TaylorMade Qi10 Drivers - 2024 Forum Member Review

[Jmikecpa]

I have mine unboxed and will give some initial impressions either tonight or tomorrow once I gather some data. Taking both of my girls to the range to hit balls this afternoon after lunch so I will get as much data as I can. First look at the driver it is really nice behind the ball and I am digging the new color. Was never a fan of the red and black in the stealth. 

[chisag]

On 2/24/2024 at 12:55 PM, GolfSpy_APH said:

But glad some of you guys already have the drivers and really excited to see how the testing starts with your initial impressions. What do you as testers feel about the change to the blue face?

 

... I think there is a big difference between looking at a club and playing a club. Some are into fashion and go as far as attempting to match shafts, striped colored ferrules and heads. Most of us on golf forums are equipment junkies so how clubs look esthetically can make a difference. Some even talk about how clubs look in the bag. But I think most agree that changes once we start actually playing and as I am fond of saying the scorecard only has a box for a number and doesn't care how your grips, shafts, ferrules or heads look. 

... So that said my Stealth2 HD with the red face and red trim looked pretty stunning with my Red Ventus Velo shaft. Some other shafts I played in that head include the Kai'li Blue and AD-IZ so there was a little color clash that was not appealing to the eye in my living room. But again, on the course I really didn't notice. When the S2 HD was in the sun at a certain angle the red face was noticeable and really not my favorite look at address but it didn't really bother me either. 

... That said I do think the blue face is just so much better. It actually clashes a little with my Red Ventus in my living room if I really pay attention but on the course the dark blue face disappears and all I see is the silver top line and black crown. 

 

Edited February 25 by chisag

[Michael.Sandoval33]

1 hour ago, chisag said:

 

... Since none of the testers have answered, I think there is a big difference between looking at a club and playing a club. Some are into fashion and go as far as attempting to match shafts, striped colored ferrules and heads. Most of us on golf forums are equipment junkies so how clubs look esthetically can make a difference. Some even talk about how clubs look in the bag. But I think most agree that changes once we start actually playing and as I am find of saying the scorecard only has a box for a number and doesn't care how your grips, shafts, ferrules or heads look. 

... So that said my Stealth2 HD with the red face and red trim looked pretty stunning with my Red Ventus Velo shaft. Some other shafts I played in that head include the Kai'li Blue and AD-IZ so there was a little color clash that was not appealing to the eye in my living room. But again, on the course I really didn't notice. When the S2 HD was in the sun at a certain angle the red face was noticeable and really not my favorite look at address but it didn't really bother me either. 

... That said I do think the blue face is just so much better. It actually clashes a little with my Red Ventus in my living room if I really pay attention but on the course the dark blue face disappears and all I see is the silver top line and black crown. 

 

I believe did answer in my unboxing and I agree that the blue/black is the better combination to the red Stealth. Never really understood what was "Stealth" about the bright red.

Edited February 25 by Michael.Sandoval33
The*

[Jim Shaw]

1 hour ago, chisag said:

 

... I think there is a big difference between looking at a club and playing a club. Some are into fashion and go as far as attempting to match shafts, striped colored ferrules and heads. Most of us on golf forums are equipment junkies so how clubs look esthetically can make a difference. Some even talk about how clubs look in the bag. But I think most agree that changes once we start actually playing and as I am find of saying the scorecard only has a box for a number and doesn't care how your grips, shafts, ferrules or heads look. 

... So that said my Stealth2 HD with the red face and red trim looked pretty stunning with my Red Ventus Velo shaft. Some other shafts I played in that head include the Kai'li Blue and AD-IZ so there was a little color clash that was not appealing to the eye in my living room. But again, on the course I really didn't notice. When the S2 HD was in the sun at a certain angle the red face was noticeable and really not my favorite look at address but it didn't really bother me either. 

... That said I do think the blue face is just so much better. It actually clashes a little with my Red Ventus in my living room if I really pay attention but on the course the dark blue face disappears and all I see is the silver top line and black crown. 

