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!
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 10412181, member: 53737″]
It’s not real noticable past first impressions over the ball. I think I actually like it though. Like, hope it becomes a lasting thing like it.
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It was definitely an ingenious move. Somebody at TMade should get a bonus for implementing it.
[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 10412156, member: 5944″]
For anyone that has hit this, did you like the red face? It looks great on the rack but at address?
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I find it disappears and becomes a none issue extremely fast.
I’m surprised by so many who wigged out about the face color. Of course you would hardly notice it at address with a driver.
[QUOTE=”DNice26, post: 10412230, member: 45706″]
I’m surprised by so many who wigged out about the face color. Of course you would hardly notice it at address with a driver.
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I get it though. It’s bold drastic change. Bound to be some hesitancy over it.
[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 10412156, member: 5944″]
For anyone that has hit this, did you like the red face? It looks great on the rack but at address?
[/QUOTE]
I didn’t notice it at all in the hitting bay. A blue face would pretty amazing compared to the red though.
[QUOTE=”KEV, post: 10412476, member: 36767″]
I didn’t notice it at all in the hitting bay. A blue face would pretty amazing compared to the red though.
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Thats a given
[QUOTE=”KEV, post: 10412476, member: 36767″]
I didn’t notice it at all in the hitting bay. A blue face would pretty amazing compared to the red though.
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It’s interesting to hear thoughts of focusing solely on the ball and such and then have issues with shaping, offset, graphics, etc. I am so fortunate none of that stuff bothers me haha.
[QUOTE=”KEV, post: 10412476, member: 36767″]
I didn’t notice it at all in the hitting bay. A blue face would pretty amazing compared to the red though.
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But, as we know, a blue face would not show up on a tv screen nearly as well as red or, in years gone by, a white crown.
[QUOTE=”Tenputt, post: 10412506, member: 42964″]
But, as we know, a blue face would not show up on a tv screen nearly as well as red or, in years gone by, a white crown.
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Oh I totally get it from a marketing standpoint.
You know what’s funny about that though? When you ask golfers if the equipment a Tour Player uses makes any impact on their buying decision it seems like 90% say no it doesn’t. Yet here the companies are designing color schemes to catch the consumers attention. If consumers really didn’t care what the players use why would companies continue to that?
That’s a whole different conversation but I always find it funny.
[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 10412156, member: 5944″]
For anyone that has hit this, did you like the red face? It looks great on the rack but at address?
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I hit the Stealth yesterday and it didn’t bother me at address. It wasn’t really noticeable once I focused on the ball. Kind of blended with the crown.
[QUOTE=”Tenputt, post: 10412506, member: 42964″]
But, as we know, a blue face would not show up on a tv screen nearly as well as red or, in years gone by, a white crown.
[/QUOTE]
The white crown really stood out. I remember seeing those on tv when they first came out. I honestly haven’t noticed the red face at the last two tour events. It hasn’t jumped out at me the same way, anyway.
anyone get theirs yet?? looks like my 3w and 3h arrive tomorrow. MyStealth still on track for Feb 27th
[QUOTE=”mullie, post: 10419052, member: 397″]
I apologize if this has been touched on already, but have any of you experienced an increase in ball speed after “breaking in” the club (maybe 200+ hits)? Not sure if the tech is like baseball/softball bats where there was a break in period for these carbon/composite bats where it became more lively after a few hundred hits.
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Doesn’t that happen on all drivers in relation to “creep”? It will be interesting to see if these get “hotter” faster than titanium…then they break
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 10411701, member: 53737″]
On another note, my birthday present is supposed to be in pretty soon! Took the wife to the happy place today so she could mentally practice paying for it and imagine the joy it’ll bring me. 😀
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I need an update on this…
[QUOTE=”nicklongdrive, post: 10419224, member: 62649″]
I need an update on this…
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It’s in, and she will because it’s her privilege to pay for instead of me, we have to wait until Thursday end of day to pick it up.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 10419227, member: 53737″]
It’s in, and she will because it’s her privilege to pay for instead of me, we have to wait until Thursday end of day to pick it up.
[/QUOTE]
I am sure that the wait is killing you.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 10419227, member: 53737″]
It’s in, and she will because it’s her privilege to pay for instead of me, we have to wait until Thursday end of day to pick it up.
[/QUOTE]
I am gonna going to be hitting the 2022 offerings soon so just need some additional feedback. I am seeing Stealth/Stealth Plus performing not as well as some of the competition on off-center hits. I can’t tell if it’s bad data sets or not but don’t want to make a hasty decision as I canceled my LTDx LS pre-order.
