Written ByJamieThis is Golfer Geeks’
I’m an avid golfer, a 7ish handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6) and frequent tester of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.
Quick Take
The
Best for low-to-mid handicappers who want adjustability and haven’t upgraded in a few seasons—but Qi10 owners should skip this generation.
Golfer Geeks Verdict
4.0/ 5
The Scorecard
Bag Appeal3
Distance5
Sound & Feel4
Launch & Flight4
Forgiveness4
5 = Among the best / 4 = Very good / 3 = Average–acceptable / 2 = Below average / 1 = Poor / 0 = ☠️
Best For
Golfers who are at least competent off the tee box. It goes as far as you need and will correct mediocre swings to a point.
Considerations
No discernable improvement over the Qi10 and costs ~$130 more.
The Verdict
The Qi35 is long, forgiving, and confidence-inspiring. Everything you’d expect from a top-tier 2025 driver.
But unless you love the new look or are a
Great club, just not a must-upgrade for most.
Recommended
Taylormade Qi35 Driver
Pros
- ✓Plenty long
- ✓Decent forgiveness
- ✓Premium Sound & Feel
Cons
- ✕Not an improvement over the Qi10
- ✕Cosmetics & head shape no bueno
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About Jamie
- Handicap: 6.9
- Expertise: reviewing clubs since 2015
- Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
- Typical ball flight: Mid-High Tight Draw
- Golf ball used: Titleist ProV1
Driver Specs
- Loft: 10.5 degrees
- Shaft: Project X HZRDUS RDX Blue
- Shaft flex: 6.0 (Stiff flex)
Performance Review
Launch Monitor #s
Launch Monitor #s
Club Speed103mph
Ball Speed151mph
Carry Distance253yds
Vertical Launch13°
Peak Height104ft
Spin3200rpm
Bag Appeal: (3) A step down from the Qi10. Head shape and cosmetics are average at best. I do like the new face color.
Sound & Feel: (4) Nice and solid. Probably on par with it’s premium competition.
Forgiveness: (4) No doubt it’s forgiving, though I didn’t hit it well.
Distance: (4) Ample distance when you catch it.
Flight / Launch: (4) It launches plenty high with good peak height.
What Makes the TaylorMade Qi35 Driver Different?
The
The performance gains over the Qi10 are subtle. Some golfers prefer the older model’s shape and aesthetics.
If you have a repeatable swing, want shot-shaping capability, and haven’t upgraded in 2+ years, the Qi35 deserves testing. But it’s not a must-upgrade from the Qi10.
The Qi35 is aimed at the “solid but not Tour-level” player who wants distance, forgiveness, and adjustability in a sleek, modern head.
It features
If you:
- Have a repeatable swing and want to shape your shots,
- Like the idea of playing with movable weights to dial in your ball flight,
- Want something that feels and sounds premium…
…then the Qi35 absolutely deserves a test drive.
Just remember: the performance gains over the Qi10 are subtle, and some golfers may prefer the older model’s shape and look. But if you’re in the market for a new big stick and haven’t locked into a driver in the past couple seasons, the Qi35 should be on your short list.
Recommended
Taylormade Qi35 Driver
Pros
- ✓Plenty long
- ✓Decent forgiveness
- ✓Premium Sound & Feel
Cons
- ✕Not an improvement over the Qi10
- ✕Cosmetics & head shape no bueno
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
My Experience with The Qi35 Driver
I hit the Qi35 a ton on the range alongside the Qi10.
Three separate days of testing, in fact. This happens when my swing isn’t exactly “firing.”
That said, I pieced together a bunch of good drives, some not so good, and some terrible over those three days.
Terrible drives were thrown out because they reflect on me, not the equipment.
Personal testing is already skewed because none of us are consistent enough to pick up on all the nuances of each driver.
I think the Qi35 is a solid driver and reflects the cutting edge of driver tech.
That did not translate into better driving for me in my testing. Especially when testing it against the Qi10.
I’ll likely hit the Qi35 again when my swing is better to confirm a few things.