 

They are "tools" to get the job done, IMO ( I stole that acronym from @cnosil lol) I am getting my lofts checked again next week on my Takomo's to make sure they haven't moved from my specs, don't care what the combo of the head/shaft is as long as the gapping is what I want and the launch is what I like to see... all the rest is just "noise".

[CFreddie]

20 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

Hey all!

I did an unboxing vid and pics today, and will post first impressions tomorrow.  So, more to come.  But here is the video and a couple pics if you want a sneak peek!

 

Great unboxing video!  Super thorough - this should be the "standard" going forward!!!  

[chisag]

1 hour ago, Michael.Sandoval33 said:

I believe did answer in my unboxing and I agree that the blue/black is the better combination to the red Stealth. Never really understood what was "Stealth" about the bright red.

 

... Just like their initial white headed drivers, it was about Brand Recognition. When you saw a red face there was no doubt whose driver it was. Fwiw, while I understand the marketing behind these decisions, I have never been a fan of Look At Me aesthetics with my golf equipment. 

[Hook DeLoft]

12 hours ago, berkeleybob said:

Wow! So far so good! Great unboxing moments to you folks. The packaging was a bit whelming, I see. I think I’m used to seeing the smaller club makers put more effort in their first impression moment. But padding-wise—ya, it’s very trusting of the shipping industry.

@Hook DeLoft When I got my Aerojet earlier this month, I called up the store afterward said I forgot to get a torque wrench. They told me that the wrenches no longer come with the clubs, but it’s possible to buy them or use the one I already have since torque specs were standardized a while back. BTW which shaft did you and @Michael.Sandoval33 end up with?

@IndyBonzo IMO, that’s probably one of the better TM driver designs, from an aesthetic point of view. I’m kinda curious about the ZGrip, as in, does it add benefit over the Tour Velvet?

Nice job all!

I think more and more companies aren't including tools.  IIRC, Callaway was the first.  I can imagine the meeting:  "How can we save a couple of bucks on each sale?"  I know, don't include a tool.  "But wouldn't customers hate that?"  We'll just say we're doing it to save the planet.

I have the stock Fujikura Speeder NX in regular flex.

[Hook DeLoft]

I hit a number of shots into a net today.  Unfortunately, I am unable to post numbers because of tech problems that I have described in the review post.  I am going to go to the local golf shop this week to get accurate numbers. 

[chisag]

1 hour ago, Hook DeLoft said:

think more and more companies aren't including tools.  IIRC, Callaway was the first.  I can imagine the meeting:  "How can we save a couple of bucks on each sale?"  I know, don't include a tool.  "But wouldn't customers hate that?"  We'll just say we're doing it to save the planet.

 

... Talking to the Titleist Marketing Director at the Show several years ago, he told me there was plenty of discussion about it but they felt like by now most everyone already had a wrench. I checked once a few years ago and I had 16 of them.  Some are universal, although not all. 

[Jmikecpa]

Got to the range today with my girls and only got a few swings in with the Qi10. Looks great behind the ball and feels fantastic. Was not able to get numbers since I had 13 and 15 year old girls with me which I should get a medal for coming home with no injuries.  Truth be told the range balls were not great so I don’t think the numbers would have been meaningful anyway. I will say that I need to get some weight in the head, just feels too light compared to my gamer which is odd since they both have the same shaft and swing weight out the same on the scale.  

[HikingMike]

On 2/24/2024 at 4:55 PM, IndyBonzo said:

Hey all!

I did an unboxing vid and pics today, and will post first impressions tomorrow.  So, more to come.  But here is the video and a couple pics if you want a sneak peek!

You're getting awfully close to the octopus there Qi10. No touching. Much like pro sports, you have to earn it. Nobody touches the Stanley Cup before they've won it, if they hope to earn it someday in the future. 

Great video! I look forward to your line of new golf review videos on Youtube! No kidding 

Edited February 26 by HikingMike

[HikingMike]

12 hours ago, Michael.Sandoval33 said:

I believe did answer in my unboxing and I agree that the blue/black is the better combination to the red Stealth. Never really understood what was "Stealth" about the bright red.

