Entering 2025, TaylorMade Golf certainly has the same air of confidence you expect from the brand when it comes to drivers, and with the year the best player in the world had with their product in the bag, they should be confident. However, it would appear that they have learned as the years have gone by and for the new release cycle, we will not be getting a sequel. You read that right, no sequel like with the SIM2 or Stealth 2.0, no, though the Qi tag remains as the brand continues their quest for inertia, this time it is under the Qi35 name.

Why 35? Well, the 3 stands for the three core pillars of this release in form, fit, and function. The 5 though comes from the five different heads (sort of) within the Qi35 lineup.
That focus on Form, Fit, and Function is the cornerstone to Qi35, and provides a nice way for us to breakdown just what changes have been made, and there are plenty of changes.
Qi35 – FORM
TaylorMade Golf believes that they have the best designers in the world under their roof, not just from an internal innovation standpoint, but also from an aesthetic one. With Qi35, they really have set out to let their people flex muscles with the goal of taking material innovations and bringing them to life within an aesthetic unlike anything else on the market.
Where some companies seem to add graphics and colors for the sake of doing it, TaylorMade didn’t want that to be the case with Qi35, so the team took inspiration from some of the most advanced products in the world, from Lamborghini all the way to the F22 Raptor stealth fighter aircraft. Every inch of such products has a rhyme and a reason, so that was the goal for Qi35 as well. By bringing their new “Chromium Carbon Fiber” as well as steel, aluminum, tungsten, and titanium together they have achieved that and then some, as the lineup is about as stealth and mean looking as you can get.

However, it isn’t just for looks. Those materials combined with the move away from sliding weights to “pinpoint” weighting aims to take precision to a new level for TaylorMade. They have managed to blend five materials together and not only make an extremely high quality visual with no gaps or epoxy lines but all of that has also helped free them up for their chase to optimize the blending of CG and MOI.
Qi35 – FUNCTION
That brings us to function, where the innovative minds behind TaylorMade get to show that it isn’t all just bells and whistles, but performance. The brand believes that with Qi10 they established themselves as a leader in the inertia movement, but as with any first push at something, there were things that needed to be improved upon.
MOI is a key element in forgiveness and keeping the ball in play, however, without proper launch condition options for all styles of players then it means little. This year, the Qi35 Max remains a 10K head, while the core Qi35 actually cracks 9K. Within these, as well as the Qi35 LS and new Qi35 Max Lite, there was also the understanding that the balance point of the center of gravity for each head needed to be optimized more.

For those that may not know, that balance point is, ideally, at 0 or the dead center of the clubhead. But, as you move weight and shape, it tends to shift that CG location up as well, reducing the area on the face where you can achieve low spin and increasing the higher spin area. This is what the Qi10 Max faced last year, and why it spun so much for so many golfers. By reducing the weight in the face, crown, and titanium ring it has allowed TaylorMade to pull the CG back and down in all of the Qi35 models, going so far as putting the LS head below zero in one orientation, the core Qi35 now lower than the Qi10 LS was, and the Max moving 15% to decrease spin by 200 RPM. These are big changes.
Qi35 – FIT
All of those visual and internal changes for this release combine to be a key element in what just might be TaylorMade’s biggest point of emphasis with Qi35, fitting. The brand wants to become the leader in fitting for retail by creating a lineup that gives more opportunities to unlock performance in fit with more simplicity and effectiveness.
Present day fitting is about launch, spin, and speed. TaylorMade believes more emphasis needs to be put onto the head before impact as it would allow for a better, more efficient, and faster fit. So, this is where the fifth club, a specially designed “Select Fit” head, enters for Qi35.
This clubhead actually has reflective “fit markers”, six of them, built into the carbon face. Not only are they deemed USGA legal, but the precision placement within the construction also means no human error markers you typically stick onto heads for fitting with the Foresight GC Quad which TaylorMade claims ½ mm can equate to 200RPM change on the monitor.

Don’t worry though Trackman users, reflective markers may not work for fitters on these devices, but TaylorMade for the first time ever releasing the exact CAD dimensions and information of each head in the Qi35 lineup, does. This will allow extreme accuracy in the information put out as it relates to each specific head.
With this technology, the goal is to let fitters dial the head, then utilize a deep shaft fitting matrix which TaylorMade has created, and then finally pull all of the levers of precision fitting with the adjustability built in. It certainly seems like the idea is that if they can make life easier on fitters compared to other brands, then perhaps they will create an advantage leading to more sales.
