The Oven: GolfWRX's Nike Vapor Driver Experience (trip recap and reviews on page 1!)

[ws6]

[quote name='bjackson' timestamp='1413514245' post='10303151']

Rory's driver he used at the Ryder Cup was pulled from a box full of stock product. There is no such this as "Tour Issue". No pixie dust. No special testing. What you buy at retail is what professionals are using on tour.
[/quote]

When did this tour issue policy start?

[pr1mo990]

[quote name='ws6' timestamp='1413554808' post='10304623']
[quote name='bjackson' timestamp='1413514245' post='10303151']

Rory's driver he used at the Ryder Cup was pulled from a box full of stock product. There is no such this as "Tour Issue". No pixie dust. No special testing. What you buy at retail is what professionals are using on tour.
[/quote]

When did this tour issue policy start?
[/quote]

Yea and what about the covert performance fairways that were way different than stock and I believe Rory still games the 5wood in that model so maybe it's something Nike is trying to do going forward?

[alecfeltman]

[quote name='pr1mo990' timestamp='1413555885' post='10304683'][quote name='ws6' timestamp='1413554808' post='10304623']
[quote name='bjackson' timestamp='1413514245' post='10303151']

Rory's driver he used at the Ryder Cup was pulled from a box full of stock product. There is no such this as "Tour Issue". No pixie dust. No special testing. What you buy at retail is what professionals are using on tour.
[/quote]

When did this tour issue policy start?
[/quote]

Yea and what about the covert performance fairways that were way different than stock and I believe Rory still games the 5wood in that model so maybe it's something Nike is trying to do going forward?[/quote]

I believe Rory's 5 wood is the same technology as his current 3 wood - which is the current covert performance 2.0. The 5 wood just has the covert 1.0 paint scheme.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

[station2station]

[quote name='swanry30' timestamp='1413553379' post='10304533']
They measure to the TOP (not the highest point or bulge - the transition - easy to show hard to communicate) of the grip not the mark at the top of the grip hence the 1/4" addition in length over last year even though they are the exact same length.

Boarding now .
[/quote]

I hear what you're saying, but Titleist also measures from the ground to the edge of the top of the grip. (not the bulge but the very edge of the top of the grip, past the paint line) and gets 37.00" Nike gets 37.25" for the same 7 iron. I can't figure out how they are getting the extra 1/4". I know it seems insignificant to some, but as a taller player, I play +1/4" to +1/2". It saves me from ordering if they are over (which some are saying they are not.)

Again - why is Nikegolf.com just [i]now[/i] increasing their listed specs by 1/4" if they are no different than last year? I pulled every iron spec for the last several years from their cached Nikegolf.com website and they are all a quarter inch SHORTER than the 2015 nike irons about to be released.

I use Titleist in every example because they are the longest off-the-rack iron mfg. Tied with several others but their standard is longer than PING or Mizuno.

1. The Nike website chose to change what they listed on the site under irons lengths specs this year by 1/4".
2. The new nikegolf.com listed swingweight changed from D2 to D3.5 (which coincides with a quarter inch increase in length)

i hope I don't come across argumentative - just trying to understand - thanks to those who have replied to my query.

[Kylekoz17]

[quote name='station2station' timestamp='1413561463' post='10305141'][quote name='swanry30' timestamp='1413553379' post='10304533']
They measure to the TOP (not the highest point or bulge - the transition - easy to show hard to communicate) of the grip not the mark at the top of the grip hence the 1/4" addition in length over last year even though they are the exact same length.

Boarding now .
[/quote]

I hear what you're saying, but Titleist also measures from the ground to the edge of the top of the grip. (not the bulge but the very edge of the top of the grip, past the paint line) and gets 37.00" Nike gets 37.25" for the same 7 iron. I can't figure out how they are getting the extra 1/4". I know it seems insignificant to some, but as a taller player, I play +1/4" to +1/2". It saves me from ordering if they are over (which some are saying they are not.)

Again - why is Nikegolf.com just [i]now[/i] increasing their listed specs by 1/4" if they are no different than last year? I pulled every iron spec for the last several years from their cached Nikegolf.com website and they are all a quarter inch SHORTER than the 2015 nike irons about to be released.

I use Titleist in every example because they are the longest off-the-rack iron mfg. Tied with several others but their standard is longer than PING or Mizuno.

