Clubs Road Test: Nike CCI Irons

Reviewed By: Kevin Gates
Handicap: 11

PLAYER RATING
Appearance - Very attractive 9.5/10
Playability - Will improve your score 8.5/10
Balance - Nice shaft combination 8.5/10
Feel -Forgiving through impact 9/10
Total 88.75%

MODEL & SHAFT PLAYED:
Nike CCi irons (3-iron to pitching wedge) fitted with stiff True Temper Dynalite Goldsteel shafts.

FIRST IMPRESSION:
The Nike CCi irons are very appealing to the eye. The distinctive black insert combined with the rounded toe provide a slightly retro appearance. At address there is a confi dent, almost aggressive stance when these irons are placed behind the ball – particularly the longer irons. The sole of the club is suffi ciently wide to provide confi dence without looking bulky or heavy. As you move through the irons the clubfaces appear to become shallower, producing a classic long iron look.

VERDICT:
I found the combination of the CCi iron with the S300 shaft a nice fi t for me. Once I took to thecourse with them it didn’t take long to get comfortable and confi dent. We teed it up at one of Sydney’s more demanding championship layouts and I took the opportunity to hit a high percentage of long irons off tees where I’d normally hit driver. The result was a chance to hit a variety of tee and approach shots.

One of the first things that struck me was the playability of the clubs. Very few shots “felt bad” despite the fact I possess a wide range of golf swings, each with equally wide degrees of effectiveness – you don’t need to hit the ball in the centre of these clubs to get a result.

I probably hit more 5-, 6- and 7-iron shots than I would during a normal round. I really like the midirons. They produce a strong trajectory and long ball fl ight. The heads are well-weighted and I managed to hit a couple of greens from outside 170 metres, which is not a common occurrence. From the rough, the short irons and wedge were great. I was a little hesitant at first with a couple of wedge shots simply because the club looked so different to my own wedge. Once I overcame that hesitance, the clubs worked through longer grass and uncomfortable lies quite well. The short irons also provided pleasing “stop” without excessive backspin.

Overall the Nike CCi is an iron well suited to someone who plays the game as I do. The shafts kept everything in place during some of the wilder swings and the short irons were highly efficient in some tough situations. As a midhandicap player, I liked these irons and am confi dent most similar players would too.

From the May 2007 issue of Golf Australia magazine