It seems like TaylorMade might have found a solution that allows golfers to benefit from both a high moment of inertia (MOI) and a low center of gravity (CG) in their clubs.
This could be a game changer for many players, as traditionally, there’s been a trade-off between these two essential characteristics.
If they’ve genuinely combined these features effectively, it could lead to better stability and control while promoting a higher launch and improved distance.
The new TaylorMade Qi35 driver enhances performance by integrating a lowered center of gravity with an increased moment of inertia, allowing for greater distance from a more significant portion of the clubface.
CG projection measures the balance point of the head projected onto the face. This metric can help define the driver’s inherent launch conditions.
By lowering the balance point and optimizing weight in the head, TaylorMade engineers activated a larger area of opportunity on the face for improved launch conditions.
These improved launch conditions result in more distance from more of the face for each driver in the TaylorMade Qi35 driver family.
Through interchangeable Trajectory Adjustment System (TAS) weights, the CG projection of Qi35 LS and Qi35 can be further optimized to create the most mass-efficient CG adjustments for shot shape and control.
By incorporating chromium carbon fiber into various components of the head, along with the innovative 4th-generation Carbon Twist Face™ and Infinity Carbon Crown, engineers successfully reduced excess weight and strategically repositioned it further back.
This design enhancement has significantly increased the Moment of Inertia (MOI) in the TaylorMade Qi35 model, resulting in a remarkable 13% tighter dispersion than the Qi10*, particularly when the 13-gram weight is set in the rear position.
The TaylorMade Qi35 Max exemplifies this commitment to performance, delivering maximum forgiveness with an impressive 10K MOI.
TaylorMade Qi35 driver
To create the ability to move weight farther back and forward in the clubhead, Qi35 takes on the same high inertia shape seen in Qi35 Max.
By increasing the overall length of the head front-to-back by 8 millimeters, the weight saved and repositioned makes TaylorMade Qi35 a 9K inertia driver.
Qi35 comes stock with 2 TAS weights, 13 grams in the back and 3 grams in the front, to customize CG projection.
With the 13-gram TAS weight in the back, Qi35 has a CG projection of 1.6mm from the center face.
If the weights are flipped, CG projection lowers closer to the center face at 0.4mm with an MOI of 8.1K, resulting in a distance gain of 5 yards.
Qi35 drivers are available for
- £529 / €689 / SEK 7,499 / NOK 7,499 / DKK 4,999 / CHF 689
- in 9.0°, 10.5° and 12.0° lofts with 2025 Fujikura Ventus Blue (5S, 5R, 5A) and Mitsubishi Diamana T+ 60 (X, S) stock shafts.
- The stock grip is Golf Pride’s Black/Silver Z-Grip (0.600 52g).
TaylorMade Qi35 Max driver
The TaylorMade Qi35 Max incorporates a rear fixed tungsten weight within its innovative symmetric inertia generator, totaling 34 grams while maintaining the overall head weight.
This design achieves a MOI of 10K and reduces the CG projection to 2.9mm, enhancing launch conditions and yielding greater distance.
Qi35 Max drivers are available for
- £529 / €689 / SEK 7,499 / NOK 7,499 / DKK 4,999 / CHF 689 and
- come in 9.0° 10.5° and 12.0° lofts and are equipped with the 2025 Fujikura AirSpeeder (5S, 5R, 5A) and Mitsubishi Diamana T+ 60 (X, S) stock shafts and
- Golf Pride’s Black/Silver Z-Grip (0.600 58g).
TaylorMade Qi35 LS driver
By placing a 13-gram TAS weight at the rear and two 3-gram weights at the front, the center of gravity (CG) in the Qi35 LS can be tailored to meet the golfer’s specific requirements.
Using TAS weights rather than a sliding weight reduces unnecessary weight and enhances mass efficiency, resulting in a more significant shift in CG, launch conditions, and spin.
When the 13-gram weight is positioned at the front toe, the CG drops to -0.2mm, representing the lowest CG projection within the entire Qi35 lineup.
This precise weighting configuration leads to increased distance and reduced spin. Moving the 13-gram weight to the back position increases MOI with a slight increase in CG projection at 0.8mm.
Qi35 LS drivers are available for
- £529 / €689 / SEK 7,499 / NOK 7,499 / DKK 4,999 / CHF 689
- in 8.0°, 9.0°, and 10.5° lofts with Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue DarkWave CB 60 (X, S, R) and Kai’li White DarkWave 60 (X, S) stock shafts.
- TaylorMade Qi35 LS comes with GolfPride’s Black/Silver Z-Grip Black/Silver (0.600 52g).
TaylorMade Qi35 Max Lite driver
TaylorMade has significantly advanced in the ultra-lightweight category by introducing the Qi35 Max Lite.
Weighing over 35 grams less than the Qi35 Max, this driver features a thoughtfully designed ultra-light component package that optimizes both weight and Moment of Inertia (MOI).
It’s an excellent choice for golfers looking to enhance their clubhead speed.
The Qi35 Max Lite is also available in fairway woods and Rescue™ hybrids, along with a women’s specification, making it versatile for a wide range of golfers.
Qi35 Max Lite drivers are available for
- £529 / €689 / SEK 7,499 / NOK 7,499 / DKK 4,999 / CHF 689
- in 10.5° and 12.0° lofts in Mitsubishi’s Vanquish 4 (R, R2/A) shaft and Golf Pride’s Black/White Z-Grip (0.600 43g).
- Qi35 Max Lite women’s is offered in 10.5° and 12.0° lofts with Fujikura’s AirSpeeder 40 L shaft and the Lamkin ST Soft grip (0.580 40g).
Fitting
To further improve the accuracy and efficiency of the fitting process, TaylorMade introduces a groundbreaking technology by creating the first launch monitor-enabled fitting heads.
For the first time, reflective fitting markers are built directly into every Qi35 SelectFit driver face and will be available at all TaylorMade experiential events and retail fitting locations.
The built-in fitting markers deliver the most accurate face delivery and impact information possible, allowing fitters to fully optimize the technology of TaylorMade Qi35 drivers exactly to the golfer’s skillset without needing stickers onto the face.
In conjunction with Foresight Sports’ camera-based technology, GCQuad or Quad Max launch monitors track the reflective fitting markers within the impact interval.
Additionally, TaylorMade has provided Trackman clubhead measurements for the most accurate face impact and club delivery data possible.
Within the Trackman app, fitters can select the Qi35 head model, automatically populating the clubhead measurements.
Benefits of added-value services
In 2018, I underscored the significance of golf equipment manufacturers not only enhancing their product development but also providing value-added services.
During that period, Acushnet purchased Links & Kings, which is known for its handcrafted luxury leather golf and lifestyle items.
This statement evokes the innovative approach taken by TaylorMade, which has recently initiated collaborative services in partnership with Trackman and Foresight Sports.
These efforts extend beyond traditional product development, offering added value to golfers and contributing to an improved customer experience.
Today’s informed consumers are increasingly capable of recognizing the intrinsic value of basic products and services while differentiating them from additional value offerings.
Many customers are open to investing more in enhanced service features.
In light of this, golf equipment manufacturers like TaylorMade have a significant opportunity to elevate their value propositions and provide even greater returns on customer investments.
They can strengthen customer loyalty and satisfaction by focusing on delivering superior services and features.
It will not connect your customers better to your company if you expand your portfolio without solving the golfers’ problems (e.g., what to do with the unused golf clubs in your garage for many years).
You have to come up with relevant experiences for your customers.