Head-to-Head Driver Test: Nike Vapor Fly Pro v. TaylorMade M1 460
Given the excitement around this year’s Masters, I wanted to do a head-to-head test of the drivers being used by two of the longest golfers at Augusta National this week, Jason Day and Rory McIlroy.
Jason Day, who currently occupies the No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Rankings, uses a TaylorMade M1 460, while Rory McIlroy (No. 3 in the OWGR) uses Nike’s Vapor Fly Pro driver. I was fit for each driver, and tested them on my Foresight GC2 launch monitor with HMT.
In the video above, I offer in-depth analysis of the two different clubs, and the results are very interesting.
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
Club Junkie
Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast
The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.
Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.
If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.
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Club Junkie
Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.
I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
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MikePatron
Aug 6, 2016 at 7:00 am
He is comparing two different drivers in their stock set up. It’s not a club head review, it’s a driver review. Go work on your mulligans. Bunch of keyboard PGA Pro’s
Branden
Apr 12, 2016 at 10:53 pm
I’ve never seen 164 ball speed fly 303 in the air…
Robert
May 4, 2016 at 5:18 pm
I was thinking the same thing. Gotta love juicing up the GC2 numbers to make him look longer than he really is!
Joseph Dreitler
Apr 11, 2016 at 9:40 pm
Interesting. Thanks
fancy
Apr 10, 2016 at 8:33 am
What about testing both heads with the same shaft……..then we can get real result
Sreve
Apr 9, 2016 at 8:16 pm
Those spin rates are a problem when you are out side in the wind???? If you have a weak fad or weak draw which one of those is going to become more a weak slice or a weak hook off the fairways???? Higher spin rate right? I do not know how most of you feel but myself I can spend 30 minutes at Golf Smith hitting drivers and more often then not inside off a launch monitor I hit really straight and as much as 20 yards longer the outside with trees and houses in view???
Joe
Apr 9, 2016 at 8:24 pm
Sounds familiar, I would agree with some others who have posted, Pay and Play what you like, maybe try different flex shafts or lofts for you driver and maybe if your way beyond standard some lie adjustments for your irons other wise pick what appeals to you because if you want to play Ping and the fitter finds Adams are a better fit (inside on monitor) two months down the road your going to be ready to sell the Adams because they are not what you wanted to play….
Sam
Apr 9, 2016 at 4:33 am
Rick, now that there are shaft adapters that fit multiple brands of clubs, why not install one on your favourite shaft and then use the same shaft for all heads in the test?
Oskars
Apr 8, 2016 at 11:36 pm
All drivers in the same category really perform the same to each other now, I think it really just comes down to what shaft works for your swing, club head is irrelevant.
Pat
Apr 9, 2016 at 1:23 pm
Wrong. Certain club heads launch higher and spin more. Dispersion is also somewhat related to club head although it’s mostly the shaft.
Gibb Pete Ahchance
Apr 8, 2016 at 5:36 pm
It’s all about the same stuff these days.
Chris
Apr 8, 2016 at 4:09 pm
When you do an experiment you have to control your variables. In this case you are testing driver heads therefore you should not use different shafts. Why not isolate the shaft and see what head is better?
Brian
Apr 8, 2016 at 1:42 pm
Great stuff again Rick, proves again how much every manufacturer is pretty much maxed out within regulations and it’s really all about getting a shaft to fit your swing.
Would love it if you would do a comparison between older vs newer drivers i.e. TM R7 v M1, Ping G5 v G35, etc. That would really show what progress has been made in past 10 years.
Don
Apr 8, 2016 at 2:41 pm
Ditto What Brian said. It would be interesting to see the progress or lack there of. One thing is for sure the OEM’s have their advertising on point. Again, as many have mentioned though, if it were true, I would be having monster 460 yard drives right now. Ha. Ha. Ha.
mhendon
Apr 9, 2016 at 11:14 pm
I can answer that question. My club head speed hasn’t changed in 15 years the prov1 has been out that long and my driving distance is still the same. 15 years ago I was using a Titleist 975J and now I’m using a Nike vr pro limited. Not the latest and greatest driver but still about 12 years of supposed technology between the two.
Matt Heister
Apr 8, 2016 at 1:14 pm
I thought Nike ‘sucked’….
Goes to show that everyone is making quality products…
If you get fit , everyone can benefit from
Any ‘big 5 or 6’ OEM driver.
Tom
Apr 8, 2016 at 10:29 am
Interesting comparison and data. Next time lets see all out swing.
RosePalmer
Apr 8, 2016 at 8:27 am
Well done! Thank you!