Yeah, not really Stealth. More like the bad boy of the golf driver world, the devil's driver with a gleaming red face, carbon forged in the fires of hell, muhuhuhahaha .

It was an excellent move to switch back to a more understated and traditional color scheme, as well as changing the name. This Qi10 design is super classy across all 3 models, and I think the blue face looks great. Any TaylorMade fans who sat out that last generation would be happy to jump on the Qi10 line. Though to be fair, probably lots like the idea of stepping up to the tee with the bolder weapon, so no knock on that either. 

[CB Lobo 4 Life]

16 hours ago, chisag said:

 

... Talking to the Titleist Marketing Director at the Show several years ago, he told me there was plenty of discussion about it but they felt like by now most everyone already had a wrench. I checked once a few years ago and I had 16 of them.  Some are universal, although not all. 

Not only should most people have them by now but guaranteed that almost all pro shops or your fellow golfing buddy would have them too. Personally I am kind of getting annoyed getting one with every woods purchase...

[jbern]

14 hours ago, Jmikecpa said:

I will say that I need to get some weight in the head, just feels too light compared to my gamer which is odd since they both have the same shaft and swing weight out the same on the scale.

That is really strange. If the shaft is the same and the swing weight is the same, shouldn't the head feel the same? Unless the grip is heavier?

[HikingMike]

45 minutes ago, jbern said:

That is really strange. If the shaft is the same and the swing weight is the same, shouldn't the head feel the same? Unless the grip is heavier?

I was thinking the same thing. Same shaft? Did you say they weigh the same on a scale? Hmm. Out of curiosity, do they feel different weight when not swinging, just holding it?

Well there is a possibility there is a difference in aerodynamics, and that could change how the "weight" feels while swinging. I don't have any expertise here, but something with more air drag might be perceived as lighter, since it would be relying on your swing force more throughout the swing. A club with less air drag might feel heavier because it pulls through the air more easily "on its own".

If you can get clubhead speed numbers, that would be a great comparison. A heavier club would usually be slower (for same golfer), right? And ball speed is a factor of both club speed and club weight (and more).

Edited February 26 by HikingMike

[Michael.Sandoval33]

I took the Qi10 Max out to Bixby Village GC in Long Beach, California. There are 3 drivable par 4's which are on the 3rd, 4th, and 8th holes of the course. I chose to drive all 3, with similar results in 2 cases and a 3rd I would like to forget.

The 3rd hole of the course is 265 yards from the blues and kicks to the left approximately 62 yards from the pin placement this morning. I drove the ball down the fairway around 10 yards short of the left kick. Approximate drive 190-195yds. As it was my first time with the Qi10 since my fitting, I was happy with the result and kept close to the kick. I then proceeded to lay it up on the green for a two-putt par. A good start in my books.

Next was my least favorite hole on the course, the 4th hole, 274 yards to the tee from the blues with two very large bunkers running down the left-hand side and a 3rd bunker front right of the green. I was more cautious on this hole, opting to take my shot toward the right and away from the sand. The tee shot with the Qi10 was topped and skipped about 100 yards down the fairway right. Disappointed because I had hyped myself up to clear over the bunkers this morning, but ultimately psyched myself out of completing the task. It took me another 2 shots to get on the green as the bunkers were still in play from this distance. Eventually, I found my way there for another unfortunate two-putt. 

The final drivable hole is the 8th hole, 300 yards to the tee with a sharp kick to the right around 190 yards down the fairway from the blues. The tee shot carried about 175 onto the middle of a hill where it did not roll at all. I did not factor in the slope and it cost me here. From that shot, two pools of water had formed on the course right before a bunker front right of the green. I proceeded to two-shot around the hazards and onto the green for another two-putt.

