“This is cheating on a stick basically.”
Alex had written the 10K MOI Max off before hitting it and was blown away: LS-like mid-2000s spin, 316-323 yard totals, and blanket-tight dispersion with total forgiveness.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Only driver in the range with the 10,000 MOI badge, huge stability regardless of strike
- +Surprisingly low spin for a Max, mid-2,000s rpm instead of blown-out 3,400 square-driver numbers
- +Improved CG projection from clever weight saving and a symmetric inertia generator with 34g back weight
- −Big footprint with lots of mass behind the ball, not for players who like defined pear shapes and deeper faces
- −Slower players who don't generate spin may need to loft up
- −Alex still prefers the more compact look of the LS
For: Anyone wanting maximum forgiveness without the usual Max spin and speed penalty, best dialed in through a fitting
Golf Monthly
UK magazine, season-long testing
“I don't think I've ever hit a driver straighter than I hit this thing”
A brilliant 10K-inertia model that fixes the Qi10 Max's short-hosel speed loss, spins about 200 rpm less, and delivered the tightest dispersion and straightest driving of his life.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Incredible dispersion, you could throw a blanket over his test balls
- +Longer hosel restores full shaft length and the lost club speed of the Qi10 Max
- +Around 200 rpm less spin than the Qi10 Max without losing dispersion
- −No heavily draw-biased option in the range for big slicers, beyond lofting up via the sleeve
For: Golfers who want maximum forgiveness and straightness without excessive spin
2nd Swing Golf
Master fitters, Trackman-heavy testing
“I think I just hit five fairways in a row”
The fastest of the three, posting 165 mph ball speed and five straight fairways, with only a minor question about two shots spinning in the mid-2,000s.
+ the facts · 3 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Fastest ball speed of the test at 165 mph with the same club speed as the Ping
- +Five fairways in a row with the same shot shape every time
- +Fitter's experience says it is the fastest of the 10K MOI drivers
- −First two well-struck shots spun unexpectedly in the mid-2,000s versus ~2,000 for the rest
- −Louder sound, and the gray chromium carbon crown isn't everyone's preference
For: Players who want 10K forgiveness without giving up ball speed
The 10K MOI forgiveness flagship, super easy to hit but the slowest and shortest of the three for him with the highest spin.
+ the facts · 2 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Still a 10K MOI head, the most forgiving in the range
- +Super easy to hit
- −Highest spin of the three at 3,500 rpm average
- −Lowest distance for him: 132 ball speed, 206 carry, 220 total
For: Golfers who prioritise maximum forgiveness above all else
The highest-forgiveness Qi35, slight draw bias and mid-high launch in a slightly larger head, pitched as the consistency and fairway-finding choice.
+ the facts · 3 pros− the facts
- +Highest forgiveness in the Qi35 lineup
- +Slight draw bias with mid to high launch
- +Same 4-degree adjustable hosel as the rest of the range
For: High handicappers and beginners prioritizing consistency and finding fairways
Mark Crossfield
Coach, famously hard to impress
“the max was fine but it was just wasn't for me”
The 10K MOI head was fine but not his best performer; even so he says most golfers should be going for this max stability over the dialed-in options.
+ the facts · 3 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +10K MOI forgiveness with a fixed 34g tungsten back weight
- +Feels super stable across the face
- +Same great look, sound and feel as the rest of the family
- −Wasn't for him, best numbers came from the standard instead
- −Fixed weight means no dialing in beyond the adjustable neck
For: Most amateur golfers, anyone who should just max out forgiveness rather than chase a fitting-room number
“that has gone bullet straight”
The 10K forgiveness head passed his deliberate mishit testing, keeping heel and toe strikes impressively straight.
+ the facts · 3 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +10K MOI, TaylorMade's most forgiving option in the lineup
- +Deliberate heel and toe mishits stayed accurate and bullet straight
- +Low CG controls spin better than expected on low-face strikes
- −No adjustable weights, just the fixed inertia generator at the back
- −Flight sits in a slightly higher, spinnier bracket (around 2,700-2,800)
For: Golfers looking for ultimate forgiveness