Carbon. Fiber. Face.
Yes, the worst kept secret in golf equipment the past month or so is real, and yes, it is coming.
A company never afraid of putting itself out there by doing something different, be it paint or tech, TaylorMade golf is introducing the new STEALTH lineup of drivers and their 60X Carbon Twist Face is no doubt going to be the talk of the town for some time. While carbon has been done before, TaylorMade is adamant it has never been done like this.
2022 TaylorMade STEALTH Drivers
Gone is the SIM and SIM2, and in comes a new naming convention, and one heck of a directional change materials wise as well. Although the overall shape of the three new drivers from TaylorMade look super similar to the aforementioned predecessors with the “Asymmetric Inertia Generator” which many compared to a fin on the sole of the clubhead, there is quite the new story going on as well.
First and foremost, all three drivers are much darker and sleek in terms of showing off the carbon crown and overall club frame, you see, by murdering everything but the face out, there is absolutely no avoiding the main thing when it comes to the STEALTH. Just prepare yourselves as well, because it might be the easiest to spot driver on television since the company went white paint back many years ago.
While there is a new and more flexible Thru-Slot Speed Pocket which has been proven in previous models in each of the three new drivers, as well as a sliding forward weight in one, the clear story here is the face.
According to the company this has been 20 years in development, and they are claiming they will never make another titanium driver face again, which is bold from the company that has almost constantly held the title of #1 Driver in Golf. The face is bright red with black accents that make it pop against the almost entirely black body of the head. From a design aspect, the 60X carbon face is 44% lighter than titanium of the same size and shape, this weight savings also lead TaylorMade to make the face 11% bigger than SIM2 and 20% from SIM. The 60X name comes from the SIXTY layers of carbon used to create the face.
While TaylorMade is touting optimal speed and distance, the bolder design claim is to creating faster ball speeds over a much larger face area than in the past. Not only that, but they have used a “nanotexture cover” which is a polyurethane cover with nanotexture to fine tune the launch and spin to help create more consistent total distance regardless of what the conditions might be on the course.
As mentioned, there are three driver models in the STEALTH lineup:
TaylorMade STEALTH
The “standard” model in the three driver lineup, this is the one that will appeal to the biggest segment of golfers with its mid-high launch and mid-low spin profile. The STEALTH is a 460cc design that, with the new 60X Carbon Twist Face, has more weight shifted low and back in the head than the company has been able to in the past, thus adding 15% to the overall MOI compared to the STEALTH PLUS+.
Base lofts for the STEALTH are 9.0° (RH/LH), 10.5° (RH/LH), and 12° (RH). Stock options are the Fujikura Ventus Red 5 and Aldila Ascent Red 60.
TaylorMade STEALTH PLUS+ Driver
This is the mid-launching and lowest spinning of the three driver heads and will have the most “Tour” preferred shapes and neutral to fade biased angle to it. The PLUS+ also uses a 10g sliding weight just behind the Speed Pocket pushing weight and draw/fade adjustability low and forward in the design.
The PLUS+ will be available in 8.0° (RH), 9.0° (RH/LH), and 10.5° (RH/H) lofts at 460cc. Stock options will be a Project X HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX and Mitsubishi Kai’li White 60.
TaylorMade STEALTH HD Driver
As the name might indicate, HD has to do with the “high draw” bias built into this one. The head remains 460cc like its counterparts and features all the same tech, but TaylorMade is adamant that by using the weight they have saved from the face and shifting the location of the Inertia Generator closer to the heel they have kept draw bias while making this the highest MOI of the three STEALTH drivers. The HD is considered high launch with mid overall spin.
The STEALTH HD has the same 9.0° (RH/LH), 10.5° (RH/LH), and 12.0° (RH) loft options as the standard STEALTH. It is offering the Fujikura Air Speeder and Aldila Ascent Ladies 45 as its standard options.
The Details
TaylorMade’s newest drivers will be hitting retail very soon and carry the price point of $599 if you want the moveable weight track or $579 without it.
There is certain to be no shortage of discussion when it comes to this one, so be sure to join in on the THP Community as thoughts and feedback are soon to come!
Worst kept secret.. :LOL:
I like how you talked about their confidence in the tech. It’s been pretty clear from the beginning that they either sold their guys hard on selling it, or they’re actually [I]really [/I]confident in the tech direction. A real no-turning-back attitude.
