Quality issues with Taylormade?

[Wieskemp]

Hey guys, I've pretty much been playing Taylormade drivers my entire life as I liked them and haven't found any reason to change. That being said, I've been having issues with the face of the driver breaking and I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this. I had a Sim Max Driver a couple of years ago that developed a dent on the face after playing it for a bit. I thought it was weird but Taylormade replaced it with a new Stealth and so I was happy with the trade. Now after playing my Stealth for just over two years, I was hitting it at the range and the face just splintered on me. 

I swing fairly hard (about 120mph) and play once a week plus hit the range periodically. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this something that just happens over time? Is this just a Taylormade issue? I'd be interested to hear if anyone else experiences this as now I'm wondering if I should switch to another brand as I don't want to be buying a driver every two years.

Thanks for your help!

[Rob Person]

17 minutes ago, Wieskemp said:

Hey guys, I've pretty much been playing Taylormade drivers my entire life as I liked them and haven't found any reason to change. That being said, I've been having issues with the face of the driver breaking and I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this. I had a Sim Max Driver a couple of years ago that developed a dent on the face after playing it for a bit. I thought it was weird but Taylormade replaced it with a new Stealth and so I was happy with the trade. Now after playing my Stealth for just over two years, I was hitting it at the range and the face just splintered on me. 

I swing fairly hard (about 120mph) and play once a week plus hit the range periodically. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this something that just happens over time? Is this just a Taylormade issue? I'd be interested to hear if anyone else experiences this as now I'm wondering if I should switch to another brand as I don't want to be buying a driver every two years.

Thanks for your help!

This was a known issue over the last couple of years that has happened quite frequently from everything I have read. 

Will they be replacing it under a warranty?

[Hosel_Rockets]

As Rob said, it's been an ongoing issue (especially with the Stealth and Stealth 2 line). I know of several people who have had the face break or crack. 

A buddy of mine sent in an M6 at the beginning of last year due to the face cracking, and they still gave him $300 off a new driver - hopefully they will outright replace yours, or provide a similar discount!

[NM01]

Faces thin over time and cracks happen especially at higher swing speeds. It’s a reason Callaway has thicker faces for their drivers the pros get.

 

[Captain3484]

I bought a new Sim1 3-wood (a year after the release but still in the plastic) and the top of the head (because it was designed poorly with multiple pieces) came off on the 3rd swing.  I took it back, they said that it was a common occurence and it was one of the main reasons TM stopped producing the Sim1 so he didn't now if they would fix it.  So they submitted it for warranty repairs and they replaced with a brand new Sim2 - abosultly love that thing and have had no issues.  

Edited June 25 by Captain3484

[RangerGrey]

I don't know about all of these quality issues as I don't swing 120+ mph well not even close so I never had the fear of anything ever going wrong with any of the TM driver I've ever played. I know it makes to think twice about buying one as this was what I went thru with some new Titleist T-350's irons with the back plate. I got rid of those quickly and have no regrets just buyers remorse. Those still are some nice irons but just not for me as my fault for I expected more from them when I once played the AP2's years ago. 

[The TXBexar]

Ain't just TaylorMade.

My new Ai Smoke Max came with a very obvious QC/QA fitment issue on the head, but when I talked to the rep he told me that it wasn't going to affect the playability of the club, but if it worsens or actually breaks to bring it in and they should replace it under warranty. 

Yeah, he said "Should." I asked him "Should or will?" And he honestly told me he can't answer that for me, as he doesn't know what they will or won't cover anymore. 

To make matters worse, already had the shaft break in the Hosel connection from me absolutely crushing a ball at the range. Don't know how, but it legitimately broke within the Hosel housing, and then split the Hosel in two as well. Luckily the place I bought it from just swapped out a new shaft for me and put extra epoxy at the Hosel adapter connection to hopefully stop it from happening again.

[GolfSpy_APH]

I know some say it's quality issues, but it's also these companies striving for the best possible performance. They need thinner faces and to push limits with lighter materials and all that which of course may not be quite as strong. 

We want performance, that comes with some risks. If we didn't care about that peak performance then we would all still be using a PING G5 or something like that.

