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Test driving the latest high-tech drivers Six of the latest offerings them a whack to see what they are about

Nike VR-S Driver

Of course it’s a cliché, but technology really can be a wonderful thing. It allows us mere mortals to pop a long drive out there like a pro, even with off-center hits, bad swings and awful technique. Technology not only makes up for our shortcomings, it can be set up to conquer those failings. It has certainly come a long way since the days of the King and the Bear, battling it out with technique and accuracy being tested on every shot with (by today’s standards) incredibly inferior equipment.
Today’s drivers are no longer purely the #1 in the bag, they are sleek and sexy, they are race cars, a persona of oneself, customizable, fitted, adjustable — they can do just about everything to raise your game. We took six of the latest offerings down to the range here in Tokyo and gave them a whack to see what they are about.

NIKE VR-S

¥58,800
NIKE VR-S

Features
Adjustable head with eight settings. Lofts: 8.9. 9.5, 10.5, 11.5

First impression
Understated, but going about its business, which I like. The VR-S looks every inch a Nike club. Its sleek shape and con- touring design for me are second to none, and it sits up well at address.

Feel
The new contours of the head are optimized to reduce drag, and the varying metal thickness on the face helps off-center shots, which actually works really well. I loved the sound at impact — it really is like no other!

Performance
Adjustment makes a huge difference in this club, with a vari- ety of ball trajectory options. One adjustment and I was able to get a very consistent penetrating ball flight. This is a good solid club, and probably the best driver from Nike so far.

Callaway Razr fit series

¥43,000
Callaway Razr fit series

Features
Adjustable hosel, sole weights to adjust the center of gravity. Lofts 8.9, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5

First impression
The shape of the ‘composite forged’ club head is nice, slightly elongated at the back, which makes you feel it will pack a punch.

Feel
I didn’t find this club as responsive as I would have thought, I couldn’t tell where on the face I made contact until I looked for the mark — maybe because of the composite material? I did like the sound though, which was a nice high tone.

Performance
It’s a decent club and I hit it well, but I feel a bit disappointed with the innovation. For Callaway’s first adjustable offering, the RZR Fit is not very different from its competitors.

Taylormade R11-S

¥45,000
Taylormade R11-S

Features
Rotating hosel (eight settings), sole plate (five set- tings) and moveable weights. Lofts: 9.5, 10

First impression
The R11 last year set the golf world in a tizzy combining the white head and black face look with serious adjustability. This year Taylormade has added an adjustable sole plate, adding a whopping 32 more combinations than the R11, which makes it the most adjustable club on the planet. They are certainly pushing the envelope with the technology and setting the bench mark for adjustability. First impression: it looks seriously high-tech.

Feel
It has the signature Taylormade feel, very easy to hit, good balance and responsive.

Performance
With over 80 setting combinations, I spent more time fid- dling than actually hitting it, but I think an average golfer who gets this properly fitted can get a lot from the tee with this club — even if it means covering up your mistakes rather than fixing a swing fault.

Taylormade RBZ

¥36,000
Taylormade RBZ

Features
Adjustable hozel, adjustable loft (±1.5 degrees). Lofts: 9.5, 10.5

First impression
The RBZ, short for ‘Rocketballz’, not only caused a stir with its crazy name, it also got acclaim for it’s perfor- mance from both tour players and amateurs. It looks very similar to the R11 looking down on the crown. The slightly cheaper cousin of the R11-S has all of the Taylormade characteristics and is nicely styled with a white head with green graphics on the side.

Feel
The weight seems slightly lighter than the R11, and it feels like you can generate a lot of speed with this club.

Performance
This for me was better than the R11-S. It has a different feel as you come down in your swing, and the centrifugal force is very centered on this club, almost like the club was on rails. It has a very lively response at impact too; a great performer.

Tourstage X Drive 707

From ¥57,000
Tourstage X Drive 707

Features
Adjustable hosel, sole weights to adjust the center of grav- ity. Lofts: 8.5. 9.5, 10.5

First impression
This driver has plenty of adjustability, with hosel and weight adjustment op- tions. It looks fairly boxy on set up, but I can see this inspiring a high handicap- per with confidence, as it is quite hefty.
 

Feel
For me this club was not the most responsive. I didn’t really like the sound either, which was a bit dull. However, I was hitting it well, with each drive straight, and I do respect the Bridge- stone engineering, which has always been impressive.

Performance 
It was a good performer, and if it could match the Nike’s or Taylormade’s responsiveness and bring the price down slightly, I can see it being popular abroad as well as here in Japan.

Piranha 460

¥39,900
Piranha 460

Features
Lofts: 6,8,9,10

First impression
Piranha has adopted a traditional tear drop shape with black head and tita- nium face. On first inspection, it looks like a very solidly built club. The various advanced materials — titanium and carbon — are attractively styled in the brand’s trademark yellow and black.

Feel
With a neutral setting, the club lacks any kind of DIY adjustment capability, but that said it is incredibly easy to hit. It’s a solid driver that performs well even with a slower head speed. A nice sound off this driver too, cracking rather than thudding.

Performance
I like the simplicity of this driver, the large face makes it easy to get good contact with the ball and it is simple and effective. It would be nice to have some adjustability too, but Piranha does offer customization for custom- ers, so you can get what you want (if you know what you want).

Cobra ZL

¥54,000
Cobra ZL

Features
Adjustable hosel with three settings: C,O and N. Lofts: 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5

First impression
The shape of this club head, combined with the cobra branding in the center (used as a line-up guide), is very classy. The white version of the ZL is very smart looking indeed.

Feel
This club feels different from any other Cobra driver in the past. It’s exciting and the Voodoo shaft gives a great feel on impact.

Performance
I liked this club; with the stiff shaft it really went well. I also liked the responsiveness — it tells you when you are doing the right thing. It might not be the most suitable for the higher handicappers I feel, but with the adjust- ability there, it could perhaps be fitted to anyone’s game.

Ping i-20

¥44,100
Ping i-20

Features
Tungsten sole weights. Lofts: 8.5. 9.5, 10.5

First impression
The first thing you notice about this club is the matte black finish. Add to this a black face with the grooves coloured white and a black shaft as standard and you have a very Batman-esque club. The club is also noticeably smaller than most at just over 114cm, which actually makes you feel
in control. The head is a traditional tear shape and sits fairly square at address.

Feel
With two heavy tungsten weights in the sole creating a very low-spin and low- trajectory ball flight, this club definitely takes lower and more penetrating lines with quite a lot of run on the fairways, which I quite liked. The sound is very nice too, a solid whack, but not too loud.

Performance
It is a great performer; definitely made with the lower handicapped golfer in mind. If you are looking for a more simple, lower and penetrating ball flight, then this could be the club for you. No adjustability will undoubtedly get a raised eyebrow from a few, however that is not what this club is about, and I don’t think it needs adjustment in the right hands.

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