TaylorMade Qi10 Drivers

It seems like 2024 is marking a change for TaylorMade Golf. While they will certainly never lack for bravado, there is a much more subdued feeling coming from their newest driver release. This one feels like a committed internal goal to set a benchmark and achieve it. Specifically speaking, an MOI benchmark. 

Therein lies where the new name comes from, gone are Stealth or SIM, as well as their sequels, and we don’t have to worry about a trilogy. Instead, this is a “Quest for Inertia”, and where the TaylorMade Qi10 drivers get their name. 

TaylorMade Qi10 Drivers

TaylorMade Qi10 Drivers – The Quest for Inertia

If I managed to shatter any readers thoughts that there was some clever annunciation to this new driver lineup after staring at the poorly taken pictures we have seen the internet sleuths posting for some time, I’m sorry about that. There is no Chi, simply Q – I – Ten. 

What does the ten mean? Well, 10,000 of course, as that is the touted MOI rating from TaylorMade when discussing the Qi10 Max specifically. This is important to the story as the brand realized that they had plateaued for some time now when it comes to MOI. 

Sole design of the TaylorMade Qi10 Drivers

The issue was not wanting to sacrifice the speed potential which they are known for in order to up the MOI. After all, there are a plethora of ways to add weight, move it, and change shape to do just that, but what they wanted instead was balance. That is where a challenge to their engineers came in, the solution was three-pronged. 

First, they went even lighter in materials. Leading the way is the new “Infinity Carbon Crown” which saved up to 5g by removing the Ti frame look we have grown familiar with and now wrapping the carbon fiber around the edge of the head. The Stealth drivers covers 79% of the crown with carbon, the new Qi10 takes that up to 97%. Combining this with the 60X Carbon Twist Face, carbon support ring, and only 71g of Titanium in the entire head opened up a plethora of weight to be redistributed. 

The blue face of the TaylorMade Qi10 Drivers

That brings us to shape, and those who have long clung to the same exact shaping and size which TaylorMade has been using for so long might want to hold on. There is a new “Inertia Shaping” coming where there is now a larger surface area at address, in the Max for example, it is 8mm longer from front to back. However, some calm is needed for longtime fans as even though things are bigger, the brand worked hard to maintain the familiar shaping and curvature of each head in the lineup so that there is a familiar feeling at address. 

The biggest reason for that shape change? To give them a place to put all of that saved mass into “extreme locations” within the head, namely the perimeters of the clubhead. Through external weighting methods in the rear or front of the clubhead as well as internal mass pads they looked to up that stability and resistance to twisting, or MOI. Mix it all together and in the Max head TaylorMade hit the 10,000 MOI threshold. 

Although the chase for 10,000 is the biggest part of the story this year, there was more done to the designs than that. For example, the 60 layer Carbon Twist Face has been tweaked in more than just color. Now there has been a change to the areas and way it flexes to make it more efficient. Along with that TaylorMade has engineered better support structures at the edge to increase energy efficiency and perhaps more importantly, durability. 

Tying it all together meant again offering three different heads, the Qi10 Max, Qi10, and Qi10 LS. While the naming is more simplified, so too is the breadth of golfers which they can fit. TaylorMade also put much emphasis in ensuring that there was better differentiation of the three models, and though they believe the 10,000 MOI Max is the lead driver in the lineup, the Qi10 and Qi10 LS certainly round things out for specific needs. 

TaylorMade Qi10 Max Driver

As mentioned, the Max is the driver which achieved that 10,000 threshold that was such a goal. Because of that, this has the biggest “Inertia Shaping” of the three and will look the biggest at address. The name of the game here is straight forgiveness while still offering ample speed.

A look at the crown of the TaylorMade Qi10 Drivers
TaylorMade Qi10 MAX Driver

The Qi10 Max will be available in 9.0, 10.5, and 12.0 degree lofts for both RH and LH golfers. In addition, there will be a “Women’s Spec” and well as an “HL” (Higher and Lighter) option which is a much more lightweight build option. Standard shaft options are the Fujikura Speeder NX TCS 60 (A, R, S) and Mitsubishi T+ 60 (R, S, X). The Max is priced at $599.99. 

TaylorMade Qi10 Driver

Here you have a much more traditionally shaped driver head in the Qi10. While it doesn’t have the MOI of the Max, it is still higher than previous TaylorMade drivers in the same class. This head is about “Complete Performance” to optimize the distance and forgiveness with a lower CG and friendly look. 

TaylorMade Qi10 Driver

The Qi10 will be offered in 9.0, 10.5, and 12.0 with the high loft option being in RH only. Standard shaft options are the Fujikura Speeder NX TCS 60 (A, R, S) and Mitsubishi T+ 60 (R, S, X). The Qi10 comes in at $599.99. 

TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver

Yes, TaylorMade is on the LS labeling train now, and thank goodness. The simple “LS” makes it clear that this is the most traditionally shaped head of the three with the most compact footprint at address. The name of the game is lower spin and launch via CG placement as well as the new more efficient sliding 18G weight at the front of the head. The track system is now partially internal making for better aerodynamics. 

TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver

The LS will be offered in the 8.0, 9.0, and 10.5 degree lofts which better players prefer. Standard shaft options are the Mitsubishi Tensei AC Limited Blue 65 (RSX) and Mitsubishi Tensei AV Black 65 (S, X). The Qi10 LS will be priced at $629.99. 

The Details

As you can see, this is a significant change for TaylorMade, and not just in name. Implementing the new look as well as things like the high contrast topline alignment while keeping +/- 2-degree adjustability simply adds to the MOI storyline. 

The entire Qi10 Driver lineup will be available for pre-order starting 1/9/24 and come to retail on 2/2/24.

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James is a staff writer for The Hackers Paradise along with being a professional educator. With his background in education James seeks to broaden his own knowledge while also sharing it with all those who share his passion for the game.