1. The Nike website chose to change what they listed on the site under irons lengths specs this year by 1/4".
2. The new nikegolf.com listed swingweight changed from D2 to D3.5 (which coincides with a quarter inch increase in length)

i hope I don't come across argumentative - just trying to understand - thanks to those who have replied to my query.[/quote]

You may be right. Vr pro blade specs list 7 iron as 37" and I have a set of those, and the length matches my 714ap2 standard 37" 7 iron length. I guess the only thing to do without getting an answer from Nike is compare the length at the store when they come out.

I wish everyone measured the same way and there was an industry standard

[GMoney76]

Did You all talk about the resurrection of the compression channel? Looks like the speed is very close to the 2.0 CP #s wise and curious if they talked about any improvement if hit low on the face. I would hope it to be assumed knowledge as that was the best thing about the VR tour

[akfb2009]

How does the volt colored RZN Black ball look? Any pics on that would be great

[zonacats23]

Nike wins the day! What I wouldn't give for a trip to The Oven. Thanks for all the answered questions and pics! 2015 is gonna be huge!

[swizbeatz]

Do we have numbers incoming during write ups? That's what I'm most interested in seeing, especially compared to last years model.

[DNice26]

Hey Swanry,

I hope all is well. I'm curious to hear about which shafts you've chosen for your irons. I recall that when the CTapers came out, you were a big fan. At the last oven fitting you switched to PX. I've been playing the CTs since they came out and dig them. Can you comment on how your switch to PX has gone? What are the advantages to the PX for your game? I've gamed PX before and I like them, but they do certainly play quite firm through the hitting area. The CTs are smoother in this regard. Curious to see which shafts end up in your vapors.

Cheers,
D

[TstrongNCSU]

The irons look great. Really nice clean look and a bit of flash with the paint fill. Any chance I can get a set of the MM TW Protos? Looking forward to getting the drivers out on the range tee as well. Good work guys, looking forward to the full report!

[Lesmond]

How does the volt colored RZN Black ball look? Any pics on that would be great

 

[QMany]

I NEED those Volt balls and tees in my life.

[cota0429]

I'm definitely playing those!

[j.a.]

What a great colour!

I'll try to get a few when available. Hopefully they won't be $70+ as the current RZN Black/Platinum, unfortunately more expensive than ProV1 that sells around $60 a box.

[swanry30]

Back in PDX! Just in time to pick up my oldest girlie from kindergarten . Will be answering as many questions tonight after things get settled down. Should have a full write up done by the end of the weekend or first thing Monday!

Lots of time to answer questions before the full review is up.

[SwooshLT]

Ryan what loft did you play in the FLEX? Is it really low launching?

[Maaaaaardy]

Anyone know the price and release date in the UK?! Cannot wait!!!

[QuickFeet]

[quote name='station2station' timestamp='1413561463' post='10305141']
[quote name='swanry30' timestamp='1413553379' post='10304533']
They measure to the TOP (not the highest point or bulge - the transition - easy to show hard to communicate) of the grip not the mark at the top of the grip hence the 1/4" addition in length over last year even though they are the exact same length.

Boarding now .
[/quote]

I hear what you're saying, but Titleist also measures from the ground to the edge of the top of the grip. (not the bulge but the very edge of the top of the grip, past the paint line) and gets 37.00" Nike gets 37.25" for the same 7 iron. I can't figure out how they are getting the extra 1/4". I know it seems insignificant to some, but as a taller player, I play +1/4" to +1/2". It saves me from ordering if they are over (which some are saying they are not.)

Again - why is Nikegolf.com just [i]now[/i] increasing their listed specs by 1/4" if they are no different than last year? I pulled every iron spec for the last several years from their cached Nikegolf.com website and they are all a quarter inch SHORTER than the 2015 nike irons about to be released.

I use Titleist in every example because they are the longest off-the-rack iron mfg. Tied with several others but their standard is longer than PING or Mizuno.

1. The Nike website chose to change what they listed on the site under irons lengths specs this year by 1/4".
2. The new nikegolf.com listed swingweight changed from D2 to D3.5 (which coincides with a quarter inch increase in length)

i hope I don't come across argumentative - just trying to understand - thanks to those who have replied to my query.
[/quote]

Yes, Nike measures to the "shoulder" of the grip. My understanding of the "shoulder" is where the grip transitions to the butt cap. In general, there is an additional 0.125" from the "shoulder" to the very top of the butt cap.

I do believe that many of the manufactures measure club length from the heel to some point near the top of the grip. I think that most of them measure on the heel side of the shaft........you will get a shorter distance there. Nike sets the club in a green gauge, at lie angle, and measures the length of the club parallel to the center line of the shaft but on the target side of the club. To a right-handed golfer looking down at the club at address, that would be at 9 o'clock. Measuring there versus on the heel side of the club will give you a longer measurement. Due to the angle on the heel side of the club, the farther away you are from the centerline of the club the shorter the measured distance if you stay paralled to the shaft.

