- Staff
- #1
THP was fortunate enough to be able to attend Nike's official unveiling of their Vapor metal-woods lineup at The Oven in Dallas and get some hands on time with the lines as well as a deep dive into the technology and specifications of the different clubs.
The current release date for drivers, fairways, and hybrids is 1/30/15.
Information on the trip to The Oven can be found here: http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...0-Live-Update-Thread-THP-Visits-The-Nike-Oven
This thread will serve for the Nike Vapor Speed Driver.
Vapor Driver Lineup Info:
With the Vapor driver lines Nike is addressing some things that many of us out there have been pondering as far as direction is concerned. Foremost Nike understands that like it or not, distance matters to us all. Some may talk about the distance claims we see with some level of chagrin, but in the end, distance matters to amateur golfers, we want it and we want it WITH forgiveness.
First and foremost, the Cavity Back technology is alive and well, and is going nowhere. Nike are firm believers in what it does and what they have learned it can be evolved to do with specific structural and design adaptations. The Cavity Back tech allows for a forward weight that can keep the MOI constant across the club and also reduces the size of the gear effect while increase overall stability (resistance to twisting). Overall you get less changes to the overall launch conditions across the face of the drivers which in turn helps reduce the hook/cut flights.
While all of that has been standard with the CB tech, the BIG change that is allowing that added stability is the use of what Nike R&D calls "Fly Beams". These are like I-Beams in the head which are visible in the cavity but actually run all the way through the heads. The reason for these are to reduce flex in the body and keep it in the face so that energy is only being absorbed and returned at the face, limiting loss through the rest of the head. Ensuring the energy is not lost elsewhere and stays with the face flexion means more speed, and speed means distance.
The three heads also mark the return of the Compression Channel, as it turns out, much at the urging of Tiger Woods for the team to take a look at it again. The channel flexes BOTH ways (compress and open) depending on where the impact on the face is at. This allows for a balance of CT across the entire face. The channel though is much more shallow at the center of the face as well as beveled to keep the CT from exceeding max while away from the center it gets much deeper to bring it up in other places.
Additionally the Flex Loft adapter has changed, but just in weight. Nike managed to save 5g in overall weight with the adapters while keeping the 15 in 1 setting ratio (in what many feel is the best adapter out there, I'm one of those). The 5g represents 30% savings and with that means a lighter headweight than we have seen from Nike (204 range now, 210 previously) and this should allow the head to pair with heavier shafts and SW out better. Also, they are backwards compatible and old adapters will work in these heads too. But with that will come about a 1.5 swing weight change because of the 5g.
Nike is also adamant that these three heads are the SAME HEADS you will see in the hand of their players, no A, B, C, whatever versions. They want it to where if their player goes and picks up a head off the shelf and plugs in their settings/shaft it will perform the exact same. There is a big push from them about making what the tour players play available to all of us, a BIG push as they believe this is what the consumers want and DEMAND.
Nike Vapor Speed Driver Info:
The Speed is a 460cc head that is 1.5mm deeper than the Covert 2.0 was, and this along with the channel and cavity changes have made for some interesting changes performance wise from the 2.0.
Retail will be $299 and again, release is set for 1/30/15
Some Images:
The current release date for drivers, fairways, and hybrids is 1/30/15.
Information on the trip to The Oven can be found here: http://www.thehackersparadise.com/f...0-Live-Update-Thread-THP-Visits-The-Nike-Oven
This thread will serve for the Nike Vapor Speed Driver.
Vapor Driver Lineup Info:
With the Vapor driver lines Nike is addressing some things that many of us out there have been pondering as far as direction is concerned. Foremost Nike understands that like it or not, distance matters to us all. Some may talk about the distance claims we see with some level of chagrin, but in the end, distance matters to amateur golfers, we want it and we want it WITH forgiveness.
First and foremost, the Cavity Back technology is alive and well, and is going nowhere. Nike are firm believers in what it does and what they have learned it can be evolved to do with specific structural and design adaptations. The Cavity Back tech allows for a forward weight that can keep the MOI constant across the club and also reduces the size of the gear effect while increase overall stability (resistance to twisting). Overall you get less changes to the overall launch conditions across the face of the drivers which in turn helps reduce the hook/cut flights.
While all of that has been standard with the CB tech, the BIG change that is allowing that added stability is the use of what Nike R&D calls "Fly Beams". These are like I-Beams in the head which are visible in the cavity but actually run all the way through the heads. The reason for these are to reduce flex in the body and keep it in the face so that energy is only being absorbed and returned at the face, limiting loss through the rest of the head. Ensuring the energy is not lost elsewhere and stays with the face flexion means more speed, and speed means distance.
The three heads also mark the return of the Compression Channel, as it turns out, much at the urging of Tiger Woods for the team to take a look at it again. The channel flexes BOTH ways (compress and open) depending on where the impact on the face is at. This allows for a balance of CT across the entire face. The channel though is much more shallow at the center of the face as well as beveled to keep the CT from exceeding max while away from the center it gets much deeper to bring it up in other places.
Additionally the Flex Loft adapter has changed, but just in weight. Nike managed to save 5g in overall weight with the adapters while keeping the 15 in 1 setting ratio (in what many feel is the best adapter out there, I'm one of those). The 5g represents 30% savings and with that means a lighter headweight than we have seen from Nike (204 range now, 210 previously) and this should allow the head to pair with heavier shafts and SW out better. Also, they are backwards compatible and old adapters will work in these heads too. But with that will come about a 1.5 swing weight change because of the 5g.
Nike is also adamant that these three heads are the SAME HEADS you will see in the hand of their players, no A, B, C, whatever versions. They want it to where if their player goes and picks up a head off the shelf and plugs in their settings/shaft it will perform the exact same. There is a big push from them about making what the tour players play available to all of us, a BIG push as they believe this is what the consumers want and DEMAND.
Nike Vapor Speed Driver Info:
The Speed is a 460cc head that is 1.5mm deeper than the Covert 2.0 was, and this along with the channel and cavity changes have made for some interesting changes performance wise from the 2.0.
- Higher Launch, Lower CG (larger face helps here)
- Softer Toe (design) making for a more pear shape look at the front and helping balance the elongated head visually
- 1.4% Lower CG
- CG is 1.2% closer to the face
- CG is 63% more centered to neutral
- 204g vs 209.9g head weight
- On a 95mph swing:
- 3 yard increase from 2.0
- Same ball speed in center
- Increase of .5 ball speed on heel/toe strikes
- Increase of .2 in Launch Angle
- Decrease of 402 RPM's
- Stock shaft is Fubuki Z 50, with the ZT available. Authentic shafts, w/ Nike Volt highlights (approx 50.00 upcharge to the Diamana S+ or D+)
Retail will be $299 and again, release is set for 1/30/15
Some Images:
