Nike Vapor Fly Fairway Wood Review
On this page you’ll find our detailed assessment of the Nike Vapor Fly Fairway Wood, the pros and cons, and a side-by-side comparison with other fairway woods we have recently reviewed.
We reviewed the Nike Vapor Fly Fairway Wood as part of our Best Fairway Woods Review.
Nike Vapor Fly Fairway Wood
Our Assessment
Pros and Cons
- Exceptionally stable through impact providing very narrow dispersion in shot shape and distance
- Great feedback at impact instantaneously pointing out where you’ve struck the ball on the clubface
- Extensive options in both loft and lie and available in many different lofts making sure you’re covered in options that suit.
- Penetrating ball flight with plenty of carry – beautiful!
- Exuberant color to the Vapor Fly that some people may not be able to get used to
- Not the best feel on off center strikes, but not terrible either.
Key Facts
| Product Details | Nike Vapor Fly Fairway Wood |
|---|---|
| Launch RRP | From $250.00 |
| Gender | Men’s & Ladies |
| Handicap Range | Low – Mid |
| Hand Availability | Right & Left (Right only in 3+, 3HL, 7 wood) |
| Swing Weight | D3 |
| Lie | 57° – 60.5° |
| Loft | 13°, 15°, 17°, 19°, 21° |
| Length | 40.75″ – 43.75″ |
| Shaft Type & Name | Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue 65F, Mitsubishi Diamana S+ Blue Board 70 |
| Grip | Golf Pride Z Grip (Blue or Black) |
| Manufacturers Website | Nike Golf |
Nike Vapor Fly Fairway Wood Detailed Review
Design & Appearance
That striking blue finish with neon yellow detail just like the Nike Vapor Fly Driver. is definitely not for the faint hearted! Available in both men’s and ladies options, the Vapor Fly has a fairly deep clubface that is compact from head to toe.
A deep cutaway in the sole of the club behind the clubface is very noticeable when looking at the club for the first time, but helps playability immensely.
From the aerial point of view it has a rounded shape with neon swoosh on the heel side of the clubhead. A somewhat random mesh effect is evident on the center of the crown that doesn’t serve much purpose at all.
Image Credit: Official Nike Image
Build Quality
Extensive options available in terms of loft, lie and length. Also available in a ladies variation and looks almost identical, which is fantastic.
The lofts range from 13 degrees to 21 degrees and each of these lofts is adjustable up to 1 degree either side of it. So a 13 degree can be tweaked into a 12 degree loft and if you battle with your driver off the tee then this is absolutely perfect for you.
The Flexloft Fairway System also provides an adjustability in lie angle providing standard or upright options. A very clever move from Nike as the upright setting generally promotes a draw shape with the toe sitting slightly higher off the ground than the heel.
A very light crown and along with the Hyperflight face provide great ball speed and carry. The Covert cavity back design spreads weight to the heel and toe for forgiveness. Last of all the FlyBeam structure is used to create a stable body and flexible face.
Control / Feel
The feel and sound are both really good. This has improved from the Vapor Speed model prior and now provides a zingy solidness at impact.
It almost feels as though there’s an electric energy at impact that is ‘moreish!’. Off center strikes don’t feel quite as good, but hey what club does offer great feel when striking it way off the heel or toe!
Having said that, the feedback is brilliant. Instantaneously you know if you’ve struck it one groove too low on the clubface or a tad too high and towards the toe.
The ball flight will also reveal enough about the strike. Even though this club is still forgiving you can see a slight difference in ball flight when you’ve struck it average.
Performance
A penetrating ball flight on each and every shot is great to see. I know you love to see a ball soar through the air and hang there for what feels like forever.
Who doesn’t!? The FlyBeam structure really has a positive effect on the control and face balance at impact. Very sturdy through the impact area, which promotes a straight ball flight right off the bat.
The adjustable hosel is hidden and less noticeable than before. Adjustability options are simple, yet effective and a very clever move Nike has made is only offering the lie angle in either standard or upright.
Why? Well because if you are generally in the standard lie angle bracket and decide on moving to the upright setting, the toe will subsequently be slightly raised off the ground promoting a draw shape if anything. Winner right there!
In terms of distance it is long enough no doubt. Not mind blowing distance, but the ball flight is what makes this fairway wood so appealing.
The ability to attack a shallow par 5 green in two and actually hold the green. And obviously the penetrating ball flight and carry for those narrow Par 4’s or even if trying to scoot one up to the green as close as possible on a long par 5.
A penetrating ball flight is less susceptible to the elements such as wind or even rain and easier to keep on target.
Image Credit: Official Nike Image
Value for Money
At $250.00 this is good value. Forgiving on off center strikes and not losing much distance at the same time. Beautiful penetrating ball flight that is just addictive to watch and admire.
It’s always nice to have the ability to be able to ‘chase’ one down the fairway or come in soft to a shallow par 5 green and the Nike Vapor Fly provides both of these options.
The adjustable hosel provides varied loft settings and lie settings, but keeps it simple so you won’t be confused as to which is best or suited to you personally.
Funky and unconventional in terms of look so if you think you may not be able to get used to it, you’re probably right! You’d be better off with something like the Callaway Great Big Bertha Fairway Wood.
But if looks aren’t THAT important and you’re looking for consistency in a fairway wood and particularly a 3 wood, then the Nike Vapor Fly is a perfect option. Regardless of whether you are a scratch player or 15 handicapper, this will build your confidence each and every time you pull it out the bag.