The actually larger face is interesting to me, besides just the bold appearance. Their goal or use of the weight savings of the carbon wasn’t what I necessarily expected to hear.
I’ve enjoyed the look, personally. I like the shape and colors from above. Haven’t been overly distracted by the face, and one guy I know actually think it helps his focus. The fact that the larger face is deeper has been interesting for me personally, too, with my miss creeping above center line. Past ones have been a less than great fit on speed and sound there.
I wasn’t around for all the Yonex and creep and stuff, so I’d never guess how it’ll all turn out, but it definitely is bold and demands attention.
Excited for more people to hit and love it and hate it like they surely will! :p
Really want to hit these. Good work with the details [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER]
These look awesome. Wish I could try one.
the question every year with TM, are those real deal shafts or made for? The Kai’li White is one im excited to try if it is real
damn ive already built 3 custom MyStealth drivers…..
Haven’t wanted to even try a TM driver last several years, until now. Looks great, intriguing tech.
This might be one I have to see in person, I personally think this thing is ugly, which was always my thoughts on the SIM drivers as well. I don’t like the colored face at all, it just feel so gimmicky, super flashy, almost to he point of gaudiness and I hate the font of Stealth.
It’s interesting Callaway almost went the exact opposite way with this, kept it super sleek with subtle black and just he colorful accent from the weight. Callaway is winning looks wise for me.
[QUOTE=”jfrigo1003, post: 10338301, member: 50601″]
the question every year with TM, are those real deal shafts or made for? The Kai’li White is one im excited to try if it is real
[/QUOTE]
I saw the new Ventus Red with it early on, but not since. Different look and appeared to be a made for again. That’s the one I’d watch out for.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 10338323, member: 53737″]
I saw the new Ventus Red with it early on, but not since. Different look and appeared to be a made for again. That’s the one I’d watch out for.
[/QUOTE]
yea saw that one too
The PX hzrdus smoke red RDX fairway is interesting. Seems legit but TM has the torque at 3.8 for the 70g 6.5 flex compared to PX’s site listing it at 3.5 torque
also there is a UST LIN-Q white that I dont see any info on anywhere. I thought it was the LIN-Q black hoping to be low/low but it looks like the black has white graphics compared to the white one on TM’s site having grey graphics
Looks like today is the embargo day then.
[MEDIA=youtube]IjZi1ICqQzE[/MEDIA]
[media=giphy]wYyTHMm50f4Dm[/media]
I’ll still go hit one just because, but not sure I can get past the colored face. Not being negative here just honest.
[QUOTE=”jfrigo1003, post: 10338301, member: 50601″]
the question every year with TM, are those real deal shafts or made for? The Kai’li White is one im excited to try if it is real
[/QUOTE]
To my knowledge, same as it’s always been for TM.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 10338281, member: 53737″]
Worst kept secret.. :LOL:
I like how you talked about their confidence in the tech. It’s been pretty clear from the beginning that they either sold their guys hard on selling it, or they’re actually [I]really [/I]confident in the tech direction. A real no-turning-back attitude.
The actually larger face is interesting to me, besides just the bold appearance. Their goal or use of the weight savings of the carbon wasn’t what I necessarily expected to hear.
I’ve enjoyed the look, personally. I like the shape and colors from above. Haven’t been overly distracted by the face, and one guy I know actually think it helps his focus. The fact that the larger face is deeper has been interesting for me personally, too, with my miss creeping above center line. Past ones have been a less than great fit on speed and sound there.
I wasn’t around for all the Yonex and creep and stuff, so I’d never guess how it’ll all turn out, but it definitely is bold and demands attention.
Excited for more people to hit and love it and hate it like they surely will! :p
[/QUOTE]
They 100% hard sold their guys on selling it. Fwiw.
I need to dive in a little deeper on this one later this AM. But it’s pretty interesting on what they are saying about this. Obviously we’ve known this was coming between leaks and having that Tiger fella get one in play a few weeks ago.
Something I wasn’t expecting so quickly is their customization option where you can choose the color of the face for your driver. Don’t like the red, make it blue, or green, or even go back to black.
[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 10338397, member: 782″]
I need to dive in a little deeper on this one later this AM. But it’s pretty interesting on what they are saying about this. Obviously we’ve known this was coming between leaks and having that Tiger fella get one in play a few weeks ago.