[QUOTE=”Tenputt, post: 10419230, member: 42964″]
I am sure that the wait is killing you.
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[QUOTE=”nicklongdrive, post: 10419232, member: 62649″]
I am gonna going to be hitting the 2022 offerings soon so just need some additional feedback. I am seeing Stealth/Stealth Plus performing not as well as some of the competition on off-center hits. I can’t tell if it’s bad data sets or not but don’t want to make a hasty decision as I canceled my LTDx LS pre-order.
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Honestly, I should be in there hitting it today, because I haven’t spent a lot of time away from center on it, and I can’t find the button to save my life today.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 10419250, member: 53737″]
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jealous.?
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[QUOTE=”templeton80, post: 10419255, member: 53139″]
jealous.?
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[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 10412156, member: 5944″]
For anyone that has hit this, did you like the red face? It looks great on the rack but at address?
[/QUOTE]
Honestly, I didn’t notice it much at all.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 10419250, member: 53737″]
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While I cannot relate with waiting. I have been acquiring a quiver of different shafts to test in it once I can actually hit it. I may as well be waiting for it to show up.
[QUOTE=”radiman, post: 10419285, member: 15228″]
While I cannot relate with waiting. I have been acquiring a quiver of different shafts to test in it once I can actually hit it. I may as well be waiting for it to show up.
[/QUOTE]
I have uni- fit sleeves for TM heads, so every shaft in my house is an option.
When I have the head.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 10419287, member: 53737″]
I have uni- fit sleeves for TM heads, so every shaft in my house is an option.
When I have the head.
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I played my first round with Stealth yesterday: I initially set the loft to 11.25* (same as SIM2 Max), but after some low-mid hooks on the range, I went up another notch to 12.0*. Opening drive was a nice, slight draw, which was a good sign for me. Overall, I’d say distance is equal to or slightly better than SIM2 Max, dispersion is a bit tighter, and the feel is…well, different. To me, it’s more of a muted feel rather than a solid feeling strike you get from other drivers. I’m not saying it’s bad, it’s just different.
If you have the chance to demo Stealth, do so!!
I currently work PT in my local golf shop and personally I don’t like this compared to my Sim 2 Max. Hit it on the range same specs and shaft and was not impressed at all. Staying with mine for now considering all things I really don think it’s a better driver.
[QUOTE=”nicklongdrive, post: 10419232, member: 62649″]
I am gonna going to be hitting the 2022 offerings soon so just need some additional feedback. I am seeing Stealth/Stealth Plus performing not as well as some of the competition on off-center hits. I can’t tell if it’s bad data sets or not but don’t want to make a hasty decision as I canceled my LTDx LS pre-order.
[/QUOTE]
That’s what is funny and also great that we have options. I would say throughout this thread that most of us have seen better consistency across the face compared to other drivers
Ive hit the LTDx LS and it was very hit or miss. Centered and higher strikes would have spin dip below 2000 while low heel got over 3000. With Stealth+ the lowest spin ive seen is 2100 and the highest most awful strike ive made was 2700
Personally Stealth+ already has given me a top all time ball speed
Regular Stealth however has been pretty awful. I havent gotten that one to spin under 2500 for whatever reason. To me it spins much more than SIM Max or SIM2 Max. Both of those 2 previous models were still lower spin for me
I wonder how the face is going to hold up for the players that hit driver off the deck frequently. Could that be a reason that the carbon face is not in the fairways, ie the face can’t take the abuse of cutting through the turf and dirt?
[QUOTE=”Tee1Up, post: 10420131, member: 20008″]
I wonder how the face is going to hold up for the players that hit driver off the deck frequently. Could that be a reason that the carbon face is not in the fairways, ie the face can’t take the abuse of cutting through the turf and dirt?
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A lot of drivers, from a number of manufacturers, have carbon soles. If they’re worried about ground contact, the face is the least of their worries. To me the polyurethane nanotexture feels similar to the coating on hardwood flooring (which is also polyurethane) and it holds up for years. I think it’d have to take impact from a rock or something to really ding it, but that’d mar up a titanium face just as easily.
[QUOTE=”Tywithay, post: 10420145, member: 14378″]
A lot of drivers, from a number of manufacturers, have carbon soles. If they’re worried about ground contact, the face is the least of their worries. To me the polyurethane nanotexture feels similar to the coating on hardwood flooring (which is also polyurethane) and it holds up for years. I think it’d have to take impact from a rock or something to really ding it, but that’d mar up a titanium face just as easily.