While the story TaylorMade is telling this year is their most interesting in some time, it is of course the designs which you are all here for, so let’s dive in.
2025 TaylorMade Qi35 Driver
The Qi35 is the core model in the new lineup, and it has also undergone the biggest changes from Qi10. The head now uses a two-weight system which comes standard with 13g and 3g that can be moved front or back. Those weights though are also on a bigger headshape, in fact, it is now the same footprint as the Max model. TaylorMade believes that this is the trend for younger players who are coming up being accustomed to the larger look. Of course, this size change is also what has allowed optimization of CG and MOI.

The Qi35 with 13g back is a 9K driver head and 8.1K when it is forward. Comparatively, the Qi10 was at 8.4K, but has a much higher CG than the new model does in both configurations. This means that you can get more of the best of both worlds launch/spin and forgiveness than before. TaylorMade has even gone so far as to say that this change is the equivalent to five years of innovation.
Loft options for the Qi35 will be 9, 10.5, and 12 (RH only) degrees with 4 degrees of adjustability through the adapter. The carbon face remains as does a new generation of Carbon Twist Face and Speed Pocket. Standard shaft options are the Fujikura Ventus Blue ’25 (5 A/R/S) and Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana T+ (60 R/S/X)
2025 TaylorMade Qi35 LS Driver

Even the new LS has gained MOI from the Qi10 version thanks to moving to three precision weight ports rather than any type of internal/external track design, though it remains an LS model. The big change here instead has been the change in CG balance point with the head now reaching 0.0 with heavy back, and below zero (-0.2mm) with weight forward. This is the head that TaylorMade is declaring high launch and high spin players will love, as both of those traits can be reigned more than ever.
The LS lacks no bells or whistles in design, and it too uses the same five materials in construction and is showcasing the improved Carbon Twist Face as well as Speed Pocket design. Standard shaft pairings will be the new Mitsubishi Chemical Dark Wave Blue CB (60 R/S/X) and White (60 S/X) with 8, 9, and 10.5 degree loft options.
2025 TaylorMade Qi35 Max Driver

Yes, 10K is back with the Qi35 Max. The shape here is very much in line with the Qi10 version, and oversized footprint that somehow still retains that classic TaylorMade look/feel. The multi-material construction and new Carbon Twist Face are the key elements here, though the savings created via the new carbon have unlocked a 15% change in CG balance location, equating to 200RPM according to the brands testing. Such a spin drop in a head that when tested just wants to stay in play no matter what is something to keep an eye on.
The head offers no adjustable weighting as they are keeping everything within the internal “inertia chamber” of the design. The Qi35 Max will be offered in 9, 10.5, and 12 degrees with the Fujikura AirSpeeder ’25 (50 A/R/S) and Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana T+ (60 A/R/S) as the standard shaft options.
2025 TaylorMade Qi35 Max Lite Driver

Finally, TaylorMade is getting into the lightweight game. Whether they will openly admit to it or not, other brands have found a very nice niche by providing an option in their lineups that is designed just for the slower swingers out there. The Max Lite has all of the bells and whistles of the Max, but it is not a 10K head, instead because they had to take weight out of the inertia chamber as well as from the grip and shaft (saving 12g) it comes in at 9K MOI.
The Max Lite is offered in 10.5 and 12 degree heads only, which makes sense for the demographic it is aimed at. Shaft options for this Qi35 model are the Mitsubishi Chemical Vanquish (4 R/R2) and Fujikura AirSpeeder ’25 (40L).
The Details
Pre-Order availability for the entire Qi35 lineup will begin today, on 1/7/25 with product officially hitting retail on 1/30/25. Yes, there will also be another Designer Series this year, but that will not release until 3/13/25. Pricing will be $599.99 for the Qi35, Qi35 Max, and Qi35 Max Lite drivers, while the Qi35 LS and Designer Series heads will be $649.99.
For more information check out their website at www.taylormadegolf.com.
[QUOTE=”jfrigo1003, post: 12904871, member: 50601″]
to my eye it actually sits very square. I think its the head shape and color that might make it look closed. Qi10 core was a great head shape and i loved how it looked at address. I prefer qi35 color and how it frames the ball but the head shape is kinda ugly….but it flat out performs
qi35 LS is the perfect head shape to me but my numbers were not great
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Maybe it was the store lighting or stick I grabbed. Perhaps my eye just prefers an open face angle and even square starts to look shut to me.
What setup do you have with yours?
[QUOTE=”DNice26, post: 12904883, member: 45706″]
Maybe it was the store lighting or stick I grabbed. Perhaps my eye just prefers an open face angle and even square starts to look shut to me.