Overall, the driver performed well today in the wetter conditions. 2/2 on fairways hit, not factoring in the 4th hole which was a topped shot. Much more time with the club is needed before I can comment on it. Now that I have broken the seal, the Qi10 will be pushed. But today, it did help me shave a stroke off my previous outing at Bixby Village, and two of the holes I have always struggled with became easier to reach. The next course I have booked is going to be a new course for me and it is a 9-hole par 36. I will have a phone stand by tomorrow so that I can capture video and upload to my YouTube. 

Below you can see my previous outing at Bixby Village and then this morning's outing for comparison.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Tomorrow is looking like an indoor sim session as my next tee time isn't until later this week so if you would like to see me test the club differently at the sim while there, please chime in. I believe someone had mentioned possibly adjusting lofts from the 10.5 so if that is something you are interested in, let me know and I will go in ready.

Edited February 26 by Michael.Sandoval33

[Jmikecpa]

2 hours ago, HikingMike said:

I was thinking the same thing. Same shaft? Did you say they weigh the same on a scale? Hmm. Out of curiosity, do they feel different weight when not swinging, just holding it?

Well there is a possibility there is a difference in aerodynamics, and that could change how the "weight" feels while swinging. I don't have any expertise here, but something with more air drag might be perceived as lighter, since it would be relying on your swing force more throughout the swing. A club with less air drag might feel heavier because it pulls through the air more easily "on its own".

If you can get clubhead speed numbers, that would be a great comparison. A heavier club would usually be slower (for same golfer), right? And ball speed is a factor of both club speed and club weight (and more).

Same exact shaft, both have HZRDUS RDX Smoke Blue at 60g.  My gamer TSR3 is just a shade under D4 and the Qi10 LS is just a shade over D3.5 which is not a difference that I can feel.  Both are built at the same finish length as well with the same +4 grip.  Not sure why it feels light but nothing that a little bit of lead tape can't fix.  I plan to pull both the heads tonight and just weigh the heads to see if there is something that I am missing.  The one thing I can say is the the TM driver was built right on spec as best I could measure.  Length, lie and swing weight were right on the button.  Can't opine on loft as my machine is not great with the TM Twist face so I am calling it good from what I could tell.

[Donn lost in San Diego]

Looks?  Any club looks good if it works well for me.  I don't much like the feel of the microhinge metal face on my putter but I like what happens.

[HikingMike]

30 minutes ago, Jmikecpa said:

Same exact shaft, both have HZRDUS RDX Smoke Blue at 60g.  My gamer TSR3 is just a shade under D4 and the Qi10 LS is just a shade over D3.5 which is not a difference that I can feel.  Both are built at the same finish length as well with the same +4 grip.  Not sure why it feels light but nothing that a little bit of lead tape can't fix.  I plan to pull both the heads tonight and just weigh the heads to see if there is something that I am missing.  The one thing I can say is the the TM driver was built right on spec as best I could measure.  Length, lie and swing weight were right on the button.  Can't opine on loft as my machine is not great with the TM Twist face so I am calling it good from what I could tell.

Since the shaft is the same and same length... did you weigh the whole thing? 

[Jmikecpa]

13 minutes ago, HikingMike said:

Since the shaft is the same and same length... did you weigh the whole thing? 

Yes, the entire club goes on a swing weight scale.

[RichL85]

19 hours ago, Jmikecpa said:

Got to the range today with my girls and only got a few swings in with the Qi10. Looks great behind the ball and feels fantastic. Was not able to get numbers since I had 13 and 15 year old girls with me which I should get a medal for coming home with no injuries.  Truth be told the range balls were not great so I don’t think the numbers would have been meaningful anyway. I will say that I need to get some weight in the head, just feels too light compared to my gamer which is odd since they both have the same shaft and swing weight out the same on the scale.  

Interesting. I can think of a few reasons that they would swingweight out that close and one would feel lighter, but no one wants to hear me soapbox my complaints about golf's definition of swingweight and how it's wrong to use a static measurement for this. 

Edited February 26 by RichL85

[HikingMike]

34 minutes ago, Jmikecpa said:

Yes, the entire club goes on a swing weight scale.

