Nike One Vapor review

elwhippy · February 21, 2009

Took a sleeve out this morning. Very impressed. Mid flight off the driver, workable. Mid to high flight off a normal iron shot but can be hit very flat if required. Spin into greens is very controlled, doesn't back up, just grabs and easy to judge when chipping. Feels very soft when putting, need to give longer putts a serious rap which might not appeal to everyone. Durability was fair but didn't hit a bunker shot and only 1 short pitch with my Spin Mill Voke so unsure. Cannot understand why the lower price point to the other ONEs, it is a premium ball and as such a bargain.

Harry Longshanks · February 21, 2009

Cannot understand why the lower price point to the other ONEs, it is a premium ball and as such a bargain.

The Vapor is a replacement for the Ignite ball, which was also sold at a lower price point than the ONE series. Presumably, the target market for the Vapor is the same as that for the Ignite and includes consumers who wouldn't pay the higher prices for premium balls.

I'm just speculating here, but my guess is that Nike rebranded the Ignite into the ONE line in order to make players who would not normally buy a premium ball feel like they were getting a premium ball at a bargain, rather than raising the price and losing that sector of the market to competitors like the Titleist NXT or Bridgestone "e" lines.

Swingie · February 21, 2009

Cannot understand why the lower price point to the other ONEs, it is a premium ball and as such a bargain.

The Vapor is a replacement for the Ignite ball, which was also sold at a lower price point than the ONE series. Presumably, the target market for the Vapor is the same as that for the Ignite and includes consumers who wouldn't pay the higher prices for premium balls.

I'm just speculating here, but my guess is that Nike rebranded the Ignite into the ONE line in order to make players who would not normally buy a premium ball feel like they were getting a premium ball at a bargain, rather than raising the price and losing that sector of the market to competitors like the Titleist NXT or Bridgestone "e" lines.

Exctly right. I had an in depth chat with the rep last week when I saw the nnew balls being put out. Not a premium ball with a suryln cover - just the ignite

Alfonso4410 · February 23, 2009

I have been playing the Nike 1 Vapor for a couple of weeks. I use to play the Ignite. This ball does not feel like a repackaged Ignite like some have suggested. This ball is much softer than the Ignite and spins much better than the Ignite. Now, I do agree that it should have kept it's $24.99 price. Anyway, I believe the current economic downturn will soon bring all ball prices down at least $5 bucks.

Starched · February 23, 2009

It's a 3 piece ball with a non urethane cover, I think it is "ionomer" whatever that means. Whether it is an Ignite or not, unsure, but it is like an NXT Tour or Hot Bite or Burner TP etc. basically a premium type ball with a more durable cover.

JB_Not_Holmes · February 24, 2009

I thought they made this ball to cover the 3 pc for Lower swing speeds, similair to the B330-RX??

Alfonso4410 · February 28, 2009

I thought they made this ball to cover the 3 pc for Lower swing speeds, similair to the B330-RX??

My understanding is that it is made to compete with the NXT TOUR, HX HOT Bite , Bridgestone E6 etc. It is not like the B330 RX because the RX has a Urethane cover. The Vapor has an Ionomer/Surlyn cover. The Ionomer cover is harder and spins less than Urethane. Ionomer is also more durable.

BEND OF THE RIVER GC · February 28, 2009

I think the B-stone e series are excellent golf balls as well as the NXT Tour. How does the Vapor stack up with the NXT Tour? Anyone know?

triumph17 · March 7, 2009

I've tried the NXT tours back when I used to game the Pro V1s. I found it to feel a little firm in comparison to the V1s and didn't spin well enough around the greens so I never went back. I just bought a sleeve of the Vapors since I am getting way too much spin off the driver recently. I've not yet played a round with them however I can tell you that it's the softest feeling ball I've ever putt with. My guess is that these are more close to Wilson Zips or Bridgestone E6+.

Bama · March 7, 2009

I played the Vapor today. It is not as firm to me as the NXT Tour. It is a softer feeling ball, but the performance for me was just average. It's in between a distance ball and a performance ball, so it really does not do anything great (e.g. mid spin, mid distance, etc.). For me, there was not enough spin off the short irons and wedges, and it had a deadened sensation off the putter. For the money, I would rather play Nike's Juice ball or step up to a NOP.

However, I'll confess that I am not a fan of these low compression performance balls. For instance, I like the B330S but not the B330 RX, which is similar to the Vapor.

Bottomline, I would play them if someone gave me a sleeve, and they would probably be good for someone with a slow to average swing speed.