This is Golfer Geeks’
Summary: The
In this review of the
- Long & Forgiving
- Superb Sound & Feel
- Premium Looks
- Not a significant upgrade over the Stealth 2
Club Testers
Wes (Primary Tester)
- Average score: 73.2
- Handicap: +1
- Years of Experience/ Expertise: 28
- Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
- Typical ball flight: Fade
- Golf ball: ProV1x left dash
- Swing speed for this test: 118 (for this testing)
Jamie
- Average score: 85.9
- Handicap: 8.3
- Reviewing Clubs Since: 2015
- Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
- Typical ball flight: Draw
- Golf ball: 2024 Chrome Tour X
- Swing speed for this test: 97ish mph
Driver Specs
- Loft setting: 10.5 set to 8.5 degrees
- Shaft type: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 6.5 70g
- Shaft flex: X-Stiff flex
How We Tested
Wes performed the main testing (the data you see below) on the 17th hole of our golf course. He used premium Titleist balls, and we used the Garmin R10 launch monitor. We compared the Qi10 to the Stealth 2 and the Qi10 Max during this session.
I took the Qi10 on the course for most of 3 rounds. I hit multiple drives and drivers off many of the holes so I could get a good feel for them.
Launch Monitor Data
Club | Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance | Total Distance | Vertical Launch | Peak Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Qi10 | 118 | 169 | 283.7 | 304 | *10.8 | 101 ft |
Performance Review of the Qi10
Category | Grade |
|---|---|
Looks | B |
Sound/Feel | A |
Distance | A |
Forgiveness | A |
Flight/Playability | A |
Value | A |
Looks: (A) The Qi10 retains
Sound/ Feel: (A) Solid, soft, muted, and springy. Not unlike last year’s Stealth 2 line.
Distance: (A) A lot, as you would expect. Slight misses toward the toe and heel didn’t lose much distance in our testing.
Forgiveness: (A) What we expected. All but our worst swings were findable and playable. Again, I think they’re about the same as last year’s model…maybe a touch more.
Flight / Playability: (A) Well-struck drives launched high and carried forever. Wes hit his normal fade from the first shot on. My good swings were rewarded with high draws. My marginal swings were pushes, but long. My terrible swings were duck hooks.
Value: (A) ~$599 – Expensive, just like all the others.
Overview & Why Consider It
The Promise:
How?
- Going to an Infinity crown allowed
Taylormade to move weight elsewhere in the clubhead to optimize CG (center of gravity) and MOI (moment of inertia) for more forgiveness and better distance when you miss the sweet spot. - They wanted the Qi10 to inspire confidence, so they made the head look larger at address and used that same infinity crown we mentioned above with a whitish alignment line at the top of the face to increase contrast and frame the ball better.
Why consider the Qi10: As
- Wes is a great driver, and I’m a decent driver.
Our Experience with the Qi10
Wes virtually didn’t miss with the Qi10. Driving is a strength of his game, so this went as expected. He nailed high fade after high fade. His only real misses were when he was playing around. As you see above, he was a fan from his first swing. (he’d hit the Qi10 once before this day of testing)
My driver swing is hit and miss…for now. I hit quite a few very long drives with the Qi10. We’re talking 300+. But I also put quite a few marginal and awful swings on it too. My marginal swings were playable pushes and pulls. My awful swings were duck hooks and slices. Two-way misses are not my favorite.
The Qi10 behaved like any other premium driver not designed for elite swing speed and low spin. It saved a bunch of marginal swings and richly rewarded good swings. Awful swings can’t and shouldn’t be helped.
Who is the Qi10 for?
Wes and I agree the Qi10 is for golfers who want good forgiveness and distance but want good feel and the option to work the ball.
Low handicaps: (Yup) Wes is an elite driver and would put the Qi10 in his bag.
Mid handicaps: (Yes) Great club for you if you’re fairly straight.
High handicaps: (Possible) We think your first option should be the more forgiving Qi10 Max. (Unless you’re a fairly straight driver and the Max would produce too much spin)
Potential Alternatives
The Qi10 Max has many of the playing characteristics of the Qi10, but it’s less workable, more forgiving, and likely creates too much spin for high-spin elite low handicaps. (Though it appears Colin Morikawa and Nelly Korda have put it in play) You can read our direct comparison with launch monitor numbers here)
The Titleist TSR3, again, has many of the same playing characteristics as the Qi10. But the feel is different, and it’s not quite as forgiving. It’s more of a player’s driver, but it’s still playable if you’re fairly competent off the tee.
I also like the Stealth 2 as a viable alternative. I find they play and feel almost identical. Plus, the Stealth 2 will be at least $100 cheaper.
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Most Forgiving Alternative
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More Refined & Adjustable
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Most Similar
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5.0
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5.0
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5.0
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~$599
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~$599
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~$500
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- Exceptional Forgiveness & Distance
- Great Sound & Feel
- Premium Looks
- Great Launch & Trajectory
- Pricey
- Long & Forgiving
- Great Sound & Feel
- Easy Adjustability
- Elegant & Sleek Design
- Pricey
- Superb Sound & Feel
- Solid, Long & Forgiving
- Great looking driver
- Pricey
Customer Reviews
96% of buyers would recommend the Qi10 to a friend. It has an average rating of 4.7/5 out of 91 reviews at taylormadegolf.com.(1)
Final Verdict
Bottom line, we recommend the Taylormade Qi10 Driver for you if:
- If you want a driver, you can work off the tee if need be.
- You want a driver that’s long and forgiving.
- You want a driver with a good feel.
My #1 suggestion is to get your hands on them before you buy. Either at your local golf store or take advantage of Global Golf’s Utry trial program. I use it and recommend it.
Thanks for checking out our Taylormade Qi10 Driver Review and let us know how they work for you.
- Long & Forgiving
- Superb Sound & Feel
- Premium Looks
- Not a significant upgrade over the Stealth 2
