Nickent Fairway Woods
The differences between Nickent's 2007 fairway wood models begin with one that's obvious to the naked eye: the 4DX utilizes the tungsten polymer XW inserts that help the manufacturer reposition weight, lower the center of gravity and increase the MOI; the 3DX Pro FW does not.
That difference leads to different playing characteristics, the 3DX Pro FW, as its name implies, is designed for better players who prefer a lower, more boring trajectory and less spin. The 4DX is a more forgiving club that helps the golfer achieve a higher launch and higher trajectory with more spin.
- 3DX Pro FW: The 3DX Pro FW comes in three lofts, 3-plus (12 degrees), 3-wood (14 degrees) and 5-wood (18-degrees). It is being marketed as a limited-quantity "prototype," with the headcover and shaft both marked "prototype." As noted above, the 3DX Pro FW is for better, higher-swing-speed golfers who prefer a lower launch and more penetrating ball flight.
- 4DX: If the 3DX Pro FW is for better players, the Nickent 4DX fairway metal is for the rest of us. Available in five lofts, from 13 degrees to 21 degrees (going up in 2-degree increments), the 4DX offers a higher MOI and larger sweet spot for more forgiveness.
Nickent Hybrids
The two new-for-2007 Nickent hybrids are the 4DX Ironwood and 4DX Utility. Both are multimaterial hybrids with a titanium crown just four-tenths of a millimeter thick, brazed onto a stainless steel body in order to optimize weighting characteristics.
Both clubs have deeper faces and higher COR ratings than previous Nickent hybrids, in addition to the thinner crowns. The company's patented brazing process saves weight, and, the company says, improves sound and feel compared to other methods of joining multimaterial heads.
Compared to the 3DX DC models, the 4DX models' crowns are nearly four times less in weight, and around 50 grams of weight has been saved and repositioned compared to the original 3DX models. The weight saved is moved around through the XW Inserts made of tungsten polymer, which also help reduce vibration.
The result is that the 4DX models spin less, with more penetrating ball flights, than Nickent's previous generation 3DX hybrids.
The 3DX DC hybrids remain in the Nickent lineup for golfers who prefer a higher trajectory with more spin. Nickent calls the 4DX hybrids the "option for players who trap the ball and need a little more launch and spin."
- 4DX Ironwood: Compared to the 4DX Utility, has a more compact head and a lower trajectory. Lofts start at 14 degrees and go to 29 degrees, with a club every 1.5 degrees, so 10 Ironwoods total. This is the iron-replacement hybrid.
- 4DX Utility: Compared to the 4DX Ironwood, has a larger head and a higher ball flight. This is the fairway wood replacement. Five lofts are available, starting at 13 degrees and going to 21 degrees in 2-degree increments.
Which version is best for you? Nickent suggests asking yourself what type of club you'd normally hit from 175 yards. If the answer is an iron, then the 4DX Ironwood is recommended; if the answer is fairway wood, then the 4DX Utility is recommended.
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