TaylorMade Qi10 Driver vs Qi10 MAX
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In this article, I will share my personal and detailed comparison of the TaylorMade Qi10 driver vs Qi10 MAX from the perspective of an amateur golfer. I've personally tested both drivers extensively, hitting a multitude of balls with each.
I'll compare these two head-to-head in categories like appearance, sound, feel/forgiveness, distance, and accuracy.
Then, at the end, I'll share which driver I thought was better overall value for the money and my recommendation on which you should buy.
TaylorMade Qi10 Driver vs Qi10 MAX Price Compared
Both drivers were made available for sale in retail in early February 2024, with a price tag of $599.99 each.
There are also Designer Series versions of the Qi10 and Qi10 MAX drivers, available in a few different designer (and pretty cool) color schemes.
Also included in the Designer Series of both drivers is an upgraded shaft. Both the Qi10 Designer Series and Qi10 MAX Designer Series drivers are priced at $629.99.
Order HERE for lowest price available!
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Appearance
Like anything, when it comes to personal taste, the looks of the TaylorMade Qi10 driver line have received mixed reviews.
Personally, I think the Qi10 driver line is a step up over the Stealth 2 for a few different reasons, including just looking sleeker overall. The carbon crown finish is more complete and premium-looking on the Qi10 line of drivers.
The Qi10 and Qi10 MAX drivers have similar looks. Both have a beautiful-looking navy blue carbon twist face. The Qi10 MAX has a longer front-to-back head shape than the regular Qi10.
Another difference between the two is the back-weight design. On the Qi10, the weight is a fair size larger and jets out more, which looks closer to how the Stealth 2 was designed. The Qi10 MAX back weight feels more subtly designed into the head that you barely notice it is there.
Aside from the nice touch on the carbon crown covering all the way to the edge, this weight is my favorite part of the design on the Qi10 MAX.
It is very close, and the differences are subtle. The slightly longer head design and more subtle weight sleekness just put the Qi10 MAX ahead of the Qi10 in looks.
They are both premium looking (not being a fence sitter).
Winner: Qi10 MAX
Sound
The Qi10 and Qi10 MAX sound remarkably similar (if not the same); that sound is fantastic.
The sound of both is like a cross between a muted crispness and a solid crack. However it is described, when you make center-face contact in either driver's sweet spot, the sound lets you know in a premium way without trying too hard to be heard.
Winner: Tie
Feel/Forgiveness
Although the Qi10 and Qi10 MAX drivers look relatively similar and sound essentially the same, my mid handicapper golf swing had a clear favorite regarding feeling and forgiveness.
Forgiveness is almost a given because it is inherent in the design of the Qi 10 MAX to maximize the forgiveness level.
However, the difference between the two in swing feel stood out for me. This is not to say the Qi 10 doesn’t feel good to swing, because it most certainly does, but my experience swinging the Qi10 MAX felt way more enjoyable and comfortable.
Whether it was the appearance of a larger shaped head or knowing maximum forgiveness is loaded into the Qi10 MAX, I felt more confident swinging the MAX model. The ball also felt more lively coming off the face of the Qi10 MAX.
Winner: Qi10 MAX
Distance
This category is interesting because my swing was better with the Qi10 MAX. Combined with my swing speed, which was an average of 3 mph faster when I hit the Qi10 MAX (I was swinging way better that day), it felt like that model gave me a more electric response and that extra juice that I needed.
Here is the breakdown of performance numbers from my sessions:
Avg Carry Yards | Avg Total Yards | Avg Swing Speed (mph) | Avg Ball Speed (mph) | |
Qi10 | 219.11 | 243.87 | 95.53 | 136.68 |
Qi10 MAX | 224.74 | 256.01 | 98.16 | 143.63 |
I was getting distance out of the Qi10 MAX with my swing. My longest drive was 275.5 yards, which felt like butter, with my average carry yards just under 225 and average total yards of 256.
My longest drive with the Qi10 was 265.3 yards, and my swing speed on that drive was 95.1 mph. That should tell you that the Qi10 is no slouch when it comes to distance, and for golfers with faster swing speeds, it should slightly supersede the Qi10 MAX in distance.
For my mid handicapper swing, the Qi10 MAX performed better.
Winner: Qi10 MAX
Accuracy
TaylorMade has done a stand-up job designing the Qi10 drivers to give amateur golfers like myself as much help as possible, keeping us in a good position on the course.
I found the Qi10 MAX and Qi10 to be very workable, and even when I left my clubface open too much on a few hits, I wasn’t penalized as much as I really thought I should have been.
TaylorMade has done a fantastic job synergizing distance, forgiveness, workability, and overall feel in the Qi10 drivers.
Winner: Tie
Overall Winner: Qi10 MAX
The Qi10 MAX came out firing from the jump, and with my swing speed, the response off the face of the Qi10 MAX was exhilarating compared to the Qi10.
My experience with the Qi10 was a slow burn. I did not hit it fantastically initially, but I turned it around and started to feel the qualities present in that model.
However, the Qi10 MAX just gave an instant connection that I could feel from the first hit. I have seen other individuals be fit for a Qi10 line driver, who would typically be in lower spin models of driver lines, end up being best fit for the Qi10 MAX driver. Colin Morikawa currently uses the MAX on the PGA Tour, and it is rare for a Tour player to use a MAX model (MAX models are considered more “player improvement”).
If I had to purchase one today: Qi10 MAX
Order HERE for lowest price available!
Disclosure: These links can provide a commission to me in order to run the website, at no extra cost to you 🙂
FAQ
Should I Get the Qi10 or Qi10 MAX?
As I mentioned above, it has been interesting to see the various individuals who have been fit into a MAX who would typically play a lower spin driver. If you have your heart set on getting a driver from the Qi10 line, get fitted to see how your swing responds to each.
Also, you can test them out yourself and see which one works.
If you want MAXIMUM forgiveness and are a beginner/higher handicap golfer, the Qi10 MAX will probably be best for you.
What Does Qi10 Stand For?
The Qi stands for “Quest for Inertia,” and the 10 represents 10,000 grams per cm squared of MOI. The MAX in the Qi10 MAX represents MAXIMUM forgiveness.
The name “Quest for Inertia 10,000” sounds like a high-end vacuum cleaner model, but name aside, the Qi10 driver line is phenomenal.
Who is the Qi10 Max Driver Best Suited for?
The Qi10 Max driver is designed to benefit golfers of all skill levels, from everyday players to professional golfers (see Nelly Korda and Colin Morikawa). Its forgiveness allows all golfers to experience enhanced performance on their less-than-perfect strikes.
How We Test and Our Methodology
Golferperformance.com is a 100% independent publisher aiming to provide tips to improve your golf game and bring more relatable equipment reviews after first-hand club testing.
At Golfer Performance, we personally purchase the products we test, ensuring that our reviews are not influenced by any company or manufacturer. This commitment to independence guarantees the integrity of our opinions and decisions.
After purchasing the products, we conduct hands-on testing in our Trackman studio and/or out on the course to report statistical performance and a first-hand feel for each product.
Jeff K is our resident expert and author. He has 20+ years of experience playing golf and solving swing problems that everyday golfers deal with, bringing his game to mid handicapper status and shooting scores in the low-to-mid 80s.
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Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase.