2023 TaylorMade Unveils Stealth HD Irons

[Golfspy_CG2]

TaylorMade Golf, the industry leader in innovation and technology, today announces the all-new Stealth HD irons – an unconventional approach to helping developing golfers find success in the game.

The original Stealth iron featuring Cap Back™ design for more forgiveness excelled at bringing golfers everywhere better shots more often and will continue as the brand’s marquee game improvement iron. With the addition of Stealth HD, the company welcomes a wider breadth of golfers to Team TaylorMade with a more forgiving, easy-to-launch max game improvement option.

Development of this iron started from the ground up, as TaylorMade embarked on a journey to create an iron unlike any other in the brand’s history. Product creationists and engineers surveyed golfers in the max game improvement demographic to understand what they need, how they play golf and gather data on their performance. Research included extensive product testing as well as in-depth interviews with the target golfers for Stealth HD.

Taking design inspiration from the data, Stealth HD was engineered to deliver performance where this player needs it most. An ultra-low profile head shape in the long irons drives CG lower to help get the ball airborne with ease – a critical component for defining success among this player set. Progressive head sizes, meaning that each club is uniquely shaped and gets incrementally larger from 5-iron through pitching wedge, help independently optimize the performance of each iron.

An increased sole radius and innovative step down design along the bottom of the club round out the all-new shape. Testing confirmed that increasing the sole arc from heel to toe led to more shots high on the face, which translates to higher launch and further helps this golfer get the ball airborne. The step down sole is designed to boost playability by reducing the amount of surface area that contacts the turf.

An asymmetric draw-bias face was incorporated in direct response to golfer interviews, as players within this demographic associated “successful shots” with any result that flew straight or had a draw shape. High COR and fast ball speeds are an added benefit of the new face construction.

In addition, TaylorMade increased loft throughout the Stealth HD iron set to correspond with findings from a proprietary simulation tool – which factors in relevant design variables to optimize carry distance, launch angle and spin at slow to moderate swing speeds.

“In working with players in this category, we exhausted all optimization tools to determine the ideal loft for each iron in the set. Incorporating higher lofts was done purposefully and with intent. Our goal was to provide as much launch and spin as possible without sacrificing distance, and what we found was this design strategy often led to increased carry distance for the developing golfer when compared to traditional super game improvement irons with stronger lofts. By combining this totally unique construction with our existing technologies, we created a high launching, easy-to-hit iron with surprisingly exceptional feel.”

Matt Bovee, Director, Product Creation Irons

 

While the head was made for slow to moderate swing speeds, performance effects are seen at every level of skill and speed. The Stealth HD iron is a great option for fitters and any player who struggles to launch the ball consistently. The full package of design elements provides forgiveness and distance for developing golfers, all while maintaining a premium aesthetic.

In addition, Stealth HD irons incorporate proven TaylorMade technologies such as Cap Back™ Design, a Thru Slot Speed Pocket™ and the ECHO® Damping System, a trio that creates a flexible and responsive face with exceptional feel.

SPECIFICATIONS, AVAILABILITY & PRICING

 

Stealth HD irons will be available for preorder on January 10 and at retail on February 17, 2023. Stealth HD irons have an MSRP of $999 (steel)/$1099 (graphite) and will be offered in 5-PW with AW, SW and LW available. Stock shaft offerings include KBS Max 85 MT (steel) and Fujikura NX Red/Silver (graphite), with a variety of custom shaft options. Stealth HD irons come stock with the Lamkin Crossline Black/Red grip (47g). 

 

[Headhammer]

Man those are chunky!

[GolfSpy_KFT]

Just now, Headhammer said:

Man those are chunky!

I was thinking the same thing. First glance is very unappealing to me.

[GolfSpy_APH]

Definitely looks like they took a page from the Adams playbook on these. Not necessarily a bad thing, but certainly won't suit all. They actually look pretty clean and like the aesthetics of the irons back. No crazy colors or silly still. I won't likely be gaming them anytime soon, however doesn't mean I won't take them down when I see them in the shop. 

[GolfSpy SAM]

11 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Definitely looks like they took a page from the Adams playbook on these. Not necessarily a bad thing, but certainly won't suit all. They actually look pretty clean and like the aesthetics of the irons back. No crazy colors or silly still. I won't likely be gaming them anytime soon, however doesn't mean I won't take them down when I see them in the shop. 

I’m not crazy here, right? These are an addition to the current Stealth iron, not a replacement. It seems to me these would be the “HL” of the Stealth line. They’re considerably larger than the Stealth irons, and since they’re not named “Stealth 2”, this is my guess. 

Seems like a rare misstep in their promotional materials that they didn’t specify this fact (unless in my skimming i missed it).

 Edit: found it!! “(Stealth) … will continue as the brand’s marquee game improvement iron”

 phew!

Edit 2: I’m still surprised they didn’t update the Stealth (standard) line of irons. That’s not their usual MO. I wonder if they’re just selling well enough not to mess with them?