Not saying it doesn't suck - it does. Just saying there are inherited trade offs when these companies push the limits as they do year after year.

[Splatt]

Silver lining: That crack couldn't be more centered 

Good hit

[KC Golf]

I agree that leading edge technology has inherent risks.  

I think legitimate issues during normal course of play like cracks in the head should be covered for at least 1 year as a minimum for a full replacement.  At the price these OEMs are charging for drivers and the need to retain their core customers, doing the right thing should be important.  I think most major OEMs are doing this and it’s nice to see they are covering older drivers partially for known issues.

The breaks from frustration should definitely not be covered.

[Haile]

I bought a Stealth2 plus this year. It's basically new old stock at this point. Where I bought it from said that I basically had 18 months through Taylormade. The fitter has had a few warranty claims through them and said they were great to work with. I bought the driver knowing that something could happen to it. I also don't swing at over 110mph. I understand the risks associated with high performance equipment. Whether it be in golf or anywhere else in life. The higher the performance, the lower the durability. I don't like that rule, but I didn't make it. But, in dealing with absolutes and tolerances on a daily basis, it has struck me as odd when manufacturers don't give limits or anything else. For instance, this face is 11mm thick(I just pulled that number out of the air) +/- 1.5mm. It's good for up to 115mph swing and a ball up to X compression rating. Anything over that is at your own risk. Maybe that's way too much for them to do. I have no idea. I will say that I was pretty hesitant going to a carbon face when I'm pretty familiar with the limitations of the material. I will also say that I've been pretty impressed with it so far. I go into things with the expectations that eventually, this is going to need to be replaced. Whether that's because it gets worn out or just flat out breaks. If it breaks too quickly, I just don't buy that again. The only hope is that the manufacturer takes a reasonable stance behind their product. 

[Hook DeLoft]

All you have to do is slow your driver swing down to less than 90mph.  Problem solved.

[cardia10]

I think the rate at which you see failures equate to rate of sales. You see a lot of TM because they sell the most. I also see just as much Callaway and Titleist but then a drop off but that is likely less about quality and more about just less clubs sold and not being seen as much when it happens.

[MonsterDrive385]

Callaway has a lot of issues.  Seems they want to make money and not a quality product.

[Frojoe22]

I just had the entire face of my stealth 2 fly off in the middle of a round, no abuse or anything.  4 handicap and I swing 100-105 depending on if I go at it.  They are replacing it,  I’m just hoping they send me a QI10!  Anyone know how old something has to be to get the new model?  

[Johnsonc22]

I still rock a Cobra F9 that my son threw off the back of the golf cart at magnolia grove that has a big crack down the carbon backside. Sounds a little different and feels different when I hit it. However, I didn’t run out and grab a new driver due to so many quality concerns (better put - reliability/longevity concerns) 

 

these brands are all pushing the performance envelope and the $ price points - makes you really think about what direction you are going to go. 
 

the TM fitter I knew had an entire case of driver heads wrecked after he experienced a flood out in Nashville TN last year when the new stealth 2s came out. Faces just popped out at the seam. 

[I like to hit bombs]

I had a Sim 2 driver and fairway wood both fail. The driver cracked similar to this and the glue that holds the crown down on the fairway popped off. Both times they replaced it and in the case of the fairway wood, they gave me a Stealth instead.

Taylormade semi acknowledged the problem when they released the Qi clubs this year and said that the new ones should be a little tougher. I haven’t seen too many posts of the Qi series (not like I was seeing with the Stealth and Stealth 2). They’ve been really good about making it right though.

[BIG STU]

2 hours ago, I like to hit bombs said:

I had a Sim 2 driver and fairway wood both fail. The driver cracked similar to this and the glue that holds the crown down on the fairway popped off. Both times they replaced it and in the case of the fairway wood, they gave me a Stealth instead.

Taylormade semi acknowledged the problem when they released the Qi clubs this year and said that the new ones should be a little tougher. I haven’t seen too many posts of the Qi series (not like I was seeing with the Stealth and Stealth 2). They’ve been really good about making it right though.

