Qi35 Drivers Are Not What I Expected From TaylorMade

Buckle up. For my money, with Qi35, TaylorMade is telling the most intriguing driver story of the spring 2025 season. And while, yeah, there are plenty of bells and whistles and other shiny things to capture your attention, the best parts of the story – the stuff that makes the Qi35 driver family so damn interesting (to me, anyway) – are the bits I haven’t heard before and would have never expected to come from TaylorMade.

Please stay with me. There’s some compelling stuff to be found here but let’s start with the basics.

What does the “35” in Qi35 mean?

In what seems obvious enough in hindsight, the “10” in last season’s Qi10 name served to denote the 10,000 total MOI of the Max model. With that, the Qi35 name might initially seem like a bit of a puzzler.

No, TaylorMade hasn’t circumvented USGA rules and released a driver with 35,000 MOI, though I suppose if you add up the total MOI of all four models, you’re probably in the 35,000 ballpark.

Regardless, while extreme MOI remains part of the story, this time around, it isn’t the story itself.

While it’s the kind of “Inside Baseball” thing that’s going to be lost on most golfers who pull a Qi35 driver off the rack, the name is meant to tell the briefest of stories behind TaylorMade’s latest driver platform.

Specifically, the foundation of Qi35 is built upon three foundational pillars with five ways to fit. If it helps, think of it as “Qi 3 with 5.”

What are those pillars and those ways to fitted? (You might ask.)

Let’s dig in.

Qi35 drivers: Form

I should probably start by mentioning that all three of TaylorMade’s pillars start with the letter F and while that might make it feel just a little bit like an episode of Sesame Street, it doesn’t come across as entirely forced.

Anyway, the first of TaylorMade’s pillars is Form and that basically refers to all of the visible design details including some visual cues that help tell the story of each model, at least for those perceptive enough to notice them.

New color scheme

The most obvious update to Qi35 is a new color scheme. As most do, TaylorMade has moved around the color wheel over the last few seasons. The red faces of Stealth gave way to the blue and silver of Qi10.

With Qi10, the primary color is what TaylorMade calls Chromium Carbon. The design itself is similar to what TaylorMade did with SIM, albeit with slightly cooler tones.

The visible carbon weave pattern is ever-present in every Qi35 model, though it’s important to point out that TaylorMade is still leveraging what is likely the most multi-material construction in the industry. Within Qi35, you’ll find titanium, tungsten, carbon fiber, aluminum and steel. And for those who want to run up the tally, I suppose you can count the epoxies that hold everything together as well.

Suffice it to say that there’s a lot going on.

Subtle design cues

Within the Qi35 driver designs, you’ll find a mix of subtle and not-so-subtle design cues. Few will miss that Carbon is again stamped on the face. Likewise, the inclusion of an MOI callout – 10 kg-cm²  stamped on the sole of the Qi35 Max isn’t likely to go unnoticed.

A more cynical writer might say this sort of thing has become the equipment industry’s version of a tramp stamp. All that’s missing is an arraignment of roses or maybe a butterfly.

The more subtle elements include green flags on the sole to denote the comparative weighting of each club – back in the Qi35 Max, central in the Qi35 core model, forward in the LS.

Similarly, the triangular pattern, what we refer to as the “flux capacitor”, is meant to convey that mass has been pushed to the perimeter (high MOI) in the Max and core models and is more concentrated in the LS.

On one hand, I think the new design looks great. And the design cues – even if lost on most – are well executed. I appreciate the effort.

That said, I suspect some won’t love the visible carbon weave, especially in a color that’s something other than black. TaylorMade’s seamless infinity crown design already makes the crown (particularly with larger shapes like the Max) look massive. We’re talking about what amounts to more carbon weave on a driver crown than we’ve ever seen before.

Of course, not everyone loves to look at a sea of gloss black either and while it may be too much for some, I think, in totality, the designs are well executed.

