TaylorMade fairway woods already dominate the PGA Tour, with the now two-year-old Qi10 fairway wood being in the bag of all four major winners last year. So how do you improve on what is already so good?
New this year, TAS weight ports were added to all of the fairway wood and hybrid models, with the Qi4D Tour getting three to move CG. The entirety of the Tour and Core lofts were also given loft sleeves, all part of the renewed fitting focus.
“Fairway woods are actually more sensitive to fit than drivers in a lot of cases,” said Andrew Oldknow, TaylorMade’s director of product creation. “You’re hitting them from the turf more often, so CG placement, face angle, and sole design all play a bigger role. If the fit is off, you’ll see it immediately in strike location and launch. When it’s right, the club becomes one of the most reliable weapons in the bag.”
Qi4D fairway woods also employ proven TaylorMade technologies. An improved cut-through Speed Pocket protects ball speeds and reduces spin on low-face strikes. Twist Face utilises corrective face curvature to tighten downrange dispersion on mishits.
Each of the four heads in the Qi4D family utilises advanced multimaterial construction. Qi4D Tour fairway woods employ a titanium face and body, a carbon fibre crown, and a 65g tungsten mass pad to deliver optimised speed, forgiveness and playability. Qi4D and Qi4D Max fairway woods have steel faces and bodies and carbon fibre crowns.
Adjustability was at the forefront when the TaylorMade design team and engineers conceptualised the family of Qi4D fairway woods. The incorporation of TAS weights in fairway woods allows both fitters and golfers easy adjustability to dial in their spin and shot shape. Additionally, TaylorMade is incorporating a 4° loft sleeve in more fairway wood heads than ever before (including all lofts in Qi4D and Qi4D Tour) adding yet another layer of adjustability and customisation for loft, lie angle and face angle.
The same as offered with the Qi4D driver offering, TaylorMade has leveraged Mitsubishi Chemical’s industry-leading material expertise and production processes to create the REAX™ line of fairway wood shafts that cumulatively give golfers of all abilities a wide variety of applications fit for their swing.
Qi4D FAIRWAYS
Based on extensive Tour feedback, Qi4D fairway wood heads (185cc) feature tucked protrusions in the heel and toe and refined sit points. These features create a Tour-inspired shape to maintain tighter ball speed variances across the face, but offer a confidence-inducing profile in the address position as well. Coupled with a face that sits slightly more open, a lie angle that’s flatter than the previous model, and optimised CG location, Qi4D fairway woods deliver the ultimate blend of distance, control and versatility.
An 8g TAS weight allows golfers to optimise spin and launch in the most mass-efficient way possible. Additionally, 4° loft sleeves are found in all lofts and allow golfers to fully customise loft, lie angle and face angle to their specific needs. Qi4D fairway woods will sell for €399 and will be available in the following lofts: 3-wood (15°), 3-HL (16.5°) ((RH only)), 5-wood (18°), 7-wood (21°), 9-wood (24° ((RH only))
Qi4D TOUR FAIRWAY WOODS
Qi4D Tour fairway woods (175cc) feature advanced, multi-material construction. A 65g tungsten mass pad sits low and directly behind the titanium face where it promotes high launch and lower spin which result in shots that come off hot and maximise carry distance. The sole of the club is titanium and the crown is carbon which allows for added discretionary weight.
Qi4D Tour fairway woods utilise three TAS weights (15g x1 / 4g x2) giving golfers the ability to more precisely optimise ball flight. With the heavy weight in the back, golfers experience added stability. Placing the heavy weight in the toe promotes fade bias, and putting the heavy weight in the heel encourages draw bias.
All Qi4D Tour heads include a 4° loft sleeve which allows golfers full customisation with the ability to dial in loft, lie angle and face angle. Qi4D Tour fairway woods will sell for €479 and will be available in the following lofts 3-wood (15°), 5-wood (18°), 7-wood (21° ((RH only))
Qi4D MAX AND MAX LITE FAIRWAY WOODS
Qi4D Max and Qi4D Max Lite fairway woods are all about forgiveness with their 200cc heads and shallow face profile. The large head size allowed TaylorMade engineers to push weight to the perimeter of the club which boosts overall stability, helps maintain ball speed, and promotes tighter downrange dispersion on mis-hits. The rearward orientation of a reshaped 8g TAS weight (in Qi4D Max) and 4g TAS weight (in Qi4D Max Lite) concentrates mass in the back of the head which also increases MOI for enhanced stability and forgiveness.
Qi4D Max Lite fairway woods are perfect for golfers looking to maximise clubhead speed and carry distance. Their ultralight spec package includes the line’s lightest heads, shaft and grip. Qi4D Max and Qi4D Max Lite 3- and 5-woods employ a 4° loft sleeve, giving golfers more adjustability for loft, lie angle and face angle.
Both the Qi4D Max and Qi4D Max Lite fairway woods will sell for €399 and available in the following lofts 3-wood (15°), 5-wood (18°), 7-wood (21°), 9-wood (24° ((RH only))
There is also a Qi4D Max Lite Fairway Woods Women’s Spec that will offer some ultra light shafts and available in lofts of 15° (RH only), 18° (RH only), 21° (RH only)
Our Thoughts
Together, the Qi4D, Qi4D Max, Qi4D Max Lite and Qi4D Tour deliver four different takes on TaylorMade’s fairway wood DNA. Whether golfers need height, forgiveness, compact control or a lighter build, the family provides a range of fits without asking players to change their swings to get the ball airborne.
If you’re confused or overwhelmed by the number of choices available – Golfers seeking more height and consistency from the fairway (start with Qi4D), players who want an adjustable, low-spin option with a compact head ( look at Qi4D Tour), and higher-handicap players who prefer a larger, confidence-building shape with added forgiveness (Qi4D Max).
The higher lofted options can be game-changing. I have changed the entire top of my bag, opting for a Qi4D core head in the 3 HL option of 16.5 degrees. I have now removed my 19-degree rescue and have joined the 7-wood club. Don’t be afraid to explore with more loft. A bold new address look these fairways are versatile, long, and forgiving – a great choice with options for any player.
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