It’s easy for the best fairway woods to get a little lost in the noise around drivers, especially as they typically share the same names and technologies. But it’s vital that we give them the attention they deserve in their own right, to make sure you get the club or clubs that are going to help you elevate your game. Whether you’re looking for help off the tee, increased distance and forgiveness off the deck, easy launch and a high flight into greens, or a combination of all of these qualities, the right set of fairway woods can add shots to your arsenal and save strokes on your scorecard.

The way we see fairway woods and how many we carry has also started to change thanks to the increased popularity of more lofted woods amongst Tour pros, most notably Tommy Fleetwood. The vast majority of golfers use a three-wood, but more and more five, seven and nine-woods are also being utilised at the top end of the bag as an alternative for hybrids and long irons.

The best TaylorMade fairway woods and the best Callaway fairway woods have often been on, or at least near the summit of the fairway wood hierarchy and their 2026 core clubheads – the Qi4D and Quantum Max – are once again right at the forefront of the market. So how do they stack up against each other, and which is the best for your game? We put the three-woods of each model through their paces to find out.

Technology

The TaylorMade Qi4D features an improved Speed Pocket, which is a slot behind the face that is engineered to allow the face to flex more at impact, thereby protecting ball speeds on off-center hits and effectively increasing the size of the sweet spot. It also helps to keep the spin down if you strike the ball thin or towards the heel or toe. The unique bulge and roll of the Twist Face uses the gear effect to keep mishits straighter.

It comes with an 8g weight in the back of the head as standard, but you can buy a weight kit on the TaylorMade website if you want to use different weights to tinker with the center of gravity and launch conditions. The 4° loft sleeve adds more customisation, enabling you to tweak the loft, lie, and face angle to dial in your preferred ball flight.

The Callaway Quantum Max takes a slightly different approach to boosting ball speed and forgiveness with the Speed Wave 2.0 weighting system. This places tungsten low and forward in the head to help optimize the launch and maintain ball speeds on low hits, especially when playing from the fairway. AI modelling has been used to precisely tune the face to optimize launch based on real-world impact patterns.

The other headline feature is the Step Sole Design, which is there to help the clubhead glide through the turf and even longer grass if you want to hit it from the rough. Maintaining that club speed at impact means more ball speed and better launch for longer and straighter shots. The OptiFit 4 hosel gives you independent loft and lie adjustability with eight different configurations.

Looks

The Qi4D is a cracking looking club. TaylorMade has opted for a slightly darker carbon crown compared to last year’s Qi35, which gives it a really high-end aesthetic and also makes it look like there’s a little more loft on the face at address, which really helps to instil confidence. The 185cc head looks pretty symmetrical and sits really nicely behind the ball, with a slightly flatter lie angle than its predecessor.

The Quantum Max looks a little larger and shallower at address and the sole sits really flush to the turf, which is a brilliant visual for players who want something that feels easy to launch off the deck. The contrast of the white grooves on the face also helps in this department, as you can really see the loft that’s there. It shares that now-familiar darker carbon visual on the crown, but it’s a bit shinier than the TaylorMade and features a metallic-looking strip across the front edge. Both heads have an alignment aid to help you set up with the ball in the middle of the clubface.

Performance

Both clubs performed incredibly well in indoor testing and out on the course, but there were some key distinctions to help inform your choice. Overall, the TaylorMade Qi4D was a touch longer and the Callaway offered slightly more forgiveness – but it’s fair to say both clubs excelled in both areas, so we’re really just nit-picking to hone-in on their exact profiles.

The Qi4D produced a ball speed of 155.6mph from a club speed of 107.9mph, compared to the slightly quicker speeds of 156.6mph and 109.1mph from the Quantum Max. But the TaylorMade carried the ball around four yards further thanks to a slightly higher launch angle and lower spin. The Qi4Ds total carry of 260.9 yards is the longest of any fairway wood we tested, and the Callaway isn’t far behind.

That added backspin from the Quantum Max – 3198rpm to 2876rpm – helped to create a high, towering flight, so even players who struggle to get their fairway woods airborne will have no problem here. The Qi4D’s apex is certainly on the lower side, but it’s by no means hard to launch and it’s a really strong and penetrative ball flight that still delivers a good amount of stopping power into greens, especially for faster swingers.

The Qi4D also stood out for the control and workability it offered, which is something that will appeal to better players. The raw power, lower spin and penetrating flight also make it a fantastic alternative to driver off the tee, while still being excellent when hit directly off the turf. The numbers and results from shots hit low on the face were really good, too.

The Quantum Max also demonstrated an amazingly consistent trajectory and results from a variety of strike locations, and it feels almost effortless to launch the ball off the deck, which is music to the ears of any players who can be intimidated by or struggle to hit fairway woods. It even performed really well from the rough, adding another important usage option for what is already a really versatile club.

Which club should you choose?

TaylorMade Qi4D if…

- You want maximum speed and distance from a fairway wood.
- You need an alternative to driver off the tee that’s also really versatile.
- You favour a lower, more penetrating ball flight.

Callaway Quantum Max if…

- You need forgiveness and consistency on off-center strikes.
- You want easy launch and a towering ball flight.
- You like to use your fairway wood in a variety of lies and situations.

For more driver buying advice, be sure to have a read of our guides on the most forgiving fairway woods, best fairway woods, best fairway woods for mid handicappers and best fairway woods for high handicappers.

Ping’s ‘G’ series of drivers raised the bar in terms of stability and forgiveness. With each new launch that bar is raised even higher. The G430 Max 10K driver that hit the market in January 2024 was the brand’s most forgiving driver yet, but two years later came the G440 K which featured some technological advancements that Ping claimed boosted performance even further.

Ranked among the most forgiving drivers on the market, both the G430 Max 10K and the G440 K have been put into play on Tour by the likes of Sahith Theegala and Viktor Hovland. That said, their appeal extends far beyond elite players, with golfers of varying abilities able to take advantage of the impressive stability and forgiveness they offer.

So how do they stack up against each other, and which one is the better fit for your game? After extensive testing, we break down the head-to-head performance, with both drivers delivering strong results in distance, accuracy and forgiveness off the tee.

Technology

Before the launch of the G440 K, the G430 Max 10K stood as the straightest and highest MOI (moment of inertia) driver Ping had produced, surpassing the 10,000 g-cm² combined MOI mark first broken by the G400 Max several years earlier.

It achieved this through a larger overall footprint, a fixed back weight and a Carbonfly wrap crown. The back weight in the Max 10K sits at 28g, which is 3g heavier than the standard Max model. That additional mass plays a key role in increasing MOI by pushing weight low and back in the head to enhance forgiveness. There are also 5g of weight savings in the carbon crown, which may sound modest, but when combined with a thinner, shallower face, helps deliver faster ball speeds. Spinsistency technology further supports this by maintaining speed and spin consistency across the face.

Generating high MOI is not especially difficult from an engineering standpoint, but doing so while keeping spin under control is far more challenging, and this is where the G430 Max 10K really excelled.

So what has changed with the G440 K? The most notable update is the introduction of a heavier 32g back weight, which is 4g more than its predecessor. The goal here is to push even more mass towards the perimeter of the head, increasing both stability and forgiveness. Alongside this, features such as the Dual Carbonfly Wrap and Free-Hosel design free up discretionary weight from key areas, allowing the center of gravity to sit lower and further back. The result is a combination of higher MOI and improved ball speed.

Another addition is the use of a composite crown bridge and acoustic sole ribs, which are designed to improve sound and feel at impact by reducing unwanted vibrations.

Improving on the G430 Max 10K was never going to be easy, but the newer model builds on what made it so effective and refines it further. As a result, this category goes to the G440 K.

Looks

I was pleased to see that the overall footprint and look at address of the G440 K are every bit as strong as the G430 Max 10K, which I was a big fan of. The 460cc head keeps that same rounded, substantial profile, which really inspires confidence over the ball. There is something about these fuller, more rounded shapes introduced since the 10K MOI shift that suits my eye more than the more traditional pear-shaped designs.

That said, the blue colorway used across the G440 range is not quite to my personal taste. It is a minor and entirely subjective point, and I am sure plenty of golfers will appreciate the updated look. For me, though, the G430 Max 10K still has the edge visually. In my opinion, it is one of the best-looking drivers Ping has produced in recent years, so when it comes to looks this one goes to the older model.

Feel

With the G430 Max 10K, the sound at impact is a noticeable point of difference compared to the rest of the G430 range. In testing, it came across as slightly louder and higher pitched, giving it a more lively, powerful acoustic. Crucially though it never reaches the overly loud levels of the G425 range, which put some golfers off what was otherwise an excellent driver.

Sound and feel will always come down to personal preference, but for me, the G430 Max 10K delivers a sensation that ranks among the best drivers on the market. It feels strong and powerful, and is a clear step up from the standard G430 Max.

That said, the G440 K moves things on again. The feel is a touch more refined, and the acoustics are more pleasing overall, likely due to the aforementioned updated technologies in the head. As a result, the newer model takes the edge in this one.

Performance

In truth, there is very little to separate these two drivers in terms of the raw numbers. They are almost identical. That is no surprise given how strong the G430 Max 10K was to begin with. It was always going to be difficult to improve on. It remains one of my favourite drivers ever, and with the performance limits manufacturers are working within, progress at this level tends to be incremental rather than dramatic.

When I first tested the G430 Max 10K, it produced a genuinely outstanding performance. It is one of the rare occasions where the marketing claims not only held up but actually exceeded expectations. The blend of stability, forgiveness and low spin made it feel incredibly close to a complete driver, and it fully deserved the five-star rating I gave it.

What really stood out was how it combined impressively low spin with what was, at the time, perhaps the most stable and forgiving head I had ever used. Mishits lost very little ball speed, often no more than 2mph, and dispersion remained extremely tight. There was also a subtle draw bias that will suit a wide range of golfers.

The G440 K had a lot to live up to, but it manages to match that performance while adding a few useful refinements. The introduction of an adjustable back weight brings a level of tuning that was not available in the G430, allowing you to move the center of gravity between neutral, draw and fade settings to better match your shot shape.

In testing, I did not see a dramatic change in ball flight when moving the weight, but I did find real value in positioning it behind my typical miss. Setting it in the heel, where I tend to strike the ball, noticeably improved ball speed retention. This is something I would strongly recommend trying if you have a consistent strike pattern.

Ping has also increased the standard playing length by a quarter of an inch, taking it to 46 inches. Normally, that is something I would approach with caution, as longer shafts can lead to less consistent contact. However, with a head this stable and forgiving, it becomes far less of a concern, and you may benefit from a small increase in clubhead speed.

Crucially, this is one of the few ultra-high MOI drivers that can comfortably handle higher swing speeds. It provides plenty of forgiveness on mishits without producing the excessive spin that often comes with this type of head.

Too often, faster players are forced into very low lofts just to keep spin under control when choosing a more forgiving driver. Here, Ping has managed to strike an excellent balance, keeping spin at playable levels while maintaining outstanding stability, which opens this driver up to a much wider range of golfers.

Another win for the G440 K, albeit a very close one.

Conclusion

So in reality, there's very little to choose between these two brilliant drivers from Ping. This isn't like choosing between two completely different drivers from competing brands. If you like the G430 Max 10K then chances are you'll be just as comfortable with the newer model and vice versa.

You likely won't see much difference between the two when it comes to performance. Perhaps if you need a bit more assistance on off center hits and you have a consistent miss (in my case the heel, but yours may be the toe) then you might get slightly more out of the newer model due to the adjustable weighting, but aside from that the performance between the two is a wash really.

So then it comes down to two factors; budget and vanity. If you want to save some money then you'll want to go with the older model, while if you're someone that values having the latest gear in your bag, you'll want to go with the G440 K driver.

Which club should you choose?

Choose the Ping G430 Max 10K if...

- You want a proven, top-tier performer at a slightly lower price
- You prefer a slightly more lively, powerful sound and feel at impact.
- You don't mind a slightly older model in the bag

Choose the Ping G440 K driver if....

- You are looking for flight bias adjustability
- You’re a consistent heel striker
- You prefer a more refined, muted sound and feel

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.

I have tested all of the new big sticks to hit the market so far in 2026 and two of the best are the TaylorMade Qi4D, and the Ping G440 K.

TaylorMade and Ping are always in the conversation for the best golf drivers and this year is no exception. Despite being aimed at the more skilled player, both of these drivers will actually suit quite a broad range of golfers. They aren't ideal for those with slower swings, but anyone in the moderate-fast bracket who is looking to upgrade their driver this year should give strong consideration to these two offerings.

Without giving too much away, these drivers are both exceptional but they have a different focus - one prioritizes speed, the other is all about stability. Which one is best for you? Read on and hopefully your decision will be made easier.

Technology

The Qi4D is built with one clear objective in mind: maximising speed off the tee. According to TaylorMade, this latest driver family, which also includes the Qi4D Max and Qi4D LS, is more than just a visual update. It represents a meaningful step forward in terms of aerodynamics, feel, and overall performance.

At the heart of the design is what TaylorMade calls four dimensions of speed, spanning the face, head, shaft, and fitting options. Starting with the clubface, the Qi4D uses a 60-layer carbon fibre construction, paired with a revised roll radius that’s designed to deliver more consistent spin, particularly on strikes high or low on the face.

The standout advancement, though, comes from TaylorMade’s continued push for greater speed. Considerable effort has gone into refining the head shape to improve aerodynamic efficiency, helping the club move faster through the air and ultimately generate more ball speed across the entire range.

Interestingly, the new Qi4D drivers are offered in two face options: a standard version and a custom-fitting variant with reflective markers embedded directly into the face. Known as Launch Monitor Enabled (LME) heads, these markers allow for more precise measurement of face angle, rate of rotation, and other key data points when paired with camera-based systems like the Foresight Sports GCQuad, eliminating the need to repeatedly apply impact stickers.

This development feeds into a broader fitting strategy from TaylorMade, particularly around shaft selection. Drawing on data from more than 11 million driver shots, the company says it can now classify golfers based on their release pattern and rate of face rotation through impact, grouping them into High, Mid, and Low rotation profiles. To support this approach, TaylorMade has teamed up with Mitsubishi Chemical to produce a tailored range of shafts under the revived REAX name, each designed to suit a specific release style.

From a technology standpoint, the G440 K has been engineered with maximum speed and forgiveness in mind. A key addition is a new 32-gram adjustable back weight, designed to help deliver what Ping is calling its straightest and highest-MOI adjustable driver to date.

This back weight is 4g heavier than the fixed version found in the G430 Max 10K (previously Ping’s most stable driver) with the intention of pushing more mass to the perimeter of the head to boost stability and forgiveness.

That adjustable weight sits at the centre of the G440 K’s technology story, supported by features like Dual Carbonfly Wrap and Free-Hosel Technology. Together, these innovations free up discretionary weight from key areas, including the sole (3.5g), crown (1.5g) and hosel (3g), allowing the center of gravity to be positioned lower and deeper. The result is a combination of higher MOI and increased ball speed.

Another notable addition is the use of a composite crown bridge and acoustic sole ‘ribs.’ These elements are designed to refine the sound and feel at impact, creating a more muted, solid sensation by reducing unwanted vibrations.

Surpassing the stability of the G430 Max 10K is no small challenge, but that’s clearly the benchmark Ping set out to exceed with the G440 K.

Which one comes out on top in this category? Tough call, but the TaylorMade driver does deliver on it's promise of increased clubhead speed and it's the fastest model I've tested, so it's a very narrow win for the Qi4D.

Looks

Visually, the Qi4D moves on from the Qi35 driver in two main ways: its colorway and the shaping of the head at address. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, I probably leaned slightly toward last year’s Qi35. The Qi4D opts for a more understated palette, and while I might still give a marginal nod to the previous model’s look, that preference quickly disappears once the club is set behind the ball. The shaping of this new Core model is a clear step forward.

One of the worst-kept secrets in recent 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 evidently preferred by those who prioritise a cleaner, more refined look at address.

The big takeaway here is that TaylorMade seems to have almost perfectly replicated that tour-only ‘dot’ shape in the new Qi4D Core. When I compared a Qi35 dot head side by side with the Qi4D during my fitting, the profiles were nearly indistinguishable. That’s a major plus, offering a playing shape that should appeal to a wide spectrum of golfers.

Picking up the G440 K for the first time, I was pleased to find that its overall footprint and look at address are every bit as strong as the original G430 Max 10K. The 460cc head retains that same rounded, substantial shape, which really boosts confidence over the ball. There’s something about these fuller, rounder heads introduced since the ‘10K MOI revolution’ that appeals to my eye more than the traditional pear-shaped designs.

That said, as I noted in my other G440 driver reviews, the blue colorway isn’t quite to my personal taste. It’s a small and entirely subjective detail, though, and one that many golfers will likely appreciate, especially since it’s subtle and used sparingly.

A narrow win for the TaylorMade here due to the compact, clean look at address which really suits my eye.

Feel

Ping's engineers have worked hard to lower the pitch of their recent driver releases. The G425 had a higher-pitched impact sound but that changed with the G430, as key sections of the clubhead were reinforced to aid the acoustics on strikes. That said, the G430 Max 10K struck a louder, higher pitched sound than the rest of the G430 family, whereas the G440 K offers a friendlier feel and acoustic than its predecessor.

In fact, the feel of the G440 K driver is up there with the very best golf drivers on the market. It has a very powerful feel and an easy-to-hit sensation on the course.

While the headline story with the Qi4D is its speed gains, the standout for me was actually the feel. My one real criticism of the previous Qi35, which I otherwise rated very highly, was that it could come across a touch harsh, especially on off-centre strikes.

I’m not entirely sure what specific change has driven the improvement in the Qi4D, whether it’s one key tweak or the combined effect of the updated materials and shaping, but it’s immediately noticeable. The feel is spot on, striking that difficult balance between being lively and responsive while still remaining soft at impact. That’s no small achievement. The acoustics are just as well judged, sitting neatly between overly high-pitched and ‘clangy’ or too dull and muted.

Put simply, it feels superb, and that alone does a lot to enhance the overall experience. These two drivers offer distinctly different sound and feel profiles, both of which stand out in their own way, but my personal preference leans toward the more muted ‘thud’ from TaylorMade, which I absolutely love.

Performance

Of course, it’s essential that a driver’s technology, looks, and feel all come together, but performance is what really matters and both of these models delivered in testing, both on the launch monitor and out on the course.

At the media presentations for the TaylorMade Qi4D, aerodynamics was the central theme, captured by the idea that there’s “no limit on clubhead speed.” While regulations place caps on factors like ball speed (COR) and forgiveness (MOI), a player’s ability to swing faster remains unrestricted and that’s clearly where TaylorMade has focused its efforts.

Significant work has gone into refining the head shapes across the Qi4D range to improve aerodynamic efficiency, and encouragingly, that focus translated directly into real-world gains in my testing. I saw an increase of around 1.5mph in clubhead speed compared to any other driver I’ve tested this season, which genuinely caught me off guard. Having also reviewed raw data from players like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, it’s clear this isn’t just an isolated result.

While the head itself isn’t necessarily ‘hotter’ than competing models, the ability to swing it faster translated into a 2-3mph increase in ball speed for me, along with an extra 5-8 yards of carry. That’s a meaningful, on-course gain that players should genuinely notice.

I tested the G440 K both indoors and out and the numbers were very much in line with its predecessor in terms of spin, ball speed, and carry distance. That said, there are a couple of subtle performance gains worth highlighting.

The addition of the adjustable back weight introduces a new level of tunability. It allows you to shift the center of gravity between neutral, draw and fade settings, which Ping says can help fine-tune shot shape. In my testing, I didn’t notice a dramatic change in ball flight bias when moving the weight, but I did find real value in positioning it behind my typical miss. Placing it in the heel, where I tend to strike it, noticeably improved ball speed retention. This is something I’d strongly recommend experimenting with if your strike pattern is consistent.

Another interesting change is the increase in standard build length. Ping has added a quarter of an inch, taking it up to 46 inches. Normally, I’d advise caution here as longer shafts can lead to less consistent strikes, but Ping has offset this by slightly reducing the head weight from 206g to 203g, keeping swing weight unchanged. Given how stable and forgiving this head is, the extra length didn’t feel like a drawback. If anything, it’s an easy way to pick up a little extra clubhead speed.

Crucially, and perhaps most impressively, this driver more than many other ultra-high MOI options can comfortably handle higher swing speeds. It offers plenty of forgiveness on off-center hits without producing the excessive spin that often plagues drivers in this category.

Too often, faster players are forced into very low lofts just to keep spin under control when opting for a more forgiving head. Here, though, Ping has managed to strike a smart balance, maintaining playable spin levels while still delivering the stability benefits. It’s a combination that opens the G440 K up to a much broader range of golfers.

So in terms of performance, the Qi4D has significant edge in speed and distance, but if forgiveness is your priority the G440 K offers that in abundance.

Conclusion

These are the two outstanding drivers and it's difficult to separate them. For me personally the Qi4D just shades it as the speed gains translate to real world distance increases while still offering high levels of forgiveness on strikes that aren't quite flushed. If you value forgiveness and stability more than extra yards though, the G440 K is as good as anything on the market.

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 added distance, but the G440 K finds more fairways and cuts you a bit more slack when you miss the sweet spot. Then there’s the difference in feel and sound, which is a matter of personal preference, not to mention how it looks at address.

You won't be disappointed with either of these drivers but which one you choose comes down to personal preference.

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 Ping G440 K driver if....

- You prioritise maximum forgiveness and stability.
- You want more adjustability to fine-tune your strike.
- You need a forgiving driver that still manages spin well at higher speeds.

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.

Hybrids really came to the fore in the early 2000s and the versatile clubs are undoubtedly one of the best golf inventions in modern times. For many high handicap golfers, hitting a long iron was (and still is) one of the most difficult shots in the game and the prospect of having to do so would strike fear into our hearts.

But for the last quarter of a century, we’ve benefitted from being able to add easier to hit, more forgiving, higher launching and higher spinning hybrids to our bags, rather than battling the dreaded long irons.

Another big reason for the hybrid boom has been that versatility. Easy to hit from the fairway, an excellent option off the tee when accuracy is more important than distance, and a brilliant recovery tool from the rough – you can even use them around the greens in the right kind of conditions. It’s because hybrids can do so much and solve so many problems that getting the right one for you can be a genuine game-changer.

Callaway and TaylorMade have been producing some of the best golf hybrids for many years now and if you’re a pretty average handicap player who’s looking for a well-rounded combination of all those things you would expect a hybrid to do then you have to consider the Quantum Max and Qi4D Max.

As the ‘Max’ in both of the names suggests, they’re definitely designed to pack plenty of technology into a mid to slightly larger head size, but there’s so much more to them than just forgiveness.

Technology

The Callaway Quantum Max is one of the best Callaway hybrids and is both the most forgiving and most versatile in the new Quantum family. The key tech here is the Speed Wave 2.0, which is weighting pushed low and forward in the head to boost ball speeds without sacrificing stability and predictability at impact.

The AI-Optimized Face is designed to flex more efficiently so you maintain greater energy transfer and faster ball speeds on off-centre hits, especially low on the face. The Step Sole Design reduces the amount of the sole that contacts the ground at impact in order to create a cleaner and more consistent strike.

The TaylorMade Qi4D Max is also part of a family of three, with it sitting in the middle of the trio. Like last year’s Qi35, the head is a combination of 450 stainless steel and an ultra-light carbon fibre crown.

This enables the engineers to shift the center of gravity back in the head to boost stability and forgiveness and create a higher launch. Other tried-and-tested TaylorMade technology continues with a cut-through Speed Pocket and Twist Face in there to help preserve ball speeds and tighter the dispersion on off-centre hits.

Looks

Even though it’s got ‘Max’ in the name, the profile of the Callaway Quantum Max isn't too chunky, although it will inspire confidence. This is excellent news if you’re a more traditional golfer who prefers to look down at something a little neater at address.

It also hints to that little bit of extra workability that you can achieve with this club, so it’s ideal if you’re a better player who wants to shape shots. The dark, glossy finish is a pretty classic look that will be familiar to most golfers.

The TaylorMade Qi4D Max gives you something a bit different to look at – perhaps more of what you might expect from a club that will deliver speed, forgiveness and high launch. The footprint is a bit larger but still very pleasant at address and that carbon fibre crown tells the technology story nicely.

Both clubs look modern and stylish on the shelf and offer a pretty clean view at address, with a simple visual aid for the center of the clubface. The white painted grooves on the Callaway extenuate the loft on the face, which can boost confidence, although comparing that to the black grooves of the TaylorMade is more about personal preference.

Feel

The feel and sound of the Quantum Max is something that stands out compared to other hybrids. It’s a pretty loud and metallic sound at impact and that really contributes to a livelier feel as your strike the ball. It also feels fantastic through the turf.

The Qi4D Max sounds and feels denser and more subtle at impact, and it’s pretty consistent across the face. In simple terms, you could say the Callaway has more audible presence, but both feel great through the hands when you hit a ball solidly.

Performance

Both these clubs offer excellent performance compared to other hybrids on the market, but there are some key distinctions between the two that will help you identify the best fit for your bag.

As you would expect from their profiles, the TaylorMade is the more forgiving and stable of the two. In fact, it’s probably one of the most forgiving hybrids on the market. That’s not to say the Callaway isn’t forgiving, because it is, but the level of help you get from the Qi4D Max is phenomenal.

The ball flight stayed really straight on off-center hits and distances were pretty consistent as well. There’s also a hint of draw bias built in to the TaylorMade, which is a bonus for player’s who struggle with a slice.

Part of that forgiveness comes from the greater backspin that the Qi4D Max generates – about 300rpm more than that Callaway Quantum Max – but you’re not sacrificing a huge amount of power and distance, so you get a really impressive combination of forgiveness and distance.

The Quantum Max is longer in terms of carry and total distance by about four yards and that’s because that little bit less spin is combined with a higher launch angle even though the TaylorMade has 1° more loft as standard at 20°. The Callaway also flew a touch higher and came into the green marginally steeper, although there’s very little to choose between the two in this area.

Having read all this, it won’t surprise you that the Quantum Max has the edge off the tee, while the Qi4D offers a touch more help out of the rough, with both of them proving to be excellent from the fairway.

The Callaway has a good level of adjustability if you’re looking to really hone in its performance, but it’s not as simple and intuitive as some adjustable options. In contrast, the TaylorMade isn’t adjustable at all, but that does give the hosel a cleaner look at address.

In summary, the slightly more compact Callaway Quantum Max delivers superb distance, a strong flight and an impressive combination of forgiveness while maintaining some workability. The TaylorMade is all about forgiveness and stability with a little more help for slicers and only minimal sacrifices in terms of a larger head size and distance.

Which club should you choose?

Choose the Callaway Quantum Max hybrid if…

- You have a mid or slower swing speed and want to maximise distance.
- You need as much help as possible launching the ball into the air.
- You want a bit less backspin for a more penetrating flight.

Choose the TaylorMade Qi4D Max hybrid if…

- You need maximum stability and forgiveness from your hybrid.
- You want a straighter and more consistent flight on off-center hits.
- You would benefit from a hint of draw bias.

For more hybrid buying advice, be sure to have a read of our guides on the best golf hybrid clubs, the best hybrid golf clubs for high handicappers and most forgiving hybrids.

Buying a new set of irons is one of the biggest and most important decisions you can make as a golfer. First off, sets of irons are expensive, so you want to get it right when committing so much of your hard-earned cash.

Secondly, because they cover such a wide section of the shots you typically play during a round of golf and there are a lot of models aimed at very different profiles of player, having irons that compliment and improve your performance will make a huge difference to your scoring and enjoyment of the game.

Finally, because of the cost involved and the fact significant technological advancements tend to be more difficult to achieve in those smaller heads, irons are often the clubs we use for the longest.

If you’re looking for a set of the best golf irons that provide plenty of help in terms of distance and forgiveness like the best game improvement irons, then look no further than these two models. Ping has set the standard in this market for a long time – for many people the brand is as synonymous with game improvement irons as it is the legendary Anser putter – and it is continuing that tradition with the G740 irons.

But that’s not to say there aren’t some other fantastic options in this space. Among them are the Titleist T350 irons. Titleist is a brand that is often associated with better players, but it also produces a lot of fantastic equipment that offers a helping hand to mid and high-handicappers, while still maintaining much of the craftsmanship and traditional aesthetics that make it so popular.

Both these sets of clubs do a fantastic job of achieving what they are designed to do, but with some subtle yet distinct differences behind them and what they are intended to deliver, how do they stack up against one-another and which model is the best for you?

Technology

Ping is an engineering company at its heart and the design of the best Ping irons is centered on delivering solutions that make the game as easy and enjoyable as possible. One of the main ways the G740 irons do that is with perimeter weighting that lowers the center of gravity to increase forgiveness.

The Dual Camber sole is 22% wider than in the G440s, the face is shallower, and the blade length has increased by 3%. That also allows for a larger and faster hyper 17-4 stainless steel face that flexes more at impact. A PurFlex cavity badge has three flex zones, intended to enhance the feel and sound.

The Titleist T350 also leans into perimeter weighting with high-density tungsten weighting that’s designed to produce an ultra-high launch and consistency through the set.

The consistency in terms of carry distance and dispersion is boosted by Max Impact Technology and there are more aggressive grooves in the mid and short irons. The new forged L-Face Design with a multi-zone taper is intended to help maintain fast ball speeds across the clubface, especially on low hits.

Looks

You know what you’re getting from the profile of Ping irons – close your eyes and I bet you can imagine it – and while the G740 of course remains true to that, it’s had a bit of a facelift compared to the previous G730 model. There’s no more shiny chrome finish, the general look has been modernized and little touches like an updated numbering font make a real difference. Overall, the package looks more premium.

When you put the Ping down behind the ball you have all the familiarity of the confidence-boosting heavy off-set, long blade length and thick topline. One minor negative is that you can see the back portion of the cavity bulging out beyond the top edge in the longer irons.

This overall look might not be to everyone’s taste, but you know stood over the ball that this club is engineered to make it easier for you to launch it high and long – and that added bit of confidence at address can make all the difference.

The impressive thing about the Titleist T350 is that they’ve been able to cram a lot of helpful technology into a clubhead that still looks pretty sleek. It’s a far more beautiful looking club than you might imagine was possible in the game improvement arena. The vast majority of the best Titleist ions deliver cracking shelf appeal and any playing partners having a sneaky look at what’s in your bag would probably think these are clubs for a better player.

