Out with the red and in with the blue! TaylorMade are launching the Qi10 range of drivers for 2024, said to deliver golfers unmatched consistency and forgiveness while still protecting distance and speed.
As we've come to expect, there are three new models in the TaylorMade Qi10 driver line-up this year and the LS model looks to be the ultimate low-spin offering, with adjustable weighting allowing golfers to choose a fade or draw bias.
We've already seen Tiger and Rory with this club in the bag in recent weeks but it's fair to say, the hype has been no more near what TaylorMade generated 2 years ago with the original Stealth driver.
Who Is It Aimed At?
The Qi10 LS Driver has a lower CG projection for golfers looking for ultimate low spin performance. Combining reduced spin technology with high MOI, the Qi10 LS is designed for golfers with higher swing speeds to chase big distances.
If you're a golfer with a high swing speed (105 mph+) creating plenty of launch and spin, looking for a compact looking package with a few bells and whistles - this could be the driver for you.
The Tech
To create further forgiveness through better weight distribution, TaylorMade have utilised a new Infinity Carbon Crown, covering 97% of the total area, allowing mass savings that can be redistributed into different areas of the clubhead to increase the MOI and make the club easier to square up at impact.
The Qi10 LS sees a classic shape at address with alignment topline to help inspire confidence and provide easy alignment to the target. We have seen this before in the Stealth 2 Fairway Wood but never before in the TaylorMade drivers.
A re-engineered 60X Carbon Twist Face again saves more weight to be repositioned and uses corrective face angles designed to overcome common tendencies on mis-struck shots.
Unlike most low spin drivers, the Qi10 LS has an 18g sliding weight, to allow golfers to adjust the club for a desired draw or fade bias.
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TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver Review
Looks
The Qi10 LS retains some of the classic looks seen in TaylorMade’s Stealth drivers in terms of the club size and shape, but with a new navy-blue face. If you were a fan of the red - it's gone!
Each of the drivers within the Qi10 range have a very mechanical look to them, with the Carbon Crown wrapping all the way over the top of the driver, and a mostly black and silver design across the sole.
There’s something very mechanical and almost robotic about this range of drivers, with the detailing of sharp silver and blue lines on the base combined with the name ‘Qi10’, which stands for "Quest for 10,000 inertia", to really focus on the forgiveness levels seen in these drivers. However, it’s an interesting decision in my opinion, given the Qi10 Max model is the only driver in the range to actually hit that 10K MOI threshold!
Make of that what you will...
Feel
I really enjoyed testing the Qi10 LS to be able to produce some speed and power. I often struggle with low spin models as I don’t have the fastest swing speed, but surprisingly I found the Qi10 LS driver even easier to hit than the standard Qi10 model.
When I struck the Qi10 from the centre the feel is exceptional, and although it doesn’t reach the forgiveness levels of the Qi10 Max, I certainly felt some forgiveness and help controlling mis-struck shots.
I really like how this year TaylorMade have designed the LS model to have either a draw or fade bias, which makes it easy to fit to any golfer with the swing speed high enough to be looking for a low spin driver. Often, I worry about getting myself in trouble down the right with low spin drivers, but the adjustability helps control that somewhat, which is great for added confidence stood over the ball.
On Course Performance
Out of the three drivers in the Qi10 range, the Qi10 LS saw me hitting the straightest and longest shots of them all on my best strikes. I did notice less consistency compared to the ‘ultimate forgiveness’ Qi10 Max driver, which is what you'd expect.
I felt as though the Qi10 LS allowed me to swing more freely and put a bit more strength behind the ball, without the worry of landing myself in some serious trouble.
The Data
Based on what I’d seen out on the course, I was expecting to see the Qi10 LS being the fastest and furthest of all the TaylorMade models.
However, the Qi10 LS produced the lowest ball speed of the three models, due to the shaft we tested this driver out with being 10g heavier than either the Qi10 or Qi10 Max drivers. Despite this added weight, I still saw the carry and total up there at 213 and 240 yards on average, which was in line with the other two models.
For me, this is pushing the upper boundary of what I’d be looking for in terms of distance with driver and it was great to see. I think if we were to fit this with a lighter shaft at 40 or 50g, I could get some very impressive distances.
The consistency and dispersion weren’t as strong with the LS model compared to the 10,000 MOI Max, but I’d still put it up there as one of the most reliable and forgiving low spin drivers that I’ve tested out; rarely finishing outside a typical fairway width from the centre.
Interestingly, I saw the same spin rates with the Qi10 LS driver as I did the Qi10 Max, both averaging 2100. I’d be expecting much more of a reduction in the spin rates with this type of driver, however this didn’t seem to be the case - again more proof that every golfer is different and you need to do your own testing.
TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver Verdict
Thanks to the adjustable sliding weight, you can set the Qi10 LS model to a draw or fade bias and I think the performance seen with the Qi10 LS, it’s forgiveness for a low spin driver and this adjustability option could be a game changer for some golfers.
Overall, in the context of all three models in the Qi10 range, it's great to see that TaylorMade are recognising not every golfer who wants low spin is very accurate driver of the ball; if you're trying to cure a slice for example you want to reduce spin so although this is the LS model, it doesn't necessarily mean 'better-player'.
With this added adjustability comes a slight increase in price to the other Qi10 drivers, with an RRP of £529. Although this is a large investment, I can very much see the benefits this could bring to a player’s game who struggles with controlling the ball from the tee.
If you’re looking for a forgiving, low spin driver with adjustability to fade or draw, the Qi10 LS should be on your testing list, however although the name suggests 10,000 MOI, remember this particular model is still on the quest for it...
Would I Use It?
As I mentioned earlier, with a full fitting process I think this driver could really work for my game. Compared to most low spin drivers, I found the Qi10 LS more forgiving and easier to control.
TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver Pros And Cons
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