[GolfSpy_APH]

10 minutes ago, Samsonite said:

I’m not crazy here, right? These are an addition to the current Stealth iron, not a replacement. It seems to me these would be the “HL” of the Stealth line. They’re considerably larger than the Stealth irons, and since they’re not named “Stealth 2”, this is my guess. 

Seems like a rare misstep in their promotional materials that they didn’t specify this fact (unless in my skimming i missed it).

 Edit: found it!! “(Stealth) … will continue as the brand’s marquee game improvement iron”

 phew!

Edit 2: I’m still surprised they didn’t update the Stealth (standard) line of irons. That’s not their usual MO. I wonder if they’re just selling well enough not to mess with them?

I think @Golfspy_TCB can attest to them being a pretty stellar iron. Nice to see them add and not replace unnecessarily.

[Parshooter36]

Interesting that the longer irons are not as strongly lofted as the regular Stealth irons.  Seems like they would blend right in looks wise for a combo set.  Who knows though, maybe the extra mass in the HD's would balance out any gapping issues.

[sirchunksalot]

I honestly think TaylorMade hit a home run with the looks of the original Stealth irons, the HD...not so much. The looks from the back are a little boxy for me. Nothing wrong with it, I think there are a lot of players that should give irons like this a go. I think they would benefit from the extra forgiveness and ability to get the ball in the air and would have more fun while on the course. 

[cksurfdude]

I'd consider demoing a longer HD iron - looking at it as a hybrid-iron blend and possibly a replacement for my 5H that I end up using a lot.

[Golfspy_CG2]

I'm going to be a bit contraian here.   I don't puke when I look at these, I personally wouldn't play a full hybrid set of clubs.   But to me this is a possible better looking altternative to those while accomplishinig the same thing. 

I think it might get lost for those that dont' read the whole article, that there is a "draw bias" built into these, and not just the offset but with the way the toe was designed, to knd of turn over.   I am certainly consideirng picking them up...just for fun......I know shocker right....ha

[Franc38]

I would never play anything like this as even my old 3 hybrid almost never gets out of the bag (I prefer trying to crush my 4i, even if it's almost a blade, it gives me better results)... But as far as ugly hybridy-irons, they're not really that ugly. Sure they don't have a elegant beauty of a set or Miura blades (or Titelist, or Mizuno, or -fill in your favourite brand- but compared to a lot of game improvement "power bats" they don't look so fugly.
 

[ole gray]

I'll play anything that will help me enjoy the game with lower scores. Years or better yet decades ago I gamed a set of Browning 440's.  For you rednecks, I’m not talking about shotguns. I’m thinking they might have actually had a lower profile than these new Taylormade HD irons.  I won’t know for sure until I see these new toys in person. I could golf my ball with those skinny little half arse looking irons so these HD irons caught my attention. I’ll be sniffing on em like a stud bull on a cute little heifer. Looking forward to February 17! 

[Parshooter36]

12 hours ago, ole gray said:

I'll play anything that will help me enjoy the game with lower scores. Years or better yet decades ago I gamed a set of Browning 440's.  For you rednecks, I’m not talking about shotguns. I’m thinking they might have actually had a lower profile than these new Taylormade HD irons.  I won’t know for sure until I see these new toys in person. I could golf my ball with those skinny little half arse looking irons so these HD irons caught my attention. I’ll be sniffing on em like a stud bull on a cute little heifer. Looking forward to February 17! 

When I was in my early 20's, we had an older guy in our group that played Brownings. I always liked the looks of those irons and also like these new Stealth HD.  I've alway leaned towards wide sole irons which is how I ended up with my ZX4s.  I just bought them in November, or I would definitely be checking out the HDs.

[ole gray]

1 minute ago, Parshooter36 said:

When I was in my early 20's, we had an older guy in our group that played Brownings. I always liked the looks of those irons and also like these new Stealth HD.  I've alway leaned towards wide sole irons which is how I ended up with my ZX4s.  I just bought them in November, or I would definitely be checking out the HDs.

Yea I've watched some reviews on You Tube that have me drooling like a young coon hound on his first Friday night treeing. 

[ole gray]

I'm going to schedule a fitting for these today.  To say the least I am more than intrigued to the point that I am most certain I can shoot my age with them. No I'm not 95 yet although some mornings my old bones feel like it. 

[ole gray]

On 1/11/2023 at 10:02 AM, Golfspy_CG2 said:

I'm going to be a bit contraian here.   I don't puke when I look at these, I personally wouldn't play a full hybrid set of clubs.   But to me this is a possible better looking altternative to those while accomplishinig the same thing. 

I think it might get lost for those that dont' read the whole article, that there is a "draw bias" built into these, and not just the offset but with the way the toe was designed, to knd of turn over.   I am certainly consideirng picking them up...just for fun......I know shocker right....ha

Do it partner and let's shoot some record scores this year! 