Something I wasn’t expecting so quickly is their customization option where you can choose the color of the face for your driver. Don’t like the red, make it blue, or green, or even go back to black.
[/QUOTE]
All about that dolls dolls and the custom upcharge for those who don’t want the red they only went with because it can be seen on TV.
I seem to get along with TM at the top of the bag the best, but idk. I don’t love the look. I’ll have to see one in person first, but initial impressions are a pass
[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 10338397, member: 782″]
I need to dive in a little deeper on this one later this AM. But it’s pretty interesting on what they are saying about this. Obviously we’ve known this was coming between leaks and having that Tiger fella get one in play a few weeks ago.
Something I wasn’t expecting so quickly is their customization option where you can choose the color of the face for your driver. Don’t like the red, make it blue, or green, or even go back to black.
[/QUOTE]
Oh yeah. One of the TM guys was pushing this on me really early on, and it feels like kind of an added option this year with the face being included in it. Feels like something people might take advantage of more.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 10338399, member: 1579″]
All about that dolls dolls and the custom upcharge for those who don’t want the red they only went with because it can be seen on TV.
[/QUOTE]
Oh 1000000%. I think the red will get people’s attention. It will be polarizing, but hell it’s so reminiscent of the white driver….made for TV.
[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 10338408, member: 782″]
Oh 1000000%. I think the red will get people’s attention. It will be polarizing, but hell it’s so reminiscent of the white driver….made for TV.
[/QUOTE]
What I want to know is if the Tour staff will rotate new heads in more or less often this season.
I think the red face is incredibly SMART from a marketing perspective.
I get why people dislike TM because they just feel shady with their shafts, commissions they’ve offered to fitters in the past, you name it. I personally think this thing is UGLY as all get out, and I’ll never buy a TM driver, but that red face is definitely smart for all the reasons mentioned above. It is going to be so easy to see on TV, and the vast majority of golfers who aren’t us and know all the inside baseball will go grab it.
It’s a brilliant marketing move, so I have to give them their kudos there. They know how to frickin’ market.
Having watched the vids now, no surprise that they don’t really perform any different to the last couple of years models.
Just goes to show that it’s 90% marketing, even if they try and convince you its better tech.
Great stuff James – busy few days/weeks for you eh? I admit I am liking the look of this club from different angles it’s growing on me. That said, I have not even swung a TM product since the first (white?) R1 – and that was demo not owned. I last played one it was the R7 425 – so, I am dating myself a bit. TM stuff has not worked too well for me over the years, but the R5 did work a bit. Anyway, looking forward to reading more from actual user inputs as that begins to happen. Thanks for whetting the appetite and increasing the interest.
Smart of them to allow face options other than space heater red. Still not my cup of tea but I do want to give it a hit or two.
[QUOTE=”Nick20UK, post: 10338419, member: 65401″]
Having watched the vids now, no surprise that they don’t really perform any different to the last couple of years models.
Just goes to show that it’s 90% marketing, even if they try and convince you its better tech.
[/QUOTE]
I wouldn’t use that as a blanket for all companies though.
[QUOTE=”That post, post: 10338422, member: 65950″]
Smart of them to allow face options other than space heater red. Still not my cup of tea but I do want to give it a hit or two.
[/QUOTE]
To me this is the biggest story of the driver and I love that aspect of it. Get noticed on TV, but don’t like the red, change it.
It will be interesting to see the time table they end up giving in a few months and if it meets needs, but I have high expectations for this segment of the release.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 10338427, member: 3″]
To me this is the biggest story of the driver and I love that aspect of it. Get noticed on TV, but don’t like the red, change it.
It will be interesting to see the time table they end up giving in a few months and if it meets needs, but I have high expectations for this segment of the release.
[/QUOTE]
If there is a black/smoke gray face option it could make for one very aesthetically pleasing driver. Since the rest of the club is completely ’murdered out’ per [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] i think it could look good.
Customizable parts is certainly a very interesting direction.
[QUOTE=”Nick20UK, post: 10338419, member: 65401″]
Having watched the vids now, no surprise that they don’t really perform any different to the last couple of years models.
Just goes to show that it’s 90% marketing, even if they try and convince you its better tech.
[/QUOTE]
The vast majority of the guys that post videos are near-scratch golfers. No drivers over the past decade will be significantly different if you’re living near the center of the face. The test for a driver is to put it into the hands of a 20 hdcp and see how it responds when they’re spraying and praying.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 10338427, member: 3″]
To me this is the biggest story of the driver and I love that aspect of it. Get noticed on TV, but don’t like the red, change it.
