Can I admit one thing?
You in all probability ought to have been studying this private evaluate of the brand new Vice Golf metalwoods again in Might or June. That’s when it was due however I put it off.
Then I put it off some extra.
For some time, I forgot all about it however then I remembered.
After which I put it off some extra.
Hey, if procrastination had been an Olympic sport, I’d be its Mark Spitz. Or Michael Phelps, relying in your g-g-genertion.
Why procrastinate? Fairly easy, actually. My knee-jerk first impression was that I didn’t like them.
Time, nonetheless, is usually a nice instructor. The previous seven months have taught me that I’m not half as good as I feel I’m.
Let me clarify.
Vice Golf metalwoods: Why the unfavorable knee-jerk?
There’s a positive line between intestine intuition and a rash, hasty snap judgment. After I examined the brand new Vice Golf VGDO1+ driver, VGF01 3-wood and VGH01 4-hybrid final Might, I wasn’t overwhelmed. Then, once more, I wasn’t underwhelmed, both.
I suppose meaning I used to be whelmed. I used to be additionally rash and hasty.
For some context, the spring was spent testing a number of iron units and metalwoods. Frankly, all of them began morphing into each other. That’s why MyGolfSpy’s official testing is completed at HQ with a group of testers over a number of weeks. It removes “membership fatigue” from the equation which guards towards testers getting moody.
With winter approaching, I made a decision to revisit my testing notes on the Vice metalwoods. Feedback ranged from “driver feels useless at impression” to “the hybrid is a hook machine.” Nevertheless, the launch monitor knowledge indicated higher than anticipated ball pace, spin and distance.
That’s the place yours really dropped the figurative ball. I relied on my preliminary impressions and didn’t give the Vice Golf metalwoods a good shake, on the course or in subsequent testing.
What can I say apart from what the Jesuits taught me at a younger age: Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.
My fault, my fault, my most grievous fault
Again in September, I gave you my high 5 drivers for underneath $400. When you recall, the Vice VGD01+ was noticeably absent. Now, after retests, reevaluations and soul-searching, I nonetheless can’t put it on that listing.
The rationale, nonetheless, has nothing to do with efficiency. It has to do with value. And timing. At launch, the VGD01+ bought for $399. Someday over the summer time, that value jumped to $449. So, technically, I can’t put it on the listing.
But when I might, I might as a result of it’s lots higher than I gave it credit score for.
I’m nonetheless not a fan of the sound however the numbers say it’s one more membership you may play good golf with. The VGD01+ is the lower-spinning, lower-launching mannequin in Vice’s driver steady. It encompasses a extra ahead middle of gravity for a penetrating ball flight and larger ball pace than the extra forgiving normal VGD01 mannequin.
Vice says the VGD01+ is for low- to mid-handicappers who’re keen to sacrifice a bit forgiveness to get a bit extra distance. That comparability, in fact, is with the usual VGD01 which sacrifices a bit little bit of distance for a bit extra forgiveness.
That evaluation is, I’d say, spot on, particularly in comparison with different drivers within the class. Vice’s design philosophy for its metalwoods and irons is all about lighter weighting. The designs, based mostly on precise membership becoming knowledge Vice has gathered over the previous 15 years, are on the lighter aspect. They’re not XXIO-level mild however they’re very playable for these of us who simply need to hit the ball a bit straighter.
The Vice VGF01 fairway and VGH01 hybrid
In one other September piece, I instructed you that, relating to fairway woods, you’d must pry the Wilson Dynapower Carbon out of my chilly, useless fingers. Now that I’ve re-evaluated the Vice metalwoods, I’d say the Vice VGF01 fairway, on the very least, had a pry bar in its fingers.
Given the luxurious of time and perspective, I’m discovering the VGF01 has the potential to be a real weapon. It’s mild, which is nice for this sexagenarian, and it’s draw-biased which has its execs and cons. As with the driving force, I’m not overly thrilled with the sound however as can be the case with the driving force, it’s not a deal-breaker type of sound.
The golf green wooden acid check for me is what number of instances out of 10 pictures can I get an appropriate outcome. I’m happy to say the Vice VGF01 is within the Dynapower neighborhood for this golfer. That’s roughly eight out of 10, in the event you’re scoring at dwelling.
