ULTIMATE REVIEW! – Nike VR Pro Limited Driver

“Yes…it’s true. While the change may not be official, and may not even be permanent, as the golf season winds down, the Nike VR “Limited” has ousted my previous gamer.  The Nike VR Pro Limited driver is an absolute beast.  WHO IS THIS DRIVER FOR?: Basically the Nike VR “Limited” is for anyone who wants a workable driver that sound and feels pretty good and those who hate the sight of a bulky hosel and can’t be bothered to carry a wrench”

Nike VR Pro Limited Driver

(Written By: GolfSpy T) Here’s the dead solid blunt truth: The Nike VR Pro “Limited” is a driver that at least 50% of you reading this will probably want no part of. As you’ll see, it’s not really designed for the average golfer, and while “average golfer” is a phrase I’m not particularly fond of; if you need help getting the ball in air, fight a slice, or feel like you need all 460ccs that the rules of golf allow for, today, my friend, you are the average golfer – and this is not your new driver.. For the rest of you…hell, the rest of us, the Nike VR Pro “Limited” Driver might prove to be something really, really special.

Look, despite ample opportunity, I’m not one to put a new driver in my bag every week. More often than not, when I play golf, money, or better still, beer, is on the line. As much I like to drive for show, at a minimum I’ve got to have a club that I trust to put a ball in the fairway.  The last thing I want to do is come home to my wife sober and broke. Fortunately it would seem that I am part of that other 50%, the guys who really, really need to take a close look at the VR Limited. Hell, you might even put it in your bag. I did.

You know what’s crazy? I’ve been at MyGolfSpy for less than 2 years, and this is the 4th Nike Driver I’ve put through our testing process. While we’ve looked at 3 drivers from other companies (Adams, Callaway, and Cobra), it’s an astonishing (to me anyway) realization that Nike, a company who – lets’ face it – probably isn’t on the top of many lists when it comes to drivers, is the first to get to 4. It’s not like Nike just drops these things in the mail every time a new one comes out (although they probably should). Nope…we actually ask for them. I’ll stop short of saying that I know something that you don’t, but the reason I keep asking Nike to send me drivers is that I honestly believe that the company who is better know for Tiger Woods than any of the equipment it produces, is creeping dangerously close to releasing a classic all-around winner; the kind of driver golfers will talk about for years to come.

Now having said that, the VR Pro “Limited” is probably not that driver. With a comparatively small 430cc head, Nike isn’t going to reach the large segment of golfers conditioned to believe that bigger is better. They’ll no doubt face perceptions (some real, some complete garbage) that a smaller driver is “harder to hit” and less forgiving. And yes, there will no doubt be some that have developed such a tinker toy mindset that they won’t even look at a driver they can’t put a wrench to.

Tell Us What You Think!

• Would you consider playing a driver smaller than 460cc
• Would you still play a driver with a glued hosel, or is adjustability a requirement?
• What do you like or dislike about Nike drivers?

The Marketing Angle

Before we get to the review itself, there are a few things Nike would apparently like you to know about the new VR Pro Limited:

• It’s got new technology.  Specifically, it leverages Nike’s new “NexCOR Face Technology”. NexCOR is Nike’s take on multi-face thickness (some call it variable face thickness). All of this – and stop me if you’ve heard this before – translates to increased ball speed, and increased distance. Like previous VR Models, the Limited features Nike’s Compression Channel Technology.
• It’s forged, in four separate pieces (face, crown, sole, and hosel)
• It’s “Limited”. While I don’t have exact numbers, I have confirmed that Nike is actually manufacturing fewer of these drivers. Maybe that has to do with the late fall release. Perhaps they anticipate less interest in a 430cc model. Or…perhaps they’re hoping sticking a “Limited Edition” moniker on a driver will increase demand.
• It is being played on Tour. The VR Limited is already in the bags of both Anthony Kim and Paul Casey.

