We’ve been itching to test the new TaylorMade Qi35 driver, and now that we’ve had a full day with it, we’re ready to talk.
From the bold carbon crown to the customizable weight system, the Qi35 promises more forgiveness and better consistency, even on off-center hits.
So we did what we always do: took it to the sim, hit it against its direct competitor (Ping G440 Max), and then got into some challenges to see how it really performs under pressure.
Let’s get into it!
Key Takeaways
If you don't have the time to read our full review on the Taylormade Qi35 Driver, here are the main things you need to know.
- The Qi35 is seriously forgiving, even on toe and low-face strikes — it feels like the ball launches from the sweet spot every time.
- Looks are a big win — the carbon crown, chrome sole, and stealthy details give it major shelf appeal.
- Adjustable weights offer cool tech, letting you dial in consistency vs distance (though we didn’t go deep on that yet).
- Distance held up well, even against the Ping G440 Max, though spin rates were a little higher than expected.
- At $600, it’s premium — but not outrageous for what you're getting in design, forgiveness, and feel.
But if you like watching reviews in video format, here is the full review on our YouTube channel.
Is The Taylormade Qi35 Driver Worth The Hype?
First Impressions
Right off the rip, the Qi35 feels like a weapon. That stealthy carbon crown and slick chrome sole give off real GT3 RS vibes.
At address, the head looks super clean and gives some extra confidence, and even though we were expecting forgiveness, it still kinda surprised us.
Our setup:
- TaylorMade Qi35 9° Head
- Fujikura Ventus Blue 5S Shaft
- Golf Pride's Black/Silver Z-Grip
The thing about the Qi35 is that you don’t need a perfect swing to get this thing working. And when you catch it flush it feels fantastic.
Comparison: Qi35 vs Ping G440 Max
We couldn't ignore the hype around the Ping G440 drivers so you already know we had to compare them head to head.
The Ping G440 Max is also known for being real forgiving, and we had it set up with the following specs:
- 10.5° G440 Driver Head
- Alta CB 2025 Blue 50g Stiff Shaft
- Lamkin UTx grip
Both of the drivers were solid. However, dispersion was tighter for us with the Qi35, and it seemed to handle our “less-than-stellar” swings better.
The Ping felt a touch softer, but the TaylorMade tickled our fancy more on looks and adjustability.
Honestly, it just comes down to preference, both are top-tier. But if you want something new and sleek with a modern edge, the Qi35 might win you over.
Trackman Numbers
We hit both drivers back-to-back and saw some solid numbers (for average golfers).
- Smash Factor: Averaged 1.47
- Ball Speed: Peaked around 160 mph
- Spin Rate: Hovered between 2400–3000 rpm (a bit higher than ideal)
- Carry Distance: Consistently 260–275 yards
Not the lowest spin in the game (especially with the Ping), but plenty consistent, and very playable, especially for mid handicappers.]
Long Drive Challenge
You know we had to do it.
On the sim, we fired up the driver-only mode and pushed these clubs to the limit. Best drive with the Qi35? 310 Yards, dead center.
Even some off-center strikes still stayed in play, which was kind of the theme. The forgiveness made it possible to swing harder without total chaos.
And just a quick tip, if you want to be more consistent than us and improve your golf swing, check out the HackMotion Wrist Sensor — it can actually help you understand why certain misses happen, and how to clean them up faster.
Pros & Cons of The Qi35 Driver
✅ Pros
This is honestly our favorite driver we have tested, so it is tough to narrow down the things we liked the best, but here is our best attempt at doing so:
- Super forgiving on low, toe, and off-center strikes
- Sleek design with a carbon crown and customizable weight options
- Feels stable and balanced through the swing
- Surprisingly easy to launch straight — even on mishits
❌ Cons
There are not a lot of bad things to say about this driver, but if we have to be picky, these are it:
- $600 price point is a bit steep (but typical for new releases)
- Slightly higher spin than expected in some shots
- Weight system is cool but untested by us in real-game settings
Final Thoughts
The Qi35 does exactly what it says on the website, it's forgiving, it looks amazing, and it’s fun to swing.
If you're tired of fighting your driver and just want more fairways and less frustration, this could be the move.
It's not cheap, but if you’re looking for modern forgiveness with top-tier vibes, the Qi35 deserves a spot on your shortlist.