It will be interesting to see the time table they end up giving in a few months and if it meets needs, but I have high expectations for this segment of the release.
[/QUOTE]
Change it for an extra $100 bucks though. They are going to shell in extra “hundos” with it. I can’t imagine MANY love that red face, and materials wise it doesn’t exactly cost them a ton extra to change the face color, so it should be a money maker.
[QUOTE=”Tywithay, post: 10338459, member: 14378″]
The vast majority of the guys that post videos are near-scratch golfers. No drivers over the past decade will be significantly different if you’re living near the center of the face. The test for a driver is to put it into the hands of a 20 hdcp and see how it responds when they’re spraying and praying.
[/QUOTE]
Yes! And that’s part of their big story here, what they claim it does to speed AROUND the center. (y)
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 10338411, member: 1579″]
What I want to know is if the Tour staff will rotate new heads in more or less often this season.
[/QUOTE]
Yeah. I want to know what the face grooves and … whatever they call the tacky stuff longevity is. That’s more interesting to me than the carbon stuff. Feels like changes with them could have more immediate effects.
[QUOTE=”V14_Heels, post: 10338461, member: 53564″]
Change it for an extra $100 bucks though. They are going to shell in extra “hundos” with it. I can’t imagine MANY love that red face, and materials wise it doesn’t exactly cost them a ton extra to change the face color, so it should be a money maker.
[/QUOTE]
Many who play a TM driver WANT people to know they are, and they’re impatient, you’ll see WAY more red than custom.
But the custom option is nice.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 10338466, member: 1579″]
Many who play a TM driver WANT people to know they are, and they’re impatient, you’ll see WAY more red than custom.
But the custom option is nice.
[/QUOTE]
That’s a fair take, it does say “I’m playing a TM”. I’m curious to see what the pros do. No doubt it’ll be the majority. I mean we know that people still buy a ton from the big boxers. This is what will be sitting on GG and Dick’s shelves.
[QUOTE=”V14_Heels, post: 10338468, member: 53564″]
That’s a fair take, it does say “I’m playing a TM”. I’m curious to see what the pros do. No doubt it’ll be the majority. I mean we know that people still buy a ton from the big boxers. This is what will be sitting on GG and Dick’s shelves.
[/QUOTE]
ALL the Tour staff will be in red.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 10338473, member: 1579″]
ALL the Tour staff will be in red.
[/QUOTE]
Hmm, another thing mentioned by your good friend Rick Shiels was that it has a very Nike feel. Kind of an interesting take, no idea obviously if that came into play, but wonder if that is a marketing play with good ol’ Tiger in the mix obviously.
[ATTACH type=”full” width=”374px”]9057172[/ATTACH]
[QUOTE=”V14_Heels, post: 10338480, member: 53564″]
Hmm, another thing mentioned by your good friend Rick Shiels was that it has a very Nike feel. Kind of an interesting take, no idea obviously if that came into play, but wonder if that is a marketing play with good ol’ Tiger in the mix obviously.
[ATTACH=full]9057172[/ATTACH]
[/QUOTE]
Of course he’s reaching. It’s what he does.
They went with red because it’s visible, easily visible. And they better hope this doesn’t have anything in common with one of the most penal drivers ever made other than color.
Love that these are FINALLY “in hand” for THP to review. ITs well known that up until this past year, I have always been a TM driver fan. I believe i have had maybe 2 others in the last 15 years. This one really intrigues me and I LOVE the Murdered look. Color has never been a problem for me so the red face does not detract.
I do love your opening line of “the worst kept Secret” but the varied Models of the Standard, Stealth Plus and HD should help with he acceptance too. I am leaning towards the Stealth Plus as the one i would try first. Is tarted reading this article and my hand was twitching. O f course its been twitching since i saw it on line in some pro’s hands and at the father son.
Thank you @Jman
[QUOTE=”donny475, post: 10338486, member: 4683″]
Love that these are FINALLY “in hand” for THP to review. ITs well known that up until this past year, I have always been a TM driver fan. I believe i have had maybe 2 others in the last 15 years. This one really intrigues me and I LOVE the Murdered look. Color has never been a problem for me so the red face does not detract.
