TaylorMade Qi35 Driver Review

[Jman]

We all know that TaylorMade Golf has never been a brand to shy away from being different. From the era of white paint to currently hanging their hat on the carbon face, they are typically willing to step outside the box and challenge the “norm”. The Qi35 driver definitely continues to show off that willingness […]

See full article...

 

[JB]

Really enjoyed that and based on the data it gives you some great performance

 

[JTinMO]

Taylormade always does drivers right. This is a great release. It’s interesting that they went bigger and really tried to correct issues from last year.

good take on the speed drop as well. I think you hit it on the head when you noted the size is probably the reason.

i love the looks on these, and think they are definitely up there for the best looking driver this year.

 

[The Scott]

Agree with the "love it or loathe it" part of the article in regards to the looks. I happen to fall into the loathe it camp. The core head looks way too big to me and I'm not a fan of the chromium (even though I did purchase the 3 wood).

 

[chile]

Nice write up. As much as I enjoyed the sim2 and stealth, I have gravitated toward other MFGs the last few years... I love the look. Wouldn't mind giving this a go.

 

[LeftyGolferWI]

Great write up. I just haven’t been able to get on board with TM drivers since the switch to carbonwood. Looks wise I think these are solid, but the sound/feel of that face is something I haven’t meshed with.

 

[R-Yang13]

Nice write-up @Jman. Agree with the feedback off the face notes - I think they have improved the visual at address, but I can’t get down with the feel of it. The Max I demoed was incredibly stable-feeling though, and spit out some decent numbers for me.

 

[outlawx]

Nice write up @Jman. Dang those numbers are incredibly solid.

 

[1860VS]

Two guys i know who always hit a nice baby draw off the tee cave developed a right miss with the QI35 core model. Interesting. Kind of makes me want to look at them with my occasional bad hook days.

 

[Jman]

Two guys i know who always hit a nice baby draw off the tee cave developed a right miss with the QI35 core model. Interesting. Kind of makes me want to look at them with my occasional bad hook days.

This is sometimes a product of higher MOI heads, it can impact each golfer differently.

That said, it’s not a fade based driver, it’s very neutral, even with the larger footprint

 

[Jman]

Agree with the "love it or loathe it" part of the article in regards to the looks. I happen to fall into the loathe it camp. The core head looks way too big to me and I'm not a fan of the chromium (even though I did purchase the 3 wood).

Definitely a very polarizing driver from address.

It does look pretty badass hanging on a shelf though haha

 

[jfrigo1003]

Definitely a very polarizing driver from address.

It does look pretty badass hanging on a shelf though haha

agree!! I absolutely love the overall color and presentation of the core head but I dont like how it looks at address at all.

Performance is great and its very neutral as you reviewed. The results with Qi35 so far in range time have been better than Cobra Adapt LS but I greatly prefer looking at the Adapt LS at address.

 

[MtlJeff]

Not a huge fan of the look, it's like "we get it, there's a lot of carbon"

 

[bsbmike]

Loved seeing the number difference with changing the weights...I agree with falling into the "love it" camp of the carbon design

I really like what Taylormade has gone for here...I don't love the feel and feedback off of the carbon faces, but the shaping and design I think is really well done

 

[Jman]

Not a huge fan of the look, it's like "we get it, there's a lot of carbon"

Like I said, love it or hate it.

 

[bsbmike]

@Jman do you feel like Taylormade feels the pressure of the other OEM's making some big pushes in the driver department? I know they have their fan base, but this feels like almost the start of them slipping behind some others and they see a push is needed

 

[outlawx]

Loved seeing the number difference with changing the weights...I agree with falling into the "love it" camp of the carbon design

I really like what Taylormade has gone for here...I don't love the feel and feedback off of the carbon faces, but the shaping and design I think is really well done

The all black is the superior version. The chromium just looks odd

 

[Jman]

@Jman do you feel like Taylormade feels the pressure of the other OEM's making some big pushes in the driver department? I know they have their fan base, but this feels like almost the start of them slipping behind some others and they see a push is needed

This might be polarizing to some….but…. Hahaha

I actually think they’re not making pushes, not true ones, and are instead just beating around the bush trying kitschy things like they are with the carbon aspect, and now the “chromium” look. Similarly, MOI is the catch all chase now, imo because it’s trendy in the industry.

I think they have become shockingly reactionary, and not driven on innovation like they once were. But

 

[bsbmike]

The all black is the superior version. The chromium just looks odd

For some reason I actually really like the chromium...something about it

Maybe it's the fighter jet aspect I get and I'm a plane nerd

 

[outlawx]

For some reason I actually really like the chromium...something about it

Maybe it's the fighter jet aspect I get and I'm a plane nerd

The bottom definitely nails the look but most of the fighter jets these days are black fiber that chromium look generates tooo much of a radar footprint.

 

[bsbmike]

This might be polarizing to some….but…. Hahaha

I actually think they’re not making pushes, not true ones, and are instead just beating around the bush trying kitschy things like they are with the carbon aspect, and now the “chromium” look. Similarly, MOI is the catch all chase now, imo because it’s trendy in the industry.

I think they have become shockingly reactionary, and not driven on innovation like they once were. But

I mean this is the feeling I've had with them the past few releases...nothing they've done as of recent has had me super excited. And at least from my seat, yes, it did seem like years ago they would be leading the charge on trying innovative things and others would follow...I don't know I just don't remember the last time they put a driver out and I was like I HAVE to go hit that. Not the way I've felt about some recent ones from Callaway or Cobra, or even the GT line from Titleist

 

[outlawx]

Its kind of wild that both Scottie and Rory are holding out on putting the qi35 in play. I know Rory has the 35 in now due to his 10 being non-conforming. It is just interesting to note.

 

[Stryker]

Its kind of wild that both Scottie and Rory are holding out on putting the qi35 in play. I know Rory has the 35 in now due to his 10 being non-conforming. It is just interesting to note.

Honestly, I feel like the Qi35 gets negative feedback but for me when I am swinging well it is really good. I am still waiting on TM to send the weight kit so I can get the shaft cut down and fine tune it but I hit it further than anything else I have tried in the past. I don't get why there is 0 hype and a lot of negativity.

 

[outlawx]

Honestly, I feel like the Qi35 gets negative feedback but for me when I am swinging well it is really good. I am still waiting on TM to send the weight kit so I can get the shaft cut down and fine tune it but I hit it further than anything else I have tried in the past. I don't get why there is 0 hype and a lot of negativity.

It was not negative but I just saw Scottie's WITB for the win and its qi 10 driver and 3 wood. He does have that 35 7wood.

 

[Stryker]

It was not negative but I just saw Scottie's WITB for the win and its qi 10 driver and 3 wood. He does have that 35 7wood.

I didn't mean your post was negative. More just looking at review or rankings posted on some sites. I mean several don't have a single version of the Qi35 in the top 20-25 for the year and thats blasphemy in my opinion. Also, there is not a lot of love for it here either. Not saying there is a lot of negative here either but its not much comments at all.