Over the past two years, TaylorMade has consistently maintained its reputation among top-tier players with the dependable Stealth 2 Plus and the latest addition, the Qi10 LS.
Annually, TaylorMade unveils its cutting-edge products, positioning itself at the forefront of technological advancements.
While their previous drivers prioritized distance, a notable shift towards forgiveness began a couple of years ago with the introduction of the original Stealth line.
This year’s driver lineup, the Qi10 series, marks the pinnacle of this forgiveness-focused evolution. Representing the most forgiving drivers ever crafted by TaylorMade, the Qi10 series has become a focal point in the pursuit of forgiveness.
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This comprehensive analysis delves into the comparison of TaylorMade’s tour heads over the past two seasons: the Qi10 LS and Stealth 2 Plus.
Our thorough examination encompasses aspects such as sound, aesthetics, feel, forgiveness, distance, and key technologies.
TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Driver
Launched in 2023, the Stealth 2 Plus represents the second generation of the Stealth line, offering a comprehensive range of options tailored to diverse player preferences.
The Stealth 2 lineup comprises three distinctive models: the regular, Plus, and HD, each designed to cater to specific player needs.
The regular model strikes a balance between forgiveness and distance, providing a mid-launch and mid-spin for players seeking an all-encompassing performance.
For those prioritizing forgiveness, the HD model maximizes forgiveness with a combination of high launch and spin, ensuring enhanced ball control.
The Plus model within the Stealth 2 series is geared towards accomplished players, offering a lower launch, low spin, and increased distance, making it ideal for players adept at consistently finding the center of the club face.
Available in 9 and 10.5-degree lofts for both left and right-handed players, with an additional 8-degree option exclusively for right-handed players, the Stealth 2 Plus provides a versatile selection to suit different player preferences.
Depending on the chosen shaft option, the stock swing weight of the Stealth 2 Plus ranges between D4 and D5, delivering a notably heavier feel, and contributing to enhanced stability during swings.
TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver
In 2024, TaylorMade unveiled the Qi10 LS driver, tailored for adept players in pursuit of a low-launching head for superior distance while maintaining an impressive level of forgiveness compared to its forerunners.
The Qi10 series as a whole places a heightened emphasis on forgiveness, surpassing any TaylorMade driver that came before it. This collection consists of three distinct models: the regular, Max, and LS.
Geared towards players with higher handicaps, the Max head within the Qi10 series delivers maximum launch, spin, and forgiveness to enhance ball control.
The standard Qi10 head strikes a balance between forgiveness and distance, making it suitable for both low and high-handicap players. It features a mid-launch with mid-spin characteristics.
Conversely, the LS head is meticulously crafted for skilled players who prioritize distance over forgiveness, ensuring a controlled launch and spin.
The Qi10 LS driver is available in 9 and 10.5-degree loft options for both left and right-handed players, with an additional 8-degree head exclusively for right-handers.
In alignment with the rest of the lineup, it boasts a D4 swing weight, distinguishing itself with a notably heavier feel compared to the majority of drivers in the market.
Check our full TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver Review
Sound, Look, and Feel Comparison
The head design of both drivers offers a classic and familiar look, featuring a square head at address that caters to players seeking a traditional setup.
Notably, the Qi10 LS stands out with its seamless transition from the crown to the face, blending through a white alignment stripe, while the Stealth 2 Plus incorporates a centimeter-thick aluminum stripe that separates the crown from the face. These subtle design differences contribute to the distinct visual appeal of each driver.
In terms of aesthetics, both drivers share a glossy finish on their crowns, enhancing their overall sleek and polished appearance.
However, when it comes to stock colors, the Stealth 2 opts for a bold red and black combination, while the Qi10 offers a broader spectrum, including black, blue, and yellow.
When it comes to performance, both the Stealth 2 Plus and Qi10 LS deliver a satisfying mid-pitch crack at impact, offering an enjoyable auditory experience for players.
The feel is nearly identical between the two drivers, providing consistent feedback on both center strikes and off-center hits.
Notably, both models represent a marked improvement in sound and feel compared to the original Stealth driver, thanks to advancements carried over from the introduction of the carbon face which was first introduced a couple of years ago.
You really can’t go wrong with either of these drivers in this category but if we had to pick a winner we would choose the Qi10 LS due to its clean topline and the white alignment stripe.
Forgiveness
Both the Stealth 2 Plus and Qi10 LS drivers are primarily designed for distance, prioritizing low launch and low spin over forgiveness. Despite this shared focus on performance, the Qi10 LS stands out as the most forgiving distance driver ever created by TaylorMade.
The forgiveness of the Qi10 LS is notably elevated due to its innovative crown design. In contrast to the Stealth 2 Plus, the Qi10 features a free-flowing carbon crown that seamlessly connects to the clubface, eliminating the interruption of a centimeter-thick strip of aluminum.