The fact they are designed to offer more help than that does become more evident when you put them behind the ball thanks to a larger footprint, a decent amount of offset and a slightly thicker topline, but they are anything but chunky. It’s worth noting that there’s aesthetic consistency with the other T-Series irons so you could easily combine multiple models in your set while maintaining a cohesive look.

Feel

The T350 is somewhat clickier and firmer at impact than some other irons in this category, but it’s not an unpleasant sensation. You get decent feedback on strike location, which isn’t always common in these style of clubs, and that’s handy because your miss-hits aren’t often very obvious when compared to your good strikes in terms of the shot results.

Ping has really refined the feel of the G740s compared to its predecessor. One criticism that can be leveled at these sort of clubs is that they feel clunky, but that isn’t the case here. That PurFlex cavity badge does a wonderful job of dampening vibrations to create a powerful and solid feeling at impact. The excellent turf interaction also stood out, particularly if you have a steeper swing and can struggle with fat shots.

Performance

Both of these sets of irons are built for speed, and they deliver in impressive style. You’d probably have to give the slight advantage to the Titleist in terms of raw power, but they are both very long. Carry distances of over 200 yards with a 6-iron were achieved with both clubs from a swing speed of just under 100mph. While you probably aren’t using these clubs if you’re swinging that fast, it demonstrates what they are capable of – and that’s all the distance you could want from your irons.

The G740s generate a bit more backspin, therefore stopping slightly quicker on the greens, but there really isn’t a huge amount in it and you’d be more than happy with what the T350s offer in terms of launch, flight and stopping power.

All of this is great, but it probably isn’t going to help your scoring if you don’t also get forgiveness and consistency on the inevitable off-center hits that you’ll have if you’re using game improvement irons. Fortunately, they absolutely excel in this category.

It really is hard to fault the consistency of these irons when it comes to maintaining distance and reasonably tight dispersion on poor strikes. You won’t find irons that offer more length, forgiveness and consistency in the same package – and that combination will definitely help you player better golf.

Conclusion

In summary, the G740 and T350 irons both offer phenomenal performance, but there are a couple of differences that will swing it one way or the other. The Ping irons fly that little bit higher with a softer sensation at impact, while the Titleist T350 irons are more powerful and visually pleasing for most golfers who prefer a sleeker clubhead at address. Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong.

Which club should you choose?

Choose the Ping G740 if…

- You need market-leading forgiveness on off-center strikes.
- You want a softer feel from a game-improvement iron.
- You have a steeper swing and tend to fat your iron shots.

Choose the Titleist T350 if…

- You prefer an enclosed, blade-style look.
- You would benefit from as much distance as possible.
- You need more consistency on poor strikes.

For more iron buying advice, be sure to have a read of our guides on the best golf irons, the best compact mid handicap irons and most forgiving irons.

The premium golf ball market has become increasingly competitive in recent years, and consumers now have more choices to make as a result. Two of the newer balls in this category – the TaylorMade TP5 and Callaway Chrome Tour – have seen improved versions released in 2026.

Both of these models are designed to offer that tantalizing combination of speed, distance and consistency in the long game, with a softer feel off the clubface, particularly on and around the greens. They’re both very good at what they do, but that might not be what’s best for you.

With more to choose from, it’s important to know what kind of ball is best suited to your game and the type of golf you play, and which models are going to help you lower your scores. So how do the TP5 and Chrome Tour ball perform, how good are they, and how do they stack up to one another?

Technology

TaylorMade has made a few key improvements to the TP5 in its core, dimple pattern and paint application. It’s still a five-layer ball, but it now has its largest-ever core, increased so the ball retains more energy from impact by decreasing the time it’s in contact with the clubface.

Some players struggled with the previous version of this ball ballooning and TaylorMade has address this by updating the Tour Flight dimple pattern to improve the lift-to-drag ratio and reduce turbulence. They also discovered that traditional paint application often results in pools in the bottom of the dimples that has a negative impact on aerodynamics, flight and consistency, so a new Microcoating process is designed to stop that happening.

The evolution of Callaway’s Chrome Tour features a change to the Tour Fast Mantle layer of the four-piece ball. Callaway says that a new material that is stiffer and more elastic than its predecessor compresses and releases back into shape 16% quicker to deliver faster ball speeds at impact. There’s also a new urethane cover to enhance spin and control around the greens and the Seamless Tour Aero technology is a dimple pattern designed for consistent and stable ball flights in all conditions.

Long game

The TP5 carried the ball slightly further with driver thanks to a marginally higher launch angle and more spin. The Chrome Tour did launch a bit faster off the clubface, so if you’ve got the swing speed and mechanics to really get it into the air and spinning, you could benefit from that extra speed. Both balls delivered a high, strong and penetrating ball flight, but the Callaway’s apex was about 10 feet lower.

TaylorMade’s offering is considered to be on the softer end of balls in this category, but it still produces very impressive ball speeds. The Holy Grail off the tee is high launch and low spin, which the TP5 really delivered on. There typically has to be a bit of compromise in finding the right combination of those two metrics, often depending on swing speed, but this feels like it gives you the best of both worlds for a pretty wide range of players.

The excellent results continue when the wind gets up as well. The flights stays strong and true in testing conditions and results in a pretty tight dispersion. There’s no ballooning into the wind, so the new dimple pattern and painting technology are doing the job.

The Chrome Tour is meant to deliver low spin off the driver, and it certainly did that at around 2,000rpm. This is a touch on the low side, but that’s exactly what you want to see if you’re a player with plenty of speed who’s keen to reduce backspin on their tee shots. On the flip side, players with slower swing speeds will likely struggle to get it moving.

The fast ball speed coupled with lower spin means it really bores through the wind, and you don’t get too much of a difference in the outcome in varying conditions, so it’s a good option if you tend to play in wind and on courses where you can maximize distance with run. Precision Technology checks over 100 million proof points in the manufacturing process so you can be sure you’ll get that performance and consistency from ball-to-ball, as well.

Irons

The lower-spinning performance of the Chrome Tour continues into the irons, with around 5,100rpm from a 7-iron. It’s a ball that’s built with a premium on speed and stability, rather than workability, and that’s exactly what you get. The flight is certainly on the lower flight, but it still gets down quickly on the greens.

As you would expect, the TP5 spins quite a bit more – 5,981rpm with a 7-iron – and it continued to show a consistent and solid flight. One of the really noticeable plus points was that a high flight and steep descent angle created plenty of stopping power on the greens. Importantly, that flight stood up well in the wind, just as with driver.

Short game

Better players tend to favor a slightly firmer ball than these two when playing delicate shots with wedges, but both offer enough responsiveness, control and feel to stand up as an interesting alternative to their firmer brothers.

The level of spin you can generate with the TP5 is absolutely phenomenal – around 7,600rpm on a 50-yard pitch shot with a 54° is as good as it gets. You can feel the spin as you hit the ball with cast urethane cover really biting into the grooves. It’s a wonderful feeling that really instils confidence – as did the fact pitch shots seemed to go just the right distance. The durability of the cover seems to have improved this year, as well.

The Chrome Tour offers more control on delicate shots than you might expect from a ball that feels so soft. Quite often, softer balls feel a bit too springy off the face, but it was a lovely sensation at impact that felt really solid. You can get it to stop really quickly with pitch shots and 7,000rpm from 50 yards is a really good number. That level of control and spin will enable you to play any shots you want around the greens.

Conclusion

In summary, both balls offer a really strong ball flight and impressive distances with driver and irons, and a perhaps surprising good level of control, responsiveness and consistency in the short game given how soft they feel.