Alright, so the only things I can think of why you would notice a difference in "weight" when swinging would be an air drag difference, or if they had center-of-gravity in much different locations. Anybody have any other ideas?

[ILMgolfnut]

2 hours ago, HikingMike said:

Anybody have any other ideas?

Swing weight is more of a measure of how the club is balanced than of total weight. They put the club on a fulcrum so that it is evenly balanced on both ends (photo below), then move a sliding weight to balance the part of the club that hangs over the scale. Although a men's driver is usually going to weigh about 330 grams (roughly 12 ounces), how that weight is distributed can result in big differences in swing weight.

Edited February 26 by ILMgolfnut

[HikingMike]

47 minutes ago, ILMgolfnut said:

Swing weight is more of a measure of how the club is balanced than of total weight. They put the club on a fulcrum so that it is evenly balanced on both ends (photo below), then move a sliding weight to balance the part of the club that hahgs over the scale. Although a men's driver is usually going to weigh about 330 grams (roughly 12 ounces), how that weight is distributed can result in big differences in swing weight.

That makes sense, and good to know. I figured there was something like that. But he said they are the same. So what the heck is the difference? 

Based on that picture and your note, it looks like it's a balance (balance point measurement) and that doesn't weigh total weight at all. So then total weight could still be different, right? 

[ILMgolfnut]

24 minutes ago, HikingMike said:

That makes sense, and good to know. I figured there was something like that. But he said they are the same. So what the heck is the difference? 

Based on that picture and your note, it looks like it's a balance (balance point measurement) and that doesn't weigh total weight at all. So then total weight could still be different, right? 

Total weight could be different, but generally not. They try to keep total weight of the driver around 330g. The difference would be if you counterbalance with weight in the grip, as some of the speed training systems do, or do the old lead tape trick, which was a quick way to alter swing weight by making the head heavier.

It's been a long time since I've looked at a swing weight scale, but I believe that club pictured above is a D-3 swing weight.

Edited February 26 by ILMgolfnut

[Jmikecpa]

Pulled both heads and the static weight between my gamer and the Qi10 is 1g. Static weight on the shafts is a delta of 2g.  I will just put a few strips of lead tape in my bag and weight it until it feels right to me. Not even going to try and figure it out anymore. FWIW two of my friends that also build clubs told me I am nuts so that is also a possibility. 

Edited February 26 by Jmikecpa

[HikingMike]

3 hours ago, Jmikecpa said:

Pulled both heads and the static weight between my gamer and the Qi10 is 1g. Static weight on the shafts is a delta of 2g.  I will just put a few strips of lead tape in my bag and weight it until it feels right to me. Not even going to try and figure it out anymore. FWIW two of my friends that also build clubs told me I am nuts so that is also a possibility. 

Golf is a mental game, so good luck with that But that’s great, thanks for weighing them. Now we know!

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Whew, what a day!

So I got to see one of my favorite sights, as a golfer:

I’ll have my unboxing & first impressions up tomorrow but I did make it to the range today and here are 3 of my favorites  

 

 

 

 

Super early initial impression: This old girl has serious potential. 
 

The work continues…

[rkj427]

Nice that you were able to get it out and get a few swings in with it Ben, @GolfSpy_BEN 

Looking forward to seeing your comments and thoughts as the testing moves forward. 

[Michael.Sandoval33]

30 minutes ago, GolfSpy_BEN said:

Whew, what a day!

So I got to see one of my favorite sights, as a golfer:

I’ll have my unboxing & first impressions up tomorrow but I did make it to the range today and here are 3 of my favorites Rapsodo_MLM2PRO_110051_26020244export.mov 21.15 MB · 3 downloads  

Rapsodo_MLM2PRO_110051_26020305export.mov 21.28 MB · 4 downloads  

 

Rapsodo_MLM2PRO_110051_26020303export.mov 21.28 MB · 2 downloads  

 

Super early initial impression: This old girl has serious potential. 
 

The work continues…

Great swings Ben! Looking forward to seeing what else you put the driver to work on!