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!
I’m Curtis 4, do you use wood or plastic tees?
The durability has been weird. A couple of guys at our course are seeing their faces get dinged up by plastic tees. On the flip side my other buddy, who plays more than anyone I know, has one and the face still looks really good. I’m not sure why there is such a difference. He uses plastic tees also.
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Yep. ^ Pretty hard plastic really. Non continuous rim. You’d think if it was going to leave a mark those little edges would do it. I don’t see anything on mine or the guys in play with though. One has some marks low, but it’s from getting into the turf. He’s known to do that.
I don’t mind it.
Perhaps the longest total driving day I’ve ever had on course today, and it was mighty fun.
It just refuses to get kicked out of the bag. Flat out, refuses.
Mm. Ya know, I can’t remember. I will try to check that in the next couple days.
Man, I was just going to post pretty much the exact same thing. The TSR release got my club ho juices pumping real hard. But, since my season is in its twilight, I figured I would wait. But, then I was thinking crazy thoughts of selling my stealth before the next model comes out. Well, as soon as I fell in love with the TSR aesthetics, my swing clicked and the Stealth has been an absolute weapon for me. In my last 4-5 rounds, I have driven the ball better than I have all year. With confidence has come more speed.
I forgot to take a screenshot of the gps screen last night, but I hit the filthiest of drives on the second hole. 370 yards. Absolutely blew away my longest drive of the season. I dare say, I may possibly be back. Just in time for my season to end lol. But the feel of crushing drives with the carbon face the past few weeks has been an absolute blast.
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My buddy and I both use those exact same tees since our course provides them. My face looks brand new. Not a mark on it. His is starting to delaminate and looks like it’s from the tee hitting the face. Hasn’t had any effect on performance for him. So, his plan is to wait until the new model comes out and then do a warranty claim lol.
I use those as well. No issues.
It is strange. But, TM is standing behind the product. If it shows up for me, I have no doubt it will get taken care of. I have seen some pics of the face coming apart or the bond failing. Thankfully, I made it through the season unscathed.
Same. I am sure there are real issues out there but I have not had any of them.
Yeah, your timing couldn’t get any better! . That’s a monster drive dude. Filthy.
I’ll be honest, the sound has been totally addicting to me all year.. until the newest driver release. I still love how unique this is, but I did miss the other one. Kind of forgot how much. This one though, has continued to win on end result. On monitor, on course, it’s just. been. longer.
Yeah I haven’t even seen any. I don’t think I even know anyone here who puts a head through more than I tend to. I play a ton and I let everybody hit my stuff. There’s always issues, with every driver. We broke a couple Rogue STs before they were out, and I’ll say this here because it will be less of a thing, we had a TSR3 buckle on us the other day. 2nd session of it being hit. Crown got a fierce bulging line about 3/4-1" behind the face. And it’s titanium. They all have some failures.
I’m enjoying mine. It gives me a great result when I put a good swing on it. Looks cool and feels great. When you mash one, the feel is fun.
I do. I absolutely prefer the matte. I talked about that in the TSR thread recently when showing comparison photos. I got shined by the TSR3 the other day and as gorgeous as it is, it is difficult to go back to that after this much time in with the Stealth Plus matte crown.
Has anyone heard about creep, or any faces getting faster, or any of that stuff?? I haven’t, but I could have absolutely missed it being talked about on social or wherever else. Faces can and do get faster. Has anything weird about that been observed with these?
I haven’t heard about the carbon face getting springier. If it does have creep, I’m not sure it’s measurable on anything other than a CT machine.
I know it’s well documented with composite baseball bats. Would love to see some data on the current driver heads.
There was definitely a lot of speculation on the forum regarding the issue when the release was announced. Just curious… You play as much as anyone I know. Do you see anything anecdotally that suggests that yours is getting faster, aside from whatever your own swing is doing?
If you’re not concerned with resale, a little 3000 grit abralon pad can fix that gloss issue.
I’m seeing something in direct head to heads that has me curious.
Haha I was the one who started the sanding of the outer ring on the Stealths to take the glossy finish off. Posted videos and everything. I mentioned in the TSR thread something might have to be done about it.
Every time out.
I don’t understand it.
New offering, TSR? or ? from unannounced item?
TSR2.
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All it takes.
That looks goooooood.
This thing is still pretty much undefeated on course for me. I should have played it yesterday to hurt its stats. Fore… everywhere! Lol
between this release and the raw p7mc’s I think its time to use some TM loyalty points……. and Spider GT Truss haha
You want the Raw MCs? I think they’re just getting rid of heads they didn’t finish. And you’re going to get to hit the new ones in a couple months.
I dig this, but I actually dont mind the red face at all any more. I actually dont even think I notice it either way.
LOL yea thats probably the case haha. Here’s some leftover unsold product we could sell…..
Thats the tough part is knowing new ones are coming yet tempted to pay full price for something "limited
The red face never bothered me either. I like it alot and love how different it is…… I just meant for the "Stealth" name, the blacked out look would make more sense
Just set it to how I am guessing will work best for me (10.5 degrees and sliding weight halfway between the middle and end of the fade side) and hit 20 or so balls into my backyard net. Felt extremely solid so looking forward to hitting some balls with it in that setting where I can see the ball flight in the next few days.
Great driver.
Nope. Mine is holding up every bit as well as any titanium face I have ever owned.
By green, I am inferring you mean what I would call fluorescent yellow. I try to hit them whenever I can, but supply chain issues have caused some of them to be scarce. I have hit them for probably 80% of my rounds this year. I have been playing Pro Vs and Chromesoft X mostly. Early in the year, I was playing Srixon Z Star XVs.
No, green.
No, I said green. They are a high vis. Maybe I should try yellow though?? I have used red and don’t think that was an issue.
Ha ha. That’s why I am clarifying. I have heard some people refer to the yellow balls as “green,” because they have sort of a neon tint, sometimes. No, I have never played a green ball. I don’t know that I have ever seen one out in the wild.