Nike Adds SQ MachSpeed Drivers, Fairway Woods to 2010 Lineup

Following hot on the heels of the Victory Red drivers and fairway woods is the SQ MachSpeed drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, and irons, which aim to increase distance by optimizing aerodynamics.

Bag DropAs the new year progresses, the new equipment comes out in full force. The problem is that more often than not, we see what’s being dubbed as the latest and greatest really ends up being just a few improvements over last year’s models. Not that there is anything wrong with that! By all means, if a clubmaker has a good thing going, why mess with it? Nike, on the other hand has been known to push the technological limits with every release and this year is no different.

Sometimes, though, we see a company change their lineup dramatically in terms of both aesthetics and function. Out with the old and in with the new. It looks like Nike has done just that this year with their new drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids. First we saw the Victory Red drivers, which I called the most traditional looking driver Nike (who has been known to make quite a bit of not-exactly-traditional-looking stuff) has ever produced. At the opposite end of the spectrum, we now have their new MachSpeed line. As we all know, appearances can be deceiving though, so lets take a look at these new, aerodynamically enhanced clubs from Nike.

MachSpeed Driver
If you’ve seen Justin Leonard play any time within the past few months, there’s a chance you noticed the latest driver in Nike’s stable, dubbed the MachSpeed. Prior to the Presidents Cup, Leonard’s anticipation to game the new driver was obvious, as he was quoted in saying “This is my new secret weapon. I am hitting it 10-12 yards further and am really excited to put it into play.”

Nike’s engineers shifted gears with the new MachSpeed and put their efforts into one distinct goal – pure speed. More specifically, increase clubhead speed by giving it a more aerodynamic shape so that it cuts through the air with less resistance. Nike has dubbed the new design “Total Swing Aerodynamics” and goes a step further than other aerodynamically-enhanced drivers. By analyzing the swing as a whole, the guys at The Oven have shaped a new head that helps to increase acceleration throughout the club’s full path to and through the ball.

The number one thing that makes the ball go farther is faster ballspeed. We’ve accomplished that through looking at the orientation of aerodynamics throughout the total golf swing, not just a portion of the swing. Optimizing aerodynamics in the total golf swing pulls the clubhead and shaft through the air faster, which leads to more distance. I’ll use a parachute as an example. The wider the parachute is, the slower it comes down because air separates around the parachute and causes drag. The same thing applies to the golf club, but through geometry and Total Swing Aerodynamics, we have been able to minimize the air separation and drag.

Tom Stites, Director of Club Creation, Nike Golf

At first sight, my initial thought was that even though Nike has had some wild designs in the past, this one might take top honors in that category. Upon further inspection, we find that there undoubtedly is a method behind the madness. It turns out, the tapered heel and toe-side aerodynamic PowerBow design work together to allow the head to move smoothly through the air, further optimizing its acceleration to the ball.

Nike MachSpeed - Toe-side PowerBow

The faster the club moves through the air, the more resistance there is from drag. In order to reduce that effect, Nike implemented the sole diffuser design, which keeps the airflow smooth and close to the club.

Nike MachSpeed Sole

Aside from the aerodynamic improvements, there are other key design elements that make the new MachSpeed more than just another umm… pretty face. If you read our coverage of the new VR drivers, you may remember me saying that there was no square version. That’s where the MachSpeed comes in. Though some balk at a square club design, many others praise it for the exceptional amount of forgiveness provided by the additional weighting on the outer edges of the head. Gimmicky, you say? Tell that to Lucas Glover and Stewart Cink, who won the U.S. Open and Open Championship last year with square-headed Nike drivers. Besides, the view from the top is pretty simple this year, as opposed to the visible PowerBow found in previous Nike drivers.

Nike MachSpeed Driver At Address

Also included is the adjustment-friendly STR8-Fit Technology, which is like having a clubfitter available to you at all times. Like 2009’s Dymo STR8-Fit, you have eight different face angle options at your disposal. The STR8-Fit Technology allows you to change the face up to two degrees in any direction, whether you’re trying to open or close the face, or if you need to adjust loft and lie angles.

Nike MachSpeed Driver

The UST SQ ProForce AXIVCore shafts make their return this year as the shaft of choice in the MachSpeed driver. At 45.75″, the shaft is a little long, though is about even with the length of others on the market. Your choices of flex options is normal fare, with A-flex being the softest shaft offered and X-Stiff being the stiffest. Both men’s and women’s versions will be available, with the men’s version coming in lofts ranging from 8.5° up to 11.5°, plus a high launch model for those looking to get the ball up even higher. The women’s MachSpeed is for righties only and comes in an 11.5° and HL models. Each driver also includes the torque wrench used for the STR8-Fit adjustments.

