TaylorMade Qi4D vs Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Max Driver: Read Our Head-To-Head Verdict

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This is the time of the year when many of the leading golf brands launch their new products, and the most eagerly anticipated new release for most people are drivers. I have tested all of the new big sticks to hit the market so far in 2026 and in my view there are two that stand out from the rest - the TaylorMade Qi4D, and the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Max.

TaylorMade and Callaway always feature prominently in any list of the best golf drivers but this year has seen the bar raised with these two truly outstanding products. Both of these tour calibre drivers actually suit quite a broad range of golfers, which is not always the case with tour models. They won't suit those with slower swings, but anyone in the moderate-fast bracket who is looking to upgrade their driver this year should be looking at these two above all others.

In my indoor testing there was very little to choose between them so I took both models out onto the course and put them head-to-head to see which one would find its way into my bag for 2026, and more importantly, to weigh up the merits of both to give you a better idea of which one you should be looking at for your own game. Spoiler alert; it's almost impossible to separate them!

Technology

The Qi4D is designed around one primary goal: delivering speed off the tee. According to TaylorMade, this new driver family (which also includes the Qi4D Max and Qi4D LS) is far more than a cosmetic refresh; it represents a genuine technical evolution with a clear focus on aerodynamics, feel, and performance.

At its core is the Qi4D benefits from four dimensions of speed covering the face, head, shaft and fitting options. Starting with the clubface, which is made of 60 layers of carbon fiber, it features a new roll radius said to produce more consistent spin across vertical impact locations.

The real innovation, however, lies in TaylorMade’s relentless pursuit of speed. Significant investment has gone into shaping the Qi4D head to maximise aerodynamic efficiency across the range.

Interestingly, the new Qi4D drivers are available in two face options: a standard version and a dedicated custom-fitting option featuring reflective markers embedded directly into the face. Known as Launch Monitor Enabled (LME) heads, these markers enable more accurate measurements of face angle, rate of rotation, and other key parameters when used with camera-based launch monitors such as the Foresight Sports GC Quad, removing the need to constantly apply and replace stickers.

This ties into a new fitting strategy TaylorMade is rolling out around shafts. Based on analysis of more than 11 million driver shots, the brand says it can now categorise golfers by release style and rate of rotation through impact, grouping them into High, Mid, and Low rotation profiles. To support this, TaylorMade has partnered with Mitsubishi to create a bespoke range of shafts under the revived REAX name, designed to complement each release type.

The Quantum Triple Diamond Max is built on the same Tri-Force Face platform as the standard Triple Diamond, combining ultra-thin titanium with a poly mesh core and carbon-fibre reinforcement to maximise face flex and ball speed. Where it separates itself is in the chassis design. The Max is engineered for skilled players who want the low-spin, high-speed characteristics of a tour-style driver but with added stability delivered through a full 460cc head shape.

That slightly larger footprint allows Callaway to push discretionary mass further back in the head, increasing MOI without dulling the lively feel or flattening launch. The result is a rare blend of tour-level performance with a touch more forgiveness, something that will appeal strongly to accomplished amateurs.

Adjustability plays a major role too. Alongside Callaway’s familiar two-cog hosel the Triple Diamond Max features an adjustable rear weight. In the neutral position it offers balanced flight, but shifting the 10g weight towards the toe has a clear effect, helping reduce a left miss without upsetting the head’s stability or feel.

While it’s far from a game-improvement driver, the Quantum Triple Diamond Max delivers meaningfully higher stability than the Quantum Triple Diamond, while producing remarkably similar launch monitor numbers.

Both of these drivers certainly deliver on the tech front and there's little to choose between them. The TaylorMade driver does deliver on it's promise of increased clubhead speed though and it's the fastest model I've tested, so if I have to choose a winner in this category I'd lean ever so slightly in that direction.

Looks

Visually, the Qi4D moves on from the Qi35 driver in two key areas: colorway and head shape at address. I probably preferred last year’s Qi35 from a purely aesthetic standpoint. The Qi4D adopts a slightly more understated palette, and while I may still marginally favour the previous model’s colouring, any minor preference quickly fades once the club is set down behind the ball. The shaping of this new Core model is a significant step forward.

One of the worst-kept secrets in the equipment world over the past couple of seasons was that players like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy were using a tour-only 'dot' version of the older Qi10 Core head. That more compact, traditional profile was clearly favored by players who value a cleaner look at address.

The standout news here is that TaylorMade appears to have recreated that tour-only ‘dot’ shape almost perfectly in the new Qi4D Core. When I placed a Qi35 dot head side by side with the Qi4D during my fitting, the profiles were virtually identical. That’s a huge win, delivering a playing shape that should appeal to a very broad range of golfers.

Onto the Callaway now, and the look behind the ball is superb, even if it is barely distinguishable, from a finish and coloring point of view, to the Ai Smoke Triple Diamond of a couple of seasons ago.

Essentially, it is just a marginally bigger version (450cc to 460cc) of the Quantum Triple Diamond aesthetically, but that slightly bigger footprint suits my eye well, offering just that little bit more real estate behind the ball without looking clunky.