This design choice proves crucial in enhancing forgiveness as it allows for a redistribution of weight, optimizing the club’s center of gravity (CG) and moment of inertia (MOI).
The Qi10 LS takes the win in this category as our team found this crucial redistribution of weight extremely helpful on off-center hits.
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Distance
| Driver | Ball Speed | Spin | Carry | Total |
| Qi10 LS | 153.6 | 1938 | 275 | 302 |
| Stealth 2 Plus | 154.5 | 2176 | 274 | 295 |
As you can see, the Qi10 LS gave some very interesting results in testing. Ball speed and carry were very similar to the Stealth 2 Plus, however a significant decrease in spin was attributed to a much longer run out and a distance gain of seven yards.
Shared Key Technologies
60x Carbon Twist Face
Employing the third iteration of the 60X Carbon Twist Face®, the Qi10 LS driver integrates a notably lighter face in contrast to conventional titanium constructions.
This engineering breakthrough leads to a decrease in forward weight, optimizing energy transfer upon impact. The lighter face enables TaylorMade to redistribute weight to lower and farther back on the club, enhancing the Moment of Inertia (MOI).
A refined support structure within the Carbon Face Technology effectively connects the face, safeguarding ball speeds and ensuring consistent performance across the entire clubface.
Through Slot Speed Pocket
The placement of a Through Slot Speed Pocket behind the club face plays a vital role in preserving ball speed, particularly during off-center and low-face strikes.
Through the strategic positioning of this Speed Pocket, the driver guarantees that even on mis-hits, golfers experience consistent and dependable ball speeds.
This technological feature significantly enhances overall forgiveness and performance, establishing the Qi10 as a dependable option for golfers seeking precision and playability in their drives.
Adjustable Loft Sleeve
This time-tested technology enables players to adjust the loft and face angle through a 4° loft sleeve.
The versatility offered by the Adjustable Loft Sleeve gives golfers the ability to personalize their driver settings, fine-tuning performance based on their preferences and playing style.
Furthermore, the sleeve provides an upright setting, expanding customization options to accommodate individual preferences.
It’s worth noting that utilizing this feature to increase the loft will subtly close the face while decreasing the loft will slightly open the face.
Sliding Weight
Both drivers are equipped with a sliding weight on the club’s sole, enhancing ball speed, reducing spin, and providing players the flexibility to modify flight conditions by adjusting it towards the heel or the toe.
Distinguishing the two, the Stealth 2 Plus incorporates a fifteen-gram weight, while the Qi10 LS boasts an eighteen-gram weight, potentially contributing to its lower spin characteristics.
Notably, the Qi10 LS’s weight is positioned lower and closer to the face, a design choice that aids in elevating ball speed and enhancing forgiveness compared to the Stealth 2 Plus.
Qi10 LS Unique Key Technologies
Infinity Carbon Crown
The Qi10 LS driver boasts an Infinity Carbon Crown, covering an impressive 97% of the total crown area.
This strategic design effectively redistributes mass, resulting in improved forgiveness.
When addressing the ball, the Infinity Carbon Crown presents a sleek and uncluttered view, accompanied by subtle alignment cues.
This not only contributes to the driver’s visual appeal but also fosters increased confidence and success on the golf course.
Key Takeaways
Forgiveness Evolution
TaylorMade’s Qi10 series represents a significant evolution towards forgiveness-focused drivers, with the Qi10 LS standing out as the most forgiving distance driver ever crafted by the brand.
Performance Parity
Both the Stealth 2 Plus and Qi10 LS offer similar ball speed and carry distances, but the Qi10 LS distinguishes itself with lower spin, resulting in a notable seven-yard distance gain.
Aesthetics and Feel
The Qi10 LS and Stealth 2 Plus share a classic look with glossy crowns, providing a satisfying mid-pitch crack at impact.
The Qi10 LS, however, stands out with a cleaner topline and a white alignment stripe, contributing to its visual appeal.
Key Technologies
Shared technologies like the 60x Carbon Twist Face, Through Slot Speed Pocket, Adjustable Loft Sleeve, and Sliding Weight enhance both drivers’ forgiveness and adjustability.
Unique Qi10 LS Advancements:
The Qi10 LS introduces unique features, including the Infinity Carbon Crown, covering 97% of the total crown area, effectively redistributing mass for improved forgiveness and boosting golfer confidence.
Recommendation
For players prioritizing forgiveness without compromising distance, we think the TaylorMade Qi10 LS emerges as the preferred choice.
Its innovative design, including the Infinity Carbon Crown and the redistribution of weight, sets it apart as the most forgiving distance driver in TaylorMade’s lineup.
Golfers seeking a visually appealing driver with advanced technologies for personalized performance should consider the Qi10 LS for its exceptional balance between forgiveness and distance.
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