I do love your opening line of “the worst kept Secret” but the varied Models of the Standard, Stealth Plus and HD should help with he acceptance too. I am leaning towards the Stealth Plus as the one i would try first. Is tarted reading this article and my hand was twitching. O f course its been twitching since i saw it on line in some pro’s hands and at the father son.
Thank you @Jman
[/QUOTE]
Thanks Donny, we don’t have them in hand yet, this is just the release tech rundown, but soon!
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 10338484, member: 1579″]
Of course he’s reaching. It’s what he does.
They went with red because it’s visible, easily visible. And they better hope this doesn’t have anything in common with one of the most penal drivers ever made other than color.
[/QUOTE]
Lol, I love how much you hate Rick Shiels. I don’t get it, but I like it, I’m totally gonna troll you with it for the fun of it now. You gave up your secret. :sneaky:
I would say he definitely favored the Callaway in his two reviews, which is clearly where your at. He had way more negative things to say about the TM vs. Callaway. Basically says the Carbon face didn’t show ANYTHING improvement wise.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 10338411, member: 1579″]
What I want to know is if the Tour staff will rotate new heads in more or less often this season.
[/QUOTE]
What could be a bug for a Tour player (face thinning and getting too hot) could be a feature for us Joe golfer types. Unless they start cracking by the end of the year.
THP is killing this morning with the articles. ?
Been up since 5 getting the kids off to school and looking forward to having some time later this AM to sift through it all!
Every year I get all enamored with driver releases. Here we go again. ? Whether or not they nailed it with the tech and the confidence is the warranted, the overall package with the red alien face and black crown is all up in my business. I must hit this one.
[Insert “mind blown” gif x3 here]
This driver looks sick. Will compare to my old Sim and see whats up as soon as I can.
Disappointed that Taylormade continues down the garbage path of fake shafts at these prices. Shaft companies deserve some heat too.
Great write up James. It looks like a great club. With several angles for customization. Use of carbon has been excellent in covering areas of non use to divert weight. Use in the face, even at 60 X….is a risk. For pure strikers, not so much. But for those that come across I could see damage to the face coming pretty quick. Will be interesting to follow. I’m not per se excited about trying it out. Too many other better options in my mind.
I think the red face is fine, its different, different is good. I’d totally game a red face if I was a TM guy. Overall I think it looks ok, clearly tech is there but I wonder if there will ever be problems with the face cracking?
The red face is great.
Hearing a company is committed to no more titanium faced drivers seems like a pretty big deal.
[QUOTE=”V14_Heels, post: 10338496, member: 53564″]
Lol, I love how much you hate Rick Shiels. I don’t get it, but I like it, I’m totally gonna troll you with it for the fun of it now. You gave up your secret. :sneaky:
I would say he definitely favored the Callaway in his two reviews, which is clearly where your at. He had way more negative things to say about the TM vs. Callaway. Basically says the Carbon face didn’t show ANYTHING improvement wise.
[/QUOTE]
If trolling is what you consider fun, have at it. It’s a bold strategy imo.
I will be curious how golfers react to the price point going up again.
$580 and $600 vs the already raised $550 last year.
[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 10338532, member: 5944″]
I think the red face is fine, its different, different is good. I’d totally game a red face if I was a TM guy. Overall I think it looks ok, clearly tech is there but I wonder if there will ever be problems with the face cracking?
[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=”Duffer Waldorf, post: 10338559, member: 43357″]
The red face is great.
Hearing a company is committed to no more titanium faced drivers seems like a pretty big deal.
[/QUOTE]
I mentioned in the other thread, I just adore a red/black scheme and I have no problem at all with the red face. I like how TM pushes the conventional color envelope at times.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 10338621, member: 3″]
I will be curious how golfers react to the price point going up again.
$580 and $600 vs the already raised $550 last year.
[/QUOTE]
On the one hand, materials costs are going up across the board no matter what the product. It is what it is at this point. On the other hand, in my opinion these prices are getting a bit steep in comparison to some other OEMs or grabbing last year’s model at a steep discount. There will always be folks who will run out and grab it because they are early adopters, want the latest, love the color scheme, etc. But I do think that the pricing may elicit some negative feedback.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 10338621, member: 3″]
I will be curious how golfers react to the price point going up again.
$580 and $600 vs the already raised $550 last year.
[/QUOTE]
This golfer is not exactly happy about it. I like the value that some OEM’s are bringing at the $400-500 mark.