What setup do you have with yours?
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10.5 one notch lower. 7g front weight (stock is 3g) and 13g back. Plays 45″ w/ VA Composites SYNYSTR CB 60x
I think its the shallower face and crown color that may make it look closed. I felt it sits perfectly square to target. Compared to a black crown or especially a gloss crown I could see where the chromium gray color makes it appear closed
I was actually just looking down at my qi35 5w vs qi10 5w and would say the qi10 sits better to my eye bc of the black and gloss crown. I dont like gloss at all but from a face angle standpoint, in my opinion, the gloss black reflection shapes the ball better compared to the matte grey finish. Obviously bc of the matte finish you can see the head shape more clearly
[QUOTE=”jfrigo1003, post: 12904928, member: 50601″]
10.5 one notch lower. 7g front weight (stock is 3g) and 13g back. Plays 45″ w/ VA Composites SYNYSTR CB 60x
I think its the shallower face and crown color that may make it look closed. I felt it sits perfectly square to target. Compared to a black crown or especially a gloss crown I could see where the chromium gray color makes it appear closed
I was actually just looking down at my qi35 5w vs qi10 5w and would say the qi10 sits better to my eye bc of the black and gloss crown. I dont like gloss at all but from a face angle standpoint, in my opinion, the gloss black reflection shapes the ball better compared to the matte grey finish. Obviously bc of the matte finish you can see the head shape more clearly
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Curious how you like that VA shaft? I’ve been curious to try one of those.
[QUOTE=”DNice26, post: 12904933, member: 45706″]
Curious how you like that VA shaft? I’ve been curious to try one of those.
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Ive had great success with every VA shaft ive ever tried. I’ve only swung this once so far and it was 6 swings at most. I ordered the qi35 weight kit so i can get the head right correct bc of the counter balance
but its very stable with more feel than a ventus black. Right now i like the TPT Nitro 16 LO more but thats bc i’ve used it so much more. That shaft is in an ADAPT LS so I want to hit both driver heads and shafts head to head
Hit [USER=21958]@e1iterate[/USER] Qi35 yesterday in the sim. Only a few swings. Not sure if it was the grip or just being in the sim but wasn’t a huge fan of it. The face feels different. Don’t know how to describe it.
I have tha Qi 35 max lite 3w on order and once I get used to the visual aspect will be trialing the driver. Currently have the Sim2 max in the bag so am curious about switching to a carbon face.
The core model driver was the winner for me in a demo/fitting last week. I was so surprised I’m getting another fitting next week to confirm. I’m taking 8 yards, faster ball speed on a slightly slower swing speed.
Had no preconceived ideas and no favoritism of one’s brand over another, have not carried a TM driver since the R5 TP.
Being deaf but with hearing aids sound/ feel is likely different for me.
Anyway looking to see if the data was a one off or repeats.
I prefer a matte crown to a glossy one, so that is an improvement over the QI-10 for me. From a performance standpoint, the big takeaway from trying them in the trackman bay was all 3 models were relatively low spin, staying sub 3000 rpm. Couple that with a fairly tight east/west dispersion and they may be on to something. I’m intrigued.
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Wasn’t my best driver day last time, but consistent and I wasn’t using my go-to shaft so there could be that. And I probably could have tweaked that setup with a little more weight in the toe.
It’s an interesting visual because they’re on the same line but my iron stuff was a bit of inside path, and the driver was neutral just with a closed face. And I do normally put toe weight on the LS so I think that would sort it out.
Great look over the ball and did well with my usual miss. Have a weight kit arriving tomorrow but I’m on IR again so I’m not sure when I’ll get to do it again.
[QUOTE=”DNice26, post: 12904883, member: 45706″]
Maybe it was the store lighting or stick I grabbed. Perhaps my eye just prefers an open face angle and even square starts to look shut to me.
What setup do you have with yours?
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I thought the core model set up closed and the max set up square. Hate the odd shape off the LS
I’m surprised at the lack of excitement and experiences with these. I know Callaway had the benefit of the Grandaddy folks testing out the Elyte, but so far there 7 pages of responses here vs 60 there.
I can’t wait to hit this vs Elyte (both core), looks go to qi35 for me though and I love the carbon face sound.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 12914045, member: 53737″]
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Wasn’t my best driver day last time, but consistent and I wasn’t using my go-to shaft so there could be that. And I probably could have tweaked that setup with a little more weight in the toe.
