Can I accept something?
You probably should have read this personal review of the new one Vice Golf metal wood again in May or June. It was about time, but I put it off.
Then I pushed it some more.
For a while, I forgot everything, but then I remembered.
And then I pushed it some more.
Hey, if drag was an Olympic sport, I’d be its Mark Spitz. Or Michael Phelps, depending on your generation gg.
Why procrastinate? Very simple, really. My first impression of the knee was that I didn’t like them.
Time, however, can be a great teacher. The last seven months have taught me that I’m not half as smart as I think.
Let me explain.
Vice Golf Metal Wood: Why Negative Knee?
There is a fine line between gut instinct and a rash and hasty judgement. When I tested the new one Vice Golf VGDO1+ Driver, VGF01 3-wood AND VGH01 4-hybrid last May, I was not shocked. Then again, I didn’t submit either.
I guess that means I was drowned. I was also in a hurry and in a hurry.
For some context, the spring was spent testing several iron and metalwood sets. Honestly, they all started to turn into each other. This is why the official testing of MyGolfSpy takes place at the headquarters with a team of testers for several weeks. It takes “club fatigue” out of the equation which keeps testers from worrying.
With winter approaching, I decided to review my test notes for the metal substitute woods. Comments ranged from “the driver feels dead in the crash” to “the hybrid is a hook car.” However, the launch monitor data showed better than expected ball speed, spin and distance.
This is where yours truly dropped the figurative ball. I relied on my initial impressions and didn’t give the Vice Golf metal wood a fair swing, either on the course or in subsequent testing.
What can I say except what the Jesuits taught me at a young age: Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.
My fault, my fault, my worst fault
In September, I gave you top five drivers for under $400. If you remember, Deputy VGD01+ was conspicuously absent. Now, after re-tests, re-evaluations and soul-searching, I still can’t put it on that list.
The reason, however, has nothing to do with performance. It’s about the price. And time. On departure, VGD01+ retails for $399. Sometime over the summer, that price jumped to $449. So technically I can’t put it on the list.
But if I could, I would because it’s a lot better than I gave it credit for.
I’m still not a fan of the sound, but the numbers say it’s another club you can play good golf with. of VGD01+ it’s the lowest-spinning, lowest-release model in the Vice driver stable. It features a more forward center of gravity for a penetrating ball flight and higher ball speed than the standard VGD01 sorry model.
Deputy says that VGD01+ it’s for low to mid handicappers who are willing to sacrifice a little forgiveness to get a little more distance. This comparison, of course, is with the standard VGD01 that sacrifices a little distance for a little more forgiveness.
This analysis is, I would say, accurate, especially compared to other drivers in the category. Vice’s design philosophy for its metal woods and irons is all about light weight. The patterns, based on actual club fit data that Vice has collected over the past 15 years, are on the lighter side. They’re not XXIO-level light, but they’re very playable for those of us who just want to hit the ball a little straighter.
Vice VGF01 freeway and VGH01 hybrid
Elsewhere in September, I told you that when it comes to fairway woods, you have to dig Wilson Dynapower Carbon from my cold, dead hands. Now that I’ve reassessed Vice’s metal woods, I’d say Vice Freeway VGF01at least, he had a band on his hands.
Given the luxury of time and perspective, I’m finding it VGF01 it has the potential to be a real weapon. It’s lightweight, which is great for this sexagenarian, and it’s traction-biased, which has its pros and cons. As with the driver, I’m not overly thrilled with the sound, but as is the case with the driver, it’s not a deal-breaker kind of sound.
The acid test of fairway wood for me is how many times out of 10 shots can I get an acceptable score. I am pleased to say Deputy VGF01 Dynapower is in the neighborhood for this golfer. That’s roughly eight out of 10, if you score at home.