Who Should Play the TaylorMade Qi35 Driver?
The
It’s not ideal for beginners or golfers fighting slices—the max forgiveness models (Qi35 Max or competitors) serve those players better.
I think it serves a wide variety of golfers. From low to better high handicaps.
I don’t think it’s a great pick if you fight a slice or if you’re a beginner.
Here’s how
- Forgiveness – Higher
- Spin – Mid-low
- Launch – Mid
- Head Shape – Max
Low handicaps: (Yes) Certainly an option for you.
Mid handicaps: (Probably) It’s supposed to accomodate you, but you want to test it before you pull the trigger.
High handicaps: (Probably not…but maybe) It’s pretty demanding in my testing. Again, you should probably test it for yourself.
What Are the Best Alternatives to the TaylorMade Qi35 Driver
Three strong alternatives for player-performance drivers:
- TaylorMade Qi10 ($399) – Nearly identical performance with better looks for $250 less.
- Titleist GT2 ($649) – Explosive distance with premium aesthetics and ample forgiveness.
- Cobra Darkspeed X ($450) – Excellent distance and forgiveness at a value price.
Taylormade Qi10 – Superb performance. Classic head shape. Premium looks. ~$120 less than the Qi35.
Titleist GT2 – My current favorite driver. It’s got ample forgiveness, explosive distance, premium looks, and costs the same as the Triple Diamond Max.
Cobra Darkspeed X – Another one of my favorite drivers from last year. Plenty long. Plenty forgiving once I moved the heavy sole weight to the rear position, and at a bargain basement price now.
Check out more Taylormade drivers.
Check out more mid handicap drivers.
My New Gamer
Titleist GT2 Driver
Pros
- ✓ Sleek & Gorgeous
- ✓ Premium Sound & Feel
- ✓ Surprisingly Long & Forgiving
Cons
- ✕ Price
Highly Recommended
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Driver
Pros
- ✓ Solid sound & feel
- ✓ Surprisingly forgiving
- ✓ Easy to launch high
- ✓ Good distance
Cons
- ✕ Not in love with the cosmetics
Former Editor's Pick
Taylormade Qi10 Driver
Pros
- ✓ Long & Forgiving
- ✓ Superb Sound & Feel
- ✓ Premium Looks
Cons
- ✕ Not a significant upgrade over the Stealth 2
Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews – What Others Are Saying
Overall Rating: 4.8/5 across 368 reviews.(1)
Takeaway: Many users say the Qi35 feels hotter and more forgiving than the Qi10, with excellent distance and great adjustability.
- Several reviewers specifically mentioned upgrading from the Qi10 and finding the Qi35 “hotter” and tighter on dispersion.
- Multiple users praised the premium sound and feel of the Qi35.
- Forgiveness and distance were consistently highlighted — even on less-than-perfect swings.
- The Trajectory Adjustment System was called out as a useful tool for dialing in preferred shot shape.
Final Verdict
The Qi35 is a solid driver with all the latest
- It’s long.
- It’s forgiving
- It’s got great sound and feel
I just didn’t get along with it, and it started with the cosmetics. May seem shallow, but I think it’s hard to hit a club well that you think is ugly.
Is it a major step up over the Qi10?
Nope…nothing I could tease out.
Should you upgrade if you own the Qi10?
I’m in the “no” camp.
As usual…
My #1 suggestion is to test it before you buy it.
Either at your local golf store or take advantage of Global Golf’s risk free Utry trial program. I use it and recommend it.
Thanks for checking out our
Recommended
Taylormade Qi35 Driver
Pros
- ✓Plenty long
- ✓Decent forgiveness
- ✓Premium Sound & Feel
Cons
- ✕Not an improvement over the Qi10
- ✕Cosmetics & head shape no bueno
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Scoring Scale
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 5 | Among the Best |
| 4 | Very Good |
| 3 | Average / Acceptable |
| 2 | Below Average |
| 1 | Poor |
| 0 | Not Applicable / Bad |
