TaylorMade Qi10 Drivers - 2024 Forum Member Review

[chisag]

46 minutes ago, funkyjudge said:

I found the Qi10 MAX (10.5* loft) to launch the ball very high and to promote too much of a righ-to-left ball flight, which is my nemesis off of the tee. I can counter this a bit by turning down the loft and flattening the lie angle, but since the standard Qi10 driver has no draw bias built-in, and the standard lie is already slightly flatter on the regular Qi10 than on the Qi10 MAX, the regular model is the better choice for me.

Not just with TaylorMade drivers, virtually ALL “MAX” driver models have closed face angles and/or more upright lie angles, and this is a problematic combination for me.

 

... I Hera ya. I play a soft draw to straight ball off the tee. Probably around 60/40 for a 3-5yd draw. I don't need a draw bias. I also rarely get along with MAX drivers but the Stealth2 HD (High Draw) sat very square and slightly open when turned down twice. I put a lighter weight in the heel and added two strips of lead tape on the toe and it performed very neutral for me. The Qi10 Max was supposed to have even less draw bias than the S2 HD but I hit far too many big draws to hooks and lost confidence in it fairly quickly.

... To be fair I never liked the look at address which seemed a little closed and that head is just massive looking. Of course I knew I didn't like the look after an indoor fitting but figured the 10k MOI and reported off the charts forgiveness were worth a try. Especially when it was the recommendation of my fitter, although my inability to swing like normal indoors has been mentioned many times. I was surprised when I exchanged it for the standard Qi10 and for my swing, found it more forgiving than the Max. I know we all like to say "Get Fit" and this is one of the reasons why. On paper the standard Qi10 should not have been as good a driver for me as the Max. But not only was it more forgiving, it is giving me quite a bit more distance than my S2 HD on my best drives, and I really wasn't expecting that. It has been quite awhile since any new driver produced my longest tee shots. 

[Doseph]

1 hour ago, funkyjudge said:

I found the Qi10 MAX (10.5* loft) to launch the ball very high and to promote too much of a righ-to-left ball flight, which is my nemesis off of the tee. I can counter this a bit by turning down the loft and flattening the lie angle, but since the standard Qi10 driver has no draw bias built-in, and the standard lie is already slightly flatter on the regular Qi10 than on the Qi10 MAX, the regular model is the better choice for me.

Not just with TaylorMade drivers, virtually ALL “MAX” driver models have closed face angles and/or more upright lie angles, and this is a problematic combination for me. In my research and testing experience, I have found that the Callaway Paradym X and Paradym AI Smoke MAX drivers feature a more square face angle and a standard lie angle that is not quite as upright as others. This is why the last few generations of Callaway drivers are a better fit for my swing. It is also why most of the LS or Triple Diamond models work better for me, even though this is counter-intuitive, considering that I am old (75 next week), and my clubhead speed continues to drop every year (I have lost a few more MPH with the driver again this year, to where my average is now down to 92-95 MPH, where it was 94-97 MPH last year).

I felt the same way with my tsi2. Just picked up the qi10 LS 9 degree and waiting for a nice day out to hit some balls on the range to see how they compare. 

[funkyjudge]

31 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... I Hera ya. I play a soft draw to straight ball off the tee. Probably around 60/40 for a 3-5yd draw. I don't need a draw bias. I also rarely get along with MAX drivers but the Stealth2 HD (High Draw) sat very square and slightly open when turned down twice. I put a lighter weight in the heel and added two strips of lead tape on the toe and it performed very neutral for me. The Qi10 Max was supposed to have even less draw bias than the S2 HD but I hit far too many big draws to hooks and lost confidence in it fairly quickly.

... To be fair I never liked the look at address which seemed a little closed and that head is just massive looking. Of course I knew I didn't like the look after an indoor fitting but figured the 10k MOI and reported off the charts forgiveness were worth a try. Especially when it was the recommendation of my fitter, although my inability to swing like normal indoors has been mentioned many times. I was surprised when I exchanged it for the standard Qi10 and for my swing, found it more forgiving than the Max. I know we all like to say "Get Fit" and this is one of the reasons why. On paper the standard Qi10 should not have been as good a driver for me as the Max. But not only was it more forgiving, it is giving me quite a bit more distance than my S2 HD on my best drives, and I really wasn't expecting that. It has been quite awhile since any new driver produced my longest tee shots. 

