Key highlights
- Aesthetic appeal and build quality: Testers praised the VGI01 and VGI02 irons for their sleek, modern look and high-quality construction. The distinct designs of each model were complimented with the VGI01 standing out for its minimalist elegance and the VGI02 for its more forgiving profile.
- Forgiveness and playability: The VGI01 irons provided more control and workability, making them suitable for lower handicappers, while the VGI02 irons offered forgiveness and consistency, appealing to a wider range of golfers.
- Distance and accuracy: Testers experienced consistent distance gains with both sets with the VGI02 providing greater forgiveness on off-center hits and the VGI01 delivering better accuracy and shot shaping.
- Feel and feedback: Both models were praised for their feel with the VGI01 offering responsive feedback for those who prefer more control and the VGI02 delivering a softer, more forgiving feel for higher handicappers.
First impressions and aesthetic appeal
The Vice Golf irons made an immediate impact on all four testers. Whether it was the VGI01 or VGI02 irons, testers praised the clean and modern designs with each model catering to different player preferences.
Tom the Golf Nut was particularly impressed with the VGI01 irons, describing them as having a “sharp and well-designed look.” He noted that the minimalist design gave off a premium vibe which added confidence at address.
“The VGI01 irons have a very sleek and clean look. They’re simple but feel like high-end clubs. They give you a sense of confidence before even hitting the ball.”
dback echoed this sentiment, adding that the VGI01’s refined look was matched by its performance. For him, the combination of aesthetics and performance made these irons stand out.
“These irons are as good to look at as they are to swing. I love the clean, minimalist design of the VGI01s, and they perform as well as they look.”
Meanwhile, gingerbeast87 and Splatt, who tested the more forgiving VGI02 irons, appreciated the slightly larger profile and design elements that catered to higher handicappers. The VGI02 irons maintained a visually appealing look without compromising playability which resonated with both testers.
“The VGI02 irons look great. They have a slightly bigger head than the VGI01, but they don’t feel bulky. The design is clean and confidence-inspiring,” said gingerbeast87.
Performance: Forgiveness and playability
The performance of the VGI01 and VGI02 irons reflected the different needs of the testers with each model excelling in its respective areas.
Tom the Golf Nut, who tested the VGI01 irons, found them to be highly workable, making them ideal for lower-handicap players who prefer more control and shot-shaping abilities. The irons performed well in various situations, giving him the ability to control trajectory and work the ball in different directions.
“The VGI01s are fantastic for players who like to shape their shots. They give you control without sacrificing distance, and you can hit draws or fades with ease.”
For dback, the VGI01 irons struck a balance between forgiveness and workability, allowing him to maintain control while benefiting from consistent performance even on slight mishits.
“These irons provide the right amount of forgiveness for my game while still allowing me to control my shots. They give me confidence, especially on approach shots.”
gingerbeast87 and Splatt found the VGI02 irons to be much more forgiving, making them a great option for higher handicappers or players seeking consistency. Both testers noted that the larger clubhead size and perimeter weighting of the VGI02 irons helped keep the ball in play even on off-center strikes, with Splatt particularly appreciating the consistency in distance and accuracy.
“The VGI02s are much more forgiving, which is perfect for my game. I noticed that even my bad swings were still producing decent results,” said Splatt.
gingerbeast87 echoed this, noting that the forgiveness of the VGI02 irons allowed him to hit more greens in regulation.
“These irons helped me stay more consistent, especially when I didn’t catch the ball perfectly. I’m finding more greens and staying out of trouble with the VGI02s.”
Distance and accuracy
Both sets of irons delivered strong performance when it came to distance and accuracy, with each excelling in different areas.
Tom the Golf Nut and dback, who tested the VGI01, noted that the irons provided solid distance gains without sacrificing accuracy. Tom the Golf Nut found the irons to be long and precise which helped him stay on target even when hitting longer irons into greens.
“The VGI01s gave me impressive distance and accuracy, especially with the long irons. I didn’t lose control even when hitting into the wind, which made a big difference in my approach shots.”