Last year I think Nike measured to a different point on the grip. For example: a Golf Pride grip generally has two small white parallel circles under the Golf Pride name at the butt end of the grip. If you used the middle of the two parallel lines as your measurement point, that could easily account for the 0.25" difference between 2013 and 2014 published club lengths.

I'm not sure there is a correct or incorrect way to measure the length of a club. LOL........good luck getting all of the OEM's on board to measure length the same.

You can say the same thing regarding shafts manufacturers and flex................what one OEM call S flex is another OEM's R flex.

[swanry30]

[quote name='station2station' timestamp='1413561463' post='10305141']
[quote name='swanry30' timestamp='1413553379' post='10304533']
They measure to the TOP (not the highest point or bulge - the transition - easy to show hard to communicate) of the grip not the mark at the top of the grip hence the 1/4" addition in length over last year even though they are the exact same length.

Boarding now .
[/quote]

I hear what you're saying, but Titleist also measures from the ground to the edge of the top of the grip. (not the bulge but the very edge of the top of the grip, past the paint line) and gets 37.00" Nike gets 37.25" for the same 7 iron. I can't figure out how they are getting the extra 1/4". I know it seems insignificant to some, but as a taller player, I play +1/4" to +1/2". It saves me from ordering if they are over (which some are saying they are not.)

Again - why is Nikegolf.com just [i]now[/i] increasing their listed specs by 1/4" if they are no different than last year? I pulled every iron spec for the last several years from their cached Nikegolf.com website and they are all a quarter inch SHORTER than the 2015 nike irons about to be released.

I use Titleist in every example because they are the longest off-the-rack iron mfg. Tied with several others but their standard is longer than PING or Mizuno.

1. The Nike website chose to change what they listed on the site under irons lengths specs this year by 1/4".
2. The new nikegolf.com listed swingweight changed from D2 to D3.5 (which coincides with a quarter inch increase in length)

i hope I don't come across argumentative - just trying to understand - thanks to those who have replied to my query.
[/quote]

Length didn't change - measuring to the "shoulder" vs "line" did.

SW increase was from more mass moving to the toe in the iron. For ease of communication - static head weight is virtually the same, but as weight is moved to the toe SW increases.

[Rustynuts]

Any comparisons from the oven trip last year? ie are these an inprovement on what was fitted up for last year?

[Pure745]

[quote name='QuickFeet' timestamp='1413582588' post='10306797']
Yes, Nike measures to the "shoulder" of the grip. My understanding of the "shoulder" is where the grip transitions to the butt cap. In general, there is an additional 0.125" from the "shoulder" to the very top of the butt cap.

I do believe that many of the manufactures measure club length from the heel to some point near the top of the grip. I think that most of them measure on the heel side of the shaft........you will get a shorter distance there. Nike sets the club in a green gauge, at lie angle, and measures the length of the club parallel to the center line of the shaft but on the target side of the club. To a right-handed golfer looking down at the club at address, that would be at 9 o'clock. Measuring there versus on the heel side of the club will give you a longer measurement. Due to the angle on the heel side of the club, the farther away you are from the centerline of the club the shorter the measured distance if you stay paralled to the shaft.

Last year I think Nike measured to a different point on the grip. For example: a Golf Pride grip generally has two small white parallel circles under the Golf Pride name at the butt end of the grip. If you used the middle of the two parallel lines as your measurement point, that could easily account for the 0.25" difference between 2013 and 2014 published club lengths.

I'm not sure there is a correct or incorrect way to measure the length of a club. LOL........good luck getting all of the OEM's on board to measure length the same.

You can say the same thing regarding shafts manufacturers and flex................what one OEM call S flex is another OEM's R flex.
[/quote]

This is pretty much exactly how it was explained to us, or at least was my understanding of it. Basically there is variations between grip types and butt cap sized from grip to grip, this way is more consistent.

[Pure745]

Got 2.5 hours of sleep last night and just woke up from a nap Can't thank Nike and WRX enough for a truly incredible experience with the new product and the great people behind it. I'm excited to see how these clubs do in the bag compared to my current stuff.

[quote name='Rustynuts' timestamp='1413590377' post='10307329']
Any comparisons from the oven trip last year? ie are these an inprovement on what was fitted up for last year?
[/quote]

I plan on writing my review over this weekend, but for me the two drivers I was fit for aren't even in the same league. The Vapor Flex is a far better driver, the Trackman results were confirmed on the course when we played 9 holes at Shady Oaks.