And, hey, if all that visible carbon isn’t your thing, TaylorMade will again offer a Designer Series option which should appeal to the purists/traditionalists among you.

Anyway, love the carbon, hate the carbon? I would love to know where you land on this one.

Qi35 drivers: Function

Form speaks to all of the design elements you can see. Function, to large degree, speaks to what is mostly the under-the-hood engineering that you can’t.

Before we get to that, let’s talk about the most apparent bit of TaylorMade driver tech.

Carbon Face

Yup, TaylorMade is again leveraging carbon faces with Qi35. It’s not lost on us that carbon faces have become one of those design elements that is simply a non-starter for some of you.

Frankly, after three generations, I wouldn’t have been the least bit surprised if carbon faces quietly faded away but TaylorMade is not only committed to technology but also continues to push for more performance from the material.

For sure, it’s easy to knock TaylorMade for some of the failure issues. I’ve made a few jokes at the company’s expense (and will almost certainly continue to do so) but, to an extent, that’s the cost of innovation.

Carbon is still a relatively new face material and TaylorMade learns from each release. The company admits there’s been a learning curve and like anything else, you don’t know what you don’t know. Carbon face as an impact material is basically uncharted territory but TaylorMade believes it has improved every aspect of the carbon face design. That includes creating a more stable carbon layup process as well as making significant year-over-year improvement in the processes that bond the face to the head.

It’s likely the failure rate will never be zero but carbon faces are becoming less of a reason to avoid TaylorMade drivers.

The bottom line is that we’re four years into this and it’s starting to feel like TaylorMade is serious when it says it’s not going back to titanium.

Love it or hate it, it doesn’t much matter. It’s just what it is.

Improved centers of gravity

You can imagine my surprise when TaylorMade clicked to a slide in the Qi35 presentation with the bold headline “10K Doesn’t’ Matter.” The finer print on that same slide reads “unless you have the right launch conditions.”

Fundamentally, TaylorMade wants you to play the most forgiving driver you can but not at the expense of distance. With last year’s models (the Max, in particular), there’s a reasonable argument that TaylorMade, in chasing 10K worth of MOI, overcooked the spin profile a bit.

The goal for the Qi35 lineup was to maintain and, in some cases, improve MOI without sacrificing performance in other areas. With that in mind, it makes sense to look at the enhancements model by model.

Qi35 Max

Yeah, I said it, the Qi10 Max was, in my estimation, too spinny. I might have even joked that the “35” in Qi35 referred to a 35-percent reduction in spin. While it’s not quite that much, through changes in its center of gravity position, TaylorMade was able to cut spin in the Qi35 Max by around 200 rpm compared to the Qi10 Max.

I would have liked to see a couple of hundred more RPM dropped but it’s not lost on me that there are some players who do need more spin than the rest of us.

Here’s where it’s important to note that TaylorMade’s loft specs haven’t changed. If you’re trying to take the easy way out, lowering loft is a simple way to lower spin while retaining MOI but that’s not what TaylorMade did.

Through a bit of clever reshaping, multi-material construction, a better understanding of adhesives and, I suppose, putting the weight savings from the carbon face to better use in a general kind of way, TaylorMade was able to lower the center of gravity.

In fact, across the Qi35 lineup, TaylorMade is offering its lowest centers of gravity in a decade. To put some numbers on it, TaylorMade says the CG on the Max model is less than three millimeters above the CG projection, roughly half a millimeter lower than Qi10. The Max is also one gram lighter than the previous model.

What is CG Projection?

This feels like the right place for a brief primer on CG Projection or what others call the Neutral Axis.

The CG projection is an imaginary line that runs perpendicular to the loft from face center through the rear of the clubhead. Very few drivers have offered centers of gravity at or below the center of gravity projection. As CGs move closer to (and below neutral), you end up with a higher percentage of the face above the CG.