What almost gets lost in the marketing is the fact that the VR Limited does not use Nike’s STR8-Fit Technology. While we fully expect to see a new VR Driver in the spring with updated – and based on pictures – dramatically improved STR8-Fit Technology, the “Limited” features and old-school, glued hosel design. And while we’ve almost become as accustomed to adjustability as we have 460cc heads, I for one am pretty excited that Nike continues to produce an alternative to both.

The line from Nike is that the VR Pro “Limited” Edition Driver was “designed for golfers who prefer a more traditional 430cc pear-shaped head, and who demand Tour-level performance”.

Keep that that in the back of your head, we’re going to come back to it before this review is over.

Nike VR Limited Specifications

Yes, the shaft is a made for variant, and why Nike would go that route on a Limited Edition driver is beyond me. That said, the ‘”real” Ahina hasn’t proven to be a great fit for me. The Nike version appears to be a bit softer at the tip, and probably has a higher torque rating. I like it more than I might have expected, but long term, I might consider replacing it.

For reasons that confound everyone who tries to grip a club with it, Nike has elected to once again use it’s proprietary grip (STR8-FIT without the alignment markings). While there are numerous other reasons, the grip alone is reason enough to place a custom order rather than buy off the rack. I’m not trying to be rude, but Nike, seriously, your stock grip is by far the worst of an OEM in business today. It’s time to make a change.

How We Tested

The 6 golfers for whom we collected detailed performance data were asked to hit a series of shots on our 3Track Equipped simulators from aboutGolf.  As usual, testing was done at Tark’s Indoor Golf, a state of the art indoor golf facility located in Saratoga Springs, NY.  Detailed data for each and every shot for which we collected data is now viewable in the interactive portion of this review, which immediately follows the performance. This data serves as the foundation for our final performance score.  Our testers were also asked to provide feedback in each of our subjective categories (looks, sound and feel, forgiveness, and likelihood of purchase).  This information is used as the foundation for our total subjective score.  Testing was done using a mix of 9.5° and 10.5° drivers in regular, stiff, and x-stiff flex.

PERFORMANCE SCORING

Our test of the Nike VR Limited driver is the first conducted under our new testing protocols. Full details of our testing and scoring procedures can be found here. The short version is that scores are calculated based on a point system. Points are determined per shot using a formula of distance minus accuracy. Based on previous test results, we’ve assigned each of our six testers a theoretical maximum point value. The percentage of that maximum theoretical score that is achieved by each individual tester represents the individual score for the VR Limited. The total performance score is determined by the average score of the top 5 testers.

Distance & Launch

Average distance numbers will show a decrease from previous reviews due largely to the inclusion of a senior tester in this and all future reviews. With that out of the way…our testers averaged 248.18 yards with the VR Pro Limited. When we remove our shortest hitter from the equation, that number increases to 259.00 yards. Of that, 246.10 yards is pure carry.

“This is not an old guy’s club” – Sixty-something senior tester, Lou.

Like previous Nike drivers, our testers posted slightly lower average launch angles (9.11 degrees as a group), and achieved an average Apex (shot height) of 33.18 yards.

Accuracy & Spin

From a pure accuracy standpoint Nike drivers have proven to be consistently among the very best we’ve tested. In fact, 2 of the 3 most accurate drivers for me personally have been Nike VR Models. While the VR Limited didn’t prove to be quite as accurate, our testers still put up reasonably good numbers (18.77 yards offline) on average. A single testers absolutely found it impossible to hit the VR Limited straight and actually averaged an astonishing 36.30 yards offline. When we remove him from the equation, however, the group average improves to 15.26 yards offline. That’s not an A+ number, but I assure you, it’s pretty darn good.

What doesn’t necessarily translate in the numbers is how we missed. In my case I generally hit a lot of pulls. With the VR Pro, those dead pulls often turned into small controllable fades, which out on the course has proven to be a real blessing.

