TaylorMade has been at the forefront of developing driver technology for over four decades and it continues to produce equipment delivering market-leading performance. Rarely does a TaylorMade driver launch pass quietly, such is its presence on Tour among the world's best players and the eye-catching visuals that attract attention.
Be it the JetSpeed, AeroBurner or Rocketballz - to name but a few models - TaylorMade can never be accused of bringing products to the market that lack innovation. In 2022 and 2023, TaylorMade introduced us to the Carbonwood age, as it launched the Stealth and then the Stealth 2 range of drivers, one of the first ever drivers to have an all carbon face as well as chassis.
For 2024, TaylorMade brings in the Qi10, with the main focus being on a new level of forgiveness and stability. Such is the quality, it's the first time that the company have surpassed 10,000 MOI (moment of inertia) and, consequently, it ranks as one of the best golf drivers. Here, we examine the range and offer our advice on which model will suit your game and skill level.
Importantly, be sure to follow the links for our full reviews where you can read more about the latest technology and find out how each driver performed during testing. Alternatively, if TaylorMade is not for you, we have also created guides for other brands too – such as the best Ping drivers, the best Titleist drivers, and the best Callaway drivers.
WATCH: We run through the performance of the best drivers in 2024
The Quick List
Combining the best bits of both the Max and LS models, the standard Qi10 model is an exceptional all round performer that is extremely forgiving and will appeal to a broad spectrum of players.
The Max model really is the headline product of the new Qi10 range. With a vastly different head shape to the TaylorMade norm and exceptional levels of forgiveness, this driver could be a real market disruptor.
Another solid, high-performing ‘better player’ driver from TaylorMade. Things haven’t moved on drastically from the Stealth 2 Plus from a performance perspective, but significant aesthetic improvements are evident.
The Stealth 2 has been subtly improved over its predecessor, making it an impressive all-rounder and one that will appeal to a wide range of golfers.
The Stealth 2 HD driver is the most forgiving of the three models, with the draw bias subtle and the extra weight making it very easy to launch.
An excellent all round driver that is ideal for anyone who wants a compact, but not intimidating, look at address and the ability to move weights to dial in a specific shot shape.
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By shrinking the size of this driver, reducing the length of the shaft and adding loft, TaylorMade is offering something genuinely worth considering for confident ball strikers.
The Kalea Premier is a beautifully-designed driver that can be precision built to suit anyone. It's certainly eye-catching with elegant styling and performance.
Best TaylorMade Drivers
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Qi10 Models
Sitting in the middle of the Qi10 range in terms of its spin and forgiveness levels, in theory the Qi10 will appeal to the broadest range of players. One thing that is for certain is that the tech story is pretty simple; TaylorMade has aimed to maximise the MOI without compromising ball speed.
How have they achieved this you may ask? Well, the company have re-engineered their 60X Carbon Twist Face and provided a new supporting structure to promote faster ball speeds and improve the durability of the face. Coupled with a brand new, larger address footprint and a lower CG projection, and the Qi10 hits the mark in all the important aspects, with our testing showing an improvement over the Stealth 2.
Visually, TaylorMade has also come away from the red face that we saw in the Stealth range of clubs, with the color being replaced with a more subtle and less garish navy colour. Furthermore, the new ultra rounded shape of the Qi10 is a real delight and should inspire confidence when at address.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Driver Review
TaylorMade Qi10 Max Driver
Having been fortunate enough to receive a full product briefing by the TaylorMade team, it's very apparent that the Qi10 Max is very much the hero product of this particular family, so much so, the whole series was named after this model. The quest for 10K MOI was what the TaylorMade engineers set out to do, hence the ‘Q’ for quest, the ‘i’ for inertia and the ‘10’ for 10k, giving us the Qi10.
Stretching out the head shape to create an 8mm longer profile from the front to the back has allowed the CG to be moved deeper and into a more MOI friendly location. In testing, this was certainly the case, as the Qi10 Max is astonishingly forgiving. Some of the poorer strikes our tester administered to the ball were hugely flattered by the high MOI of the driver.
