Alex Etches
Custom fitter, gear deep-dives
“The first time I've been well and truly gobsmacked with hitting a driver”
The first driver to genuinely gobsmack him: strikes all over the face and the dispersion was still boringly tight, backed by a fitting system he rates as a real step forward.
+ the facts · 6 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Maintains spin and ball speed regardless of strike location; mishits everywhere still produced tight dispersion
- +New 8-inch face roll adds RPM from the top of the face and cuts it from the bottom versus the Qi35
- +Higher COR area than the Qi35 (52.9 vs 48.4)
- −The Qi4D name landed flat compared to the tech story behind it
- −Down at the ball it looks little different from the Qi35
For: Almost anyone, and especially golfers whose strike location wanders around the face
Golf Monthly
UK magazine, season-long testing
“this might be the best driver I've ever used”
Possibly the best driver he's used for vertical-miss forgiveness, with a more flattering heel/toe feel.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Increased face curvature preserves distance on high and low strikes
- +Only about a 5-yard drop even when bottomed out
- +Softer, more forgiving heel/toe feel
- −Drops off slightly more on heel/toe misses than the GTS3
- −Brasher, busier appearance won't suit everyone
For: Players whose miss is vertical (thin/high on the face) wanting a flattering, techy driver
Golfbidder
Europe's biggest used-club specialist
“This is bullet, this is.”
Fastest of the three current heads by 3-5 mph ball speed and his provisional pick for the bag, pending on-course testing against the GT2.
+ the facts · 3 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Consistently highest ball speed of the test, hitting 160-162 mph without forcing it
- +Feels noticeably quick off the face and he enjoys hitting it
- +Good spin numbers even on off-centre strikes
- −Carbon face gives less strike feedback and no ball print, so it's harder to tell where you hit it
- −Acoustics not as good as the GT2
- −Control on the course still unproven for him at time of filming
For: Consistent strikers on a speed hunt who don't need maximum forgiveness
Michael Newton Golf
On-course, season-long club tests
“Oh, it's gorgeous. Really enjoying hitting that.”
The core head gave him extra club head speed, superbly consistent spin, and a better look and feel than the Qi35, producing his best numbers of the whole lineup.
+ the facts · 6 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Gained 2-3 mph of club head speed for him (112-113 vs his usual 110), crediting the aerodynamic reshaping
- +Far superior darker bronze-tinted look versus the Qi35
- +Better, more solid feel off the face than the Qi35
- −Flight was a touch high for his personal preference in the rear-weighted setting
For: The standard head for most golfers, with heavy fitting adjustability via the new React shaft lineup
Today's Golfer
UK magazine, robot + human testing
“this might be the most popular driver of the year”
The head he was personally fit into and the other half of his clear one-two: a more compact, faster, four-weight core model he suspects will be the most popular driver of the year.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Four-weight system (back for forgiveness, front for speed, heel for draw, toe for fade) is a fitter's dream
- +More compact, faster aero shape claimed to add ~0.75 mph club speed and ~1.2 mph ball speed on average
- +Produced his long-sought baby draw at 300 yards in testing
- −Feel trails some other drivers on the market
- −He won't call it the outright best until Today's Golfer's group drivers test
For: The broadest range of golfers; his bet for the most popular driver of 2026
TrottieGolf
Tour-level club builder
“It's problems in it... because I thought I had a driver that I was going to be in.”
The core Qi4D wins him over despite his LS loyalty; it has widened the range of players it suits and unlocks a high-tee shot he doesn't have with the LS.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Widened the cone of players the core model appeals to, back toward tradition versus the Qi35 core
- +Four movable weights let you fit it for accuracy or turn it into a distance/launch machine
- +Consistently straight with low spin (nothing over 3,000 rpm in his session)
- −Bigger footprint than the classic-shaped LS, which some players see as a hindrance
- −One shot came out a bit floaty, needing loft/weight tweaks to dial in
For: Anyone wanting a TaylorMade driver, especially 10+ handicaps, plus good players who assume they need low spin
MyGolfSpy
Data-driven independent testing
“the TaylorMade core model is fantastic this year”
Named MyGolfSpy's Most Wanted best overall driver of 2026 from a ~20,000-shot, 35-tester field, scoring above nine across the board and validating TaylorMade's promised return to speed-first design.
+ the facts · 3 pros− the facts
- +Best overall in the 2026 Most Wanted driver test
- +Above nine across distance, accuracy and forgiveness scores
- +Confirms TaylorMade's stated return to fast, back-to-roots driver design
For: The highest-probability starting point for most golfers building a demo shortlist, not an automatic buy without fitting
2nd Swing Golf
Master fitters, Trackman-heavy testing
“It's a great driver for for the masses”
The core model is the driver for the masses with great looks and a new four-weight system, though the crown dashes distracted this tester at address.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Best-looking finish in years: matte black with an orange tint and a minimal logo
- +New R7-style quad weight system (two back, two forward) makes it a fitter's dream
- +Low spin that fits roughly 95% of mid-to-low handicap players; already popular on tour
- −White dash markings on the back of the crown were distracting and made aim feel off for the tester
For: The vast majority of mid-to-low handicap golfers wanting a low-spin all-around driver
James Robinson Golf
Mid-handicap everyman reviews
“I'm edging towards knowing what head I'm putting in play”
Playing it on course he's straight, consistent (272-281 yards), and openly tempted to put it in the bag over his Callaway, though he credits some of the gains to his new shaft and swing work rather than the head alone.
+ the facts · 3 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Very consistent on course: repeated 275-yard drives with straight flight, not losing golf balls
- +Lets him attack the driver again; hit 281 with ball speed up to 159 mph
- +Launching high and long even from the 9-degree head once his delivery improved
- −Only tested in a 9-degree head when he'd normally fit into 10 or 11 degrees
- −Hard to isolate the driver's contribution from the new Oban shaft and HackMotion swing work
- −Spin creeping to around 2,900-3,000 on some drives, leaving distance on the table
Mark Crossfield
Coach, famously hard to impress
“It's as quick as anything out there. Is it quicker? Not really.”
The best-sounding TaylorMade in ages with top-end performance when fitted, but it is not actually quicker than anything else and the launch narrative quietly admits the Qi35's flaws.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Best sounding TaylorMade driver he has hit for ages; the famous thud is gone for a great thud-and-carbon combination
- +Looks classy and sits square; great fitted numbers with spin in his sweet spot (~2,329 rpm) and 277-yard average carry, near his top end
- +Felt great on the golf course; flight, looks, feel and end result all delivered
- −As quick as anything out there but not actually quicker
- −Expensive premium pricing (his comparison: 1,300 chicken nuggets or a high-end pizza oven)
- −The marketing story fixes roll-radius and speed problems TaylorMade never admitted the Qi35 had, and the aero/high-speed narrative flipped as soon as tour staffers bagged it
For: Golfers who get properly fit and want a premium core head on the slightly lower-spin side
Club Champion (TXG)
Tour-level fitting studio
“We're just not finding the same launch and spin conditions.”
Produced great ball speed and smash but couldn't match the leading head's launch and spin window for this player, coming out a little low and dumpy.
+ the facts · 2 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Ball speed was great
- +Smash factor was great
- −Couldn't find the same launch and spin conditions as the Ping head
- −Came out low and didn't hold the air as well