The leap forward from the new TP5 is a significant one. The combination of high launch and low spin with driver is excellent, it’s consistent and predictable in the wind and it’s solid and spinny in the short game. It’s a great all-rounder that is a fantastic option for a wide range of golfers.

The Chrome Tour is all about fast ball speeds off the face and reducing spin for a stronger and longer ball flight. It does exactly that, combined with a soft feel on and around the greens. It might appeal to a smaller set of players than the TP5 – you need the swing speed to generate the spin – but if you’re one of those golfers it’s designed to help, it could really take your game to the next level.

Which club should you choose?

Choose TaylorMade TP5 if…

- You need an excellent combination of distance in the long game and spin in the short game.
- You want a higher launch with stability and predictability in the wind.
- You enjoy a softer feeling ball.

Choose Callaway Chrome Tour if...

- You swing it fast and want to reduce spin in the long game.
- You like to see a more penetrating ball flight with your irons.
- You want a mix of fast ball speeds and soft feel in the short game.

For more golf ball buying advice, be sure to have a read of our guides on the best golf balls for high swing speeds, best low spin golf balls and best premium golf balls.

The compact distance irons market is always one of the most important because want an iron that offers good distance and forgiveness, but we don’t want to sacrifice too much in the way of looks and feel to get it. From an engineering standpoint, it’s a real test for the manufacturers to accomplish that with the limited size and materials available when designing an iron.

Fortunately, Cobra and Mizuno have smashed it out the park with their 3DP X and M-15 models. Both are crammed full of technology that boosts performance and forgiveness more than ever before, and they’ve been able to achieve that by barely compromising on looks and feel.

The reality is that these clubs aren’t just for game improvers. There’s a huge number of golfers – many of whom might consider themselves too good for irons in this category – who could benefit from playing with these clubs. The negatives and compromises that used to exist to get this level of performance simply don’t anymore. They’re both brilliant, but which one is best for you?

Technology

The Cobra 3DP X is stacked with about as much technology as it’s possible to squeeze into an iron head. The key is that while many irons in this category feature glued face inserts, the 3DP X is a one-piece construction made of 316L stainless steel. The big breakthrough is an internal lattice structure that saves a lot of weight and enables the weight that is there to be distributed for optimal performance.

That lattice is also able to support a thin face, which aims to provide feel that you wouldn’t normally expect from a mid-to-low handicap iron, while maintaining the performance and forgiveness we desire. This has all been achieved using advanced 3D-printing technology, specifically a ‘Direct Metal Laser Sintering’ (DMLS) process. Plus, there’s tungsten weighting in the hosel and toe that is designed to boost stability and forgiveness on off-centre strikes, making them one of the most forgiving irons we've tested so far this season.

The composition of the Mizuno M-15 focusses on a unique progressive construction that uses different materials to hone and optimize the performance as you move through the set. The 4 to 8-irons are built to optimize ball speed and consistency. The Contoured Ellipse Face is made from Grain Flow Forged 4135+ Chromoly and has a multi-thickness forged construction. That is joined to a stainless-steel back piece, with a hollow body for maximum rebound. Mizuno has also used tungsten weighting to further boost the launch and stability – 51g in the long irons and 50.3g in the mid-irons.

The 9-iron and gap wedge are created to accentuate control and precision with a partially hollow 1025E Grain Flow Forged HD body with a stainless-steel back. Every club features Harmonic Impact Technology and copper underlay work that helps reduce sound pressure and create a soft but solid feel at impact.

Looks

It’s fair to say that both these irons set the standard and break new ground in terms of making an iron head that has a lot crammed into it to boost performance look sleek, sophisticated and premium. You could very easily think they were players irons if you picked them up without knowing what’s under the hood.

In terms of the best golf irons, Mizuno has set the standards for aesthetics for a long time now, and the M-15s continue this trend with a classic and familiar profile that belies the technology hidden within, and a bucket load of shelf appeal. It looks great at address with a reasonably narrow top-line and an overall head size that looks more compact than you might expect from this model.

Cobra hasn’t been as revered for the visuals of their irons, but the 3DP X looks cracking and isn’t far off the profile of a blade, which is remarkable given all the tech - in fact, they look almost identical to their bladed counterpart, the Cobra 3DP MB. When you look at them up close, the design is clean and the exposed lattice at the back looks fantastic. Of course, it’s at address that really matters, and they frame the ball really well with a slightly thicker topline and a touch of offset that hints to their forgiving roots without straying from the premium package.

Feel

It’s no exaggeration to say that the Cobra 3DP X is the best feeling iron of 2026. In fact, it feels better than plenty of clubs that are designed to value feel over raw performance and forgiveness. You get a buttery soft feel wherever you hit it on the clubface! Some golfers may argue that compromises feedback, but I would urge you to park any reservations you may have because you won’t care about that once you’ve actually tried and felt these clubs.

Given all that, you might expect a drop-off in this area from the Mizuno M-15s given that hollow, multi-piece heads don’t usually excel in terms of feel. But these do. They deliver the soft and responsive feel that players love and expect from the best Mizuno irons. Importantly, that excellent feel is consistent through the set. They feel good through the turf as well, thanks to refined sole geometry with added bounce.

Performance

When you boil it down to the numbers on the Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor, the M-15 irons launch the ball a little faster and higher than the 3DP X irons, but the Cobra’s spin more and fly a bit higher. Ultimately, the Mizuno’s go a good club longer.

The great news about the Cobra 3DP X is that the forgiveness you feel translates through to the performance, as well. While the spin and distance does obviously drop off a little on off-center strikes, the overall consistency of the results from all over the clubface is very impressive. By Cobra’s own admission, the forgiveness of this iron exceeds that of its current ‘super game improvement’ model, the King Max iron.

They have strong lofts (the 7-iron is 29° in both sets) but the 3DP X launches the ball pretty easily and with good ball speeds and carry distances. I certainly wouldn’t get hung up on the loft numbers because the truth is in how the ball flies – and there’s plenty to love about the quality and consistency of the flight with these clubs. The only real negative is the price, with a six-piece set from 5-PW setting you back a hefty $1,980.

The most impressive things about the M-15s is that you get the performance you want through the set. The long and mid-irons launch well and generate fantastic carry distances with impressive consistency, while the short irons and wedges offer really good control and the ability to knock the flight down a bit thanks to the progressive CG moving the center of gravity higher in the those clubs.

In conclusion, these are two of the best sets of irons we’ve seen in a long time. They each offer looks and feel that you normally wouldn’t expect from more distance-orientated irons that also provide so much help in terms of distance, stability and forgiveness. But it’s those latter traits that are the most important when you’re shopping in this category, and there’s just enough of a difference in their performance to steer you in one direction or another. If you are on a budget though, you may have to look elsewhere - neither of these sets are going to be cheap enough to be included in our best budget irons guide any time soon.

If distance is a decisive factor for you, the Mizuno M-15s are the longer of the two. That extra little bit of control and ability to knock the flight down in the shorter irons and wedges might also sway lower handicappers towards the Mizuno. But the Cobra 3DP Xs are probably the ones for you if you’re looking for a bit more height from your shots and you want to feel like a proper ball-striker no matter where you hit it on the face. It feels like the Cobra’s are everything you would want and expect from a players iron on steroids, while the Mizuno’s are a slightly more refined aesthetic with surprising distance. Whichever you choose, you’re onto a winner.

Which club should you choose?

Choose Cobra 3DP X irons if…

- You want incredible feel and forgiveness all over the clubface.
- You need performance-boosting technology but like a sophisticated look.
- You crave optimum performance no matter the cost.

Choose Mizuno M-15 irons if…

- You want to maximize distance without compromising looks and feel.
- You need a bit more control in your short irons and wedges.
- You require a bit more help to launch your long irons.