What's more, the ball speed remained pretty constant no matter where the ball was struck on the face and dispersion was pleasingly tight both from a length and directional perspective. It's worth noting that the spin was on the slightly high side, but the whole point of this driver is to get the ball airborne. Overall, we think the Qi10 Max justifies its position as the hero product of this range, with it delivering incredible levels of forgiveness and stability without compromising speed.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Max Driver Review
TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver
The Qi10 features the new looks we see in the standard and Max versions, with the LS model retaining a more familiar pear-shaped TaylorMade profile. This is slightly different to the other models listed above, which tend to have a more rounded footprint.
Although the performance numbers were similar to that of the Stealth 2, it's small elements where TaylorMade has improved this offering, with the company suggesting that it has marginally increased the MOI of the LS model, albeit not as dramatically as with the Qi10 Max model.
Overall, the LS is a strong performer in the low spin driver category and its performance will stand up to any of its major rivals in all parameters. However, the performance improvements over its predecessor aren’t glaringly obvious, but TaylorMade has done a good job in cleaning up the aesthetic to appeal to a broader audience.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver Review
Stealth 2 Models
Just like the previous Stealth, the Stealth 2 features the 60X Carbon Twist Face and the company has built on it and optimized energy transfer for fast ball speeds, with the new face design featuring an advanced version of Inverted Cone Technology (ICT). This helps maintain ball speed on off-center strikes and increase forgiveness.
You still see the red and black aesthetic, but TaylorMade has made it more user-friendly, especially behind the ball. They have done this by making the red on the face brighter, which ensures the loft on the club is a little clearer to see. What's more, the glossy black crown also helps it look a bit more generous at address.
Compared to the previous generation, the Stealth 2 is more evolutionary than revolutionary. The distance was good but it was the added consistency in testing that impressed us most. This was especially true in terms of ball flight as it remained pretty consistent throughout testing.
- Read our full TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver Review
TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD Driver
TaylorMade also introduced an HD version to the Stealth 2 range of drivers. The majority of the gains are towards the heel side of the centre which makes it very forgiving, especially for those who mis-hit low and to the inside of centre. There is also more sign of weight saving, especially at the back of the head, with a 30g weight. Although this is 10g more than the standard model, it has increased the MOI to make it one of the most forgiving drivers on the market.
One last notable addition is that TaylorMade have given the driver a 0.25 inch shorter shaft at 45.5 inches, a 2° upright lie as standard and a deeper more rounded head. All these things will help promote a slight draw bias with a higher flight, hence the HD High Draw suffix, putting it as one of the best drivers for slicers. In testing this certainly proved to be the case with the TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD driver giving a consistently higher flight than the other Stealth 2 models.
We also loved the looks of this driver, especially at address. The more rounded head looked excellent and the addition of a matte leading edge, gloss crown and red color to the back of the crown gives it a classy look.
- Read our full TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD Driver Review
TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Driver
The final Stealth 2 model to mention is the Stealth 2 Plus, a driver you will have seen in the bags of some of the best players in the world.
Of the three new models, the Stealth 2 Plus driver has the most compact footprint at address (the Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD are slightly bigger to look down on) and as such it is probably best suited to the more consistent ball strikers. That being said, like with the other Stealth 2 models, the aesthetics of this driver are excellent.
Another thing we picked up on while testing the new Stealth 2 Plus on the course was the feel. This is a really important part of the overall package and we were pleased the second generation Stealth still felt powerful through impact. If anything, we thought it was a fraction more muted than the previous generation. We really liked it but if you prefer a higher-pitched contact sound, you might find this isn’t lively enough for you. Finally it features a 15g sliding weight to help golfers dial in their ball flights which we found fun to tinker around with but realistically after a custom fitting this is best to just leave where it is.
