Equipment Review: Nickent Golf 3DX Hybrid Iron Set, by Jeffrey Reed

In an industry where performance promises are as common as bogeys, it’s always refreshing when a golf club manufacturer delivers on their promise. Nickent Golf does just that with its 3DX Hybrid Iron set.

In its advertising campaign, Nickent poses the question regarding its 3DX, “The longest iron in the history of golf?” Nickent may not be far off in asking this question, if for no other reason than the setup of its set: the lofts are stronger, for more distance. Yet, the club design permits the same ball flight as with a typical club. “These are not only the longest irons, they are the most efficient,” says Nickent.

I like the humour incorporated in Nickent’s advertising: “Warning: please read before striking. This is not your average iron set.” Then there’s this one: “Welcome to the fountain of youth!”

It was no coincidence that on the day I put Nickent’s 3DX Hybrid Iron set to the test, I was nursing an elbow flare-up. I was correct in thinking that the UST SpeedRated (SR) 2 Gram-Weight Fitting shaft system would be a little easier on the elbow. While the 3DX set is available with True Temper ST-90 steel shafts, maximum distance is available with graphite, so I put aside my steel shafts in the interest of researching Nickent’s long-ball claim.

No doubt about it, these are the longest game-improvement irons I have hit to-date, and here’s why. First, there’s the loft issue. The 3DX 5-iron has a loft of 22E – a traditional 5-iron is lofted at 27E. Irons 6 through 9 in the 3DX set are all stronger, too. A 3DX 10-iron has the loft of a pitching wedge. A gap wedge and sand wedge are sold separately.

Distance through stronger irons and explosive graphite shafts are just the beginning for the 3DX irons. Nickent’s John B. Hoeflich has designed a club that is long, high, soft and forgiving. Cast from 431 stainless steel, the 3DX boasts a thing, strong face for a high COR for faster ball speed. Hitting these clubs, I did notice an elevation in my ball speed. Twenty grams of weight are saved from the face, and redistributed in two perfectly balanced tungsten-polymer fused (XW) inserts on the back of the clubhead.

Moving 20 g of weight to the back of the blade, and widening the sole, makes the 3DX easy to launch, and easy to hit from a variety of lies, hence the hybrid tag. The only shot I found difficult to control with these clubs was the Tiger-type stinger, since these clubs (combined with the graphite shafts) are designed for a high trajectory. But let me tell you this: these clubs are pin hunters, and land the pill softly, too, thanks to the XW inserts which dictate that weight is spread to the extreme heel and toe. Plus, Nickent’s U-Grooves are matched to the centre of gravity for ideal spin rate under all conditions – extremely important when you are using graphite shafts.

Instead of leaving the 3DX iron cavity back hollow, Nickent wisely inserts a 5 g carbon composite cap. This allows for weight distribution to the tungsten weights, and also provides a very soft feel and lessening of shock at impact – good for the ‘ole elbow. In fact, this composite back doesn’t look too high tech for even a player’s bag.
Even players are counting hybrids amongst their arsenal these days, and why not? Have you tried hitting a 2-iron lately, after abandoning it for a hybrid? I have, and it wasn’t pretty. In fact, Nickent has enjoyed incredible success with its hybrids on the Nationwide Tour, and both the LPGA and PGA tours are seeing Nickent 3DX hybrids help pros win tourneys.

The 3DX Hybrid Iron set allows for the inclusion of a #3 and #4 hybrid – Nickent’s 3DX DC Utility club, one of the prettiest hybrids I’ve played. Here’s the real beauty of these clubs: the shaft length feels perfectly matched for the clubhead, not always the case in hybrid clubs.

The 3DX DC Utility club has a wider body for higher launch and more spin, compared to Nickent’s 3DX Ironwood hybrid. The DC Utility club sets up more like a fairway wood, and is best used in as sweeping fashion (rather than hitting down on the ball). I found this to be the case, as the ball launched high and landed softly, just like it did with the irons in this set. The 15E 3-iron replacement hybrid, and 17E 4-iron replacement provide plenty of punch.

Like the irons, the hybrids are available with graphite and steel shafts. I highly recommend graphite shafts with any of your hybrids – it only makes sense with this type of club.

Nickent has a real winner with the 3DX Hybrid Iron set, and they’re affordable, too. For more information, visit the company website, www.nickentgolf.com.