For more iron buying advice, be sure to have a read of our guides on the most forgiving irons, the best compact mid-handicapper irons and the best distance irons.

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.

As two of the more popular drivers on tour, the TaylorMade Qi35 and the Titleist GT2 carry some serious credentials. Both brands are known for making some of the best drivers around, and these two flagship models are no different.

Each driver is a new addition to the respective line-ups, with the Qi35 looking to build on the success of the Qi10 range that was seen in the bags of many tour pros, while the GT range sets out to be a faster, more explosive version of the TSR family.

It’s fair to say that both of these US-based companies have dedicated followers, but could you be persuaded to switch? To establish the merits of both drivers, we’ve not only tested them thoroughly but also put them up against each to see which can claim the crown, and perhaps also find its way into your golf bag.

Technology

When TaylorMade launched the Qi35 range, which also includes the Qi35 LS and Qi35 Max models, the tech headliner was CG projection. In essence TaylorMade has built the clubhead to project the CG as low as possible with the aim to produce an optimal ball flight, namely a high launch, low spin ball that flies forever. To achieve this, the engineers have shaved off a few grams, allowing them to redistribute the weight to the crown, the ring and the hosel, which brings that balance point down.

As for the club’s construction, it uses a blend of materials including chromium, carbon, steel, aluminum, tungsten and titanium along with a fourth-generation carbon twist face. As you’d expect from a premium driver there’s also adjustability: two sole weights let you dial in launch and spin to optimize flight shape, plus a 4-degree loft sleeve.

As mentioned, Titleist wanted the GT range to be faster than the TSR line-up. To do this it went to a multi-material construction, which includes its Proprietary Matrix Polymer, used in the club’s crown. According to the brand it’s three times lighter than other all-titanium construction used in the TSR clubs, allowing the engineers to better distribute the club’s mass, and thus help optimize the CG. Certainly the club feels light and that PMP material feels almost malleable in a way that a credit card does.

In terms of the desired playing characteristics, the GT2 is designed to be the most user-friendly of the three-driver line-up and its high Moment of Inertia points to this; a higher MOI will translate to a more stable clubface through impact, with less twisting of the face.

Other tech details include an interchangeable back weight that allows you to fine tune the head and swing weight of the driver to suit your needs as well as a SureFit adjustable hosel.

Looks

Yes it’s a subjective category, but we think the Qi35 is a stunning looking driver. TaylorMade has managed to blend space-age looking materials - just check out the gray carbon crown - with a minimalist design to create a design that works both in the bag and behind the ball. Even the sole is stylish, with just a few flourishes of green added. And the small alignment aid is just as refined. In short, it oozes class.

If you’re familiar with the TaylorMade Qi10 driver, you’ll notice that at address the Qi35 is far rounder in shape, looking much more like the high-MOI Max model; for us this is a definite bonus and a look we prefer in any driver.

Despite the multi-material approach, Titleist has managed to do what it does best with the GT2 - create a clean look, with a beautifully proportioned, rounded head. All the areas where the polymer meets the titanium have been filled and polished creating that familiar finish that’s become part of Titleist’s signature look.

Behind the ball, the rounded 460cc head inspires confidence. With the shape longer front to back, and paired with a shallower face it adds up to a look that really appealed to our eye; the shading on the face is used to create the illusion of more loft, which should add confidence at address for many players. There’s a subtle ‘GT’ logo on the crown, which is there for alignment purposes, but other than that from the playing position it’s a refined and classic look.

The same can't quite be said of the sole. For us it takes the minimal approach a step too far, and verges on the basic and underwhelming. Fortunately this has no bearing on the club’s performance.

Feel

For us the Qi35 delivers a different, and improved, feel from its ‘carbonwood’ products of the past few years. Yes, compared to other brands the acoustics are still more subdued, but here you get a distinctly livelier sound and a firmer feel at impact than ever before.

The GT2 truly excels in the feel department, with all that new technology combining to create an incredibly sophisticated sound and feel, that’s powerful but not harsh. It’s a real standout feature of the club.

Performance

Of course it’s vital that the technology, look and feel of a club deliver the right results and the Qi35 impressed us where it matters most.

The stars of the show are those two adjustable weights, which give you a driver that can deliver a considerably different performance based on their position. Set up in neutral and you’re met with a really stable and forgiving driver that will be a joy to use for those who struggle to find the fairway and have lost some confidence off the tee as a result. However, place the heavier weight at the front and you get a lower spin rate and more distance, although we noticed that our dispersion rates suffered, which is perhaps unsurprising.

This did make us question the need for the Low Spin version of the Qi35. If you can get the lower spin rate you’re looking for in a more forgiving package, then why would you opt for the specific LS model? For comparison, we achieved 1910rpm with the LS and 2101 with the regular Qi35 with the weight located at the front (using one of the best launch monitors, the Foresight GCQuad, to record the data). This is a negligible difference, and the added ball speed we got resulted in 8 more yards carry and 9 more in total distance.

The big question with the GT2 is whether the new construction and materials would deliver the additional ball speed that it is designed to achieve. The answer is yes but it's a little more nuanced than that. What really impressed us was the level of forgiveness and just how little our misses impacted both ball speed and dispersion. Strikes both low on the face and towards the heel weren’t punished too harshly and coupled with the great sound and feel of the GT2 and you get a driver that’s a pleasure to use.

Which club should you choose?

Choose the TaylorMade Qi35 driver if...

- You want plenty of adjustability
- You want a rounder profile
- You value versatility

Choose the Titleist GT2 driver if....

- You value Titleist's classic look
- You want forgiveness and distance
- You appreciate sophisticated feel and sound

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.

It’s fair to assume that the best drivers don’t come cheap. After all, a premium product typically has a premium price tag to go with it. It might then also be a reasonable assumption that the best budget drivers, while being far more affordable, suffer a little when it comes to innovation, looks, feel and overall performance. But is this always the case?

To test the theory we’re pitting a tour favorite, Titleist’s GT2, against one of the most affordable drivers out there, the Kirkland Signature Adjustable driver, which is sold through the Costco wholesaler. The difference in price between the two is well over $/£300. This may appear akin to putting a featherweight into the ring with a heavyweight, but as the age old tale of David and Goliath reminds us, the outcome isn’t always as predictable as it might seem.

Let’s see how they compare...

Technology

The GT2 is part of the GT range, designed to offer more speed compared to the previous TSR family. To achieve this Titleist has replaced the all-titanium construction with a new material in the crown, called Proprietary Matrix Polymer, or PMP for short. It’s certainly lightweight and is used to deliver a familiar look, sound and feel that Titleist loyalists will appreciate, while still allowing the club’s designers to better distribute the weight in pursuit of greater forgiveness; the weight has been pushed to both the back and front of the club, allowing for an optimum CG placement and hopefully an increase in clubhead speed. With regards to the range of GT drivers, the GT2 has the highest MOI, which makes it the most user-friendly of the trio.

Other tech details include an interchangeable back weight that allows you to fine tune the head and swing weight of the driver to suit your needs as well as a SureFit adjustable hosel. Titleist offers a number of shaft options; we were fitted for a Ventus Red Velocore from Fujikura, which does come at an additional cost.

As for the Kirkland Signature driver it too has a multi-material construction, including a carbon composite crown and titanium sole. Like the GT2 this blend of materials is utilized to reduce the weight and allow it to be distributed in specific areas. In the case of this club, the weight has been positioned low and toward the perimeter to assist with both launch and forgiveness.

The similarities don't end there. The Kirkland Signature also features an adjustable hosel, with four settings to allow for changes in both the loft and the lie angle, should you want to create a draw bias. Again, there’s a backweight for head stability. A True Temper Evnflow Riptide shaft and Lamkin grip are fitted as standard, so no corners are being cut with the components, either.