- Read our full TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Driver Review
TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver
Billed as a 'modern interpretation of a classic design' the new BRNR Mini Driver from TaylorMade is one of the coolest golf clubs to be released in recent years. The stand-out feature here is this driver's size. At just 304cc, it is noticeably more compact than any of the best golf drivers on the market. There are two moveable weights in the sole of the club that can be switched to dial in the spin profile and overall flight on offer. In addition to that there is also a ‘K Sole’ design which should help with turf interaction for those looking to use this from the deck.
Aesthetically, it is a stunning looking driver thanks to the bronze and brown sole plate that evokes memories of the TaylorMade Bubble Burner. In terms of the performance, We really enjoyed playing with this club and liked the control it delivered. In fact, we only missed one fairway using the BRNR Mini in our testing sessions. It offers pretty ample distance but not quite as much as some of the best golf drivers for distance. While the appeal might be narrower than with, for instance the most forgiving drivers on the market, it will be compelling for some. Confident ball strikers and longer hitters who are searching for control off the tee above all else and are happy to look down on something more compact at address, are the target.
- Read our full TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Review
Women's Models
TaylorMade's goal with the new Kalea range was to produce the absolute best clubs for ladies across a broad spectrum of playing styles. The company in fact ran focus groups across four countries, asking over 15,000 lady golfers of varying abilities what they wanted in a driver and even built an advisory panel made up of female PGA professionals. The result, in my opinion, is one of the best golfer drivers for women TaylorMade has ever built.
Coming in at 12.5 degrees of loft as standard, it features a super lightweight carbon crown and sole, as well as a 22-gram steel back weight to help you launch the ball higher. What's more, it also has TaylorMade's corrective 'Twist Face' to help straighten out your heel and toe mis-hits.
There's yet more technology in the flexible 'Speed Pocket' channel behind the face that expands the sweet spot, giving you an added boost of ball speed and forgiveness on low face strikes. The overall club weight is 10g lighter than its predecessor, the Kalea 3 driver, which should make it even easier for the slower swinging lady to gain yards off the tee.
- Read our full TaylorMade Kalea Premier Women's Driver Review
How We Test
When it comes to product testing, our reviews and buyers' guides are built upon a rigorous testing procedure as well as the knowledge and experience of the test team. Headed up by Neil Tappin and Joel Tadman, both have been testing golf clubs for years and both play to a handicap of 5. Both are also able to efficiently test the vast majority of the biggest product releases and convey the pros and cons eloquently.
Getting into specifics for drivers, we first attend product launches and speak to manufacturers to understand the technology. We then hit the golf clubs indoors, usually at Foresight Sports and test the products with premium golf balls on a launch monitor. Outdoor testing is the next port of call and this usually takes place at West Hill Golf Club, a course in Surrey with top-notch practice facilities. Ultimately, we aim to be as insightful and honest as possible in our reviews so it is important to acknowledge that no manufacturer can buy a good review. This is because our team tells it how it is.
How to choose a new driver
You've probably already asked yourself whether you need to buy a new driver, but there's a few key things to consider when investing in a new driver, especially one that can help with your slice. Hopefully answering these questions will narrow your search down slightly and make comparing between various models much easier.
When purchasing a new big stick, it is crucial to ask yourself just what you need from it. Is distance your main priority or are you looking for something to help you find more fairways? We'd always recommend a custom fitting with a PGA Pro but if you know what you're looking for you can make an informed decision.
You also need to think about factors like feel, sound and looks as well because if a driver falls down for you in any of those facets, you are compromising when you don't have to.
FAQs
Which TaylorMade driver is most forgiving?
In the current range the TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD is the most forgiving driver. In the previous Stealth range either the standard Stealth or HD secured this title.
Is a 10.5 degree driver more forgiving?
It depends what loft you're comparing it to. Normally, the more loft on the driver the more forgiving it is. Most of the best TaylorMade drivers are available in a 12 degree head if you want maximum forgiveness. They are all also full adjustable for loft, so you can tweak the loft if you need.
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