For dback, the accuracy of the VGI01 irons was a standout feature. He appreciated how the clubs allowed him to hit his targets with confidence, especially on approach shots.
“The accuracy of these irons is great. I was hitting my targets consistently, which gave me a lot of confidence as I got closer to the green.”
gingerbeast87 and Splatt, who tested the VGI02 irons, were impressed by the distance and forgiveness. The perimeter weighting of the VGI02 irons allowed for more consistent ball flights and helped the testers maintain distance even on mishits.
“The VGI02s gave me good distance and kept me in play. Even when I didn’t hit the sweet spot, I still managed to get the ball out there with a straight ball flight,” said gingerbeast87.
Splatt agreed, adding that the distance gains helped him on longer holes where his previous irons would have left him further back.
“I was hitting the ball farther than with my old irons, which made a big difference on long par 4s and par 5s. I wasn’t scrambling as much and found myself in better positions to score.”
Feel and feedback
Feel and feedback were important aspects of the testing experience and the Vice Golf irons delivered. Testers appreciated the responsiveness of the irons with each model catering to different preferences.
For Tom the Golf Nut, the feel of the VGI01 irons was one of their strongest features. He found the feedback to be crisp and informative, helping him make adjustments throughout his round.
“The VGI01s feel great. They give you excellent feedback on each shot, so you know exactly where you struck the ball. That’s key for improving consistency.”
dback also appreciated the feel of the VGI01 irons, particularly how responsive they were on full and partial shots.
“The feel is fantastic, especially on half shots or finesse approaches. You really know where you’re making contact.”
gingerbeast87 and Splatt enjoyed the softer, more forgiving feel of the VGI02 irons. Both noted that the irons provided a smooth, cushioned feel on contact, making them more comfortable to hit, especially for higher-handicap players who prioritize forgiveness.
“The VGI02s feel really soft on impact, which I love. They’re forgiving, and they make me feel more confident, especially on mis-hits.”
What they liked
- VGI01 irons:
- Workability and control, perfect for lower-handicap players.
- Crisp, responsive feedback that helps improve accuracy.
- Sleek, minimalist design that instills confidence at address.
- VGI02 irons:
- Excellent forgiveness, ideal for higher-handicap players seeking consistency.
- Consistent distance and accuracy, even on off-center hits.
- Soft feel on impact, providing confidence and comfort throughout the round.
What they didn’t like
- VGI01 irons:
- Some testers felt the irons might not offer enough forgiveness for higher handicappers or players with inconsistent ball striking.
- VGI02 irons:
- A couple of testers mentioned that while the forgiveness was appreciated, they found the VGI02 irons slightly limited in terms of advanced shot-shaping abilities.
Conclusion: Two solid iron options for different golfers
The Vice Golf VGI01 and VGI02 irons each delivered impressive performance tailored to different golfer needs. The VGI01 irons shone in their ability to provide workability and control for lower-handicap players, offering crisp feedback and solid distance gains. The VGI02 irons catered to higher-handicap players, delivering forgiveness, distance and a softer feel on impact, making them ideal for golfers looking for consistency and ease of use.
Whether you’re looking for precision and shot-shaping capabilities (VGI01) or forgiveness and distance (VGI02), Vice Golf’s iron lineup offers something for every type of golfer. The feedback from testers shows that both models are well-built, visually appealing and capable of elevating your game depending on your skill level.
FAQ
Yes, testers found the online fitting accurate and helpful. Tom the Golf Nut shared that the recommended setup matched his needs well, making the online fitting a reliable option.
Yes, especially the VGI02 model, which testers like gingerbeast87 found to be forgiving on off-center hits—great for mid to high handicappers aiming for more consistency.
Testers reported that the irons are well-constructed with a durable finish that held up through rounds and practice sessions. Splatt noted that the quality of the materials and finish made the irons feel premium and resistant to wear.
Yes, testers experienced gains in both. dback noted consistent distance, while Tom the Golf Nut appreciated the irons’ accuracy, helping him confidently aim without concerns about dispersion.