TaylorMade describes the portion of the face above the CG as the “area of opportunity” because any time you make contact above the CG, you take a little bit of spin out of the ball which typically leads to more distance.

By lowering CGs across the lineup, TaylorMade is effectively cutting spin and giving you a greater opportunity to generate distance.

To add a little bit of additional context here, while three millimeters wouldn’t be considered an extremely low CG relative to the CG projection, some of the spiniest stuff we’ve ever seen (the NIKE Covert stuff for example) was in the ballpark of seven millimeters. So three millimeters is solid, especially for a driver with 10K MOI.

Moving on …

Unlike other Qi35 drivers, Max models don’t offer adjustable weighting. Instead, the Qi35 Max ships with a fixed 34-gram back weight that’s meant to stay exactly where it is, ensuring you don’t inadvertently increase MOI beyond the USGA limit.

I guess that’s a good thing.

In addition to the high MOI, TaylorMade says the Qi10 Max offers a slight draw bias which makes sense for the target player.

Visually, you’re going to be looking at a substantial footprint but the shape itself isn’t overly game-improvement-y, so while it’s big, the Qi35 Max isn’t unsightly.

The TaylorMade Qi35 Max driver is available in 9, 10.5 and 12 degrees. Stock shafts include the Mitsubishi Diamana T+ 60 and Fujikura AirSpeeder 25.

Qi35 Max Lite

TaylorMade is also offering a Qi35 Max Lite. As the name suggests, it’s a lighter version of the Qi35 Max that saves weight in the head via a 24-gram backweight. The stock shaft (Mitsubishi Vanquish 4) and grips (Golf Pride Z-Grip 43g) are also lighter.

With the reduced weight, the Qi35 Max Lite won’t get you to 10K but, all things considered, 9K is pretty solid.

The Qi35 Max Lite is available in 10.5 and 12 degrees.

Qi35

TaylorMade’s standard or core model is, for my money, the most intriguing new driver launching this January.

I suppose that’s because of what TaylorMade says it was able to achieve with respect to both CG position and MOI with the standard Qi35.

With the heavier of Qi35’s two adjustable weights in the back position, TaylorMade says its measured center of gravity is just 1.6 millimeters above the CG projection. By any sensible assessment, that would suggest a lower-spinning design.

When the heavy weight moves to the front, CG is lower still at just .3 millimeters above the CG projection.

Keep in mind that this isn’t the LS we’re talking about. This is the standard model in the TaylorMade Qi35 lineup.

More compelling perhaps is that TaylorMade achieved those center of gravity positions while increasing MOI over Qi10.

We’ll talk about it more in the fitting section but, unlike its Qi10 counterpart, TaylorMade’s middle model in the Qi35 family offers adjustable weighting by way of a pair or front/back weights (13g/3g).

With the heavier weight in the rear, TaylorMade is claiming a combined MOI number of 9,000 while MOI in the front position is around 8,100. TaylorMade says it’s the highest MOI it has ever had in a core model.

While that’s not exactly overlap, the numbers are high enough that someone seeking to maximize forgiveness (more accurately MOI) might be compelled to choose the core model because of the shape or what should prove to be lower-spin performance.

Speaking as a habitual LS guy, I’m intrigued by what the on-paper numbers suggest might be possible (assuming I can stop clanking the ball off the bottom of the face).

The TaylorMade Qi35 driver is available in 9, 10.5 and 12 degrees. Stock shafts are the Fujikura Ventus Blue (no VeloCore) and the Mitsubishi Diamana T+ 60. The stock grip is a 52g GolfPride Z-Grip.

Qi35 LS

For those of us who can’t keep spin down with the core model, TaylorMade is again offering an LS (low spin) version of its flagship driver.

There are some significant changes to this year’s LS, not the least of which is a move away from TaylorMade’s signature forward sliding weight track in favor of three pinpoint weights. Fundamentally, TaylorMade’s implementation isn’t much different from what we’ve seen from COBRA, PXG and probably others but I don’t’ have any particular problem with that.