Look for them to be available on March 1st, with a MSRP of $359.99. Like the VR drivers, Nike is offering the Signing Bonus program, which instantly gives you credit to purchase other products from Nike Golf.

SQ MachSpeed Fairway Woods
Like MachSpeed driver, increasing clubhead speed via the use of aerodynamics is the main focus for this new lineup of fairway woods. The Total Swing Aerodynamic Design was incorporated in conjunction with a square headed design to give you an extremely forgiving, exceptionally efficient and very versatile club. Whether you’re taking it off the tee or off the turf, the aerodynamic optimization of the head should help you reduce drag throughout the entire swing which means the club should be moving faster upon impact, resulting in faster ball speed and longer distances. The square design equates to more forgiveness on hits across the entire 455 ultra-thin steel face.

Nike MachSpeed Fairway Wood

Among the drag-reducing improvements is the sole diffuser, which is immediately visible, as is the toe-side PowerBow. In staying consistent with the driver design, the heel has a tapered geometry to allow for smooth and efficient airflow on the downswing.

The SQ ProForce AXIVCore is the shaft of choice for the fairway woods and is available in the usual array of flex options. The 15° 3W and 19° 5W are available for both right-handed and left-handed players while the 17° 4W and 21° 7W are only available to righties only. Women’s MachSpeed fairways will be available as well, coming in lofts of 17°, 20°, and 23°.

Stay tuned, as next week, we’ll have a look at the new hybrids and irons in the MachSpeed lineup. See ya then!

11 thoughts on “Nike Adds SQ MachSpeed Drivers, Fairway Woods to 2010 Lineup”

  1. Nike has caught up with the other clubmakers and from the negative comments, some of the traditionalists aren’t happy about it!

  2. In my search for a new 3 wood I hit the Machspeed today and I’ve got to admit that it is a nice club and forgiving. I’m usually not one for the square look but the fairway woods aren’t that bad (think ciabatta) especially at address. On the other hand, I hit the driver too and it looks far worse than the 3 and I would never pull my G15 for a toaster on a stick…In the end I decided to purchase the Adams Speedline Fast 3 wood with the Matrix shaft, like butta.

  3. When I first saw the “Spy Pics”, the limited images made it looked awful, but now I think this is a really great looking club. I will buy one for sure.

  4. I had a SQ Sumo square driver once. Gamed it for a couple of rounds and promptly dumped it. Can’t stand the sound…. i am hitting a golf ball, not squashing a can.

    I wonder how this is SQ Machspeed sounds…..

  5. I was pleasantly surprised when I came in to work this week and saw that Nike actually sent us one of their better/best equipment this year, too bad we don’t have a practice area to hit it 🙁 Generally we just get the run of the mill super game improvement stuff. I think I might find a demo day just to try it out for fun.

  6. THIS DRIVER IS THE TRUTH!!! I had the Dymo2 9.5* prior to purchasing this one. I had never been a fan of the square head clubs, and the Dymo2 is fugly and has an horrendous sound, but I hit it straight so I gamed it well. I would alternate with my Cobra S9-1, but it was 10.5* so it would fly too high and I would lose distance. Traded both of them in and some other clubs I had laying around; even though the Dymo2 was performing quite well for me (avg. 270-280 yards). Paid $20.00 after the trade. Almost took the old shaft out of my Dymo2 since it was already at 44.5″ long, but the salesman suggested that I take the new shaft and try it out and if it doesn’t work out bring it back and trade shafts. I AM SOOO GLAD I DID!!! I choke down on the driver an inch, leave my right hand on the side of the club and give her a nice smooth swing and… BANG!!! 290-300 yard, straight as an arrow drives are all I see now! I couldn’t believe it!!! I felt so confident that I drove a 290 yard green over water and it landed on the back of the green! I had people on other holes gawking at my shot over that ball eating pond! THIS WAS THE GREATEST FEELING AN AVID GOLFER CAN HAVE… POWER AND CONTROL!!! That was the first time I ever made birdie on that hole! When I first started reading the reviews I thought… B^ll$#!t! After picking this thing up on a whim I am more than satisfied. It’s GOD awful ugly, horrible sounding, and will be in my bag for a long time!!! THE LAUNCH MONITORS DO THIS CLUB NO JUSTICE!!! GO TO A DEMO DAY AND HIT THIS THING IN OPEN AIR AND EXPERIENCE POWER AND CONTROL!!!

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