Today Nike Golf introduced the Nike SQ MACHSPEED irons, their fastest and longest irons the company has ever developed to date. At the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show Outdoor Demo Day, I was able to hit the latest game improvement irons from Nike Golf.
The Nike SQ MACHSPEED irons have three key functions: speed, stability, and launch. Speed leads to distance. Stability leads to forgiveness. And launch leads to functionality. What does this mean for you the average golfer? It means you’ll get high launch and increase distance with the SQ MACHSPEED irons.
“With MACHSPEED, we’ve developed a very fast iron through new and dynamic construction that works,” said Tom Stites, Director of Club Creation for Nike Golf. “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.”
Speed and Distance
To achieve speed and distance, the two-piece SQ MACHSPEED irons have a higher CT (Characteristic Time) in the wider areas on the face resulting in faster ball speeds and longer distance. The new game-improvement Nike irons feature a combination of AM 355 alloy and an off-the-face weld construction that creates a thinner, hotter face and a wider sweet zone. The new SQ MACHSPEED construction offers an extremely hot center area that expands lower on the face where the ball is more likely to be in contact to prevent a decrease in distance.
During my brief testing, I saw a noticeable increase in distance when hitting the pitching wedge and mid-irons from the SQ MACHSPEED irons. The ball seems to pop off the face of the club and go a lot further than with my normal irons. I’m curious to see how they will perform in real world playing conditions, using a non-range golf ball and comparing against my existing irons.
Stability and Forgiveness
The SQ MACHSPEED irons provide stability and forgiveness because of Nike’s PowerBow technology. Nike’s innovative PowerBow technology was first introduced in its earliest SQ product, the groundbreaking Nike SasQuatch driver in 2006. The Nike PowerBow creates an extremely deep center of gravity and provides a wider sweet spot.
PowerBow is great technology that I loved in the Nike SQ Sumo2 5900 driver and should provide a lot of stability and forgiveness in these irons.
Launch and Functionality
Completing the three key functions of the Nike SQ MACHSPEED irons is the launch capability. The SQ MACHSPEED features a deep undercut behind the face, which repositions 50 grams of weight out and back to the PowerBow for high launching shots that travel far and land softly.
The biggest thing I noticed when hitting the SQ MACHSPEED irons is how high the ball launched, similar to the SQ MACHSPEED driver. The ball has nice medium-high launch angle that soars in the air for increased distance. I know that some people might have problem with the looks of the PowerBow design behind the cavity, but I didn’t find it to be an issue when at address.
Overall, the Nike SQ MACHSPEED irons are promising set of game improvement irons, which I’m looking forward to testing more thoroughly.
Availability
Nike SQ MACHSPEED Irons, are available February 25, 2010 at golf shops and specialty stores nationwide
Men’s: 4-PW, AW; Steel: S,R,A; RH/LH; MSRP: $839.99
Men’s: 4-PW, AW; Graphite: S,R,A; RH/LH; MSRP: $959.99
Women’s: 5H, 6H, 7-PW, SW; Graphite: W (RH); MSRP: $959.99
