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

[tylernim]

[quote name='wldchld22' timestamp='1417681556' post='10540961']
forgot to add that every store I have been to told me the rep came by and they hit both pro and speed models but not the flex. So it sounds likes reps don't have it yet. I wonder if they found something with this thing that might be an issue.

Remember when the first coverts would have the plastic in the cavity break off if you im were using the reusable tees they have in indoor monitors?
[/quote]

The rep that came by my local club had the Speed and Pro models with him. As well as the fairways and hybrids.

He did not have the flex. He had a flex "plate" to show the account holder how the weight system worked...and then simply said that it's more like a smaller speed with the adjustable plate on it.

[prhiam]

[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1417665820' post='10540419']
Some interesting comments and great observations on this thread. Aside from all the Rory/Vapor questions we asked, there were obviously a lot of Tiger/Vapor questions asked. We asked if Tiger was going to be playing the Flex, or if he would even bag a Vapor at all. At the time, they had no idea, but you could tell they were hopeful he would be playing some sort of Vapor in some way shape or form. At the time, Tiger was not playing, and was just starting to get back to hitting balls, so he wasn't actively hitting the Vapor line for them to really get an idea or an answer for us. We brought up the point of him not adopting early to the Covert and how that did or didn't affect it's success, the did say the Covert was a successful driver for them and you could tell the importance having Tiger playing the driver had with the Vapor line. With Rory absolutely destroying the ball off the tee, the stress of TW using the new product isn't as great as it was before, but when you put anything in the hands of TW, it gets noticed

Now, my thoughts re: the Flex driver for PGA pros. When I was hitting the Vapor woods outdoor at the Oven, all of them were impressive. The one the stood out was the Flex. It just looks and sounds incredible, and the ball speed? +3 over my SLDR? Stop it. I still don't have it in hand so I'm going off memory now and wish I could confirm my thoughts or tell you my first impressions were off.. but for tour pro's, all of the ways to configure and dial in the clubs that the Flex offers might not have as big of an advantage as it would for the average joe without the access to a tour van with hotmelt and proto heads. I thought the Flex Flight + new Flex Loft adapter offered a lot of noticeable alterations to ball flight and spin.

Nike never said that this driver was designed specifically for Tiger or that he would even be using it.. they said that it was based off the "Tiger chasis" and that's what they typically do with all their products, build them off of what first class tour players like the best and what works. That said, I will report back all the details on the Flex when I get it in hand.. even if it's overrated
[/quote]

I think that chassis thing is important here. The Covert 2.0 that he was hitting was on that chassis. It had a slightly different shape and was definitely not 460cc like the Rory version. The retail Pro is built on Rory's chassis and the retail Flex is built on Tiger's chassis. I am still VERY hyped to test this club out when it does release.

[Pure745]

It's hard to say if they are "behind schedule" when the club hasn't even been released yet But yes, I think it has taken them longer than expected, mainly due to the addition of the RZN portion which contains the Flex Flight. I do know the drivers we hit were from the hand assembled batch from the Oven which were the very first heads available to be hit. That said.. I'm chomping at the bit to put it in the bag.

[todd.ashford]

Tai, are you getting the same exact head that you hit at the Oven? If so, I'm curious as to why you don't have it yet. If not, I wonder if you'll wind up with the "production" version with the Rogue in it and get the same results you were seeing at the oven?

[hayzooos]

[quote name='todd.ashford' timestamp='1417718736' post='10542973']
Tai, are you getting the same exact head that you hit at the Oven? If so, I'm curious as to why you don't have it yet. If not, I wonder if you'll wind up with the "production" version with the Rogue in it and get the same results you were seeing at the oven?
[/quote]

Legit question and would have to assume it'll be a different one. Interested to see final results as well given how different the Covert 2.0s were from what I remember.

