Nike VR_S Forged vs Nike VR_S
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | VR_S Forged loft | VR_S loft | VR_S Forged lie | VR_S lie | VR_S Forged length | VR_S length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 22 | 21 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 38.5 | 39.5 |
| 5 | 25 | 24 | 61 | 61.5 | 38 | 38.75 |
| 6 | 28 | 27 | 61.5 | 62.5 | 37.5 | 38 |
| 7 | 31 | 31 | 62 | 63 | 37 | 37.5 |
| 8 | 35 | 35 | 62.5 | 63.5 | 36.5 | 37 |
| 9 | 40 | 39 | 63 | 64 | 36 | 36.5 |
| PW | 45 | 44 | 63.5 | 64.5 | 35.75 | 36 |
| AW | 51 | 48 | 63.5 | 65 | 35.5 | 36 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- VR_S Forged
- VR_S
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the VR_S Forged is 31° and the VR_S is 31°, identical at the club most golfers compare on, although other clubs in the sets differ. Across the 8 clubs both sets share, the VR_S averages 1° stronger, with the largest gap at the AW (51° vs 48°). The pitching wedges are 45° and 44°; the stronger one leaves a 6° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the VR_S Forged 7-iron sits 1° flatter (62° vs 63°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander; the VR_S 7-iron is 0.5 inches longer (37" vs 37.5").
The VR_S Forged is a players iron and the VR_S a game improvement iron, so they sit 2 steps apart on the forgiveness scale. The VR_S is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The VR_S Forged trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
The VR_S Forged is listed as forged cavity back and the VR_S as investment cast cavity back. With the build method this similar, differences in feel come down to head size, sole width, topline and offset rather than how the heads are made.
Both sets were introduced in 2012, so this is a choice between two models from the same lineup rather than an upgrade: Nike designed them to sit side by side for different players.
Which should you choose?
The VR_S is the stronger-lofted set — up to 3° stronger than the VR_S Forged on matching clubs. Expect longer carry per numbered iron but a flatter descent angle; gapping at the wedge end is where that shows up.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Nike VR_S Forged specs and Nike VR_S specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nike VR_S Forged stronger lofted than the VR_S?
Not at the 7-iron, where both are 31°. Other clubs in the sets differ, so compare the full table above.
What is the loft difference between the Nike VR_S Forged and VR_S?
At the 7-iron the difference is 0° (31° vs 31°). The largest gap on a shared club is 3° at the AW, and 6 of the 8 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the Nike VR_S Forged or the VR_S?
The VR_S. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The Nike VR_S Forged is a players iron, better suited to roughly scratch to 10 handicaps.
Do the Nike VR_S Forged and VR_S have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Nike VR_S Forged is 62° lie and 37 inches, the VR_S 63° and 37.5 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
Shop both models
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