Nike SQ MachSpeed vs Nike VR_S
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | SQ MachSpeed loft | VR_S loft | SQ MachSpeed lie | VR_S lie | SQ MachSpeed length | VR_S length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20 | — | 60.5 | — | 39.25 | — |
| 4 | 23 | 21 | 61.5 | 60.5 | 38.75 | 39.5 |
| 5 | 26 | 24 | 62.5 | 61.5 | 38.25 | 38.75 |
| 6 | 29 | 27 | 63.5 | 62.5 | 37.75 | 38 |
| 7 | 33 | 31 | 64 | 63 | 37.25 | 37.5 |
| 8 | 37 | 35 | 64.5 | 63.5 | 36.75 | 37 |
| 9 | 41 | 39 | 65 | 64 | 36.25 | 36.5 |
| PW | 45 | 44 | 65.5 | 64.5 | 36 | 36 |
| AW | 50 | 48 | 65.5 | 65 | 36 | 36 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- SQ MachSpeed
- VR_S
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the SQ MachSpeed is 33° and the VR_S is 31°, a 2° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the VR_S should carry roughly 6 to 8 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the SQ MachSpeed. Across the 8 clubs both sets share, the VR_S averages 1.9° stronger, with the largest gap at the 4-iron (23° vs 21°). The pitching wedges are 45° and 44°; the stronger one leaves a 6° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping. Beyond loft, the VR_S 7-iron sits 1° flatter (64° vs 63°), which nudges start direction slightly right for a right-hander; the VR_S 7-iron is 0.25 inches longer (37.25" vs 37.5").
The sets are built differently: the SQ MachSpeed runs 3-iron to AW (9 clubs), the VR_S 4-iron to AW (8 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 SQ MachSpeed is listed as two-piece cavity back, off-the-face-weld construction with an undercut cavity behind the face and the VR_S as investment cast cavity back. 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 VR_S arrived 2 years after the SQ MachSpeed, a typical one-generation refresh. Changes over that span are usually incremental: refined face thickness, revised weighting, updated looks and small loft tweaks rather than a new concept. Here the 7-iron loft moved from 33° to 31°.
Which should you choose?
The VR_S is the stronger-lofted set — up to 2° stronger than the SQ MachSpeed 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 SQ MachSpeed specs and Nike VR_S specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nike SQ MachSpeed stronger lofted than the VR_S?
No. The VR_S is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 31° against 33° for the Nike SQ MachSpeed, 2° stronger and worth roughly 6 to 8 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the Nike SQ MachSpeed and VR_S?
At the 7-iron the difference is 2° (33° vs 31°). The largest gap on a shared club is 2° at the 4-iron, and all 8 shared clubs differ.
Are the Nike SQ MachSpeed and VR_S 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 SQ MachSpeed and VR_S have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the Nike SQ MachSpeed is 64° lie and 37.25 inches, the VR_S 63° and 37.5 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
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