First Look: Nike Vapor Flex driver

Nike’s Vapor Flex driver woods feature the same technological advancements as the Pro. This includes the two FlyBeams at the rear of the sole, which stiffen the cavity back of the club allowing the face to flex more, especially on lower hits, and generally be more efficient. It also includes a re-engineered version of the compression channel first seen in Nike’s VR drivers accentuates the spring-like effect across the face for more ball speed while a new adjustability system, FlexLoft 2, is 30 per cent lighter and offers five loft and three face angle settings. 

But unique to the Flex driver is something called FlexFlight. This comprises a RZN tube called a FlightPod located in the cavity of the club. One end of the Pod weighs 9g, the other end weighs 0.5g. By flipping the Flightpod, golfers can actively move the centre of gravity to further optimize their launch conditions. With the heavier end closest to the clubface, the Flex becomes the Vapor line’s lowest spinning driver of 2015. Utilizing the FlexFlight system also impacts launch angle, spin rate, forgiveness (increased in the “mid” setting) and workability (enhanced in the “low” setting). 

The FlightPod is housed within a RZN chassis, the same material featured in the Vapor irons that is one seventh the weight of steel. This allowed Nike engineers to redistribute weight more towards the perimeter to boost forgiveness. We took a closer look at the Vapor Flex driver at the world-first Nike Performance Fitting Centre at Archerfield. 

Details: Flex driver lofts 8.5° – 12.5° adjustable; Diamana S+ 60G (Blue Board) shaft as standard, RRP £349.99. All Vapor woods are available Jan 31st, 2015. www.nikegolf.eu