Reviewed by: Bryan2 ,  Shoots in the 90s

Model Reviewed:
Orlimar VT 830 3 & 5 Wood

Summary:
I am a new golfer and wanted to upgrade my old knock off woods. I never used them as they were hard to control. This set was used on ebay for next to nothing and since they matched my driver I gave them a shot.

WOW. The 3 is now my go-to club when I need distance and accuracy. It shoots the ball like a lazer beam 200 yards on an easy swing. They have taken at least 3 strokes off my game on long holes.

I can tell a bit of difference between the high and low loft cartriges at the range but not enough to bother making a change durring a round. Maybe if it was really windy.

To me, hitting the green on a 200 yard approach shot is more impressive than a long drive and these clubs deliver.

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Reviewed by: darnold ,  Shoots in the 90s

Model Reviewed:
VT 830

Summary:
I bought this club (5 wood/stiff Olimar Shaft) in excellent condition used from Golf Galaxy for $45 with the cartridges ,bag, and everything else. This is THE best wood out and in my analysis is very similar in top and bottom profile to the Jesse's new Bobby Jones woods that have been voted the best out.

The sole concaves downward to a thin point which keeps it from getting snagged in the turf, thereby increasing playability and consistency from almost any lie. The cartridges don't affect ball flight for me too much (I tend to hit a medium high to high 3 iron) but they DO seem to affect SIDE SPIN. When I utilize the high trajectory cartridge I get a very pronounced draw, as a result I use the low trajectory cartridge as standard. I also replaced the standard size grip for a large one on this club after awhile, both because of my large hand size (even though I am only 5' 8" AND to try and help to limit the draw some (which it did).

Believe the advertised COR rating of the face. The face is HOT!!! This club easily added 20 HONEST yards over my previous 4 wood (Nickent GHP) and I actually LIKE the sound that it makes and the FEEL is more like my forged MP 29's or my driver (which has a forged face), nice and soft.

The crown paint is a little fragile and I have noticed some marks on the face, but the same can be said for my Callaway GB2 415 and no one thinks that this isn't a high quality club.

While the distance is great the real issue is accuracy and good ball flight and the VT 830 has it in spades. It is simply THE BEST fairway wood out, except for maybe the new Bobby Jones. Until the VT 830 the older Taylor Made 200 was my standard bearer because of its consistent accuracy and ease to hit with the Nickent that I had being second. The new crop of fairway woods has grown too large in size and therefore tend to be less consistent in being able to control the club and get the most out of them, this is why so many players are going to the utility clubs with their smaller heads.

The VT 830 raises the bar a definitive notch, say from a 4.5 to a 5.5 on a 5 scale over the TM 200 (which was better than the 300)!!! This club makes up for a lot of inconsistency in your swing from round to round and hole to hole much like a smaller head utility club, in part because of its smaller, more compact head profile. The ball flight is like a laser, strong, powerful and accurate and it's easy to hit. With this club you don't have to be a great ball striker to get consistent results.

Typical distance off of a tee for me is 240 yards and I typically use it on tight, dogleg par 4's that average 270-370 yards or of course on par 5 holes where a mis-hit will still get me great yardage. What is really nice is that off of the fairway or from the rough it is still typically within 10-15 yrds. of its tee distance which only adds to its immense playability and my confidence.

All of which REALLY help to make it a "go to club" when you are in trouble or having a bad round.

I average between 260-280yrds for my 11 degree driver on our rather flat, Illinois fairways. Due to the VT 830's excellent and consistent playability, accuracy and distance I don't feel the need for a 3 wood, but if I did I would make it a VT 830.

Customer Service:
I called them once to see if there was an instruction manual for the club (it had the little information tags on it) and they told me that they were sold out and that the tags were all that came with the club.

Their website doesn't even list the VT 830 anymore even though this club was just on the infomercials about 2 years ago. This doesn't exactly creates confidence in Olimars' support and customer service but at least they answered the phone. LOL!

In fact, I'm not sure that Jesse Ortiz is with Olimar anymore, it wouldn't surprise me if he sold the company or retired to do one off projects like the Bobby Jones fairway wood series.

Similar Products Used:
Taylor Made 200, 300 series. Nickent Super GPH. Callaway Heaven Wood. Mizuno T-zoid and utility club. None of them compare to the VT 830.