I had a bud of mine about a year ago pop the face out of a SIM 1 driver right at the side seams. He is like me old and no gorilla. They did send him a new SIM2 head I think it was. I popped the face out of a M6 a while back and I got a credit which was what I wanted. One of many reasons I hit with either my Old Callaway Alpha or my Honma G1-X. I do not like the feel or control of those carbon fiber faces 

[Cameron999]

Got fitted for the Stealth when they first came out. After about 30 rounds the face started to develop little lift marks, as if the outer coating was lifting. Contacted TAYLORMADE that off season and they replaced it with the Stealth 2. I’ve played with that driver for 1.5 seasons and now it has the same thing happening. Contacted TAYLORMADE again and they are standing behind their product again and sending me a new head. And the new head is the QI10. While I’m not happy with having these issues a second time I am happy for TAYLORMADE commitment to support the people who buy their products. 

[chisag]

On 7/1/2024 at 10:09 PM, GolfSpy_APH said:

I know some say it's quality issues, but it's also these companies striving for the best possible performance. They need thinner faces and to push limits with lighter materials and all that which of course may not be quite as strong. 

We want performance, that comes with some risks. If we didn't care about that peak performance then we would all still be using a PING G5 or something like that.

Not saying it doesn't suck - it does. Just saying there are inherited trade offs when these companies push the limits as they do year after year.

 

... Such a good post.  I would add swinging 120mph and using range balls is a disaster waiting to happen with the new composite heads most everyone has gone to. I have feeling we will see some failures with the new Titleist GT line up and their Thermoform Crown. It is just the nature of the beast when you push the limits. At around 95mph and using a softer autoFlex shaft, my driver head is pretty safe from damage.  

[KC Golf]

57 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... Such a good post.  I would add swinging 120mph and using range balls is a disaster waiting to happen with the new composite heads most everyone has gone to. I have feeling we will see some failures with the new Titleist GT line up and their Thermoform Crown. It is just the nature of the beast when you push the limits. At around 95mph and using a softer autoFlex shaft, my driver head is pretty safe from damage.  

Let’s hope the Autoflex doesn’t have any failures. Mine is working great too. 

Both of these posts are spot on.  We love that OEMs are pushing the envelope to provide us cutting edge products.   What else are we going to spend our hard earned money… golf equipment is just getting better every year and that’s great.  

[fixyurdivot]

On 6/13/2024 at 8:28 AM, Wieskemp said:

Hey guys, I've pretty much been playing Taylormade drivers my entire life as I liked them and haven't found any reason to change. That being said, I've been having issues with the face of the driver breaking and I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this. I had a Sim Max Driver a couple of years ago that developed a dent on the face after playing it for a bit. I thought it was weird but Taylormade replaced it with a new Stealth and so I was happy with the trade. Now after playing my Stealth for just over two years, I was hitting it at the range and the face just splintered on me. 

I swing fairly hard (about 120mph) and play once a week plus hit the range periodically. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this something that just happens over time? Is this just a Taylormade issue? I'd be interested to hear if anyone else experiences this as now I'm wondering if I should switch to another brand as I don't want to be buying a driver every two years.

Thanks for your help!

Wowzah .  That is quite a failure.  I guess so long as TM stands behind the product and offers no cost replacements, that would help with your decision. But it will be interesting to hear what they say is cause... presuming these go back to engineering for failure analysis and provide you any information.  They may not if they are seeing a trend which would not be good press.

[Wieskemp]

On 7/30/2024 at 12:28 AM, Frojoe22 said:

I just had the entire face of my stealth 2 fly off in the middle of a round, no abuse or anything.  4 handicap and I swing 100-105 depending on if I go at it.  They are replacing it,  I’m just hoping they send me a QI10!  Anyone know how old something has to be to get the new model?  

I broke the Sim Max and got a new Stealth, and they just replaced my broken Stealth with a Qi10. Send it back and hopefully they’re nice to you!

[Wieskemp]

Update for everyone, Taylormade sent me a brand new Qi10 club head which I installed on my old shaft. I had bought a TSI3 in the meantime that I was enjoying and so sold the Qi10. They’ve definitely stood behind their products which makes me feel more comfortable using their equipment, but I’ll also probably stop hitting a lot of range balls and reduce my swing speed accordingly.