Yes, the Qi10 MAX is a massive (and "squished"-looking) head, and the face sat 2.5* to 3* closed in the "standard" position on the one that I hit on Friday.

[EMacK1961]

One area that I have neglected to mention with the Qi10 is forgiveness. I've mentioned the Twist Face Tech but not what I'm seeing on the course. With a larger sample size (rounds played) I notice that off-center hits are drifting more online and into play. I've hit some shots left and right that not even Twist Face Tech could save, lol. That said, when I do miss the mark, but my club face is on the right line, the ball seems like it auto-corrects. That's the forgiveness at work. My fairways hit are up almost 20% due to the forgiveness of this club. Not an insignificant number. That has translated into more par looks and I've even made birdie on a couple of holes that I have never birdied before.

Compared to my R15, this Qi10 is in a wholly different realm. The leap in technology is evident. The use of the new materials, Twist Face Technology, forgiveness built in, carbon fiber makes for a package that simply works. I can't argue with the results that I'm seeing. The more I use the club, the more enamored I am with it. I have reached a point where I'm definitely going to keep this in the bag.

[Michael.Sandoval33]

1 hour ago, EMacK1961 said:

One area that I have neglected to mention with the Qi10 is forgiveness. I've mentioned the Twist Face Tech but not what I'm seeing on the course. With a larger sample size (rounds played) I notice that off-center hits are drifting more online and into play. I've hit some shots left and right that not even Twist Face Tech could save, lol. That said, when I do miss the mark, but my club face is on the right line, the ball seems like it auto-corrects. That's the forgiveness at work. My fairways hit are up almost 20% due to the forgiveness of this club. Not an insignificant number. That has translated into more par looks and I've even made birdie on a couple of holes that I have never birdied before.

Compared to my R15, this Qi10 is in a wholly different realm. The leap in technology is evident. The use of the new materials, Twist Face Technology, forgiveness built in, carbon fiber makes for a package that simply works. I can't argue with the results that I'm seeing. The more I use the club, the more enamored I am with it. I have reached a point where I'm definitely going to keep this in the bag.

Oh wow, one in the bag for the Qi already! I read in your previous post that you are seeing a bit of the draw bias that others have mentioned. Does it ever feel unmanageable, or is it "need not worry" when you see the flight path? 

[EMacK1961]

Generally speaking, it is one that I do not worry about. I set up for a draw. The only time left is in play is when my back tightens up, usually later in the round, and I don't get the lag I need and I rotate into a hook. I over cook the shot and away it goes. There is no amount of forgiveness that is bringing that back.

That said, the Qi10 makes the game better for me. I usually play for bogey golf. I try to keep the doubles and triples off the card while mixing in the occasional par. The Qi10 has helped me bag more birdies since I've gotten it. I'm using a more lofted club on my second shot which helps me hold the green better. Holding the green means two putting for par or sinking the approach putt for birdie.

I wasn't looking to love this club at first. But I can't argue with the overall performance. When my R15 came out, it was the most technically advanced for the time. Advances happen and the Qi10 beats my R15 hands down. With the extra distance I'm seeing to hitting more fairways, I'd be hurting myself if I didn't switch it out.

[Jmikecpa]

On 3/16/2024 at 7:19 PM, GolfSpy_APH said:

Anyone feeling these more forgiving and attaining that goal from TaylorMade in making a more forgiving but still fast driver?

Anyone feeling these more forgiving and attaining that goal from TaylorMade in making a more forgiving but still fast driver?

For a low spin head the LS is fairly forgiving. Still not a driver I would put in someone’s hands that is all over the face but for a decent ball striker this will stay in play. On Saturday I battled getting stuck on the downswing mid round and my worst miss was five yard right of the fairway. Contrast this to say the Epic Flash SZ and it is night and day. The only miss that seems to be a struggle with the driver for me is high toe and that is a running trend for me and LS heads. The spin just does not get high enough with that miss to get the distance out of it but it does stay in play just 20 yards short. 

