Review: TaylorMade Qi10 driver

TaylorMade Qi10 driver review

Is this the end of Stealth? What we know is it’s the start of Qi10. But how does TaylorMade’s first 10K MOI driver stack up? Let’s find out...

The First Look

I’m a big fan of the look of this driver. The larger carbon crown sits flush with the new blue carbon face and there is a white line which sits between the two for alignment. It looks really slick and clean at address and comes in three head options, with the low-spinning ‘LS’ and ultra-forgiving ‘Max’ accompanying the standard model.

The Qi10 driver replaces the brand's Stealth models. (Credit: TaylorMade Golf) |

The Qi10 driver replaces the brand's Stealth models. (Credit: TaylorMade Golf) |

The Qi10 driver replaces the brand's Stealth models. (Credit: TaylorMade Golf) |

The Qi10 driver replaces the brand's Stealth models. (Credit: TaylorMade Golf) |

The Qi10 driver replaces the brand's Stealth models. (Credit: TaylorMade Golf) |

The Qi10 driver replaces the brand's Stealth models. (Credit: TaylorMade Golf) |

The Qi10 driver replaces the brand's Stealth models. (Credit: TaylorMade Golf)

The Qi10 driver replaces the brand's Stealth models. (Credit: TaylorMade Golf)

The Qi10 driver replaces the brand's Stealth models. (Credit: TaylorMade Golf)

The Qi10 driver replaces the brand's Stealth models. (Credit: TaylorMade Golf)

The Qi10 driver replaces the brand's Stealth models. (Credit: TaylorMade Golf)

The Qi10 driver replaces the brand's Stealth models. (Credit: TaylorMade Golf)

The Tech

The Qi10 is TaylorMade’s highest MOI driver to date. MOI – or ‘moment of inertia’ – is what reduces head rotation on off-centre strikes. It protects ball speed on mishits and delivers more consistency and maximum forgiveness – and that’s a word you’re going to hear a lot when it comes to the Qi10.

The 10K MOI design is achieved using key technologies. Firstly, you have the carbon crown, which is now a whopping 97% of the top surface, sitting flush with the new blue carbon 60X face. With even more carbon on the crown, it allows for weight to be redistributed, which in turn lowers the centre of gravity. This makes it easier to launch and increases the MOI. In terms of the Max model, the head shape is shallower, which allows the weight to be positioned in a way that the CG limits are pushed to the extreme, with the mass pushed further from the centre of the clubhead.

Meanwhile, the 60X Carbon Twist Face has a slightly new look in colour but that hasn’t affected performance. It still delivers impressively fast ball speeds, while also preserving this on mishit shots. There is also a new ledge design that houses the face in a position that flexes on impact to help maintain and transfer energy for better speed off the face. 

The low-spinning Qi10 model features a more compact head shape for players with faster swing speeds and wanting to keep the spin down and flight lower, while the 18-gram sliding weight sits close to the face and has a new track design and shaping along the sole to improve aerodynamics. 

The LS, meanwhile, is designed to give a combination of forgiveness and distance. With a new supporting structure that promotes faster ball speeds, the low-spin model also maintains ball speeds on off-centre strikes. 

The bunkered Verdict

You can watch my full TaylorMade Qi10 driver review in the player below, or over on the bunkered YouTube channel.

If you want maximum forgiveness and stability in a driver, the Qi10 MAX is the perfect driver for you. While this model is more suited to mid-to-high handicappers, it will also appeal better players. I found it really easy to hit, and I think a lot of fellow lower handicappers will be pleasantly surprised by what they can get out of it. It’s super forgiving, stable on mishits, and really easy to launch. I’m a big fan.

The LS is equally impressive. Its low-spinning, low-launching flight, as well the ball speeds off the face, are an improvement on last year’s Stealth 2 model. Something I really like about this model is it feels great and is forgiving on those slight off-centre hits. It’s straight, consistent and the distance is impressive. For a low-spinning head it’s pleasing on the eye thanks to the new carbon crown and you’ll love the performance. 

And in the middle, the standard Qi10 model is a combination of the other two. This is a great option if you’re wanting that little bit more distance and are willing to sacrifice a touch of forgiveness in return. It really is a good all-rounder for golfers of any ability. 

The Details

RRP: £499 (Qi10, Qi10 Max); £525 (Qi10 LS)
On sale: February 2, 2024

The TaylorMade Qi10 range

• TaylorMade Qi10 fairway woods review

• TaylorMade Qi10 hybrids review

• TaylorMade Qi irons review

If you liked my TaylorMade Qi10 driver review, make sure you check out the bunkered YouTube channel!