It’s an interesting visual because they’re on the same line but my iron stuff was a bit of inside path, and the driver was neutral just with a closed face. And I do normally put toe weight on the LS so I think that would sort it out.
Great look over the ball and did well with my usual miss. Have a weight kit arriving tomorrow but I’m on IR again so I’m not sure when I’ll get to do it again.
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You need to stop hurting yourself
2nd test today not as good. Elyte core won, mostly decisively. And todays 10.5 head looked closed a bit and was hitting more left today than last week. But hit all 3 drivers left varying degrees.
Qi does feel softer (to me) less harsh, but that could be the shaft. And it also looks better.
Elyte was more consistent a bit tighter dispersion. Longer overall consistently.
Qi had the longest drive by about 2-5 yards. But only one time.
[QUOTE=”JW Smoove, post: 12914174, member: 63219″]
2nd test today not as good. Elyte core won, mostly decisively. And todays 10.5 head looked closed a bit and was hitting more left today than last week. But hit all 3 drivers left varying degrees.
Qi does feel softer (to me) less harsh, but that could be the shaft. And it also looks better.
Elyte was more consistent a bit tighter dispersion. Longer overall consistently.
Qi had the longest drive by about 2-5 yards. But only one time.
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Does this call for a round 3?
[QUOTE=”outlawx, post: 12914185, member: 74252″]
Does this call for a round 3?
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Maybe. But things were more decisive today. And the face angle/appearance was a turn off.
But, I’m not in a hurry as we don’t know what we don’t know.
If i were buying today, likely Callaway, i hit balls and rotated clubs for an hour, for me, my swing etc it was decisive. I’m not jumping into a new driver….yet.
[QUOTE=”Typhoon, post: 12914089, member: 24954″]
I thought the core model set up closed and the max set up square. Hate the odd shape off the LS
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I looked at two more 10.5 heads today in better lighting and actually they looked pretty square. ????
I might have looked at a 9 degree and it looked closed. I also had out a max 10.5 that looked square. So now I have something to do on my way home…. I’ll stop at GG and take a look. Always looking for an excuse to hit a golf store here with 4” of snow coming tomorrow?
FYI too, I got such good numbers off the max it was crazy. I didn’t expect it. I’ll still be deciding between the core and the max when I turn in my broken Qi10. Last year I turned in my broken Stealth 2 and between the qi10 core and max I went with the core. Was not impressed. In hindsight I should have given up a couple ball speeds mph’s for no brainer consistency.
[QUOTE=”DNice26, post: 12914271, member: 45706″]
I looked at two more 10.5 heads today in better lighting and actually they looked pretty square. ????
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I’m at GG now… you enabler!! So I took a 9 in the max and core. And also 10.5. Had the clerk mix them up for me. Both times the core looked more closed and both times I thought the core looked bigger than the max. I thought they were supposed to be the same… don’t remember… but slightly closed
[QUOTE=”Typhoon, post: 12915622, member: 24954″]
I’m at GG now… you enabler!! So I took a 9 in the max and core. And also 10.5. Had the clerk mix them up for me. Both times the core looked more closed and both times I thought the core looked bigger than the max. I thought they were supposed to be the same… don’t remember… but slightly closed
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That’s a fun little test. You would think the max would be easy to pick out
[QUOTE=”outlawx, post: 12915632, member: 74252″]
That’s a fun little test. You would think the max would be easy to pick out
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I made sure I didn’t look at the shaft, only the heads and was amazed how they look the same… and the fact that I picked the wrong ones for each loft. My thinking was “ok, the heads look exactly the same, this one on the left looks a little more closed, very tiny bit, must be the Max… nope, wrong both times.
I even had the kid so it. He’s worked there a long time, I know him. He picked the wrong ones as well. He said he thought the max would look closed because it’s supposed to be the old HD . I told him it’s the internal weighting not the face now.
[QUOTE=”ttucliffhanger, post: 12908723, member: 40538″]
Hit [USER=21958]@e1iterate[/USER] Qi35 yesterday in the sim. Only a few swings. Not sure if it was the grip or just being in the sim but wasn’t a huge fan of it. The face feels different. Don’t know how to describe it.
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I will be interested to see how this plays out on the course for you guys. If one of you switches mid season that would be a huge testament to the tech.
Saw these in person today and mannnn are they ugly. Really not a fan of the putty patrol grey weave on top. Qi10 had the best look, imo. Not that I’m gonna buy one, but has anyone tried putting a vinyl wrap or smoke tint on a driver crown? Short of just painting it, there’s gotta be an easy way to darken the top of that thing.
