Nike MachSpeed Irons and Hybrids Complete 2010 MachSpeed Lineup

Rounding out Nike’s new MachSpeed lineup is new for 2010 irons and hybrids. Like the drivers and fairway woods, game improvement and forgiveness are the main priorities with these clubs.

When we think of game improvement, concepts such as stability, MOI, and forgiveness come to mind, but assistance in achieving a faster swing speed might not. Don’t you think it would be safe to say that if you’re improving your swing speed, your game is improving? That very concept is another key to the encompassing design of the MachSpeed clubs.

Nike SQ MachSpeed Irons
Like the older Slingshot and Slingshot OSS irons, the new SQ MachSpeed irons from Nike Golf fit squarely in the Super-Game Improvement category. Both also share designs that look as if you may see them in Michael Bay’s next Transformers movie in the hands of Megan Fox, when all of a sudden, it transforms into a killer robot and… Ok, we’ll just stop there, but I think you get my point.

Though the technology-inspired appearance may not appeal to all players, Nike’s past history with irons has shown that the beauty and appearance aren’t the qualities that count.

With MACHSPEED, we’ve developed a very fast iron through new and dynamic construction that works. This iron is all about helping golfers increase their ball speed in order to generate distance. Our patented PowerBow technology allows golfers to launch the ball high and increase distance – a perfect combination to improving your game.

Tom Stites, Director of Club Creation, Nike Golf

The SQ MachSpeed irons’ two-piece design promotes a faster ball speed, which equals longer distance across the face of the club. Using a combination of an AM 355 alloy and an off the face weld construction, Nike’s engineers were able to produce a thinner, spring-like face with an ample sweet spot and higher characteristic time (measurement of clubhead flexibility) in the wider areas of the face.

The wide sole has two benefits. It should help the iron get through the rough fairly easily while also helping to move the center of gravity low in the head, which will also help launch the ball high and long. There is a significant undercut section in the cavity, behind the face which allowed for a full 50 grams of weight to be relocated back and to the outside of the face. To further deepen the CG, the PowerBow design found in some of the Nike drivers has been incorporated into the new MachSpeed irons. In real world performance, all of these factors should lead to a greater degree of stability through impact and more forgiveness on off-center contact.

The SQ MachSpeed irons come with two available shaft options. The standard steel shaft is the True Temper DynaLite 90 (as in 90 grams) while the stock graphite shaft is the 70 gram UST SQ ProForce AXIVCore. Both are available in X-Stiff, Stiff, Regular, and Senior flex. The normal set consists of 4I up to a gap wedge and is available for both right handed and left handed players. A women’s set is also available, though it comes with hybrids in place of a 5I and 6I and a lighter (55g) version of the SQ ProForce AXIVCore shaft. The Nike SQ MachSpeed irons are available now for $699.99 (steel) and $799.99 (graphite and women’s).

MachSpeed Hybrids
The MachSpeed Hybrids maintain the same strategy as the drivers and fairway woods of the same name. Using aerodynamics, the MachSpeed hybrids were designed to help the player hit the ball farther and straighter via the reduction in drag. This design, dubbed Total Swing Aerodynamics promotes a higher initial ball speed, optimal launch angle, and less spin. It does this by moving air more efficiently across the sole, over the crown, and around the skirt.

The key to gaining more distance is to increase ball speed. The key to increasing ball speed is through aerodynamics. We’ve been able to optimize aerodynamics in the total golf swing. This helps to create a faster clubhead and ball speed.

Tom Stites

Immediately visible is the square design, which is known for the extreme amount of forgiveness provided by the extra perimeter weighting common to most in this category. Like the fairway wood, the MachSpeed hybrid features a responsive 455 ultra-thin face that promotes longer distances off of both the tee and the turf.

As with the rest of the MachSpeed line, the hybrid comes with the UST SQ ProForce AXIVCore graphite shaft, though the hybrid’s shaft is slightly heavier at 70 grams. The use of the AXIVCore material in the interior of the shaft increases the overall hoop strength, creating a very stable feeling through impact. With flex options ranging from A-flex to X-Stiff, finding one that fits anyone’s swing speed shouldn’t be an issue. A number of lofts are available, ranging from an 18° 2H up to a 30° 6H, all of which come in both right-handed and left-handed models. Left-handed women are not quite as lucky, as the women’s MachSpeed is for righties only. Loft options aren’t as plentiful either, with only a 25° 5H and 30° 6H to choose from. Both men’s and women’s MachSpeed hybrids are available now at most retailers for around $150.

Final Thoughts
Though the appearance of the MachSpeed lineup can be describe as “interesting” at best, they’re likely worth a shot if you’re in the market for something in the game improvement category. A mixed set seems to be a pretty obvious option if you like to replace your longer irons with hybrid equivalents. As I said in weeks past, Nike is not really known for making clubs with a very traditional appearance, but time after time, the performance has shined through. While I cannot say whether any of the MachSpeed clubs fit that description (not having tested them at this point) my bet would be that they do perform well. Again, that is only based off of past experiences, but if I were in the market for something in the GI/SGI category, I’d at least have to give them a few swings. With spring rolling around soon, that means there will likely be a demo day somewhere near you, and if you get a chance to try them, let us know what you think in the comments!