Equipment
The Nike VR_S Family
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By Zak Kozuchowski, GolfWRX Staff Writer
Golfers spend countless hours on the range trying to learn how to hit their clubs further and make their approach shots land softer.
That’s why Tom Stites, director of product creation for Nike golf clubs, has spent years developing equipment that helps golfers accomplish those goals.
The pursuit of perfection is never complete, but Nike has made strides toward creating an line of products that aren’t just good looking, but perform well on shots that aren’t struck in the middle of the face.
Nike’s VR_S series — a line of drivers, woods, hybrids and irons, are all about increasing the ball speed of all shots.
“Without ball speed, there is no component of distance,” Stites said. “We know the equation, E=MV2. If we can increase the ball speed even a little amount it gets squared [in the equation]. So six years ago, we started an internal project where we tried to flatten out the .083 COR limit across the face.”
Stites said that better players who miss shots a little bit will see improvements from the VR_S line, but it’s players who miss the sweet spot often who will see the greatest benefit from the new line.
Even though the VR_S Forged Irons were not initially designed with Tour players in mind, the company has had quite a few of its staff players turn to the VR_S forged long irons instead of long irons and hybrid because they can hit them further and make them land softer. Tiger Woods is one of those players, who has recently been playing with a VR_S forged 3 iron (bent to 2 iron specs) as a replacement for his Nike muscle back 2 iron.
“I don’t think we’ll see a max exodus from hybrids, but it gives our players more options,” Stites said.
Nike will unveil its VR_S series across the country at “Speed Trials,” a marketing campaign at Nike demo days and select retailers across the country. Stores like Golf Galaxy, Golf Smith, Worldwide golf, PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE and Golf Town will offer Speed Trial fittings at weekend demo days throughout the year, as well as VR_S giveaways and the chance to play golf with Nike athletes.
Equipment
Odyssey extends Damascus Milled lineup with 3 new putters
Odyssey Golf announced Tuesday that the already popular Damascus Milled putter lineup is getting more options.
Initially launched back in April, only in a Damascus Milled #7 head (in plumbers or double bend configurations), the family grows to four with a One Wide, Two and Rossie S shape, all available in the second limited-edition drop at retail on June 6th.
“Damascus Steel is a beautiful material, and the patterns tell the story, because every one is different” said Odyssey General Manager, Jacob Davidson. “But what stands out is that as beautiful as these putters are, the feedback from Tour has been the exceptional feel of these putters. We wanted to deliver the most premium performance-driven putter we’ve ever done at Odyssey. When you look at this product, we have so much confidence because there is not one thing we’d do different. On this one we really took our time over the last couple years to try to perfect the design.”
Created from a layered construction of multiple steel alloys, this Damascus Steel insert is forged, folded and pressed to create a unique, striking pattern in every piece. Think of it like a fingerprint. Each Damascus construction comes with its own 1-of-1 style pattern. No offerings will ever look the same.
The layered structure, combined with a specialized heat treatment, delivers a finely tuned, highly responsive feel different from other insert materials. The Damascus steel is audibly different compared to other inserts, potentially with slightly more feedback. Odyssey also uses AI-designed back contours to maintain consistent ball speed across the face, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern tech.
Each head in the line is precision-milled from stainless steel and features a blasted silver finish to complement the Damascus insert and sole plates.
With Tour feedback, Odyssey has also developed, in collaboration with Golf Pride, a grip featuring meticulously crafted edges, pistol shaping and a classic modern tour feel.



Equipment
L.A.B. Golf launches new VZN.1i putter
L.A.B. Golf has been the pioneer when it comes to Lie Angle Balanced putters for years now. When you talk to another golfer and zero torque putters comes up, as it will since it is the hottest thing in golf, the first brand out of their mouthes is L.A.B. Golf. Currently their putter line up has something for every golfer, wether your like blades or mallets. But the company has a new creation for golfers that we saw out on tour just a few weeks ago and is now available to us, the VZN.1i putter.

One of the big stories with the new VZN.1i putter is alignment in the form of the shape. L.A.B. has always given us plenty of alignment options in their putters with different line formations and shapes that can be laser etched onto the top of the putter. With this new design they used the shape of the head and the open cavity in the middle to help enhance the alignment for players. These shapes help players lock into their intended line to improve accuracy and concistency.
“VZN.1i was approached formulaically by combining everything we’ve learned from the success of previous L.A.B. Golf models into a familiar mallet shape that’s easy on the eyes and even easier to putt with,” said Cameron Day, Senior Vice President of Product at L.A.B. Golf. “Every L.A.B. putter is engineered to roll the ball on its intended line through Lie Angle Balance technology. With VZN.1i, we took things a step further by simplifying another critical aspect of putting: alignment.”

Like most of the other L.A.B. mallet putters the VZN.1i is machined from a solid block of aluminum and features a 303 stainless steel face insert. Steel face inserts on all L.A.B. putters not only enhance the sound and feel but they improve ball speed for better distance control. The new shaping also offers two ways of picking up your ball, using the sole or the rear flange can scoop up the ball. The company is offering the VZN.1i with a 1.5 degree forward shaft lean or a vertical shaft option in order to fit more golfers. Each VZN.1i is hand balanced and 10 other stages before it is complete and ready to ship. L.A.B. has its custom program where the golfer can select their length and lie but also head color, shaft upgrades, and grips to make their VZN.1i fit them perfectly.

The VZN.1i is available now starting at $499 for stock models and $599 for custom.
Equipment
2026 Edition: Most comfortable walking shoe? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, one user has asked a question sure to interest all sorts of golfers. What’s the most comfortable walking shoe of 2026?
@RobDMB posed the following question:
“Looking for suggestions/recommendations on the currently available most comfortable walking shoes – preferably waterproof. Essentially looking for something comfortable like a running shoe, but with some stability and waterproof for golf. Decent room in toe box as well. Any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!”
Our members in the forum have been sharing their own recommendations on the best walking shoes that can also survive a number of golf rounds. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- SheriffBooth: “To check all your boxes I’d vote for whichever of the current Nike lineup fits your feet the best. Obviously the Victory Pro 4 and Victory Tour 4 are good enough for the two best players in the world, but the new Pegasus, Next% Tour 3, and Tempo all look really good too.”
- i*windows: “when I had issues with my feet I played in Asics running shoes they were a little bit like the hoka’s above, very comfortable, now I’m back to Ecco shoes which are great.”
- mshills: “Everyone’s feet are different so this will be a long list of lots of different shoes. For me, anything from Ecco’s Biom lineup. Nothing else comes close.”
Entire Thread: “2026 Edition: Most Comfortable Walking Shoe?”
If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!
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Gifted Golfer
Jan 26, 2012 at 12:16 pm
I look forward to seeing it come to retail.
Frank
Jan 26, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Probably meant KE=1/2mv^2
Gfunk
Jan 26, 2012 at 11:16 am
In another thread I saw a picture from the PGA conforming site showing a VRs Tour model that appeared to be a bit smaller. Do you know if that will come to retail?