[scratchswinger]

[quote name='hayzooos' timestamp='1417721700' post='10543273']
[quote name='todd.ashford' timestamp='1417718736' post='10542973']
Tai, are you getting the same exact head that you hit at the Oven? If so, I'm curious as to why you don't have it yet. If not, I wonder if you'll wind up with the "production" version with the Rogue in it and get the same results you were seeing at the oven?
[/quote]

Legit question and would have to assume it'll be a different one. Interested to see final results as well given how different the Covert 2.0s were from what I remember.
[/quote]

Regarding the shaft http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1090685-the-oven-golfwrxs-nike-vapor-driver-experience-trip-recap-and-reviews-on-page-1/page__st__1320#entry10456143

[hayzooos]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1417722225' post='10543331']
[quote name='hayzooos' timestamp='1417721700' post='10543273']
[quote name='todd.ashford' timestamp='1417718736' post='10542973']
Tai, are you getting the same exact head that you hit at the Oven? If so, I'm curious as to why you don't have it yet. If not, I wonder if you'll wind up with the "production" version with the Rogue in it and get the same results you were seeing at the oven?
[/quote]

Legit question and would have to assume it'll be a different one. Interested to see final results as well given how different the Covert 2.0s were from what I remember.
[/quote]

Regarding the shaft [url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1090685-the-oven-golfwrxs-nike-vapor-driver-experience-trip-recap-and-reviews-on-page-1/page__st__1320#entry10456143"]http://www.golfwrx.c...0#entry10456143[/url]
[/quote]

Well played and good find, good memory, what have you. I didn't realize those were his in-hand pictures without the pool [size=4] [/size]

[scratchswinger]

[quote name='hayzooos' timestamp='1417728611' post='10544119']
[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1417722225' post='10543331']
[quote name='hayzooos' timestamp='1417721700' post='10543273']
[quote name='todd.ashford' timestamp='1417718736' post='10542973']
Tai, are you getting the same exact head that you hit at the Oven? If so, I'm curious as to why you don't have it yet. If not, I wonder if you'll wind up with the "production" version with the Rogue in it and get the same results you were seeing at the oven?
[/quote]

Legit question and would have to assume it'll be a different one. Interested to see final results as well given how different the Covert 2.0s were from what I remember.
[/quote]

Regarding the shaft [url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1090685-the-oven-golfwrxs-nike-vapor-driver-experience-trip-recap-and-reviews-on-page-1/page__st__1320#entry10456143"]http://www.golfwrx.c...0#entry10456143[/url]
[/quote]

Well played and good find, good memory, what have you. I didn't realize those were his in-hand pictures without the pool
[/quote]

I couldn't forget that photo.... So much MSI that I almost put a hole in the front of my desk, if there was just a hint of VOLT I would have blew my wad.

[Pure745]

Holy sh&t

[PapaJohick]

Tai,

Is there any hint of rust going on with your vapors? In the vapor iron thread someone was told by nike that it was raw under the PVD and i figured it was you would know by now.

[todd.ashford]

Yes Tai, please swing by the Vapor Irons thread and set the record straight in there please.

[Pure745]

[quote name='todd.ashford' timestamp='1417718736' post='10542973']
Tai, are you getting the same exact head that you hit at the Oven? If so, I'm curious as to why you don't have it yet. If not, I wonder if you'll wind up with the "production" version with the Rogue in it and get the same results you were seeing at the oven?
[/quote]

Different head, I already have the shaft.

[todd.ashford]

[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1417794860' post='10547899']
[quote name='todd.ashford' timestamp='1417718736' post='10542973']
Tai, are you getting the same exact head that you hit at the Oven? If so, I'm curious as to why you don't have it yet. If not, I wonder if you'll wind up with the "production" version with the Rogue in it and get the same results you were seeing at the oven?
[/quote]

Different head, I already have the shaft.
[/quote]

Nike probably crapped themselves after watching you hit at the Oven and said, No Way can we give this guy this head, its way too good and needs to go to Tiger!