[Q22Golf]

@IndyBonzo I had fun reading your previous testing! I am excited to see what you post on this one. Congrats! 

[HikingMike]

2 hours ago, Jmikecpa said:

For a low spin head the LS is fairly forgiving. Still not a driver I would put in someone’s hands that is all over the face but for a decent ball striker this will stay in play. 

I hit the LS and the vanilla in a Golf Galaxy fitting session and I would totally agree there. Maybe I'm not consistent enough, but I didn't see any dropoff in forgiveness using the LS, and it actually worked slightly better for me in all stats.

[Michael.Sandoval33]

Any of you guys getting out for some testing today? I find myself currently with some lower back issues that have kept me out today and yesterday but I am looking forward to some good weather and golf in the upcoming days.  

[Jmikecpa]

38 minutes ago, Michael.Sandoval33 said:

Any of you guys getting out for some testing today? I find myself currently with some lower back issues that have kept me out today and yesterday but I am looking forward to some good weather and golf in the upcoming days.  

Hoping to hit a small bucket tonight when I pick my daughter up from golf practice.  Right now temps are low 40's and windy so it will be a game time decision.

[GolfSpy_BEN]

51 minutes ago, Michael.Sandoval33 said:

Any of you guys getting out for some testing today? I find myself currently with some lower back issues that have kept me out today and yesterday but I am looking forward to some good weather and golf in the upcoming days.  

Mother Nature is being kind to me currently. Temps this week are in the 30’s and 40’s. Which makes waiting for the replacement head a little more bearable. 
 

Hopefully, your back allows you to get out and play after a bit of rest.

[ILMgolfnut]

Finally got around to doing a Q10 Max demo this afternoon at Golf Galaxy. Just wasn't feeling it. No straighter or longer, either with the 10.5-degree dialed up to 11.5 or with the 12-degree head (although the 10.5 did better). I discussed my spring training plans with the fitter (Fit For Golf plus Rypstick) and he suggested waiting until I finish that and then getting re-fitted, since my swing will likely change.

Interesting side note: My fitter is a medical student, working at GG on the side (I remember when fourth-year med students were too damn busy for a side job, but maybe that's changed). So we had the shared suffering of both golf and med school.

[tony@CIC]

50 minutes ago, ILMgolfnut said:

Finally got around to doing a Q10 Max demo this afternoon at Golf Galaxy. Just wasn't feeling it. No straighter or longer, either with the 10.5-degree dialed up to 11.5 or with the 12-degree head (although the 10.5 did better). I discussed my spring training plans with the fitter (Fit For Golf plus Rypstick) and he suggested waiting until I finish that and then getting re-fitted, since my swing will likely change.

Interesting side note: My fitter is a medical student, working at GG on the side (I remember when fourth-year med students were too damn busy for a side job, but maybe that's changed). So we had the shared suffering of both golf and med school.

Did you try the Qi10 standard as well?  When I had my TM fitting one of the 2 finalists was a Qi10 at 9* dialed up to 10.5* with the Bassara shaft. Note I normally swing a 10.5 at standard loft. The fitter was trying to lower my spin rate and that configuration got me to about 2900 rpm.  BTW the other option was a 10.5 with the Riptide. 

[GolferXY]

On 3/12/2024 at 3:23 PM, IndyBonzo said:

the Qi10 popped off again on the course.  

What was peak height on those drives?  Pretty darn good smash factor, nice job, Bonzo!

[IndyBonzo]

3 hours ago, GolferXY said:

What was peak height on those drives?  Pretty darn good smash factor, nice job, Bonzo!

Thanks @GolferXY.  Smash factor is definitely up there.  I don’t have ball flight data from the course, but on the range the apex was 90-100 feet on good shots.  Note too that I have the driver lofted down to 7°, and I tend to hit driver high and spinny without lofting down.

In other news, I had a lesson today that was mostly focused on driver.  We implemented some big changes that will have me swinging easier but better, and should lead me to getting some distance back eventually after initial regression.