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[QUOTE=”markymarcs, post: 12916569, member: 78493″]
Saw these in person today and mannnn are they ugly. Really not a fan of the putty patrol grey weave on top. Qi10 had the best look, imo. Not that I’m gonna buy one, but has anyone tried putting a vinyl wrap or smoke tint on a driver crown? Short of just painting it, there’s gotta be an easy way to darken the top of that thing.
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Go on Taylormade website and look for the designer series for the qi35… I think you’ll like it
[QUOTE=”outlawx, post: 12915632, member: 74252″]
That’s a fun little test. You would think the max would be easy to pick out
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Since I’ll have my choice of which one, I’ll have to spend more time hitting both. My numbers with the max were much better than the core but I was hitting whatever shaft was in them… wasn’t too concerned, just wanted to hit them both. I’d like to bring my Paderson Velocity with me and they both with that
[QUOTE=”TJRyska, post: 12916757, member: 64369″]
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I wanted to post this when I saw it, but I’d have been destroyed for it. Hahahaha
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12917757, member: 1579″]
I wanted to post this when I saw it, but I’d have been destroyed for it. Hahahaha
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I mean that’s a hell of a magic trick.
Sounded like a bunch of shooters talking?. Didn’t the post say the clubhead hit the mat?…. Behind the ball I imagine.
[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 12917789, member: 782″]
I mean that’s a hell of a magic trick.
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It’s something for sure
[QUOTE=”Typhoon, post: 12917688, member: 24954″]
Go on Taylormade website and look for the designer series for the qi35… I think you’ll like it
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Godddd that is just a [I]massive [/I]improvement. What were they thinking? Lol!
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Dialing. And prepping myself for being a fade guy again after another back setback.
[QUOTE=”TJRyska, post: 12916757, member: 64369″]
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Yikes full swing impact into a mat isn’t good for a driver. Whoda thunk ??
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 12923425, member: 53737″]
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Dialing. And prepping myself for being a fade guy again after another back setback.
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Hope you get that resolved sooner than later and become back issue free.
Me, I’m old, but i do the gym 2x week focus on legs, back mo core. I know I’ve been lucky, but i speak as one who had chronic back issues for many years. Good luck!
[QUOTE=”JW Smoove, post: 12923436, member: 63219″]
Hope you get that resolved sooner than later and become back issue free.
Me, I’m old, but i do the gym 2x week focus on legs, back mo core. I know I’ve been lucky, but i speak as one who had chronic back issues for many years. Good luck!
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Thanks. I’m building myself a couple setups for the softer swinging for now.
[QUOTE=”That post, post: 12923427, member: 65950″]
Yikes full swing impact into a mat isn’t good for a driver. Whoda thunk ??
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That couldn’t have happened from that ai cant imagine. That shit happens all the time. Either this is a setup, or TM went back to Stealth 1 construction
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 12923450, member: 53737″]
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Thanks. I’m building myself a couple setups for the softer swinging for now.
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Ugh should have proof read. It’s legs (that’s due to the knee replacement) back AND core. I know I’m captain obvious here but core work (at least for me) really helps my back.
Glad to see you’ve got options though!!
[QUOTE=”JW Smoove, post: 12923465, member: 63219″]
Ugh should have proof read. It’s legs (that’s due to the knee replacement) back AND core. I know I’m captain obvious here but core work (at least for me) really helps my back.
Glad to see you’ve got options though!!
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Yeah it can really help. Not sure how to say it best without a flex, but 5 days a week in the gym for nearly 30 years.. my core is solid. It’s structural in my back and honestly I’m very lucky I’ve lived that gym life or things would be much worse.
It was kind of fun last time working my way back hitting a little low spin fade. We’ll see.
[QUOTE=”That post, post: 12923427, member: 65950″]
Yikes full swing impact into a mat isn’t good for a driver. Whoda thunk ??
[/QUOTE]
That whole video is complete nonsense. ?
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 12923485, member: 53737″]
Yeah it can really help. Not sure how to say it best without a flex, but 5 days a week in the gym for nearly 30 years.. my core is solid. It’s structural in my back and honestly I’m very lucky I’ve lived that gym life or things would be much worse.
It was kind of fun last time working my way back hitting a little low spin fade. We’ll see.
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5 a week – ugh, for 30 years – I am not sure I could do that. My employment has been very sedentary (office desk job), then kids and on it goes. But, once I got serious about my weight, the rest fell into place, before that I could be off work/golf for a month or more due to back issues, since though, maybe a day here or there and things right themselves.