New year, new TaylorMade drivers. It’s something that we’re getting used to hearing now, but the brand are very excited about their 2025 range thanks to a number of new improvements. I got my hands on the new TaylorMade Qi35 Max Driver to see what all the fuss is about.
Last year felt like it was all about forgiveness, with the introduction of 10k drivers to the market. This year TaylorMade are trying to add ball speed to the mix too.
Who Is It Aimed At?
The Max head is the largest and most forgiving in the Qi35 range. As a result, it is probably best suited to higher handicap golfers who are looking for forgiveness and ease of use.
Having said that, I do feel like the spin characteristics were lower than in previous years. I could see less golfers using Qi35 LS this year and more using the standard Qi35 or Qi35 Max. You’re still going to get really strong numbers, but with the added forgiveness that these two models offer.
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The Tech
The big new technology from TaylorMade in 2025 is around CG projection. This centres around moving the CG location lower and deeper in the clubhead. It then projects the CG lower on the clubface, giving golfers a bigger ‘sweet spot’ above the CG point.
The result of this is more efficient launch and spin across a bigger area, providing better distance for more golfers.
There’s also a 34g tungsten weight in the back of the head, helping to raise MOI for better forgiveness. Like last year’s Max model, the Qi35 Max model features 10,000 MOI.
Of course, with this being a TaylorMade driver, you get a multi-material construction. The driver is made of five different materials: chromium carbon, steel, aluminium, tungsten and titanium.
The Carbon Twist Face and Infinity Carbon Crown combine with a fourth generation Carbon Twist Face. TaylorMade say that this allows for maximum energy transfer and better alignment.
The crown combines with TaylorMade’s Thru-Slot Speed Pocket, as well as a 4° loft sleeve, in a ‘high inertia’ shape. Everything you’d expect from a TaylorMade driver when it comes to their technology.
TaylorMade Qi35 Max Driver Review
Looks and Feel
First things first, this year’s Qi35 range features a new grey chrome finish on the sole and crown. I think this looks really premium, and is a big improvement on the Qi10 Driver.
The driver sits really nicely behind the ball too. There’s not too much offset either which is great despite being a Max model. Not everyone who uses a Max model wants to see such obvious draw bias!
All of the Qi35 drivers have a 460cc head, but the Max offers a large and friendly footprint at address. This is great for golfers who may be looking to gain more confidence with their driver.
I have to be honest and say that I preferred the look of both the Qi35 and Qi35 LS at address. It was still a good looking driver though, and certainly didn’t seem to impact performance.
The feel of TaylorMade’s carbon face driver is something that has really grown on me in recent years. It’s so solid, with quite a muted sound which I do prefer. This produces an incredibly stable feel off the face.
It also feels like you great great levels of stability. Even when you hit from the toe or the heel, there was no real sign of any twisting.
I have to say that this is one of the best feeling drivers that I have hit in my time testing golf gear.
Performance
I tested the Qi35 Max at Hukd Golf to see how the numbers stacked up.
Firstly I was really happy with the spin rates. This is something I often struggle with, but an average of just under 2500rpm translated to a nice consistent ball flight.
There was just one shot that dipped under 2000rpm. This was a toe strike, but the overall numbers were really consistent.
8 yards distance between my shortest and longest carry was really impressive, as was the consistency in the height too.
A ball speed of just under 149mph was really impressive considering that this is probably the ‘slowest’ of the Qi35 range. I even had a couple of shots creeping into the early 150s which was great. I did see slightly faster speeds with the Qi35 and Qi35 LS, but it still produced really solid carry and total numbers.
Out on the course the driver felt pretty easy to shape both ways. I’m not always able to achieve this with ‘Max’ heads, so this was impressive. They can be hard to fade due to the offset and weighting, but the Qi35 Max was more workable than I expected.
TaylorMade describe the driver as having a ‘slight draw bias’ this time around. This is definitely something that I saw – much less offset and heel weighting than in previous Max models.
As mentioned earlier, if more golfers are going to be moving into the Qi35 and Qi35 Max then this is a good thing. Being a high handicap golfer does not necessarily mean that you slice the golf ball!
TaylorMade Qi35 Max Driver Verdict
As far as ‘Max’ head drivers go, usually aimed at ultimate forgiveness and anti-slice, this is one of the best that I have tested. I loved the stability off the face, but I still felt like the driver was workable. The spin rates and distances were great too.
Ideally I think I could achieve a little more ball speed, so I think the Qi35 would be best for me. But I do think the Qi35 Max is a real improvement on the Qi10 Max.
You’re getting the same levels of forgiveness as last year, but with a bit more speed and distance. All of this comes in a better looking package too, making this a fantastic overall product. This does come at a price though, with an RRP of £529 showing a £30 increase on last year.
Would I Use It?
I think I’m better suited to the standard Qi35 Driver, which I really enjoyed using. If you’re a higher handicapper though, I would definitely recommend you try the Max!
