NIKE VR PRO CAVITY IRON REVIEW

[jsherman02]

Nike VR Pro Cavity Iron Review

 

 

For many golfers finding equipment for middle handicap players can be difficult. I would consider myself a “tweener” for golf equipment. I am not a low handicap (0-10), but I am also not a high handicap. (20+) I prefer irons with little to now offset yet offer some forgiveness on miss hits. I literally have tried hundreds if not thousands of irons over the past twenty years. I recently was lucky enough to try out the new NIKE VR PRO CAVITY IRONS.

 

The set I tried out was the standard makeup of 4-AW with Nike’s standard steel shaft and standard grip. When the set first arrived, I was really in shock to see how nice looking they were. They did not look like the typical mid-handicap set. There were not huge offsets or oversized cavities, yet there was some very unique and good looking technology in these irons.

 

I took the entire set off to my local range (at the time there was about 18 inches of snow on the ground) and was extremely happy with the overall feel and distance. I did not dwell on the distance due to the snow and cold weather. (Which can really reduce the distance?)

 

After several visits to the range, I decided to also bring my set from last year to compare the two side by side. The Nike set was a plain Jane OTR set, where my other set was a fine tuned, custom made forged set manufactured specifically for me. (Or so I tell myself)

 

After the normal warm up, I could not believe the difference I was seeing. The NIKE set was 6-7 yards longer and had a tighter dispersion by as much as 40%. For example, my old seven iron carry was around 157 yards, where as the Nike carry was about 166. The Nike irons also had a beautiful trajectory and landed softly (even for the four iron).

 

After telling a number of people about the irons (personal friends and colleagues) I had let two of them borrow my set to see what their feedback was. Both players (One being a 12 handicap, and the other being a 20 or so were blown away. The 20 handicap player said it was the best iron he had ever used. He also shot his low round for the year with them. They both claimed the NIKE irons were ½ to a full club longer than their current set.

 

 

 

(Sorry about the low quality pictures...these are difficult to photograph)

 

Here is my rating on the set:

 

LOOKS- 4.5/5

This is a great looking set of irons. Looks like a set of forged cavity backs. I love the look of the Opti-mass in the cavity. It looks like a cross between a NASA project and something I would expect to find on a sleek pair of running shoes.

 

FEEL- 4/5

The feel is really nice on these. Off center hits were not anywhere as harsh feeling as other irons in their category. Some of those who hit these said they felt a bit clunky on bad hits. Flush hits felt as good as any forged iron in the market.

 

DISTANCE- 5/5

These really performed in regards to distance. We all found them longer than the irons we were currently playing. The long irons were really long, as we all found them at least one club longer. The ball seemed to explode off the face and soar to the target.

 

WORKABILTY- 4.5/5

I had almost no problem working these left or right; or up and down. They are not as easy to work due to the offset on the long irons, but for the 6-9 irons, we all found them very workable.

 

PLAYABILITY- 5/5

I understand this iron is made as a game improvement iron. That being said, I strongly believe that this is a great set for any player of any ability. Great feel, explosive distance and some technology advancements make these a great iron for players of all levels.

 

I would strongly recommend these to anyone to try out. They have incredible distance, offer good feedback and are a great looking set of irons.

 

The specs on the set we tested were:

4-AW

Standard length and lie

Nike (True Temper) Unilite 110

Standard NIKE Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip

[WVP]

Thanks for this review.

These and the previous Nike full cavity irons actually look really good in person, very nice looking heads.

[pdxgolf]

Nice review.

[scottdc52]

I didn't like the first VR full cavity cast clubs. These on the other hand are great. I've only hit them in an indoor range, but they are great for the mid to high handicap player. great feel, great look at address. the look of the cavity back is the only thing that i don't like about the club. great club, but it doesn't get shown enough by retail stores. scott c.

[harmonica]

Do you still have these? If so how is the chrome finish holding up?

[ironmikey12]

My chrome is looking great after 10+ rounds

[harmonica]

Don't know why but chrome on cast makes me nervous long term.

[IvanDrago]

Just got some of these to replace my Full cavity Vrs, they look magnificent.

Cant wait to try them, anyone got more feedback in the meantime?

[boggyman]

Nice to see something a review from someone the non-scratch player can relate to,although
all reviews are great!! Job well done!!

[jonwil]

Nice review; thanks for posting.

[IvanDrago]

I just went and played my 2nd round with these irons and ive got to say they are awesome.

Looks:
The look good, maybe a bit too much chrome but at address the look great and not too big. In the back they look awesome not OTT like most of the latest GI irons.

9/10

Feel:
I love the feel of these when i hit one out of the middle, it must be the polymer insert in the cavity but you can feel the ball launch of the face.
Off centre hits dont feel too bad but nowhere near as good as centre hits.

8/10

Distance:
These go further than my previous sets (jpx800pro, Vr full cavity), i hit a 6 iron 180 out of the rough, i couldnt believe it.

9/10

Forgiveness:
Most of my off centre shots went forwards with not too much slice or hook.

7/10

Overall:
I got these for £299 with free delivery and a free VR black wedge, for that price im absolutely over the moon. My only gripe is i didnt have the option to add a 3 iron
but i needed an extra place for my new wedge so its not too bad. I play off 15, i feel like these irons will help me achieve my goal of a single digit handicap as the forgiveness and feel will
help me know where im going wrong but still provide me with good results until im ready to upgrade to a players set.