Nike Slingshot 4D vs Nike SQ MachSpeed
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | Slingshot 4D loft | SQ MachSpeed loft | Slingshot 4D lie | SQ MachSpeed lie | Slingshot 4D length | SQ MachSpeed length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | — | 20 | — | 60.5 | — | 39.25 |
| 4 | 23 | 23 | 61 | 61.5 | 38.75 | 38.75 |
| 5 | 26 | 26 | 62 | 62.5 | 38.25 | 38.25 |
| 6 | 30 | 29 | 63 | 63.5 | 37.75 | 37.75 |
| 7 | 34 | 33 | 63.5 | 64 | 37.25 | 37.25 |
| 8 | 38 | 37 | 64 | 64.5 | 36.75 | 36.75 |
| 9 | 42 | 41 | 64.5 | 65 | 36.25 | 36.25 |
| PW | 46 | 45 | 65 | 65.5 | 36 | 36 |
| AW | — | 50 | — | 65.5 | — | 36 |
| SW | 55 | — | 65.5 | — | 35.75 | — |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- Slingshot 4D
- SQ MachSpeed
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the Slingshot 4D is 34° and the SQ MachSpeed is 33°, a 1° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the SQ MachSpeed should carry roughly 3 to 4 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the Slingshot 4D. Across the 7 clubs both sets share, the SQ MachSpeed averages 0.7° stronger, with the largest gap at the 6-iron (30° vs 29°). The pitching wedges are 46° and 45°; the stronger one leaves a 5° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the Slingshot 4D 7-iron sits 0.5° flatter (63.5° vs 64°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander.
The sets are built differently: the Slingshot 4D runs 4-iron to SW (8 clubs), the SQ MachSpeed 3-iron to AW (9 clubs).
Both are game improvement irons, built for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. Perimeter-weighted cavity backs with wider soles, more offset and stronger lofts, aimed at mid handicaps. Because they target the same golfer, the decision comes down to the specific loft, feel and shaping differences rather than who the sets are made for.
The Slingshot 4D is listed as cast cavity back with Slingback bridge and the SQ MachSpeed as two-piece cavity back, off-the-face-weld construction with an undercut cavity behind the face. With the build method this similar, differences in feel come down to head size, sole width, topline and offset rather than how the heads are made.
The SQ MachSpeed came out 1 year after the Slingshot 4D, but it is a different line rather than a direct replacement, so the two were designed for different golfers as well as different seasons.
Which should you choose?
The SQ MachSpeed is the stronger-lofted set — up to 1° stronger than the Slingshot 4D on matching clubs. Expect longer carry per numbered iron but a flatter descent angle; gapping at the wedge end is where that shows up.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Nike Slingshot 4D specs and Nike SQ MachSpeed specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nike Slingshot 4D stronger lofted than the SQ MachSpeed?
No. The SQ MachSpeed is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 33° against 34° for the Nike Slingshot 4D, 1° stronger and worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Nike Slingshot 4D and SQ MachSpeed?
At the 7-iron the difference is 1° (34° vs 33°). The largest gap on a shared club is 1° at the 6-iron, and 5 of the 7 shared clubs differ.
Are the Nike Slingshot 4D and SQ MachSpeed aimed at the same golfer?
Yes. Both are game improvement irons, built for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. Choose on feel, looks and gapping, ideally after hitting both.
Do the Nike Slingshot 4D and SQ MachSpeed have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Nike Slingshot 4D is 63.5° lie and 37.25 inches, the SQ MachSpeed 64° and 37.25 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
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