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Plus, as as previously been mentioned in the thread, the carbon drivers of yesteryear held up structurally. Yonex offered carbon fairway woods. The 4 wood was in my bag for quite a while.
[QUOTE=”Tywithay, post: 10420145, member: 14378″]
A lot of drivers, from a number of manufacturers, have carbon soles. If they’re worried about ground contact, the face is the least of their worries. To me the polyurethane nanotexture feels similar to the coating on hardwood flooring (which is also polyurethane) and it holds up for years. I think it’d have to take impact from a rock or something to really ding it, but that’d mar up a titanium face just as easily.
[/QUOTE]
Guess you could always use wood flooring polish to maintain its luster.
:unsure:
:ROFLMAO:
I’m late to the conversation but I don’t like seeing measured loft being 11* on a 9* driver. Unless every 9* head is 2* weak, that has the potential to neuter the fitting the process doesn’t it?
I’ll wait until I get more reps in with my LDTx this week, but I’m giving serious thought to canceling my release day order for the Stealth Plus that isn’t estimated to get here until April. It’s a bit strange that the stock shaft I ordered isn’t available until two months after the official retail launch in two days. By April I’ll be able to buy a lightly used one on eBay at a discount so there’s no real incentive to keep my order placed.
I’m also loving the initial results from my LTDx as the numbers are better than my RADSpeed XB and Ping 425 Max and LS. For decades my driver has only averaged about 12-15 yards longer than my 13º 3 wood and initial results with LTDx show that it’s about 25 yards longer due to lower spin than all my other drivers. 🙂
[QUOTE=”ArmyGolf, post: 10420377, member: 11776″]
I’m late to the conversation but I don’t like seeing measured loft being 11* on a 9* driver. Unless every 9* head is 2* weak, that has the potential to neuter the fitting the process doesn’t it?
[/QUOTE]
I’d agree, most that have been playing a certain loft aren’t likely to deviate more than a degree or so when they are testing a new club. Having accurate lofts that agree with what is stated on the club seems like a simple thing for companies to get right. I’m not sure if it’s a QC issue, but let’s hope that their marketing department is agreeing to market a 9º driver that is really an 11º.
[QUOTE=”tahoebum, post: 10420411, member: 10440″]
I’ll wait until I get more reps in with my LDTx this week, but I’m giving serious thought to canceling my release day order for the Stealth Plus that isn’t estimated to get here until April. It’s a bit strange that the stock shaft I ordered isn’t available until two months after the official retail launch in two days. By April I’ll be able to buy a lightly used one on eBay at a discount so there’s no real incentive to keep my order placed.
I’m also loving the initial results from my LTDx as the numbers are better than my RADSpeed XB and Ping 425 Max and LS. For decades my driver has only averaged about 12-15 yards longer than my 13º 3 wood and initial results with LTDx show that it’s about 25 yards longer due to lower spin than all my other drivers. 🙂
[/QUOTE]
what shaft did you go with?
I have a MyStealth with Kai’li 60x showing ETA for Feb 27th
[QUOTE=”jfrigo1003, post: 10420476, member: 50601″]
what shaft did you go with?
I have a MyStealth with Kai’li 60x showing ETA for Feb 27th
[/QUOTE]
Kai’li stiff with the 9º head. I get the supply chain issues but to make customers wait for over 60 days on one of your 3 or 4 stock shaft offerings is lame. Don’t offer the shaft as a stock shaft if you haven’t secured at least a small supply of them. The funny thing is all the demo carts I’ve seen have the shaft, so that means you can hit it and like it, just not have it for a couple of months, lol.
It’s likely a blessing as being on the Trackman a few days a week right now(something I’ve never done until now) is teaching me how to make adjustments with my driver swing to affect spin. That Kai’li shaft could likely be a bad fit for me with the setup, loft adjustments, and tiny swing/grip changes I’ve made that seem to have shaved about 600 rpm off of my typical shot with the driver.
It has been enlightning to have regular access to a launch monitor that works. I should have done it years ago, at least with the driver, as it’s appearing that I can squeeze out an extra 12-15 yards this year with the same swing speed.
Since mine is sitting there waiting to get picked up I’m REAL glad I didn’t get along with the Kai’li last time I eat in there.
[QUOTE=”tahoebum, post: 10420507, member: 10440″]
Kai’li stiff with the 9º head. I get the supply chain issues but to make customers wait for over 60 days on one of your 3 or 4 stock shaft offerings is lame. Don’t offer the shaft as a stock shaft if you haven’t secured at least a small supply of them. The funny thing is all the demo carts I’ve seen have the shaft, so that means you can hit it and like it, just not have it for a couple of months, lol.