[SwooshLT]

Tai.....even with the shallower face , did the FLEX launch any lower than expected? Seems like an oxymoron. ....shallow face but low launch. ....realizing that cg low forward plays into the flight.....can you compare it to SLDR?

[Pure745]

[quote name='SwooshLT' timestamp='1413591257' post='10307401']
Tai.....even with the shallower face , did the FLEX launch any lower than expected? Seems like an oxymoron. ....shallow face but low launch. ....realizing that cg low forward plays into the flight.....can you compare it to SLDR?
[/quote]

It did. We went from 9.5 from the mid setting to the 10.5 low setting, and kept going back and forth between 9.5 mid/low and 10.5 low and also the neutral and right setting. We were probably messing around with about 4 solid settings back and forth before we settled on 9.5 mid. The crazy part is that in the mid setting the club is easier to turn over and will bump the spin up about 200ish rpms. The 9.5 low setting was lower in spin and more fade biased, almost a different driver just by flipping the flex flight cartridge. On 9.5 low, my spin was sub 2000 rpms, which is probably the only driver I've been able to get down that low. Ball flight is just ridiculous.. and this time we got to verify everything on the golf course, which was really great to see. I want to get it out to my club asap to see where it puts me in comparison to my normal spots with the SLDR.

Also, the sound is incredible. Has a really unique hotmelted sound to it.. sort of FT Tour-ish but swap the composite sounds with a muted metallic sound.

[SwooshLT]

[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1413592282' post='10307481']
[quote name='SwooshLT' timestamp='1413591257' post='10307401']
Tai.....even with the shallower face , did the FLEX launch any lower than expected? Seems like an oxymoron. ....shallow face but low launch. ....realizing that cg low forward plays into the flight.....can you compare it to SLDR?
[/quote]

It did. We went from 9.5 from the mid setting to the 10.5 low setting, and kept going back and forth between 9.5 mid/low and 10.5 low and also the neutral and right setting. We were probably messing around with about 4 solid settings back and forth before we settled on 9.5 mid. The crazy part is that in the mid setting the club is easier to turn over and will bump the spin up about 200ish rpms. The 9.5 low setting was lower in spin and more fade biased, almost a different driver just by flipping the flex flight cartridge. On 9.5 low, my spin was sub 2000 rpms, which is probably the only driver I've been able to get down that low. Ball flight is just ridiculous.. and this time we got to verify everything on the golf course, which was really great to see. I want to get it out to my club asap to see where it puts me in comparison to my normal spots with the SLDR.
[/quote]


So informative Tai.....BART SCOTT......can't wait! In other words. .....you've ALWAYS been extremely fair in judging drivers in all aspects and to feel your excitement...wow.....get some rest bud....the 72 holes this weekend needs your full attention. ..

[adfrick]

[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1413592282' post='10307481'][quote name='SwooshLT' timestamp='1413591257' post='10307401']
Tai.....even with the shallower face , did the FLEX launch any lower than expected? Seems like an oxymoron. ....shallow face but low launch. ....realizing that cg low forward plays into the flight.....can you compare it to SLDR?
[/quote]

It did. We went from 9.5 from the mid setting to the 10.5 low setting, and kept going back and forth between 9.5 mid/low and 10.5 low and also the neutral and right setting. We were probably messing around with about 4 solid settings back and forth before we settled on 9.5 mid. The crazy part is that in the mid setting the club is easier to turn over and will bump the spin up about 200ish rpms. The 9.5 low setting was lower in spin and more fade biased, almost a different driver just by flipping the flex flight cartridge. On 9.5 low, my spin was sub 2000 rpms, which is probably the only driver I've been able to get down that low. Ball flight is just ridiculous.. and this time we got to verify everything on the golf course, which was really great to see. I want to get it out to my club asap to see where it puts me in comparison to my normal spots with the SLDR.

Also, the sound is incredible. Has a really unique hotmelted sound to it.. sort of FT Tour-ish but swap the composite sounds with a muted metallic sound.[/quote]

Tai, thanks for the great info. How was the forgiveness of the flex? I'm sure that was maybe the greatest difference so I'm hearing how the balance of performance and forgiveness are for all models. Congrats on a great experience.

