MODEL AND SHAFT PLAYED: Nike VR_S driver with 9.5° loft and fitted with a stiff-flex shaft. The face-angle adjustability was originally set in the neutral position.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: It’s got that slight offset look about it, which I like. It gives you that extra confidence looking at the club because I’ve always been a player of offset clubs, so I prefer that. The shaft feels lighter than the 73-gram shaft in my current driver, but I immediately like the weight.

VERDICT: Most of the drives I hit were just nail, nail, nail – straight with just a little draw, which is not my normal shot; my normal shot is straight with maybe just a little fade.

Honestly, I really loved the shaft in this driver and the look of the club overall was very good. I also like the idea these days of the drivers with face-adjustability settings and this was another plus for the VR_S.

For once-a-week golfers, our swings change a fair bit so I tinkered around with my driver quite a bit to get it just right. There’s really not a negative thing I can say about this club. There could be a sale coming up!

MODEL AND SHAFT PLAYED: Nike VR_S driver with 10.5° loft and fitted with a stiff-flex shaft. The face-angle adjustability was originally set in the neutral position.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: This driver is a very light club – I could notice the lighter overall weight just holding it, whether that’s the shaft, the clubhead or the whole thing. It’s also a big clubhead to look at, which I like, and the oblique shape of the head is

very appealing.

VERDICT: Once you hit the ball in the sweetspot, it really goes! The sweetspot also has a softness about it; you can notice the trampoline effect as the ball springs off

the clubface.

I also noticed an overall comfort in swinging this driver, by which I mean the total weight of the club feels correct throughout the swing and allows you to let the club work as it was designed to, without the golfer having to manipulate or compensate in any way during the swing.

I like the adjustability aspects of this driver – given more time I would switch the face setting around to all four settings and experiment to find a fit I really liked.

I enjoyed hitting this club.

FACTS & FIGURES

SUITABILITY: Inspired by Tour players, the VR_S is aimed at better golfers or those seeking to generate more speed at impact.

SHAFTS: Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki is the standard shaft, and each model is available in stiff or regular flex, except the 8.5°, which is stiff-flex only.

LOFTS: 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° and 11.5°.

LEFT-HANDED MODELS?: Yes, in the 9.5° and 10.5° versions. Also available in a women’s model.

HOW MUCH?: $350.

NIKE GOLF SAYS: “The VR_S driver features a bigger clubhead, a deeper face and exclusive NexCOR face technology – all to produce more speed at impact for greater distance.

“NexCOR maximises distance for the widest range of players through a new speed-expanding multi-thickness face design. The infinity design creates a bridge for ultra-thin, ultra-hot faces and unmatched ball speed from every club.

“With a bigger clubhead and a deeper face, the new VR_S driver’s ultra-fast speed is accentuated by greater swing velocity generated through its aerodynamically engineered head design and longer, lighter, 45.75-inch Fubuki shaft. The driver also incorporates the new Nike STR8-Fit system, which offers a 4-degree range of face angle adjustability, optimising ball speed, distance and accuracy.”

Contact Axis Golf on 1800 777 793 or visit www.nikegolf.com