Golfing News & Blog Articles
Can Vice Golf Fit You For A Putter Online?
Is it possible to get accurately custom-fitted for clubs online? Vice Golf believes it is.
When I first read about Vice Golf’s fitting program, I completely missed the point. I thought it was all about customization. My initial plan was to use the Vice Golf website and design a custom putter that they would then build for me.
I’ve worked on projects like this before and I was curious, as always, to see how the in-hand Vice putter compared to the computer rendering.
As it turned out, customization was only a small part of Vice’s online program.
Vice Golf does allow you to create a custom putter on their site but, more importantly, they can actually fit you for a putter, all from the comfort of your favorite digital screen.
Vice Golf’s partnership with HIO
Last summer, our beloved John Barba told the story of how HIO and Vice Golf became partners. Click that link and read the tale. It’s entertaining and informative.
For those of you looking for the short version, here you go. Vice Golf and HIO are both based in Munich, Germany. HIO is Europe’s premier brand-agnostic club fitter. They have fitted thousands of amateur golfers into clubs, preserving all of that fitting data in an ever-growing database along the way.
In 2023, HIO partnered with Vice Golf which was moving into the club production business. Joining forces with HIO allowed Vice Golf to build their clubs taking the HIO fitting data into account. At the same time, HIO was able to expand their reach into Vice Golf’s rapidly expanding customer base.
The logic was sound. If you are a ball company that wants to make clubs, partner with someone that knows about clubs. If you are a fitter who is also getting into club building, brand recognition could be the difference between success and failure.
Now that we are a couple of years into the Vice Golf and HIO partnership, consumers are reaping the rewards of their collaboration.
When you follow the “Fitting and Customization” tab on the Vice Golf website, you’ll be able to get fitted online not just for putters but balls, wedges and irons as well.
Today, I’ll share my putter and ball fitting experiences with you. If you are good, I’ll return in the near future to let you know how it went with wedges and irons.
Answer some questions, find your fit
At the center of the Vice Golf fitting process are questions. You answer some questions about your game and the computer will determine your ideal club build. The process is extremely easy.
The consumer-facing side of the interface is simple but the non-consumer side is far from simple. When you answer your questions about your game, the fitting system searches the extensive HIO fitting database, applying your answers to their data.
The process is simple but the end product is based upon tens of thousands of recorded fittings.
Dave’s Vice Golf putter fitting
Before you read my answers, why don’t you head over to the Vice Golf Putter Fitting page and answer the fitting questions yourself. (Make sure you come back, though.)
Welcome back!
Now that you have looked at the questions and hopefully answered them yourself, I’ll share my answers.
Vice putter fitting: Questions and answers
Is putting one of your strengths? Yes On average, how many putts per round do you play? 30-34 Which green speed do you normally play on? Medium Which type of greens do you normally play on? I play at different courses Which type of putter do you prefer? not sure Which type of stroke do you prefer? neutral/reduced rotation Do you tend to miss putts to a certain side? not sure Do you feel comfortable with short (1-2 yards/meters) putts? Yes Do you feel comfortable with long (5-8 yards/meters) putts? Yes, position the ball well. What is your height? 5’11”-6’1” How would you describe your setup when putting? slightly bent Where do you place the ball in your setup? slightly forward toward left foot How do you prefer your putter to feel? light Which grip style do you prefer? Midsized How do you grip your putter? ConventionalPutter recommendation: Vice VGP01, tour grip, 120g shaft, 35”, +1° loft, +1° lie
The putter fitting could stop there…
Once you answer all the questions, Vice Golf runs your answers through the HIO database and determines your build. From there, all you need to do to order your putter is click the link on the results page and your specs will transfer over to the product page.
If you are not totally confident with the computer’s build specs, Vice Golf also offers free 30-minute fitting appointments with a club specialist. If there are aspects of your putter that you feel the questions didn’t quite cover, you can address them with the fitter.
Remember that Vice is located in Germany. If you are a West Coast guy like me, you may need to get up early for your appointment.
Once you have established your specs, you can apply them to a stock putter or you can add additional cosmetic customizations.
Customizing the Vice Golf VGP01
You know I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to customize the VGP01.
I think I spent more time exploring customization options than on the fitting. That speaks to the ease of the fitting process and also my ridiculous need to explore all cosmetic options.
After many permutations, I decided to let the optional Oktoberfest headcover drive my aesthetic choices.
Prost!
In-hand impressions of the Vice Golf VGP01 putter
Prior to the VGP01’s arrival, I had never held a Vice Golf putter. I had seen enough photos to know Vice Golf’s putters were unique designs but I had no clue how it would be in person.