It’s likely a blessing as being on the Trackman a few days a week right now(something I’ve never done until now) is teaching me how to make adjustments with my driver swing to affect spin. That Kai’li shaft could likely be a bad fit for me with the setup, loft adjustments, and tiny swing/grip changes I’ve made that seem to have shaved about 600 rpm off of my typical shot with the driver.
It has been enlightning to have regular access to a launch monitor that works. I should have done it years ago, at least with the driver, as it’s appearing that I can squeeze out an extra 12-15 yards this year with the same swing speed.
[/QUOTE]
Launch monitor time is SO useful. I have spent enough time on them working with a swing coach that I really have a pretty good idea now of what fits me best and what I need to focus on when the swing begins to falter. It doesn’t mean that I can always remedy it, because my body doesn’t always cooperate, but at least I know what I need to try to do.
[QUOTE=”tahoebum, post: 10420507, member: 10440″]
Kai’li stiff with the 9º head. I get the supply chain issues but to make customers wait for over 60 days on one of your 3 or 4 stock shaft offerings is lame. Don’t offer the shaft as a stock shaft if you haven’t secured at least a small supply of them. The funny thing is all the demo carts I’ve seen have the shaft, so that means you can hit it and like it, just not have it for a couple of months, lol.
[/QUOTE]
That’s crazy. Did you order direct from TM? I ordered a Stealth Plus 8* yesterday from Rock Bottom Golf and went with the Kai’li because it was in stock and I didn’t want to wait 5-6 weeks for the shaft I’d prefer (I have another one that I’ll just swap in anyway). It will be here tomorrow.
[QUOTE=”bigskyirish, post: 10421034, member: 4214″]
That’s crazy. Did you order direct from TM? I ordered a Stealth Plus 8* yesterday from Rock Bottom Golf and went with the Kai’li because it was in stock and I didn’t want to wait 5-6 weeks for the shaft I’d prefer (I have another one that I’ll just swap in anyway). It will be here tomorrow.
[/QUOTE]
I ordered from my club, which typically gets things in faster than the big box retailers. It’s strange because I’m sure retailers will have the Stealth Plus w/Kai’li in stock on the release date Friday, but my order from early January is estimate for an April delivery.
I’m having so much fun with the Trackman numbers I’m getting from my new LTDx that it doesn’t matter. I have a golf trip to AZ next week and another handful of March rounds in FL, but that’s the only golf I’ll be playing until April. I can already buy a new Stealth Plus with HZRDUS or Kai’li shaft at a $30 discount on eBay and by April they’ll have dozens of them available at a much larger discount.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 10421431, member: 53737″]
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[QUOTE=”radiman, post: 10421494, member: 15228″]
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Newest additions to the arsenal are the ventus blue tr and the rogue white 130 70tx proto. Going to be fun figuring out the best combo!
.
[QUOTE=”radiman, post: 10421494, member: 15228″]
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?
[QUOTE=”radiman, post: 10421497, member: 15228″]
Newest additions to the arsenal are the ventus blue tr and the rogue white 130 70tx proto. Going to be fun figuring out the best combo!
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It’s so weird that I actually really like the Rogue White 130 TX. Kinda different than what I normally go for but always works well for me. That’s a pile of fun right there!!
i rarely hit 270+ (total) more than once or twice a round…but today, well…today…3 times with a 4th tee shot being 266. idk if it’s the driver or i’m getting better with my set up/swing. i even had one roll long and into the water :rolleyes:
[QUOTE=”chile, post: 10421594, member: 54997″]
i rarely hit 270+ (total) more than once or twice a round…but today, well…today…3 times with a 4th tee shot being 266. idk if it’s the driver or i’m getting better with my set up/swing. i even had one roll long and into the water :rolleyes:
[/QUOTE]
Long enough to be a problem?
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You stud.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 10421619, member: 53737″]
Long enough to be a problem?
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You stud.
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[QUOTE=”chile, post: 10421594, member: 54997″]
i rarely hit 270+ (total) more than once or twice a round…but today, well…today…3 times with a 4th tee shot being 266. idk if it’s the driver or i’m getting better with my set up/swing. i even had one roll long and into the water :rolleyes:
[/QUOTE]
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I just played around with the Stealth Plus in the store and it looked real good down by the ball. I didn’t have time to hit it at all but it really brings back how I felt about original SIM (in a good way).
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Store is closed today because people in the mid-south don’t know what sleet is and how to act about it, so they just.. don’t do anything or go anywhere until it goes away. TF?!?!!