The same is true of the premium head cover that comes with the driver, one that closely resembles the GT2 cover in both looks and feel.

Looks

Despite the changes in construction, the GT2 has a familiar look to it, with no joins or banner strips visible from the playing position. It makes for a clean and classy aesthetic that Titleist is known for. And for us it looks exceptional, especially at address.

The dimensions are perfectly proportioned resulting in a rounded 460cc head that’s visually appealing as well as large enough to promote plenty of confidence; the head is longer front-to-back, with a slightly shallower face. Titleist has added some shading on the face that creates the illusion of more loft, which again should appeal to those looking for a bit of confidence boost. A small GT logo acts as a subtle alignment aid.

We aren’t quite as enamored with the GT2’s sole design. While a minimalistic approach works wonders for the crown, it leaves the sole feeling a little underwhelming. That said, it has no impact on performance and as you can’t see it when playing, it’s far from a dealbreaker.

Given its price tag, you could be forgiven for expecting the Kirkland Signature to suffer a little in the looks department. But instead it shines. The carbon construction is made obvious with the use of a carbon effect on the crown. It creates a premium aesthetic that’s mirrored in the shape. It’s not dissimilar to the GT2, with a lovely rounded profile that’s really appealing from the playing position. There’s also a small alignment aid presented in a similarly understated fashion as the GT2; here it's a dot.

The sole is a little busier than the GT2 but it’s still relatively minimal, with a single Kirkland logo, a few ‘humps and bumps’ and some graphical lines.

Feel

All of the changes that Titleist has ushered in for the GT range become apparent when you start to hit balls. The sound and feel of the GT2 is exquisite, managing to create a powerful feel without ever being harsh, and with an acoustic to match. In short it’s as sophisticated a combination as you could wish for.

Again, it would be a fair expectation that the Kirkland Signature would suffer in the feel and sound department; plenty of budget drivers deliver a ‘tinny’ acoustic that lacks the sophistication of a premium-priced model. But again, the Kirkland offered up a surprise.

While it doesn’t match the GT2, it was far from harsh, delivering a lively, solid feel. The sound, while more high pitched than the Titleist, wasn’t as 'tinny’ as we'd expected. Overall it delivers an impressively powerful feel that belies its price tag.

Performance

As our miss with the driver tends to be low and off the heel, the GT2 won favor quickly, having a minimal effect on both ball speed and dispersion when we caught it in this location. But the success of the GT2 is really felt across the board. For us everything has been stepped up a notch, from the aerodynamics to the acoustics, and from the feel to the forgiveness. This is what an upgrade should look, feel and perform like.

In terms of numbers, the GT2 gives us bags of carry and distance, with a low spin rate that helps to maximize performance. When we tested the Kirkland Signature using a premium golf ball it produced some surprising numbers. The spin rate was higher, but not by a huge margin, and the resulting carry distance was just four yards less than with the GT2.

However, when we replaced the premium ball with one of the best value golf balls, the spin numbers from the Kirkland driver increased by a huge amount, topping out at almost 4000rpm. As you’d imagine this had a significant impact on the carry, which dropped to 275 yards compared to the 300 yards achieved with the premium ball. So clearly, matching the Kirkland Signature Driver with the right ball is vital if you’re to make the most of this budget driver.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Titleist GT2 if…
- You want the classic, sophisticated look
- You want more forgiveness
- You value a subtle yet powerful feel and sound

Choose the Kirkland Signature if…
- You're shopping on a budget
- You like a lively impact feel
- You enjoy the look of a carbon effect crown

Ecco Biom C4 vs Ecco LT1: Read Our Head-To-Head Verdict

There’s no arguing with the fact that Ecco sells some of the very best golf shoes on the market that are known for being comfortable, long-lasting and stylish. But the question is: which are the best Ecco golf shoes? 

In this piece, we will be focusing on two of their most popular shoe designs, the Ecco C4 and the Ecco LT1 to see which pair is best. 

Of course, both golf shoes are totally outstanding in their own right, which can make knowing which to go for tricky. That’s why we’re here to share what makes each of these shoes great in our head-to-head, allowing you to decide which design is going to be the best fit for you. 

Technology

Starting with the Ecco C4 shoes, there’s no denying that their technology is impressive. Using Ecco’s Exhaust Grid technology that channels air to the sole of the foot to keep it cool, combined with a Gore-Tex surround for enhanced airflow and a breathable Ortholite insole, there’s no denying that the technology in this shoe makes it one of the most breathable shoes we’ve put to the test. 

For anyone playing in hotter climates or the warmer summer months, the Ecco C4 is a great option for keeping feet cool and avoiding sweaty, smelly shoes. 

One piece of technology that sets the LT1 ahead is its BOA lacing system, which makes tightening or loosening the shoelaces quick and easy with the simple twist of a dial. Our tester found that the LT1 design had perfected the BOA lacing system, making it one of the best executed setups they’d ever tried. Ecco has also used a new midsole foam called Ecco Ltyr alongside its renowned Fluidform technology to provide more cushioning and more rebound than ever before. 

Looks

Next, let’s focus on the aesthetic appeal of each shoe. 

When it comes to the Ecco C4 shoe design, the athletic design works exceedingly well. This rather bold aesthetic move has ensured that these are some of the smartest and most stylish golf shoes on the market right now. 

While the Ecco LT1 is the newer of the two shoes, our tester found that, despite the premium design and materials, the actual look of the shoe was not as sleek or stylish as some of Ecco’s other golf shoes, including the C4. The design is a little curvier and more rounded than the more athletic-looking shoes that we’ve become accustomed to from Ecco. 

Fit

When it comes to choosing a golf shoe, the fit is an essential factor to take into account. 

For the Ecco C4 shoe, comfort appears to be king. Featuring a removable insole, the C4 shoe is designed to accommodate feet of varying widths comfortably. So for golfers with wider feet these shoes should fit just as well as they would on a narrower foot. And, as our tester found, even when the insole is removed, the shoe still boasts the same amount of comfort and cushioning. 

In terms of fit, our tester found that the Ecco LT1 are not as snug as perhaps they could be to the foot and reported that, at certain points during gameplay, they could feel their foot rolling around in the shoe, rather than being property supported. 

Comfort

What our tester loved about the Ecco C4 shoe, in terms of comfort, was the fact that straight out of the box the shoes felt comfortable and easy-to-wear. There was no need to break them in, thanks to the super-soft Ecco performance leather used across the shoe, which meant that they could be worn comfortably straight away. 

In terms of comfort, the LT1 does exactly what you’d expect from an Ecco shoe - offers incredible levels of comfort. To increase comfort further, Ecco combined the midsole foam known as Ecco Ltyr with its famed Fluidform technology to offer a midsole with more cushioning than ever before. According to our tester, the cushioning feels incredible under foot, helping to reduce foot fatigue during extended game play. 

Another factor making these shoes even more comfortable to wear is the lightweight design. During testing, we found that the lightweight nature of these shoes meant that they provided really great added comfort. 

Waterproofing

Despite having really great breathability, the Ecco C4 is a completely waterproof shoe. When we put them to the test on a rather wet, rainy day, our tester was pleased to find that, even with all the breathability holes down the side of the shoe, no water got in and their feet remained dry.

Thanks to having a fully waterproof upper, the Ecco LT1 shoes are completely waterproof. So, if you’re playing in wet or damp conditions, there’s no need to worry about leakage. 

Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re looking for a golf shoe that’s exceptionally breathable while still keeping feet dry, and is designed to cater to the needs of wider feet, the Ecco C4 could be a good choice for you. 

Or, if you’re looking for a shoe that’s easy to put on and wear, thanks to its BOA system, is comfortable and fully waterproof, then the Ecco LT1 could be a good option.