All About Speed

2009-10-15

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By Steve Pike
 
It won't be available until March of 2010, but Nike Golf is beginning to tout its new SQ Machspeed driver it says uses "the power of aerodynamics'' to help golfers hit the ball farther and straighter – all due to speed. In other words, Nike Golf, unlike most other equipment companies, is staying with its square-head design, no big surprise given the fact that Nike Golf staffers Lucas Glover and Stewart Cink used square-head drivers to win the 2009 U.S. Open and Open Championship, respectively.
 
The SQ Machspeed will carry a suggested retail price of $359.99, meaning it will generally sell at retail for around $279.
 
Nike Golf staff player Justin Leonard is expected to be the SQ Machspeed driver into play at The Presidents Cup, Oct. 8–11.
 
“I am hitting it 10-12 yards farther and am really excited to put it in play,'' Leonard said.
 
Nike Golf says the SQ Machspeed features a low, deep Center of Gravity (CG) for a higher launch and increased distance as well as its STR8-FIT technology - and now - - Nike’s Total Swing Aerodynamic Design.   
In that regard, Nike Golf says it has taken the concept of aerodynamics to a new level by looking at the golf swing holistically.
 
“The number one thing that makes the ball go farther is faster ball speed. We’ve accomplished that through looking at the orientation of aerodynamics throughout the total golf swing, not just a portion of the swing,” said Tom Stites, Director of Club Creation for Nike Golf.  “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.”