Nike VR_S Irons

From Golf Magazine ClubTest 2012 (April, 2012)

Category: Max Game-Improvement Irons
Price: $599, steel; $699, graphite

WE TESTED: 4-AW with True Temper Dynalite 90 steel shaft
KEY TECHNOLOGIES: The stainless steel body attaches to a lively, 455 Carpenter steel face. Its “NexCOR” variable facethickness technology— thickest in the middle, thinnest toward the perimeter—creates faster ball speeds. Thirty percent of the club’s total mass is in the rear “PowerBow” to increase launch and generate a higher MOI for faster ball speeds on heel or toe hits.

OUR TESTERS SAY: One of the highest-rated irons. It fares well in look, feel and distance.

PROS
PLAYABILITY: Ball flight is on the higher side with right-to-left bias; the heads blast shots out of the rough; surprisingly nimble around greens.
ACCURACY/FORGIVENESS: Sizable face covers up directional misses; thin shots go higher than expected and fat shots are virtually nonexistent.
DISTANCE CONTROL: Very consistent yardages; several guys see noticeable gains versus their sticks on good shots.
FEEL: Center hits are powerful, solid, almost forged-like; you can sense the weight transfer to the ball.
LOOK: More game-improvement styling than max game-improvement irons.

CONS
A few guys find the heads too heavy to square up; minority of testers complain that grips are too slick in dry conditions.