 yard chips and flops?
The reason you picked the platinum over the black is, because the workability? Distance was just about the same for both, with just a couple more yards for the black?

Sounds like a good ball. I'm excited for this and the new TM ball, nothing beat the pro v for me last year.

Just when I thought I was down to my final two ball choices for 2014... Now I read this.

Great review OP!

I'll get a handful of these to try in Florida in a couple of weeks and report back.

[quote name='G-Bone' timestamp='1385436371' post='8208240']
Just when I thought I was down to my final two ball choices for 2014... Now I read this.

Great review OP!

I'll get a handful of these to try in Florida in a couple of weeks and report back.
[/quote]

What are the other two?

[quote name='cameronprine' timestamp='1385423124' post='8206842']
Feel: I know this is the most personal aspect of testing any piece of equipment, but the infamous click of the 20xi balls is long gone. These sounded and felt great.
[/quote]

Don't play with my emotions Cameron. Don't you dare!!!!! I have always said the 20Xi-X is one of the best performing balls out, but feels like a Top Flite XLII. Because of that I went with the Lethal and ProV1x..[b][i] IF[/i][/b] what you say is true, I will be very happy!!

Again.. don't play with my emotions!!!

[quote name='swizbeatz' timestamp='1385436420' post='8208244']
[quote name='G-Bone' timestamp='1385436371' post='8208240']
Just when I thought I was down to my final two ball choices for 2014... Now I read this.

Great review OP!

I'll get a handful of these to try in Florida in a couple of weeks and report back.
[/quote]

What are the other two?
[/quote]

I guess I lied... Technically I have a final three.

I've been a TM ball guy for a long time, so naturally Tour Preferred (both X and non) are on my list.

But the ball that I've been pleasantly shocked by is the Callaway SR2. Played two rounds in the 40 degree weather and found it a couple yards longer off my driver with more green-side control than Lethal... Which to date had been the best ball I'd ever played, for me.

So the plan was to have a three-way playoff... Now it's got to be a five-way... Or something like that. Lol

[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1385436665' post='8208274']
[quote name='cameronprine' timestamp='1385423124' post='8206842']
Feel: I know this is the most personal aspect of testing any piece of equipment, but the infamous click of the 20xi balls is long gone. These sounded and felt great.
[/quote]

Don't play with my emotions Cameron. Don't you dare!!!!! I have always said the 20Xi-X is one of the best performing balls out, but feels like a Top Flite XLII. Because of that I went with the Lethal and ProV1x..[b][i] IF[/i][/b] what you say is true, I will be very happy!!

Again.. don't play with my emotions!!!
[/quote]

The lethal? Really?

[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1385436665' post='8208274']
[quote name='cameronprine' timestamp='1385423124' post='8206842']
Feel: I know this is the most personal aspect of testing any piece of equipment, but the infamous click of the 20xi balls is long gone. These sounded and felt great.
[/quote]

Don't play with my emotions Cameron. Don't you dare!!!!! I have always said the 20Xi-X is one of the best performing balls out, but feels like a Top Flite XLII. Because of that I went with the Lethal and ProV1x..[b][i] IF[/i][/b] what you say is true, I will be very happy!!

Again.. don't play with my emotions!!!
[/quote]
I am not messing around whatsoever. I am very satisfied with the ball and I fully plan to use it during all my tournaments next year including US Open qualifying. The Platinum fits my game so well because I do not need extra distance but if you give me a ball that is better around the greens then my other "control oriented" golf ball, and it is a few yards longer, of course I will use it.

And I say this as one good golfer to another, when I pure a shot it reminds me of balata. It is soft in that sense, but you it feels solid enough to give you proper feedback especially in the longer clubs. It will really sneak up on some people because it just gives you a sense of confidence around the greens, knowing that if you are striking the ball well and you know what the hell you are doing, you can make it back up 25 feet or have it skip and skid a few feet

Thank you for the great review. I am hoping to get some soon from my rep, but I am not sure it will matter in GA right now with the weather being so cold currently.

How would you say the two compared when hitting a fairway or hybrid? I am a low launch/high spin player too.

[quote name='Yepyukon' timestamp='1385437162' post='8208318']
Thank you for the great review. I am hoping to get some soon from my rep, but I am not sure it will matter in GA right now with the weather being so cold currently.

How would you say the two compared when hitting a fairway or hybrid? I am a low launch/high spin player too.
[/quote]
Good question and I use my 3 wood off the tee a lot and the ball was very workable, and when I hit the stinger 3 wood that I like to hit, the ball seemed to carry further then the 20xi by a few yards and ran about 5 yards less which I like because I don't like when a ball will run out to 270 one time then 295 another. And it held the greens well with my hybrid, two hops and it stopped, but then again just depended on the traj., conditions, etc.

Nice review , thank you. I like the Nike balls, and will look forward to these two. Sounds like the black corresponds to the 20xi x which suits my game. I like the distance boost from that ball ( and the pro v1x which for me is the longest ball I have hit).

Can't wait to play this ball!

Cameron, you have any pics of the ball?