Nike SQ Max

[rockat5150]

Demoed one at local pro shop

I just demoed the Nike SQ MAX 9.5, with the stock Diamana stiff shaft through both a launch monitor and simulated golf range. I'm a 8 handicap and consistently hit a slight draw (gotta work on my short game) .I currently have the Ping G5 9.0. First off, the club is huge, but definitely the face is less height than normal drivers (didn't like that, maybe 1/2 inch shallower). The gray area really didn't bother me at all. There's a small ridge between the black and gray area as it is not one smooth piece. I found the takeaway to be smoother with the SQ than my G5. I think the SQ is swingweight wise lighter than the G5. I found no problem putting the club square, as I was worried the huge club head may hinder my swing. I was getting better launch angles with the SQ (12 degrees) I know its in the swing, yada yada. It was weird because compared to hitting the G5, i teed the SQ just a tad lower because of the shallow face. Maybe I shouldn't have done that. The shaft is solid, even though its not the Tour Diamanas. I wouldn't spend the extra money for a new shaft, unless you're a semi-pro. I believe the SQ sits about 1 degree closed. At $299, its a good deal. It was hard to tell what the sound was because I was indoors, but its similar to the Ignite.

I was using Pro V1xs and the Nike One Platinums, and can tell you that the ProV1x got more distance on average (6 yards) when I HIT THE SQ. Others may have opposite results. BTW, one guy was demoing the new Cobra Speed Drivers and he told me he was getting 10 yards more than the SQ.

I know people get passionate about what drivers are good or what not. For my swing speed (103mph, and averaging 265 yards), this SQ may be in my bag soon as a backup. My rating would be an 8 out of 10. I was only disappointed in how shallow the driver face was. I was hoping it would be a little deeper, but i guess with the 460cc restrictions........ The Nike Rep told me the club is actually 468cc. He also said that there were only going to be 500 Tour drivers for retail in the U.S. until March. I asked about Tiger using the SQ and he told me, as many of you have read, that he is using the IGNITE for now and working feverishly to get the SQ out for him. it will definitely have unique clubhead characteristics that will not be out for retail. The rep told me that the SQ was NOT the reason for the USGA MOI proposed restrictions, but that was Nike's story. I asked what the next driver for Nike will look like...he just smiled at me (thought I'd ask).

I hit about 40 swings with the SQ. The grip was really nice, as it had the "SQ (Swoosh)" on the grip and was actually better than the stock IGNITE grips, with the thumb alignment aid. Thank god they didn't put an all yellow headcover....like the orange ignite.

I know this is a very crude review of the SQ, but thought I get some buzz out about this driver. In all honesty, I'd keep the driver you have now as this MAX GEOMETRY thing that Nike is pushing isn't really as huge as when the R7 came out. I did have a couple fades on the SQ, something I can't do on the G5...that driver just doesn't want to slice/fade.