The Taylormade Qi10 and how it will dominate the course this year
What Is MOI?
In golf, “MOI” stands for “Moment of Inertia.” It is a measurement of the resistance of an object to changes in its rotation. In the context of golf clubs, MOI is used to describe the clubhead’s resistance to twisting upon impact with the golf ball. A higher MOI typically means that the clubhead is more resistant to twisting, which can result in more forgiveness and ball speed on off-center hits. On drivers and fairway woods, having the highest MOI possible is ideal to see more fairways and close approach shots. Most drivers made in the last 10 years have achieved an MOI of 5k-8k which is a huge advancement off the very old equipment, but an MOI of 10k would be like switching from a driver that is 3-4 years old to a new one. Drastic!
The Advancement From Titanium to CarbonWood
Drivers traditionally were made either entirely out of Metal such as titanium or featured a titanium face. A long time ago some companies tried to create a driver entirely out of carbon fiber, but due to a lack of RnD and technology, too many durability issues were the result. Taylormade created the stealth in 2022 which featured a near 100% carbon fiber construction and most importantly, the face was carbon fiber. The Stealth 1 and 2 both were not only forgiving, but they had ball speeds never seen before when struck off center. The carbon fiber composition allowed Taylormade to redistribute the weight to various different parts of the head creating a dumbfounding amount of hotspots across the face alongside some of the most consistently low backspin patterns. Taylormade obviously were not going to hang their hat on the first or even second iteration of their carbon fiber driver so they took back to the drawing board to revolutionize it once more.
The Qi10
The latest Taylormade driver for this year introduces a refreshed and, in our view, improved appearance, weight distribution, and forgiveness. A lighter iteration of the stealth 2 crown was specifically crafted to redistribute weight strategically, enhancing speed across the entire face. The focal point of Taylormade’s technological innovation lies in achieving an impressive 10 thousand MOI. This breakthrough allows golfers to worry less about hitting the precise sweet spot of the driver, freeing them to concentrate more on their upcoming iron shots onto the green.
While Ping has previously achieved a 10k MOI with the g425, it fell short in terms of sweet spot reward, as well as the crucial aspects of feel and sound. The g425, although remarkably forgiving and beneficial for players struggling to find the fairway consistently, came at the expense of a significant yardage loss on well-centered shots.
Enter the Qi10, a driver that revolutionizes the game by seamlessly blending an unparalleled level of forgiveness with exceptional feel, a sweet spot that maximizes distance, and a classic aesthetic. The Qi10 aims to establish dominance on the golf course, offering golfers a superior combination of performance and traditional design.
Is The Switch Worth It?
If you’re using a driver that’s four or more years old, making the switch to the Qi10 is highly recommended! While we always advise a fitting to identify the clubhead brand and shaft that best suits your swing, it’s safe to say that the Qi10 will definitely outperform a driver that’s four or more years old. For those with relatively new drivers (1-2 years old), the Qi10 is likely to surpass it in some aspects while matching it in others. The USGA has set a limit on the smash factor (distance off the direct center), and the Qi10 is expected to match a 1-2 year old driver on the sweet spot. However, with its 10 thousand MOI, the Qi10 excels in making spots outside the direct center hotter, more accurate, and lower spinning. If you’re currently using last year’s model, switching might not be our usual recommendation, but this year, we believe it’s worth considering!
In our testing, the Qi10 demonstrated a noticeable disparity in dispersion when compared to the Stealth 2. While the Stealth 2 exhibits remarkable tolerance for shots placed outside the center, the Qi10 has set a new standard for us. We observed two drives struck directly off-center with a swing speed of 108, reaching an impressive 343 yards. Additionally, two heel-sided drives at the same swing speed covered a distance of 330 yards. When TaylorMade emphasizes forgiveness, they truly mean it!
Shaft Selection
TaylorMade has a very impressive selection of shafts this year, with the stock ones being the MCA Diamana T+, Fujikara Speeder NX TCS 50, and the Fujikura Speeder NX TCS 40. The stock option shafts alone cover a majority of swings, given that they all come in a variety of weights and stiffness levels. However, for those swings that require a unique flex or kickpoint, TaylorMade has a stockpile of additional shafts that can provide!
The MCA Diamana T+: These shafts come in three different flexes: regular (64g/4.7 torque/mid launch/mid-low spin), stiff (68g/4.6 torque/mid launch/mid-low spin), and X-stiff (70g/4.5 torque/mid launch/mid-low spin), all of which are designed for individuals with a faster tempo and swing speed. The Diamana T+ was featured in the Stealth 2 and proved to be a great success when paired with a carbon fiber head, thanks to the progressively weighted nature of the shaft.
Fujikura Speeder NX: The Speeder NX shafts are designed for moderate to slower swing speeds. They are generally on the lighter side of shafts; however, they maintain proper tip stiffness to reduce the chance of overflex due to being lightweight. This shaft comes in Senior flex (48g/6 torque/high launch/mid-high spin), Regular flex (51g/5.8 torque/high launch/mid-high spin), and Stiff flex (62g/5.6 torque/high launch/mid-high spin).
Fujikura Speeder NX TCS: The Speeder NX TCS is a new shaft that TaylorMade has incorporated into its family with the purpose of providing an ultra-lightweight shaft that doesn’t flex nearly as much as its same-weight competitors. The TCS comes in Senior flex (52g/3.6 torque/high launch/mid-spin), Regular flex (53g/3.6 torque/high launch/mid-spin), and Stiff flex (55g/3.6 torque/high launch/mid-high spin).
The Qi Irons
After conducting in-house testing on TaylorMade’s new irons, we’ve reached some compelling conclusions. Primarily, similar to the driver, if you’re using irons that are four or more years old, the Qi irons will outperform them in nearly every aspect. Positioned as game improvement irons, the Qi series excels in distance and forgiveness but may not be as dominant in control or consistency. TaylorMade has innovatively enhanced their irons by implementing a slightly different internal structure for each iron. This allows them to fine-tune based on real player data, creating a sweet spot across the entire iron set that caters to the needs of most golfers seeking game improvement irons. The new P series irons were the first to benefit from this technology, exhibiting a significant improvement over the old P series irons. The individual development of each iron to excel in its role represents a departure from the past, where many irons on the market were derived from a single prototype. In summary, the Qi irons are excellent for those seeking game improvement cavity backs. However, if you prioritize shaping shots and desire more distance control, the P series should still be at the top of your list!
The Summary
Taylormade did an amazing job this year with the new line of product. With a proper fitting we believe that a switch could be due for most golfers! Who wouldn’t want lower dispersion, more distance, and less miss-hits? If you’d like to test any of these or get a full fitting, feel free to contact us or submit a fitting inquiry HERE. Happy golfing and thanks for the read!