Nike Victory Red Forged Split Cavity Review

The world of golf equipment nothing is ever perfect. We all know that when we hit a bad shot that it was and always will be the equipment’s fault. But when choosing an iron set, it seems that we have to make that first decision and it is a hard one. Do we want game improvement irons or do we want players’ irons. That for me has always been the hardest decision when I am ready for new sticks.

There are so many choices in the equipment game nowadays that you can spend months analyzing what set you will bring home to call your own. By the time you make that decision you have to contend with the fact that new stuff is coming out at the same time. It is an endless cycle that we all have had to deal with each and every time we are in the market for new clubs.

As we learn this craft of golf we value that as you get better, you want clubs that will let you do different things with the ball flight to help your game. Game Improvement (GI) irons make it a little hard to do those things, but they are so much better at “forgiveness”. So the decision has to be made on what we want to sacrifice. Until Now!

Nike Golf has led the tour in victories for a number of years now, but as THP readers know, I have never been much of a fan of their irons. In fact I have tried to like them each of the last 3 years and each time I have gone with something different. Just two weeks ago Nike released three models that had me salivating to try them.

1. Nike Victory Red Forged TW Blades

2. Nike Victory Red Full Cavity Irons

3. Nike Victory Red Forged Split Cavity Irons

Nike’s Victory Red Forged Split Cavity irons have a moderately wider sole and slightly thicker topline than the Victory Red TW Blades. Still maintaining a traditional look with a high degree of workability, the Victory Red Forged Split Cavity includes a split back design that positions the center of gravity behind the sweet spot for ball control while providing forgiveness.

The Victory Red Forged Split Cavity irons are made of 1025 Forged Carbon Steel and are machined to precise tolerances to optimize feel and accuracy. The CNC Milled Face ensures uniform ball compression for consistent ball flight and distance control. Differentiating slightly from the Victory Red TW Blades, the Victory Red Forged Split Cavity provides a higher trajectory and is more forgiving.
(click to enlarge our bad photos)

The loft and lie of the Victory Red Forged Split Cavity irons are the same as the Victory Red TW Blades; the Victory Red Forged Split Cavity irons do have more offset than the blades. But they still seem less offset than most of the cavity backs out there.

They went on sale November 1, 2008

Men’s: #3-PW Steel X,S,R; RH/LH
MSRP: US$999.99

Individual: #2 Steel X,S,R; RH/LH
MSRP: US$124.99

THP was sent this set about 2 weeks ago and we were able to put it out in play both on the range and on the course. The first thing I found out when I took it to the range is that these clubs are really nice looking. Both in the bag and while addressing the ball. At setup, I noticed a slightly thicker topline than a blade but I must say, it wasn’t much. They are significantly smaller than my Adams I am used to playing. So right away I have the confidence to make the shots because the clubs look and feel so good in my hands. I am going to break this review down in three pieces.

Look: As mentioned previously, I love the look of these clubs. The look of these irons just screams “well made”. The sleek slim lines and perfect ground heel coincide with the perfect sized head. Then they finished it off with a chrome finish to give you the confidence to know they will work.

Feel: Have you ever hit a shot and had a memory of that first great shot you hit? The first shot I hit with these irons reminded me of my very first set of clubs. I was given a set of Hogan Apex irons (back when they were good clubs) and when you struck those well, it was like nothing I had ever felt. Until now. These clubs have the absolute feel of blades. Weighting is similar and the struck balls feel the same. But the kicker is that when I misshit the ball, it felt like I had a GI iron in my hand. I hit three or four off the heel and they went as if I hit them on the sweetspot. And when you hit them on the “screws”, it is like you never even hit a ball. I realized after a large bucket of balls with these that I have been depriving myself for some time now.

Playability: Go ahead and put them in the book for being the most workable and forgiving iron all in one to ever be forged from a piece of steel. Yes I actually said that. If you want straight, then these are for you. But the best part is, if you want a club you can grown into and learn to work the ball? Then I still recommend the same irons. They are that good.

I want to touch on one more thing. I have read a few reviews on these from people that are complaining about the stock grips on them. All stock grips stink for the most part, but these are some of the nicer ones I have had. I don’t know where the complaints are, but I will not even change these out I don’t think.

I get emails each and every week with the question that sounds like this…
“I want to get a new set of irons, but I want something that will last a few years and that I can grow into…”
Up until now I have never really had an answer for them. It was always “get fitted” and “try everything out”. I still think those are great answers, but this set features the things that fit almost every golfer out there. I strongly urge every reader that is thinking about a new set of clubs, to give these a try. You can read tons more about them at Nike Golf.

Till Next Time

Josh B.

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