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!
You mean your advanced age shouldn’t have you hitting 120gram stiff shafts and a hzrdus black stiff?
No idea yet.. I have been a Ventus blue guy for a while but I am super curious about the rdx red.
Samesies. May have to find a 70 gram 6.5 to try. Doesn’t look like TM offers it. So will maybe have to pay a little extra. But will give the 60 a try in the shop eventually to see if it’s worth spending the $$
I may or may not be starting to feel some of said age.
If you’re trying to knock the Modus he had this summer, they’re 114g, and he had his highest GIR% ever this year. With you on the other thing though.
Ha, yeah. I saw him play a few rounds. Old fella could use a little extra distance when we make him play the non forwards tees.
When you say Triple Diamond LS, I am presuming you mean the Speed, not the new Rogue?
The Rogue.
I am not liking all of this age talk.
What stood out for you?
What fairway are you leaning towards? I’m kind of excited for the plus. But kind of wondering if it’ll be a little too low on spin.
Both drivers maxed at 166 ball speed for me but stealth+ averaged 1.3mph more. I know its not a huge amount but I chalk that up to being more forgiving which is weird for a TM driver. I havent had any sub 1600 spin knuckleballs with the stealth like I would get with sim or sim2.
Stealth+ still seems to be a fraction fade biased but nowhere near what SIM was. Im really loving the deeper face. Frames the ball beautifully and gives me way more confidence then I ever did with SIM
For me ball speed across face especially for my miss on high toe. I also loved the look and feel
Probably the base model. The plus is too low spin for me off the deck. I will try them again before ordering
Ball speed retention across the face seems to be getting spoken of a lot.
I think that will be the biggest story. In my limited time with it, it felt so much more stable off the toe.
This is the main selling point for me. However mishits were still a bit harsh. I’ll definitely need to try my ventus black to stabilize it and and check the ball flight test outdoors.
What type of ball flight and dispersion were you seeing on those toe strikes?
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Why were you denied? It’s past embargo date and that’s a fitting setup.
They were demos but just too busy this morning. Didnt want me trying anything just to try it.
One looks to be attached to a Riptide. There also is an Autoflex shaft in that photo, although the face of that club doesn’t appear to be red.
One shaft was an autoflex, one was a speeder, don’t remember the third and there was a fourth head unattached.
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Loft that up ?
Hahah that’s an improvement for me! Lol!!
Little bit of ball speed there.
I’ll throw an Xcaliber shaft or two at it asap. Should be fun doing head to head Testing with an Epic LS.
Can’t wait.
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Fairway and rescue are both packed waiting to ship too!!
? What color scheme?! Show us the build!
Ventus black? Is it black with red on it?
Im torn bc I really wanted to keep the all black crown. Really liked the look at address but with the white in there I think the overall club looked better….and I wanted red/white/blue. The last pic is how it would look still with the black crown
I do have the stock head on order also incase I decide I just want the black crown. I liked how SIM and SIM2 look at address also so ultimately I know the white wont bother me but that all black look does look better
With the black setup id be paying $100 for just the face. With the build I did it at least feels like I designed it a bit more custom to my liking
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I don’t remember the detail about it having red with it.
When he handed it to me he said what it was. I asked is it a made for shaft? He said yes and offered that it was a repainted blue from last year.
When the fitting cart gets filled I can take some photos of it.
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Ohhh. The face is ALREADY black and blue in anticipation of the beating you’re gonna put on it!!
I did the all black and blue on my order. I am planning to pair it with a Graphite Design AD HD shaft, so the white and blue will look pretty good. I like your red, white and blue scheme.
That is exactly how I built it the the first time it became available and another 20 times after that! Thats gonna look awesome in person
Oh man. That is going to look sick. I refer to that combo as the R2D2 haha. I have seen a few people post that as their order. Seems to be one of the most popular choices I have seen.
That’s the perfect LA out in Northern Nevada- got to keep it loooooow.
Nice build, congrats! Can’t wait for the details once you get that beauty in hand.
Winds can get brutal.