Afterward, I hit the sim and tried to practice the swing changes, and compared two new shafts in the Qi10.

Both shafts performed well.  Ultimately the ACCRA TZ RPG LBP stiff shaft prevailed over the ACCRA iSeries 152 senior flex.  The TZ RPG was more consistent.  They actually felt remarkably similar.  I view these results as preliminary but helpful for the short-term.

I played a few holes for fun and hit the Qi10 as much as possible.  It is very forgiving.  With decent swings it just goes where I aim.  I started playing baby cuts and it became a fairway finder.  Here are two back-to- back drives.

 

 

I plan to game the Qi10 tomorrow afternoon and will report back on how it performs!

Edited March 20 by IndyBonzo

[Jmikecpa]

First time I have seen one in the wild on the used rack. Nice savings on a driver that looked like it was barely hit. The person that traded it in likely lost about five hundred bucks on the purchase and trade in. 

[TJ Hall]

7 minutes ago, Jmikecpa said:

First time I have seen one in the wild on the used rack. Nice savings on a driver that looked like it was barely hit. The person that traded it in likely lost about five hundred bucks on the purchase and trade in. 

That’s a great find!

[jbern]

On 3/20/2024 at 1:45 AM, IndyBonzo said:

Thanks @GolferXY.  Smash factor is definitely up there.  I don’t have ball flight data from the course, but on the range the apex was 90-100 feet on good shots.  Note too that I have the driver lofted down to 7°, and I tend to hit driver high and spinny without lofting down.

I have always had a similar thing going on with my driver. My apex in the simulator is 135-150 feet with a 9* head. When I turned the head down to 8*, it was still averaging 130ish feet apex. Most of the time it's fine, but when we get those windy days it can be a real issue.

[ILMgolfnut]

On 3/19/2024 at 4:49 PM, tony@CIC said:

Did you try the Qi10 standard as well? 

I did not.

I agree with the fitter at Golf Galaxy that now is probably not the time to be buying a new driver given that I'm about to embark on strength (Fit For Golf) and speed (Rypstick) training. That process will undoubtedly make alterations in my swing. Do that, and then go through a fitting.

[Michael.Sandoval33]

Went out to Recreation Park 9 GC this morning, punched greens and all. The course consists of four par 4 holes that I was able to use the Qi10 Max on today. I am still finding the same issue on my drives that has been consistent throughout testing, and that is that the driver fades, this morning pretty significantly. It is a long fade that looks like the ball wants to go straight and eventually ends up right so I wouldn't consider it to be a full slice. Here are the Arrcos results from this morning:

[BallsLeon]

@Michael.Sandoval33 are you at standard length, and standard hosel settings?

Also nice putting! 

[IndyBonzo]

A quick update from my round yesterday afternoon with the Qi10.

It was a sunny day, but the wind was nuts.  

Played Sahm golf course on the north side of Indy from the "championship" tees despite the wind.  (My golf buddy affectionately refers to it as "Sahm National.")  It is an early Pete Dye design (1963).  I like it because it has surprisingly good greens, even with heavy summer play.  This course has been the starter course for many a Central Indiana golfer.  That said, it's not super easy from the tips. 

It was a tough scoring day as distance and ball flight were affected greatly by the wind, which was somehow always face-on or across the fairway; it was only at my back on three holes.  

Given the conditions (did I mention the wind?), I am not going to judge the Qi10 on distance in this round.  But from an accuracy perspective, the Qi10 continues to shine.  With a relatively good swing (my usual and necessary qualifier), the Qi10 will go where you want it to.  I hit a few off the toe and they went a bit higher but still straight.  And I was able to keep the ball flight low when necessary.

All in all, it was a good performance by the Qi10 driver, in spite of the poor performance of its handler.  I look forward to more rounds and more testing.

Edited March 21 by IndyBonzo

[Michael.Sandoval33]

3 minutes ago, BallsLeon said:

@Michael.Sandoval33 are you at standard length, and standard hosel settings?

Also nice putting! 

The punched greens actually helped a lot, very slow rolling putts.

