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Forum Member Review: TaylorMade Qi35 Driver and Fairway Woods
TaylorMade is known for pushing the limits of design and performance and the Qi35 lineup continues that tradition with a refined carbon face, new weight distribution and bold aesthetics. For this test, MyGolfSpy Forum testers each were provided with a combination of Qi35 driver and fairway wood models to see how these clubs performed across a range of skill levels, preferences and setups.
Testers included @CB Lobo 4 Life, @Medfloat, @David Leighton Reid, and @GforeNick. They tried different configurations including the LS, Core, and Max drivers, along with Tour, HL, and Core fairway woods. Through launch monitor sessions, on-course testing and head-to-head comparisons with their gamers, this group uncovered what TaylorMade got right and where there’s still room to improve.
Key highlights
Testers praised the updated sound and feel, calling it solid and satisfying even on mishits. Distance was a standout across all drivers, especially the LS and Core models. Forgiveness exceeded expectations, even in the LS and Max heads. Fairway woods were easy to launch and versatile from the deck and tee. Adjustability helped testers fine-tune performance for their individual swings. Testers found significant gapping benefits and versatility across the top end of the bag.Testers’ experience and performance insights
First impressions and aesthetics
From fighter-jet inspired soles to sleek carbon crowns, the Qi35 line made a strong visual impression. Testers reflected well at the look of the clubs at address as well as the finish quality and overall aesthetic.
CB Lobo 4 Life: “TaylorMade has done it perfectly with the subtle yellow-green additions. It is subtle but blends so well with the chromium gray.”
GforeNick: “The driver, with its more streamlined and sporty design compared to my Qi10 Max, screams ‘distance weapon.'”
David Leighton Reid: “The Qi35 Max driver and Max 3 wood are flat out gorgeous. TaylorMade nailed it with the Matte Chromium finish.”
Sound and feel
If you pay close attention to the sound and feel of a club at impact, the Qi35 lineup likely won’t disappoint. Testers agreed that it felt solid and sounded controlled, even when contact wasn’t perfect.
CB Lobo 4 Life: “Thanks to the carbon face, the TaylorMade has a much less deafening sound at impact and the feel is significantly less harsh.”
GforeNick: “The feel is consistently crisp and responsive… Even on mishits, the sensation remains noticeable but avoids being overly jarring.”
David Leighton Reid: “The carbon head of the driver provides a lower and softer sound at impact than what I am accustomed to.”
Distance and launch monitor data
On the range and in the sim, distance numbers jumped out immediately. Several testers noted improved carry, total yardage and ball speed compared to their previous drivers.
CB Lobo 4 Life: “Ball speeds were extremely healthy, topping out at 188 mph with a low spin average right around 2350 RPM… this thing absolutely flies.”
Medfloat: “The Qi35 LS driver was easily better than the Ping G410+ I was using. All numbers were better: spin, carry, total, and forgiveness.”
GforeNick: “I gained 13 yards of carry and 13 yards of total distance getting my total average extremely close to 300 yards.”
On-course performance
Clubs that do well on a monitor are one thing but how they perform under real pressure is what matters most. Testers felt confident bringing the Qi35 to the course, citing stability, gapping improvements and strong performance in key situations.
CB Lobo 4 Life: “Under pressure, both clubs held up beautifully… I never felt like I needed to ‘guide’ anything. I swung, they performed.”
Medfloat: “These two clubs, the Qi35 LS and 3-wood HL, pair great with my 5-wood and the gapping in the top end of my bag.”
David Leighton Reid: “The Max 3 wood has become my go-to club for teeing off on tight driving holes.”
Adjustability and customization
Adjustability is a big deal for many golfers and it seems TaylorMade delivered on this front. From movable weights to hosel tweaks, testers found plenty of ways to make the Qi35 work for them.
CB Lobo 4 Life: “With the aid of my purchased Qi35 weight kit, I hope to tune this driver to what it should be for me.”
GforeNick: “The adjustability… is a huge selling point. It’s like having two drivers in one.”
What they liked
Strong distance and forgiveness across all models Softer, quieter feel from the carbon face design Easy-to-use adjustability that helped with fine-tuning Fairway woods were easy to launch and handled well from different lies Matte finish and clean look gave testers confidence over the ball Smart gapping integration with other fairway woods in the bagWhat they didn’t like
While the grey carbon crown was well received overall, there was some getting used to the new look. The LS model had a slight learning curve for players not used to low-spin heads. Shaft selections are always a discussion point and some a desire for a few more options.Conclusion
The TaylorMade Qi35 driver and fairway wood lineup brought meaningful upgrades for a range of testers. Whether you’re looking for more distance, better feel or more confidence, these clubs had something to offer. Testers saw real gains across the bag and found the combination of looks, performance and adjustability to be one of the Qi35’s greatest strengths.
While some small issues with fit and learning curve were noted, the overall verdict is that TaylorMade delivered a top-tier product. The Qi35 has earned a place in more than one tester’s bag and could be worth a look for anyone considering an upgrade this season.