The first thing that jumped out at me was the quality of the putter. The milling is amazing. Not only are all the edges clean and crisp but the topographic milling on the bottom of the putter is an amazing aesthetic.
The other surprise for me was the size of the VGP01. It was much wider than I expected it to be. I suppose the 390g head weight should have clued me in. Here is how it compares to the new Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 2.
To my eye, the VGP01 is a combination of a Newport/Anser and an Odyssey #9. With the neck and head weight, I’d say that it leans more towards mallet than blade.
Rolling the VGP01
My initial impression after rolling a few balls was that the head felt heavy. This came as no surprise as the VGP01 weighs about 40 grams more than my usual putter. After practicing with it for a while, the weight became more comfortable.
Initially, I missed quite a few balls right with the VGP01. This, too, was expected since the toe hang is deeper than I probably need for my stroke. Once again, after some extended practice and targeting adjustments, the VGP01 proved to be quite accurate.
For a first putter offering, the Vice VGP01 is a fine putter. Remember, it was a solid performer in this year’s Most Wanted Blade trials.
Don’t you need to hit something with that new putter?
Since Vice Golf has historically been a golf ball company, it makes sense that they also have an online ball fitting system. As with the putter fitting, ball fitting is accomplished by answering questions, with the fitting database interpreting those answers and suggesting the correct ball.
Here are the fitting questions and my answers.
Vice ball fitting: Questions and answers
What is your gender? – male How long have you been playing golf? – >7 years What’s your average round? – 83-90 What’s your favorite ball color? – no preference but love crazy designs How far do you hit your 7 iron (carry)? – 140-155 How far do you hit your driver (total)? – 230-260 Would you rather add 10 yards off the tee, or reduce ball dispersion by 10 yards off the tee? – 10 yards distance How happy are you with your spin in the short game? – more spin would help What’s more important to you when selecting a ball? – performance Please rank the ball characteristics by preference (top = most important) Distance-Control-Spin-Feel-PriceVice Golf Ball Fitting Results: Vice Pro Air (or Vice Pro)
The Air was unexpected
I expected the recommendation to be the Vice Pro so the Vice Pro Air came as a bit of a surprise. My current ball is the Titleist ProV1x Left Dash which I play specifically because it launches lower off the tee.
The Vice Pro Air is a higher-launching ball which seemed like a recipe for me to lose yardage.
Curiosity mandated that I give both of the balls a try. If nothing else, the neon-pink and shade-orange/red would make the balls easier to find if I couldn’t hit them well.
After playing a few rounds with them, the Vice Pro edged out the Vice Pro Air as my favorite. I love the feel of the Vice Pro Air but the Vice Pro was longer off the tee and seemingly more consistent.
The driver distance discrepancy was not as significant as I expected. In the wind or if I hit a high spinny drive, the Vice Pro Air was shorter. In calm conditions and with a good swing, the balls played very similar.
While I loved the neon-pink Vice Pro Air, the shade-orange/red Vice Pro has a truly magnificent look. The blending of orange into red and back to orange is so cool looking. To me, this ball has the ideal blend of fun aesthetics and predictable performance.
Hopefully, Vice comes up with some other shade color combinations. I’ll be trying out that Galaxy Drip colorway if I can ever find them.
Final thoughts on Vice Golf’s online putter and ball fitting
It’s often said that the best things in life are free. I’m sure that statement is referencing important free things like friendship, thoughtfulness and love. Those things are cool but so is a free club fitting.
Vice Golf’s HIO-driven fitting interface lets you get fitted for your putter or your ball for free. Just answer a few questions and maybe have a follow-up conversation (also free) and you are all set.
It’s also worth noting that we are talking about putters that are affordable. The non-customized VGP01 blade is $199.99 and the VGP02 mallet is $249.99. Both of those price points are well below those of other putters that you will find in your local shop.
Speaking of local shops, I wouldn’t be surprised if you find Vice Golf products showing up in your area. While they made a name for themselves as a direct-to-consumer company, Vice Golf is now distributing to retail as well.
Before too long, you may be able to try one of the Vice Golf putters in person.
If you are wondering about the fitting process for Vice Golf irons and wedges, stay tuned. I’ll follow up with that story very soon.
Not to be a tease but I found some of their iron recommendations downright shocking!
To learn more about the Vice Golf fitting process and to see what HIO selects for you, head on over to ViceGolf.com
The post Can Vice Golf Fit You For A Putter Online? appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