The three-weight system (13g, 3g, 3g) is likely the better approach because it saves a good amount of structure (wasted mass) while adding additional fitting versatility from the back position.

With the heavier weight in that rear position, you can expect higher launch and spin but the center of gravity is just .8 millimeters above the CG projection so even in the higher MOI configuration (~7,700), you can expect reasonably low spin.

When you put the heavier weight in one of the forward positions, you’ve activated what TaylorMade calls Beast Mode. TaylorMade says the Beast Mode CG is .2 millimeters below the CG projection. That’s going to kill spin and create a lot of speed and while 6.8K of total MOI isn’t exactly max level, for a super lower-spin configuration, it’s quite a bit higher than where we would have been a few years ago.

While the Qi35 Max and core models offer what TaylorMade calls high inertia shapes, the Qi35 LS driver is described as a traditional shape. It’s a bit different than previous LS models but it still looks compact and while I feel like an absolute cheeseball bastard for saying it, it does look fast.

My head wants the core model, but the heart still belongs to the LS.

The Qi35 LS driver is available in 8, 9 and 10.5 degrees. Stock shafts are the Mitsubishi Kaili Blue DarkWave CB 60 and Kali White DarkWave 60. The stock grip is a 52-gram GolfPride Z-Grip.

Qi35 drivers: Fitting

Finally, we’ve arrived at our third pillar: Fitting.

If six weeks ago you had asked me which brand would have the most compelling fitting story going into 2025, there’s basically no chance I’d have said TaylorMade.

Frankly, it’s not a company that I’ve ever felt put any serious emphasis on fitting, let alone one that would lead the charge into what might prove to be the next frontier in fitting.

Some of what I’m about to tell you will be familiar. Some of it will very likely be unlike any fitting story you’ve heard before.

Head first

The familiar part is that TaylorMade believes that Qi35 driver fitting should start with the head.

With the head, you’re looking to dial in what I suppose qualify as traditional fitting metrics like ball speed, launch and descent angles as well as spin rates.

With four reasonably well-differentiated models to pull from, it should have a head that works for every golfer, with just enough overlap where you might be able to make a preference-driven decision or two along the way.

Shaft second

It’s not that TaylorMade starts with the head and then moves onto the shaft that’s unusual. It’s how it arrives at the shaft decision that’s different than most any fitting story we’ve heard before.

To help golfers find the right shaft for the Qi35 driver, TaylorMade is leaning into a datapoint called “closure rate.” Closure rate is a Foresight metric found in the head data section. It’s defined as the rotation of the clubhead heel to toe measured about the shaft in degrees per second or rpm.

I’ve asked about closure rate for years but this is the first time I’ve had anyone tell me they’ve found a way to leverage it as part of the fitting process.

I hope to dig way deeper into this at a later date but, for now, think of closure rate as a piece of your swing DNA. It’s a reflection of how you deliver the club but there’s not really such a thing as good closure rate or bad closure rate; it just kind of is what it is.

There are some broad generalities. For example, high closure rate players tend to do better with softer tipped shafts while those on the lower end of the closure rate spectrum typically do better with firmer tipped shafts.

That said, even among the best players in the world (including TaylorMade’s Tour staff), you’ll find a mix of fast closure rates, slow closure rates and everything in between. Again, there is no good or bad closure rate; it’s just whatever you happen to do.

When looking at closure rate, the objective isn’t to find a shaft that changes your closure rate or moves you closer to some optimal closure zone. It’s about consistency. A shaft that produces a more consistent closure rate, according to TaylorMade, will likely produce more consistent results on the course.

Simplified a bit, think of the head as the thing most responsible for those traditional metrics I mentioned at the start of this section, while the shaft is the part of the equation that leads to greater consistency into impact and ultimately tighter dispersion downrange.