I haven’t consistently played a hybrid for three years now, preferring a utility iron. My problem with hybrids is a common one as I can connect almost any of them from the planet. maybe Deputy CGH01 it was working some kind of teutonic spell on me against the left, but my last test session was one great high and tight draw after another.
Let’s see what the number says
Like many of you, my metalwood swing goes through many moods during a season. There it is Which-way-is-the-f*#%^*king-ball-going-this-time stretch, often followed by Why-the-hell-can’t-I-stop-ducking phase. For every four or five of them, there is a magical one Nuke-Laloosh-breath-from-eyelids-like-a-Galapagos-Island-Lava-Lizard The 14 day period where I am actually the chosen one.
I get two of these a year. Three if I’m lucky.
That being said, golf season is over here in New Hampshire. The snow has fallen and the distance time is hard to come by. These latest release monitor numbers aren’t mid-season, but they are consistent and represent a good baseline for my game.
That said, Deputy VGD01+ it wasn’t very long (216 carries, 239 total, 92 mph swing) but the damn ball just wanted to go right. Rotation averages just over 2,000 rpm with lateral rotation averaging 263 rpm, reflecting consistent baby traction. The launch angle was consistently around 14 degrees and the penetrating ball flight led to many simulated outs.
of Freeway VGF01 was a pleasant surprise, averaging 202 carries and 222 total. Spin was in the 3300 range while side spin was only about 275 rpm with a piss rocket showing only 41 rpm side spin. He launched a simulator chalk at the target line.
Finally, Deputy VGH01 22-speed 4-hybrid it didn’t give me much of my distance Title U505 Serviceable 4-iron (2023 model) but did what hybrids are supposed to do: fly high and land softly. Carry averaged 182 yards, with total distance averaging 189. Spin speed was about 4100 rpm, with 470 rpm side spin.
Yeah, I love me some high draws.
Who are these vice metalwoods for?
ASSISTANT VGD01 AND VGD01+ are the type of drivers that can suit most any “regular” golfer. By regular, I mean a golfer with a swing speed in the 85-100 mph range who wants that incredible smoothness known as the “fairway hit.” There are taller drivers out there, but as the Germans say, it is quite long and straight.
look at it COMPANIONS.
Specifically, if you can’t honestly say you can draw or fade your driver on command every time, Vice’s drivers are worth a look.
If you tend to use the whole face (hey, you paid for it, right?), you’ll find the standard VGD01 to be the more forgiving of the two. If you are a little more consistent in finding the center, VGD01+ it will give you a little more bored. A golfer with a little more swing speed than my 92 mph will likely benefit more from its low-spin tendencies.
ASSISTANT Hybrid VGH01 it’s interesting. Everything around her screamed hook machineuntil I started hitting him. Like her driver brother, VGH01 wants to go straight. I’m definitely not a fan of hybrids, but this one does what you’d want it to do, especially with its easy ride height and steep descent angle.
My favorite of the three is Freeway VGF01. As with the driver and hybrid, it’s not the longest you’ll find in the class, but if you want consistency, repeatability and, well, TOwe can say that it offers all three.
Specifications and price of metal wood substitute
If you want to demo any of the Vice metalwoods, you’re looking to go to a Club Champion facility. Vice is working on more retail availability, but the reality is that for clubs, Vice is a direct-to-consumer brand.
As mentioned, VGD01+ retails for $449 while the standard VGD01 it is $349.00. The 01+ is available in 9.5 and 10.5 degree heads while the standard 01 is available in 10.5 and 12.5. Both have adjustable hoses. The standard shafts are Vice Whiz (made by Aldila) in various weights and, because it’s Vice, it’s available in a standard Shadow Black or a sharper Ocean Blue. Axle upgrades from KBS, UST and Mitsubishi are also available at an additional charge.
of Freeways VGF01 are available in 3-, 5- and 7-wood models with the same shaft options. They cost $249. of Hybrid VGH01 comes in 19-, 22-, and 25-degree models and features the same shaft options. They cost $219.
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