I haven’t gamed a hybrid constantly for 3 years now, preferring a utility iron. My drawback with hybrids is a standard one as I can hook nearly any one among them off the planet. Possibly the Vice VGH01 was casting some kind of Teutonic anti-left spell on me however my current check session was one attractive excessive and tight child draw after one other.
Let’s see what the quantity say
Like a lot of you, my metalwood swing goes by means of many moods over the course of a season. There’s the Which-way-is-the-f*#%^*king-ball-going-this-time stretch, typically adopted by the Why-the-hell-can’t-I-stop-duck-hooking section. For each 4 or 5 of these, there’s one magical Nuke-Laloosh-breathing-out-of-my-eye-lids-like-a-Galapagos-Island-Lava-Lizard 14-day interval the place I’m, in truth, the chosen one.
I get two of these a yr. Three if I’m fortunate.
That stated, golf season is over right here in New Hampshire. Snow has fallen and vary time is difficult to come back by. These current launch monitor numbers aren’t mid-season however they’re constant and characterize an excellent baseline for my sport.
That stated, the Vice VGD01+ wasn’t overly lengthy (216 yards carry, 239 complete, 92 mph swing) however the rattling ball simply wished to go straight. Spin averaged simply over 2,000 rpm with side-spin averaging 263 rpm, reflective of a constant child draw. Launch angle was constantly round 14 levels and the penetrating ball flight led to loads of simulated rollout.
The VGF01 fairway was a pleasing shock, averaging 202 carry and 222 complete. Spin was within the 3300 vary whereas sidespin was solely round 275 rpm with one piss-missile exhibiting solely 41 rpm of aspect spin. That one kicked up some simulator chalk on the goal line.
Lastly, the Vice VGH01 22-degree 4-hybrid didn’t give me fairly the gap of my Titleist U505 utility 4-iron (2023 mannequin) however it did what hybrids are presupposed to do: fly excessive and land gentle. Carry averaged 182 yards, with complete distance averaging 189. Spin fee was round 4,100 rpm, with 470 rpm value of aspect spin.
Yep, I do love me some excessive attracts.
Who’re these Vice metalwoods for?
The Vice VGD01 and VGD01+ are the kind of drivers that would match most any “common” golfer. By common, I imply a golfer with a swing pace within the 85- to 100-mph vary who craves that transcendent serenity referred to as “hitting the green.” There are longer drivers on the market, however because the Germans say, it’s lang genug und gerade.
Look it up, kumpel.
Particularly, until you may truthfully say you may draw or fade your driver on command each time, the Vice drivers are value taking a look at.
When you have a tendency to make use of the complete face (hey, you paid for it, proper?), you’ll discover the usual VGD01 to be the extra forgiving of the 2. In case you are a bit extra constant to find the middle, the VGD01+ will provide you with a bit extra giddyup. A golfer with a bit extra swing pace than my 92 mph will possible get extra out of its low-spin tendencies.
The Vice VGH01 hybrid is fascinating. The whole lot about it screamed hook machine, till I began hitting it. Similar to its driver brother, the VGH01 needs to go straight. I’m admittedly not a fan of hybrids however this one does what you’d need it to do, particularly with its straightforward peak and steep descent angle.
My favourite of the trio is the VGF01 fairway. As with the driving force and hybrid, it’s not the longest you’ll discover within the class however if you would like consistency, repeatability and, nicely, straight, we will say it delivers on all three.
Vice metalwoods specs and pricing
If you wish to demo any of the Vice metalwoods, you’re taking a look at going to a Membership Champion facility. Vice is engaged on extra retail availability however the actuality is that for golf equipment, Vice is a direct-to-consumer model.
As talked about, the VGD01+ sells for $449 whereas the usual VGD01 is $349.00. The 01+ is out there in 9.5- and 10.5-degree heads whereas the usual 01 is out there in 10.5 and 12.5. Each function adjustable hosels. Commonplace shafts are the Vice Whiz (made-for by Aldila) in various weights and, as a result of it’s Vice, it’s out there in a regular Shadow Black or a spiffier Ocean Blue colour. Shaft upgrades from KBS, UST and Mitsubishi are additionally out there at an upcharge.
The VGF01 fairways can be found in 3-, 5- and 7-wood fashions with the identical shaft choices. They run $249. The VGH01 hybrid is available in 19-, 22- and 25-degree fashions and options the identical shaft choices. They run $219.
The put up Why I Was Unsuitable About The Vice Golf Metalwoods appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