TaylorMade sees closure rate as the roadmap to finding the right shaft. Along its journey, it identified many golfers, including Tour pros, in the wrong shaft. With that in mind, don’t be surprised if you see some TaylorMade staffers in new shafts this season.

What about Trackman?

As I mentioned, closure rate is a Foresight metric and, for now, exists only on Foresight launch monitors. It’s not realistic to think everyone who gets fitted for a Qi35 driver is going to get fit on a GC Quad so TaylorMade has also worked with Trackman to integrate its engineering CAD files into Trackman.

For the first time, Trackman will have the precise geometry of the clubhead which, in addition to providing more accurate head speed data, will also allow it to generate a reasonable approximation of closure rate.

For now, this is a bit of a TaylorMade exclusive but if this leads to more designs being integrated into the Trackman system, it’s a win for everyone.

Likewise, TaylorMade has built up a database of shaft information, but for now, it’s accessible only by TaylorMade fitting accounts using TaylorMade’s MFE (My Fitting Experience) software. That part is kind of a bummer but as its competitors kick the tires on this, we should find out if there’s anything to it and, if so, more information should filter into the public domain.

Once a fitter has settled on a head and shaft, the rest comes down to taking advantage of adjustability (hosel settings and moveable weights) to dial everything in.

But wait! There’s more (heads)

Remember way back at the beginning when I explained that the “5” in Qi35 referenced five ways to fit golfers? TaylorMade’s math is a little fuzzy but it speaks to the idea that TaylorMade offers four retail heads along with its SelectFit heads. Technically, there’s a SelectFit version of each model which one might argue should get us to “Qi38” but now probably isn’t the time to split hairs.

SelectFit heads are the same as the retail heads, with one small but not insignificant exception. SelectFit heads feature SelectFit faces which include six integrated Foresight reflective fitting markers.

A few things to point out here.

• The fitting markers are located underneath the outer polymer layer of TaylorMade’s carbon face so we’re not talking about external stickers. It’s an approach that simply isn’t possible with titanium faces.
• Foresight typically requires four stickers to capture head data but TaylorMade worked with Foresight on a six-sticker system to improve the consistency of head and, more specifically, closure rate data. The updated tracking is available in the latest version of GC Quad firmware.
• While the retail heads don’t offer integrated Foresight markers, they do provide clear indicators where those stickers should be placed which should improve head data accuracy for every fitter (and golfer) using a Foresight launch monitor.

I’ve already argued the case for bringing the SelectFit version to retail. My argument to TaylorMade was based largely on the fact that I want one, but given how prevalent the use of Foresight (and presumably Bushnell systems) has become, there’s no way I’m the only one who sees the benefit of making the technology available to the masses.

It also makes me think that every manufacturer should consider integrating some means to ensure proper Foresight maker placement into their designs.

I don’t know. What do you think?

Wrapping it up

It should go without saying that based on the fitting story alone, TaylorMade’s Qi35 driver lineup is one of the most compelling offerings headed to market in early 2025. Toss in improved center of gravity locations, high MOI in most models and eye-catching (though probably not universally loved) industrial design and I’d argue this Qi35 is the most impressive lineup we’ve seen from TaylorMade in quite some time.

Availability and pricing

TaylorMade Qi35 drivers are available for pre-order now. Full retail availability begins Jan. 30.

Retail price for the Qi35, Qi35 Max and Qi35 Max Lite is $599.99. The Qi35 LS retails for $649.99.

TaylorMade will also offer a Designer Series head which features a high-gloss black design with subtle green accents. It will be offered in Qi35, Qi35 Max and Qi35 LS heads in both stock and custom configurations. Retail prices for Qi35 Designer Series drivers start at $649.99.

For more information, visit TaylorMadeGolf.com.  

Last year’s model

I love what TaylorMade has done with the Qi35 but $600-$650 is a big ask. If you’re looking to save some money on what is almost the latest tech, last season’s Qi10 drivers have been discounted to $499.99.