[swanry30]

[quote name='adfrick' timestamp='1413592831' post='10307533']
[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1413592282' post='10307481'][quote name='SwooshLT' timestamp='1413591257' post='10307401']
Tai.....even with the shallower face , did the FLEX launch any lower than expected? Seems like an oxymoron. ....shallow face but low launch. ....realizing that cg low forward plays into the flight.....can you compare it to SLDR?
[/quote]

It did. We went from 9.5 from the mid setting to the 10.5 low setting, and kept going back and forth between 9.5 mid/low and 10.5 low and also the neutral and right setting. We were probably messing around with about 4 solid settings back and forth before we settled on 9.5 mid. The crazy part is that in the mid setting the club is easier to turn over and will bump the spin up about 200ish rpms. The 9.5 low setting was lower in spin and more fade biased, almost a different driver just by flipping the flex flight cartridge. On 9.5 low, my spin was sub 2000 rpms, which is probably the only driver I've been able to get down that low. Ball flight is just ridiculous.. and this time we got to verify everything on the golf course, which was really great to see. I want to get it out to my club asap to see where it puts me in comparison to my normal spots with the SLDR.

Also, the sound is incredible. Has a really unique hotmelted sound to it.. sort of FT Tour-ish but swap the composite sounds with a muted metallic sound.[/quote]

Tai, thanks for the great info. How was the forgiveness of the flex? I'm sure that was maybe the greatest difference so I'm hearing how the balance of performance and forgiveness are for all models. Congrats on a great experience.
[/quote]

First of all I'm not Tai - but can give you my quick input. There is a MOI difference between the FLEX and PRO for sure - however if the right guy hits it - it can produce straighter shots. The compression channel helps keep miss hits in check distance wise and with the appropriate fitting and numbers you can really manage your miss. I felt the FLEX was as easy if not easier to hit online and square up than the other two. First, it just fit my eye. Second, the balance point and weight of the driver made swings that weren't tired scorched on a bullet line. Third, (more to come in my review) the accoustics don't make you brace or anticipate the hit or impact. We discussed the head sounding like a VR LTD / FT TOUR blend. It is low pitched and quick sound. When your not waiting for impact you free flow it through the hitting zone.

I hit the SPEED head very straight but off line.

[SwooshLT]

[quote name='swanry30' timestamp='1413593928' post='10307615']
[quote name='adfrick' timestamp='1413592831' post='10307533']
[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1413592282' post='10307481'][quote name='SwooshLT' timestamp='1413591257' post='10307401']
Tai.....even with the shallower face , did the FLEX launch any lower than expected? Seems like an oxymoron. ....shallow face but low launch. ....realizing that cg low forward plays into the flight.....can you compare it to SLDR?
[/quote]

It did. We went from 9.5 from the mid setting to the 10.5 low setting, and kept going back and forth between 9.5 mid/low and 10.5 low and also the neutral and right setting. We were probably messing around with about 4 solid settings back and forth before we settled on 9.5 mid. The crazy part is that in the mid setting the club is easier to turn over and will bump the spin up about 200ish rpms. The 9.5 low setting was lower in spin and more fade biased, almost a different driver just by flipping the flex flight cartridge. On 9.5 low, my spin was sub 2000 rpms, which is probably the only driver I've been able to get down that low. Ball flight is just ridiculous.. and this time we got to verify everything on the golf course, which was really great to see. I want to get it out to my club asap to see where it puts me in comparison to my normal spots with the SLDR.

Also, the sound is incredible. Has a really unique hotmelted sound to it.. sort of FT Tour-ish but swap the composite sounds with a muted metallic sound.[/quote]

Tai, thanks for the great info. How was the forgiveness of the flex? I'm sure that was maybe the greatest difference so I'm hearing how the balance of performance and forgiveness are for all models. Congrats on a great experience.
[/quote]

First of all I'm not Tai - but can give you my quick input. There is a MOI difference between the FLEX and PRO for sure - however if the right guy hits it - it can produce straighter shots. The compression channel helps keep miss hits in check distance wise and with the appropriate fitting and numbers you can really manage your miss. I felt the FLEX was as easy if not easier to hit online and square up than the other two. First, it just fit my eye. Second, the balance point and weight of the driver made swings that weren't tired scorched on a bullet line. Third, (more to come in my review) the accoustics don't make you brace or anticipate the hit or impact. We discussed the head sounding like a VR LTD / FT TOUR blend. It is low pitched and quick sound. When your not waiting for impact you free flow it through the hitting zone.

I hit the SPEED head very straight but off line.
[/quote]


Does the FLEX look more in line with vr limited or covert tour 1.0 ? More please!

[Pure745]

You be the judge

[attachment=2463379:ImageUploadedByGolfWRX Mobile1413595246.629952.jpg]