The standard Triple Diamond version still gives a very triangular address profile, which definitely wouldn't be my ideal look, and that is actually what ultimately wrenched the Elyte Triple Diamond out of my bag last season. However, the Triple Diamond Max head is definitely a little rounder than the standard Quantum Triple Diamond, so it is much closer to my preferred profile.

The sole aesthetic is another plus point in my opinion, with the dark carbon weave, minimal branding and very subtle red accent colors blending brilliantly. It may well be the best driver of this launch season, as far as raw aesthetics go.

A narrow win for the Callaway here, although as we know looks are very much subjective.

Feel

Starting with the Quantum TD Max, the feel at strike is a powerful one, offering plenty of feedback at impact and not doing too much to soften or subdue it, which I love. You know exactly where you've hit it, and center strikes are rewarded with a dense, explosive sensation. Interestingly, while testing on the course my playing partners seemed really taken by the noise at impact, it gives off such a powerful sound that screams out "great shot".

While the speed gains from the TaylorMade certainly grabbed my attention, my favourite aspect of the Qi4D was actually the feel. My one criticism of the previous Qi35, which I otherwise rated very highly, was that it could feel a little harsh, particularly on mishits.

I’m not entirely sure what specific change has addressed that in the Qi4D, whether it’s a single tweak or the cumulative effect of the updated materials and shaping, but the improvement is immediately noticeable. The feel is absolutely spot on. It manages to strike a rare balance between being lively and responsive while still feeling soft at impact, which is no easy feat. The acoustics are equally impressive, sitting perfectly between high-pitched and ‘clangy’ or overly dull and muted.

Simply put, it feels superb, and that improvement alone goes a long way to elevating the overall player experience. These are two differently feeling and sounding drivers and both really stand out, but my personal preference is the muted 'thud' of the TaylorMade which I absolutely love.

Performance

Of course it’s vital that the technology, look and feel of a club deliver the right results, but performance matters above all and both of these drivers really impressed me in terms of raw data and also out on the course.

At the media presentations I attended for the TaylorMade Qi4D, aerodynamics was the dominant theme, summed up by the tagline that there is “no limit on clubhead speed.” The point being that while regulations cap elements such as ball speed (COR) and forgiveness (MOI), a player’s ability to swing the club faster remains unrestricted.

TaylorMade has clearly invested heavily in this area, refining head shapes across the Qi4D range to maximise aerodynamic efficiency. I’m pleased to say that focus translated directly into real-world performance in my testing. I picked up roughly 1.5mph of clubhead speed compared to any other driver I’ve tested this launch season, which genuinely surprised me. Having also seen raw testing data from Scheffler and McIlroy, it’s clear this wasn’t an isolated result.

McIlroy’s early adoption of the Qi4D is particularly telling. After spending almost two full seasons in the Qi10, his immediate switch was notable, and his speed and distance numbers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai showed a clear uplift versus his season averages.

While the head itself isn’t inherently ‘hotter’ than its rivals, the ability to simply move it faster translated into a 2–3mph ball speed gain for me and an extra 5-8 yards of carry. This is a real, tangible distance that will show up on the course.

Performance-wise, Quantum TD Max is a rocket in terms of ball speed. Of all the drivers I tested it was second only to the Qi4D in that respect, and that was only because the aerodynamics of the TaylorMade driver allowed me to move it a touch quicker through the air.

The sheer ball speed efficiency of the Quantum TD Max head is undeniable and unmatched this launch season. The Qi4D is faster but the Quantum TD Max is more efficient. Which is better? I honestly can’t choose, and I know that’s a cop out.

However, I think this uncertainty shows the importance of extensive fitting, as well as testing in real world situations on the golf course. After my launch monitor testing with both I was very much leaning towards the Qi4D, as it blew me away in every aspect. Having then played both out on the course, things evened up fairly quickly as I found I was able to play a variety of different shots with ease using the Quantum TD Max and my miss was a powerful, slightly left shot, as opposed to the weaker right miss I experienced with mishits with the TaylorMade.

In summary, these are the two clear best drivers of 2026 so far and I can’t separate them. Which one is best for you? The only way to find that out is to get fitted and hit plenty of different types of shots with both. You may find that the Qi4D gives you a little added speed, but the Quantum TD Max might provide more consistency of strike and workability. Then there’s the difference in feel and sound, which is a matter of personal preference.

If pushed I'd probably leaning slightly towards the Qi4D driver in terms of which one will start the season in my bag but there may be some chopping and changing as the year progresses. I can say that both are truly outstanding drivers though, and for golfers with moderate/fast swing speed they stand out above anything else out there currently.

Which club should you choose?

Choose the TaylorMade Qi4D driver if...

- You want strong performance at a slightly lower price.
- You’re chasing maximum clubhead speed.
- You like a touch more fade bias.

Choose the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Max driver if....

- You want low-spin, tour-style speed with extra stability.
- You prefer a powerful, solid impact feel.
- You value simple, effective adjustability.

For more driver buying advice, be sure to have a read of our guides on the most forgiving drivers, best drivers for seniors, or the best high handicap drivers.