[rlb4]

1 hour ago, ole gray said:

I'm going to schedule a fitting for these today.  To say the least I am more than intrigued to the point that I am most certain I can shoot my age with them. No I'm not 95 yet although some mornings my old bones feel like it. 

Would definitely like to hear how they compare to your Launcher XL irons. XL not XL Halo?

[ole gray]

1 hour ago, rlb4 said:

Would definitely like to hear how they compare to your Launcher XL irons. XL not XL Halo?

I will post up a mini review once I have had some time with them 

[Golfspy_CG2]

On 2/3/2023 at 9:26 AM, ole gray said:

Do it partner and let's shoot some record scores this year! 

I ordered a demo iron. Have to stick my toe in the water first

[KOG]

Hello Adams tech from 2014. 

Nice looking game improvement irons. They will def be high launching and forgiving. Shape is the pretty much the original Big Bertha Golds with rounded edges and a cap in the back.

Edited February 5, 2023 by KOG

[ole gray]

12 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

I ordered a demo iron. Have to stick my toe in the water first

I'm waiting on them to arrive at my local Dicks.  Looking forward to your take on the demo and it must be a 7 iron?

[Golfspy_CG2]

1 hour ago, ole gray said:

I'm waiting on them to arrive at my local Dicks.  Looking forward to your take on the demo and it must be a 7 iron?

I think actually a 6 if I recall.  That way if I like them I can then order 7-G 

If I ended up ordering the rest, didn’t want to confuse them by saying 6, snd 8-G   They would wonder   Csn’t this guy  count  

 

[ole gray]

6 minutes ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

I think actually a 6 if I recall.  That way if I like them I can then order 7-G 

If I ended up ordering the rest, didn’t want to confuse them by saying 6, snd 8-G   They would wonder   Csn’t this guy  count  

 

I requested a fitting at The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee just 34 miles from me.  Its the east coast fitting center for Taylormade golf. The other is in Carlsbad, Ca. I'm going to get a good fitting so I can shoot my age this year! 
 

 

[panhndl]

Has anyone hit these yet?

[ole gray]

5 hours ago, panhndl said:

Has anyone hit these yet?

Yes, and I have a set on order now. I hit several balls at Taylormade Kingdom  Reynolds Plantation during my fitting and left knowing I had to have a set.  My golf swing was off on vacation however I could still tell these irons are no joke.  I'm a senior golfer (72) with a 12 handicap and my swing speed is less than impressive these days. I can see how these irons will help a multitude of golfers.  More to come once I have some time on the golf course during competition.

[GaryF]

On 2/6/2023 at 7:53 AM, ole gray said:

I requested a fitting at The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee just 34 miles from me.  Its the east coast fitting center for Taylormade golf. The other is in Carlsbad, Ca. I'm going to get a good fitting so I can shoot my age this year! 
 

 

They do a great job.  That is Sean Cain who I took my only 2 lessons with 3 years ago. After I convinced him I was committed to making changes to my swing, he totally revamped my swing.  Since then I’ve gone from an unofficial mid-20s hdcp to 11-12.

BTW, Reynolds Plantation was renamed as Reynolds Lake Oconee 8 years ago.

Edited February 23, 2023 by GaryF

[Golfspy_CG2]

10 hours ago, GaryF said:

 

BTW, Reynolds Plantation was renamed as Reynolds Lake Oconee 8 years ago.

Just a side note.  Reynolds finished a very very close 2nd to hosting the MGS Regional Outing that is takng place at Pinehurst in June.    I really liked their proposal, but the survey results were overwhelming in th Pinehurst area. 

Maybe next year!

[GaryF]

2 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Just a side note.  Reynolds finished a very very close 2nd to hosting the MGS Regional Outing that is takng place at Pinehurst in June.    I really liked their proposal, but the survey results were overwhelming in th Pinehurst area. 

Maybe next year!

If you can say, and don’t mind my asking, which courses did RLO offer? 

[ole gray]

19 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Just a side note.  Reynolds finished a very very close 2nd to hosting the MGS Regional Outing that is takng place at Pinehurst in June.    I really liked their proposal, but the survey results were overwhelming in th Pinehurst area. 

Maybe next year!

If ya'll come down to Reynolds next year I'll be all over it!  I'm thinking DawgDaddy may be up for it too.

[russtopherb]

On 2/22/2023 at 6:30 PM, ole gray said:

Yes, and I have a set on order now. I hit several balls at Taylormade Kingdom  Reynolds Plantation during my fitting and left knowing I had to have a set.  My golf swing was off on vacation however I could still tell these irons are no joke.  I'm a senior golfer (72) with a 12 handicap and my swing speed is less than impressive these days. I can see how these irons will help a multitude of golfers.  More to come once I have some time on the golf course during competition.

Did you still have the TA Max in the bag when you switched to these? What sort of differences were you seeing between sets?