I’ve been playing golf for well over a decade now, but I’ve never put a TaylorMade driver in the bag. With the new TaylorMade Qi35 Driver, that could be about to change…
I was lucky enough to visit TaylorMade’s HQ in Carlsbad last year, heading to The Kingdom to receive a fitting for the new Qi35.
As you’d expect from TaylorMade there’s plenty of new technology and lots of versatility. Let’s take a closer look.
Who Is It Aimed At?
There’s a little less fade-bias than the LS, but less draw bias than the Qi35 Max, encouraging a more neutral ball flight. The larger footprint should mean that higher handicap golfers should still feel comfortable using it. There’s also plenty of adjustability too, widening its appeal even further.
The Tech
There are two moveable weights in the head: one which is 13 grams and one which is 3 grams. Having the 13g weight at the back is the most forgiving setting.
Switching them around to put 13g at the front lowers the CG projection and can produce a five yard distance gain – although you do lose some forgiveness.
You also get a number of TaylorMade’s existing technologies, including Twist Face, Thru Slot Speed Pocket and Infinity Carbon Crown. They work together to provide a blend of distance, forgiveness and consistency.
The Qi35 is offered in 9, 10.5 and 12 degree heads with a choice of two stock shafts and a Golf Pride Z-Grip.
TaylorMade Qi35 Driver Review
Looks and Feel
For golfers who are used to ‘standard’ or even LS heads, this may take a bit of getting used to. On the other hand, if you’re someone who has had a Max head in the past, it should feel more comfortable.
The new Chromium Carbon head, complete with grey finish, looks really smart. I think it will be really popular with lots of golfers this year, and it’s an upgrade on the Qi10.
There’s a matte crown, which I prefer, with an uncluttered design and clear alignment line. The stretched-back head immediately makes you think of forgiveness, while the head sits really nice and flat down by the ball.
One negative point that I have to mention is the bright silver headcover. Obviously this will do a great job of standing out when you’re watching the likes of Scheffler and McIlroy on tour, but it really wasn’t to my taste at all.
By now you probably know that TaylorMade use a carbon face, which has quite a distinct feel. It’s feels so solid off the face, with a really nice muted sound at impact.
The main thing I felt when hitting shots is just how stable the head is. There’s no twisting, and it feels almost as fast from the toe and heel as it does out of the middle – which is great for giving golfers extra confidence.
Performance
The main reason for this seems to be due to the stability of the head. Even when I hit shots from the toe or heel, it still seems to fly straight. The performance across the face is as impressive as I’ve ever seen from any driver.
I’ve had the Callaway Epic Speed in the bag for the last few years. I’ve really enjoyed using it, but I didn’t find it that workable. With the Qi35 I’m able to hit both draws and fades easily, something that I’ve struggled with in the past. This has given me more confidence on trickier tee shots, as I can play away from danger more easily.
When hit from the middle, I’ve definitely gained a little bit of distance too. I have always struggled with low spin, but I was fitted with a lighter shaft and a higher lofted (10.5 degrees) head. This has bumped my spin up a little, resulting in more carry distance.
This was clear to see from my testing on the GC Quad, where a launch angle of 14 degrees combined with an average spin of 2300rpm to produce some excellent results.
My average ball speed was 152mph, with a couple of shots even creeping towards 155, which is higher than my usual average of around 150mph.
This translated to a really impressive carry distance of nearly 264 yards, which is around 10 yards longer than my current driver. This is the longest driver that I have tested, and combined with the added forgiveness, is a pretty special combination.
TaylorMade Qi35 Driver Verdict
I think it also shows the importance of a good fitting, as changing the loft and shaft for me resulted in more spin, more ball speed and more carry distance. Gaining almost 10 yards off the tee is a huge bonus for me.
The main thing I’ve found with the Qi35 is that it gives you confidence. It’s so easy to hit and feels so solid off the face. If you’re struggling off the tee, make sure you give this one a go.
Would I Use It?
