Nike Vapor Speed driver review
What do we make of the new Vapor Speed driver from Nike?
WATCH: Drivers Test 2015
READ: Drivers Test 2015
Name: Nike Vapor Speed
RRP: £249
Loft options: 8.5 to 12.5 degrees
Adjustability: FlexLoft 2 allows for five loft settings and three angle positions
Length: 45.5" Stock shaft: Mitsubishi Fubuki Z 50
Key features
- A new "FlyBeam" structure, "Compression Channel" and "NexCOR" face combines to stabilise the chassis and maximise ball speed
- The cavity back design spreads weight towards the heel and toe to maximise forgiveness
Looks: Both testers loved the fresh new colour scheme of black and yellow. While there is no alignment down the middle, which is a slight niggle, the face is distinguished nicely from the crown with its silver face. The black face and white shaft combination also works well. Tester's comment: "The giant head instills lots of confidence over the ball."
Feel: Both the head and shaft felt very stable through impact. The sound was even more solid than last year's equally impressive Covert 2.0 driver, and the stock white Fubuki shaft felt great. The tacky Tour Wrap 2G grip makes an appearance again, and while it still divides opinion, it is certainly growing on us. Tester's comment: "Nike fans evidently love the tacky grip."
Performance: In the top-three for both distance and accuracy with a couple of hits travelling in excess of 280 yards. There is a huge sweetspot on offer that is almost impossible to miss, especially with the Covert cavity back spreading all the weight into the heel and toe. It launched a little higher than ideal but that did not prevent it from sailing long and straight. Tester's comment: "You could throw a blanket over my last 10 drives."
Verdict: GOLD
One of the best all-round performing drivers, and pleasingly at a generous £249. Long, forgiving and looks great in the bag. Given the giant size of the head, this one will likely benefit the mid-handicap golfer more than Nike's compact-looking Vapor Pro (as used by world number one Rory McIlroy) and Vapor Flex drivers.
For more information visit www.nike.com/golf
Andy first joined the brand on a month's work experience back in April 2011, and he now assumes the Editor role. When Andy joined GolfMagic it was a small site with potential.