[Pure745]

[quote name='todd.ashford' timestamp='1417799969' post='10548365']
[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1417794860' post='10547899']
[quote name='todd.ashford' timestamp='1417718736' post='10542973']
Tai, are you getting the same exact head that you hit at the Oven? If so, I'm curious as to why you don't have it yet. If not, I wonder if you'll wind up with the "production" version with the Rogue in it and get the same results you were seeing at the oven?
[/quote]

Different head, I already have the shaft.
[/quote]

Nike probably crapped themselves after watching you hit at the Oven and said, No Way can we give this guy this head, its way too good and needs to go to Tiger!
[/quote]

LOL.. no.. I'm just an average dude. They see TW and Rory hit balls better than my 1 out of 5 best shot almost every single time One of the guys who fits Rory said he's cruising around 186 mph ballspeed with another gear if we wanted to push it. They were, however, stoked to see it beat the SLDR's BS #'s.

[hayzooos]

[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1417736123' post='10544799']
Holy sh&t
[/quote]

Need more info here? I realized this post was last night, but no mention of clubs. I figured with a comment like that, your head had arrived and maybe they accidentally put another Rogue in there for good measure.

[shakey]

[quote name='hayzooos' timestamp='1417809290' post='10549119']
[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1417736123' post='10544799']
Holy sh&t
[/quote]

Need more info here? I realized this post was last night, but no mention of clubs. I figured with a comment like that, your head had arrived and maybe they accidentally put another Rogue in there for good measure.
[/quote]
I assumed Tai's comment was in reference to Scratch damaging his desk and talking Volt.

[GMoney76]

Any more feedback from the rest of the group? Both drivers and irons? I know the weather changed but wondering if y'all got back out with the stix.

Shakey/MN, you get your drivers yet?

[GC70]

[quote name='GMoney76' timestamp='1417821736' post='10550033']
Any more feedback from the rest of the group? Both drivers and irons? I know the weather changed but wondering if y'all got back out with the stix.

Shakey/MN, you get your drivers yet?
[/quote]
No driver! I don't think they get released until February 1, so I'm guessing some time in January. Sounds like Tai is really liking his irons, but everyone else that went on the trip disappeared.

[J13]

[quote name='MNNikeGuy' timestamp='1417822575' post='10550093']
[quote name='GMoney76' timestamp='1417821736' post='10550033']
Any more feedback from the rest of the group? Both drivers and irons? I know the weather changed but wondering if y'all got back out with the stix.

Shakey/MN, you get your drivers yet?
[/quote]
No driver! I don't think they get released until February 1, so I'm guessing some time in January. Sounds like Tai is really liking his irons, but everyone else that went on the trip disappeared.
[/quote]

Accurate assessment on all accounts. Where is everyone else that Nike flew out and gave a full bag of sticks?

[GC70]

[quote name='J13' timestamp='1417826312' post='10550321']
[quote name='MNNikeGuy' timestamp='1417822575' post='10550093']
[quote name='GMoney76' timestamp='1417821736' post='10550033']
Any more feedback from the rest of the group? Both drivers and irons? I know the weather changed but wondering if y'all got back out with the stix.

Shakey/MN, you get your drivers yet?
[/quote]
No driver! I don't think they get released until February 1, so I'm guessing some time in January. Sounds like Tai is really liking his irons, but everyone else that went on the trip disappeared.
[/quote]

Accurate assessment on all accounts. Where is everyone else that Nike flew out and gave a full bag of sticks?
[/quote]
Good question my friend. We have snow up here, but with free sticks I'd be in Arizona giving you feed back.

[KillerBgolfer]

Thanks for the great review. I've just put the Covert 2 tour in the bag and like it a lot. I have the covert forged 2's waiting to be bent to my specs but i"m looking forward to getting them in the bag. I'd love to visit the Oven, is there a retail store there or anything where you can walk in off the street?

thanks!