Where spin is concerned, the results are somewhat surprising. With an average of 2866.98 RPMs, the Nike VR Limited would appear to generate less back spin. The same also holds true for side spin where the average was 547.87 RPMs. If you’re in the market for a true spin killer, the Nike VR Pro Limited might actually be the one.

Overall Performance

Overall the Nike VR Pro “Limited” Driver is a bit of a mixed bag. The performance numbers we’re definitely not ideal for everyone. Our senior tester found it heavy and told us he felt like he had to swing really hard to generate any distance, and one of our middle handicap testers sprayed the ball all over the range. That said, two of our testers posted scores in the mid-90s (we don’t expect that will happen often under the new system), while most others (including our senior tester) hovered in the mid-high 80s.

Overall, while probably not an astonishing number, when one considers the design and the target market, it’s hard not to come away from our performance testing impressed.

MGS OVERALL PERFORMANCE SCORE: 91.29

The Interactive Data

The charts below show the individual and group averages (black dotted line) for each shot our golfers took during our test of the the Nike VR Limited Driver. If you click on the “VR Limited Range” tab, you can see where each shot came to rest on our virtual driving range. Hovering over any point will give you all the details of that particular shot. You can use the filters on the right-hand side to show and hide individual golfer based on handicap and clubhead speed.

SUBJECTIVE SCORING

If there has been commonalty with all of our Nike Drivers review it is this – mediocre (although steadily improving) looks grades, abysmal sound and feel scores, and below average likelihood of purchase scores. You may recall from the VR Pro review earlier this year that despite performance numbers that were among the best we’ve seen all season, our testers got so wrapped up in the less than pleasing subjective stuff that they, almost to  a man, failed to notice how far and how straight they were hitting the ball.

If nothing else, the Nike VR Pro “Limited” offers Nike a shot at redemption, and an opportunity to show golfers the potential for the next generation of Nike drivers.

Looks

With the Nike VR Pro “Limited”, Nike has produced a driver that really appeals to our testers. Most rated it 9 (or better) although there was, as there often is a 7 in the mix. I personally rated it a 9. I love the smaller, traditional pear-shaped head. The sole graphics while still attention grabbing have been toned down a bit. Unless you’re willing to believe that the departure from the gear design on the face in favor of the new infinity design was a difference maker, these two factors alone probably account for the higher scores.

Quite frankly, I may have given some bonus points for the hosel. It’s a huge visual improvement over the bulky STR8-Fit connector. I remain less than a  fan of the flecks Nike uses in its crown paint (I’ll be kind and won’t call it glitter), and would love to see plain old ordinary black in future releases. It’s not awesome, but it’s not a deal breaker.

MGS Looks Score: 96.75

Sound & Feel

If there’s an area where Nike drivers have flopped big time with our testers it has always been with sound and feel. You may recall that the original Victory Red was my gamer for a number of months. While I loved the performance, the sound and feel were big enough turn-offs that I couldn’t wait to find something to replace it. When something arrived that I could hit as long and straight, I didn’t hesitate to pull the VR out of the bag.

This year I put the VR Pro STR8-Fit in my bag for a couple of rounds. And while like it’s predecessor it performed well, there wasn’t enough there to overcome the noise on feel issues.

Whether it’s the result of a fundamental design change, or simply the addition of a traditional hosel and some glue, I’m happy to report that the VR Pro Limited offers a substantial improvement (again, compared to previous Nike models), where sound and feel are concerned. Not surprisingly, the new model feels a bit more like the Victory Red Tour model (also glued).

We’re definitely not in classic TaylorMade and Titleist range here yet, but Nike is clearly working on the sound and feel aspects of their driver design. What remains to be seen is whether or not these improvements will continue into the next generation of STR8-Fit clubs, or if this is but a brief respite on the road back to the wrong side of mediocrity. Let’s hope for the best.

We’ll take the Nike VR Pro “Limited” Driver for what it is…and it’s pretty good.

