Given its success in the ball market and recent launches of irons, wedges, and putters, it’s not totally surprising that Vice would venture into metalwoods – and more specifically, the driver market.
New to the USGA conforming list are a pair of Vice Golf drivers – Wunderkind VGD01 and Wunderkind VGD01+ (somewhere Nathan Shelley is smiling).
As always, the USGA doesn’t provide any technical details, so we’re working off the assumption that the “+” will be the lower spinning option. That’s based on the lofts listed by the USGA. The Wunderkind VGD01+ is available in 9° and 10.5°, while the standard VGD01 is offered in 10.5° and 12° options.
Markings listed include “German Engineering” (are we doing that again?), Vice Alignment Mark, LASER GRID, and “GPS coordinates”: on the face. I can’t wait to hear what that’s all about.
No additional information is available at this time, but given Vice’s other offerings, it’s a reasonable bet that the new Wunderkind drivers will be more affordable than mainstream options, targeting average and recreational golfers.
The Risk Factor
Vice has been tremendously successful in the golf ball category. Best estimates position it as the biggest DTC ball brand, and their products have a well-earned reputation for performance and value.
However, reviews on their clubs have been mixed. Entering the driver market strikes me as particularly risky. If the club performs well, it can only help the brand, but making a competent – let alone top-performing – driver is significantly more difficult than producing other golf equipment. If the Wunderkind drivers can’t compete alongside the biggest names in golf, it could potentially diminish the perception of Vice’s ball offerings moving forward.
I’m curious to see how this plays out.
There’s no word on availability yet, but we assume it won’t be long before these drivers hit the market. We’ll share additional details as they become available.
Until then, would you be interested in trying a Vice driver?
Philip Vanwinkle
12 months ago
I have the vgd01+ it’s not that great. It is very cheap sounding and settings are lacking.