[Pure745]

[quote name='hayzooos' timestamp='1417809290' post='10549119']
[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1417736123' post='10544799']
Holy sh&t
[/quote]

Need more info here? I realized this post was last night, but no mention of clubs. I figured with a comment like that, your head had arrived and maybe they accidentally put another Rogue in there for good measure.
[/quote]

Lol.. no, just responding to you and Scratchswinger

[shakey]

[quote name='GMoney76' timestamp='1417821736' post='10550033']Any more feedback from the rest of the group? Both drivers and irons? I know the weather changed but wondering if y'all got back out with the stix.

Shakey/MN, you get your drivers yet?[/quote]
The anticipation of the driver is still driving me crazy. I have quit hassling the FedEx guy though, so it's not as bad as it was.

The irons are good. I called Nike about the possibility of sending my irons back and getting them reshafted with Modus 3s, but it was a lIttle steep. I'm not completely sold on the shafts yet, but the heads are really good.

[swanry30]

[quote name='J13' timestamp='1417826312' post='10550321']
[quote name='MNNikeGuy' timestamp='1417822575' post='10550093']
[quote name='GMoney76' timestamp='1417821736' post='10550033']
Any more feedback from the rest of the group? Both drivers and irons? I know the weather changed but wondering if y'all got back out with the stix.

Shakey/MN, you get your drivers yet?
[/quote]
No driver! I don't think they get released until February 1, so I'm guessing some time in January. Sounds like Tai is really liking his irons, but everyone else that went on the trip disappeared.
[/quote]

Accurate assessment on all accounts. Where is everyone else that Nike flew out and gave a full bag of sticks?
[/quote]

Accurate on all accounts. I'm here but have had nothing but rain, snow and winter like weather. With a fall release it is hard for good feedback from those who are not in drier climates. Unfortunately, most of the feedback I can give since the trip is from range mats. Tai has carried the load here for the rest of us, which is appreciated - and I am having a hard time selling the rest of you that I can give great feedback from hitting balls at night in the rain. That being said (lol) the long irons are fabulous - absolutely love them. Ironically, they are the only clubs that are noticeably different in distance. I notice more in ball flight than distance for sure with the short and mid irons. With certainty I would direct or guide any higher ball flight golfer or someone that likes a players cavity iron to the VAPOR PRO vs the PRO COMBO based on the incredible performance of the PRO as opposed to thinking the PRO COMBO are a substandard product.

I really want to give something for you all to dig into!

[GC70]

[quote name='swanry30' timestamp='1417846984' post='10551489']
[quote name='J13' timestamp='1417826312' post='10550321']
[quote name='MNNikeGuy' timestamp='1417822575' post='10550093']
[quote name='GMoney76' timestamp='1417821736' post='10550033']
Any more feedback from the rest of the group? Both drivers and irons? I know the weather changed but wondering if y'all got back out with the stix.

Shakey/MN, you get your drivers yet?
[/quote]
No driver! I don't think they get released until February 1, so I'm guessing some time in January. Sounds like Tai is really liking his irons, but everyone else that went on the trip disappeared.
[/quote]

Accurate assessment on all accounts. Where is everyone else that Nike flew out and gave a full bag of sticks?
[/quote]

Accurate on all accounts. I'm here but have had nothing but rain, snow and winter like weather. With a fall release it is hard for good feedback from those who are not in drier climates. Unfortunately, most of the feedback I can give since the trip is from range mats. Tai has carried the load here for the rest of us, which is appreciated - and I am having a hard time selling the rest of you that I can give great feedback from hitting balls at night in the rain. That being said (lol) the long irons are fabulous - absolutely love them. Ironically, they are the only clubs that are noticeably different in distance. I notice more in ball flight than distance for sure with the short and mid irons. With certainty I would direct or guide any higher ball flight golfer or someone that likes a players cavity iron to the VAPOR PRO vs the PRO COMBO based on the incredible performance of the PRO as opposed to thinking the PRO COMBO are a substandard product.

I really want to give something for you all to dig into!
[/quote]
I don't remember, did you go with the same set up as Tai?