I am at the standard length but I am up +1° from the 10.5 to 11.5. It helps with the launch, but as it was pretty misty out this morning, I should maybe have gone back down to the 10.5. Could've helped a bit.

Edited March 21 by Michael.Sandoval33
Photo*

[BallsLeon]

13 minutes ago, Michael.Sandoval33 said:

The punched greens actually helped a lot, very slow rolling putts.

I am at the standard length but I am up +1° from the 10.5 to 11.5. It helps with the launch, but as it was pretty misty out this morning, I should maybe have gone back down to the 10.5. Could've helped a bit.

Lofting up sounds like it could be right it would also close the face, to fight against the fade. The flight you're describing sounds like it might be coming from heel-strikes, I battle this a lot too. What helped me start centering my strikes was choking down 0.5-1", anything over 45" just seems to overwhelm me and I can't avoid the heel.

Edited March 21 by BallsLeon

[Michael.Sandoval33]

24 minutes ago, BallsLeon said:

Lofting up sounds like it could be right it would also close the face, to fight against the fade. The flight you're describing sounds like it might be coming from heel-strikes, I battle this a lot too. What helped me start centering my strikes was choking down 0.5-1", anything over 45" just seems to overwhelm me and I can't avoid the heel.

I have been thinking I should choke down on the club. As you mentioned, it feels wayyy over there when you tee up. Paired with the Max's larger head, it can make it hard to judge the strike. Will definitely try choking down when I visit the range or course next. 

[ILMgolfnut]

30 minutes ago, BallsLeon said:

Lofting up sounds like it could be right it would also close the face, to fight against the fade.

That's precisely why my fitter suggested to me two years ago that I might want to experiment with lofting up my Mizuno, as opposed to just fitting me with the 12-degree head.

[tony@CIC]

18 hours ago, Jmikecpa said:

First time I have seen one in the wild on the used rack. Nice savings on a driver that looked like it was barely hit. The person that traded it in likely lost about five hundred bucks on the purchase and trade in. 

I paid $350 for my Sim 2 which was virtually unused a couple of years ago. This past summer I upgraded it to a slightly used Stealth 2, both from Global Golf. 

[jbern]

4 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

A quick update from my round yesterday afternoon with the Qi10.

It was a sunny day, but the wind was nuts.  

Played Sahm golf course on the north side of Indy from the "championship" tees despite the wind.  (My golf buddy affectionately refers to it as "Sahm National.")  It is an early Pete Dye design (1963).  I like it because it has surprisingly good greens, even with heavy summer play.  This course has been the starter course for many a Central Indiana golfer.  That said, it's not super easy from the tips. 

It was a tough scoring day as distance and ball flight were affected greatly by the wind, which was somehow always face-on or across the fairway; it was only at my back on three holes.  

Given the conditions (did I mention the wind?), I am not going to judge the Qi10 on distance in this round.  But from an accuracy perspective, the Qi10 continues to shine.  With a relatively good swing (my usual and necessary qualifier), the Qi10 will go where you want it to.  I hit a few off the toe and they went a bit higher but still straight.  And I was able to keep the ball flight low when necessary.

All in all, it was a good performance by the Qi10 driver, in spite of the poor performance of its handler.  I look forward to more rounds and more testing.

I went to college in Angola, IN at Trine University (they have a pretty decent golf program there (I was not in the golf program)) and several of my friends are from central IN. I'll have to check and see if any of them have played Sahm GC before! Looked like a fun time!

Edited March 21 by jbern
added detail

[Wib081]

6 hours ago, BallsLeon said:

Lofting up sounds like it could be right it would also close the face, to fight against the fade. The flight you're describing sounds like it might be coming from heel-strikes, I battle this a lot too. What helped me start centering my strikes was choking down 0.5-1", anything over 45" just seems to overwhelm me and I can't avoid the heel.

Also consider putting the driver in the standard loft but in the upright setting. TM used to put UPRT tip but it’s just rotating the shaft 180* and it closes the face I believe it was 2*. Works like a charm on my BRNR mini and Cobra LTDx. Until I get my driver swing fixed and start hitting a consistent draw that’s where I’m leaving my shaft settings.