MGS Sound & Feel Score: 88.69

Perceived Forgiveness

One of the things we believe is that you learn everything you need to know about a club the first time you mis-hit it.

You’ve already heard from our senior tester who told us he found the VR Limited a bit difficult to hit. I think everyone would probably agree that he’s probably well outside the target market for this club. More surprising is that the next lowest forgiveness rating came from our lowest handicap tester. He told us that he simply didn’t find it as forgiving as other drivers we’ve tested this season.

While there’s probably some truth in his assessment, how forgiving this driver is really depends on where you miss. From my perspective, we’ve definitely seen drivers this season for which misses on the toe and heel provided better results. If you tend to miss high on the face, however; the VR Pro Limited is among the very best at maintaining distance.

While we’ve certainly seen higher forgiveness ratings, given that this club is designed for golfers seeking “Tour-Level Performance”, the VR Pro Limited has exceeded expectations.

Tester Perceived Forgiveness Score: 88.69

Likelihood of Purchase

In case you missed it, here’s a brief history lesson for you. Earlier this year our testers combined likelihood of purchase for the Nike VR Pro Tour Driver was 66.65 (in school that’s what’s we used to call a D-, or even an F+). When I looked back at our Clash of the Adjustable drivers review, the two Nike drivers that were included in that test finished dead last, and 3rd from the bottom in our User’s Choice Awards. The bottom line is that despite solid performance from other drivers in the Victory Red series, we’ve yet to review a Nike driver that our testers indicated they would seriously consider purchasing.

Well…that is until now. Though some clearly had reservations about certain aspects of the club, our testers generally liked the VR Limited. Granted, two of our testers (including your’s truly) rated it a 10 for LOP, which went a long way from offsetting a 4 from our senior tester and a 6 from our low handicap golfer. Actually, looking at the survey responses, what we have is a somewhat polarizing club. Either our testers hit it well and loved it, or struggled with it, and basically want little more to do with it.

On average, however; it’s a huge improvement for Nike, and one that’s reflected in the LOP score.

Tester Likelihood of Purchase: 86.00

Look – I’m no Nike fanboy. I’ve been impressed by the performance of their last several drivers, but lets face it, elements of the designs have left plenty to be desired. In the Nike VR “Limited” Driver I was hoping to find a driver for which perceptions would finally measure up to reality. For the most part, I believe I did.

TOTAL SUBJECTIVE SCORE: 90.43

CONCLUSION

Certainly the Nike VR Pro “Limited” Driver is a curious offering. While there’s a lot to like about the driver, based on the design alone, it’s probably not going to be any sort of breakthrough offering for Nike. While Nike is clearly trying to hit a specific market with this driver, there might be a broader market than many might think.  I’m seeing signs of a small, but growing backlash against 460cc drivers. You may have noticed that the flagship offering for some of the biggest names in golf aren’t 460cc anymore, and that’s a trend I expect will continue.

And while certainly I get the whole 430cc, tour performance bit, the reality is the Nike VR “Limited” is for anyone who wants a workable driver that sound and feels pretty good. The VR Limited is for anyone who hates the sight of a bulky hosel and can’t be bothered to carry a wrench. Simply put, while I may not be who Nike was thinking of when they designed this club, the Nike VR “Limited” Driver is for me.

Yes…it’s true. While the change may not be official, and may not even be permanent, as the golf season winds down, the Nike VR “Limited” has ousted my previous gamer. I’ve played the last several rounds with the VR Limited in the bag, and the results have been nothing but excellent. This is just one guy’s opinion here, but the Nike VR Pro Limited driver is an absolute beast. And should you find you can tame the beast, there should be some serious consideration giving to bagging it.

MGS TOTAL SCORE:  91.20

 

Tell Us What You Think!

• Would you consider playing a driver smaller than 460cc
• Would you still play a driver with a glued hosel, or is adjustability a requirement?
• What do you like or dislike about Nike drivers?

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