[J13]

Thanks for the update Swan

[swanry30]

[quote name='J13' timestamp='1417871383' post='10551909']
Thanks for the update Swan
[/quote]

I wish I had more of an update... I have a different setup than Tai - an entire set of pocket cavities. Building a set in the future it will be all pro's to the 5 or 4 iron haven't decided yet...

[wldchld22]

[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1417717222' post='10542825']
It's hard to say if they are "behind schedule" when the club hasn't even been released yet But yes, I think it has taken them longer than expected, mainly due to the addition of the RZN portion which contains the Flex Flight. I do know the drivers we hit were from the hand assembled batch from the Oven which were the very first heads available to be hit. That said.. I'm chomping at the bit to put it in the bag.
[/quote]

Not having demos for your reps to show sales people 3 months before launch is late to the party. Not trying to be a jerk, but in the Midwest many people run out of time to try this stuff before they order a bunch of it for their shops in the spring. Having 2 out of 3 means something is up.

In the long run it won't matter. I'm sure they will figure it out and get this cannon out here. Just one of those things that makes you go hmmmm.

[bjackson]

I'm overdue to post a followup review of my clubs, so here it goes.

The week following the trip I did a lot of side by side comparisons, trying to garner what the differences are and which clubs perform better for me. I came home from the trip with 8 new clubs. Vapor Pro driver set at 8.5º with a Fujikura Motore Speeder Tour Spec 7.2x and Vapor Pro irons 4-P with Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100. I went into the trip with a Titleist 913D3 8.5º driver and Titleist 714 MB irons with the same shafts.

When I hit the Vapor Pro driver at The Oven, I liked it more than any other Nike driver I've hit previously and I stand by that statement. I hit it well on the course while on the trip, but after giving it a further go, I will not be putting the Vapor Pro in my bag. I hit it extensively since returning home and I like my 913D3 more in almost every single way. The 913D3 sounds better to me, went longer on solid drives, was more forgiving (I think I spin the Vapor Pro too little, an issue many people had with SLDR), and looks better to me (I am still having a hard time getting over the cavity, the crown graphics I find distracting, and I think volt is a color of the month without longevity - and I value timelessness). I tweaked with the loft on the Vapor Pro, cranking it up from 8.5º to 9.5º and that helped a bit, but it still fell short (literally) of my 913D3. Obviously my experience is unique to me but I feel obliged to share. I do not lack length and am not after the best possible launch monitor numbers, I just want something I'm comfortable with. This is part of the reason why I haven't hit 915 yet (though I've been encouraged to).

In regards to the irons, I found it really hard to find any noticeable difference between the Vapor Pros and the 714s. I know the Nikes have the modern muscle tech, but for me feel was incredibly similar, distances were incredibly similar, playability was incredibly similar, and any change in forgiveness was pretty indiscernible. I've had the 714 MBs in my bag for a little over a year, so there was an established comfort and confidence, which I value highly in all my clubs - especially irons. Yet the Vapor Pro irons are both new (unreleased at the time I first got them) and had Tour Issue Dynamic Golds (yes I know they're the same thing as the retail version, just higher QC for weight and a special sticker) which appeals to my inner golf equipment ho. Ultimately the irons were a break even decision and I've chosen to continue with my 714 MBs for a few reasons. They perform really well for me, I have comfort/confidence with them, and my minor OCD would rather have a bag that matches from top to bottom (though I'm not as particular about my putter). So the Vapor Pros somewhat quickly went into an extra bag of mine in the basement until further review.

Fast forward to today and I brought my Nikes out onto the course after having them sit idle for several weeks and my feelings about the clubs are unchanged. I hadn't swung a club in about a week due to being busy + poor weather and shot a 76 (+4) with three 3 putts and a lost ball at Presidio GC in San Francisco. The driver isn't bad, it's just not my favorite. The irons are very good, but the 714 MBs are staying in the bag.

[airjammer]

Wow, thanks for you honest assessment! I guess once you are already optimally fitted going for one club to another club it boils down to confidence and aesthetics.