TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver Review: Truly Fargiving?
In this article, I will give my honest TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver review after hitting over 60 balls in the Trackman studio to get a feel of the true Fargiveness that was advertised.
I will dive into the different features from an independent amateur golfer’s perspective, and highlight if the Stealth 2 is still a good buy now that the TaylorMade Qi10 MAX driver and Qi10 are on the market.
Let’s jump right in!
TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver Review in Short
The TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver is a top-tier choice for golfers seeking an optimal combination of forgiveness, distance, and visual appeal.
It is a great option to look into if you need to replace an older driver in your bag or if you are a new golfer looking for a driver solution. With the Qi10 line released, the price of the Stealth 2 has recently dropped and that increases the value substantially given the quality of the driver released only one year prior.
Pros and Cons of the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver
Pros
Exceptional forgiveness.
Satisfying sound.
Great feel off the face.
Strong distance.
Premium aesthetics.
Cons
Spin was a tad high.
TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver Performance
Specs of the Stealth 2 tested: 9 Degree Loft, Standard Lie, Standard Length, Regular Flex, Fujikura Ventus TR Red 5 Graphite Shaft.
I tested the Stealth 2 indoors with Trackman using Titleist Pro V1 RCT balls. Over the testing session, I hit a total of 58 drives with it.
Here is the data from my testing session:
Avg Total Yards | Avg Swing Speed | Avg Ball Speed | Avg Smash Factor |
229.43 | 94.45 mph | 133.57 mph | 1.41 |
You will notice about 20 yards shorter total average with the Stealth 2 over some of the more recent drivers tested, like the Qi10 MAX and Cobra DARKSPEED MAX driver.
My driver swing has been transformed over the last while, since hitting the Stealth 2, to a place where I am now getting the most out of each driver. My average swing speed is closer to 98 mph now, where with the Stealth 2 it was ~94 mph. This speed increase, and more square contact after adjusting my swing, is the reason for the difference. It has nothing to do with the Stealth 2 performance itself.
Appearance: B+
The Stealth 2 has a sleek black finish, accented by a bold red ring around the clubhead's perimeter. It is eye-catching and functional, as it helps frame the ball at address.
An essential aspect of the Stealth 2's design is the tungsten weight strategically positioned low and back in the clubhead. This helps optimize the center of gravity and enhances the club's moment of inertia (MOI), ultimately leading to improved forgiveness.
Another standout feature in the design is the enhanced carbon composite construction. TaylorMade implemented nearly double the amount of carbon in this model, resulting in a lightweight but strong build.
The six-layer carbon fiber construction contributes to the overall efficiency of the driver and further distinguishes it from competitors. TaylorMade has taken carbon technology a step further in the Stealth 2 Plus, which boasts 75% more carbon usage—leading to tailored performance for different swing speeds.
The only part I deducted marks for, and because it takes up roughly half of the driver mass it turned the rating into a B+, was the top of the crown almost looks like a puzzle piece that is snapped in rather than it going all the way to the end.
You can see where the TaylorMade logo is on the top, the next half inch or so to the top of the face would look much better if it was one consistent piece to where the face meets the crown.
Finally, the design of the face is captivating. It is one of my favorite looking driver faces currently out there, alongside the infinity symbol on the face of the LTDx.
Sound: A-
The sound off that beautiful red carbon face of the Stealth 2 driver is a satisfyingly solid crack that you can get used to hearing very quickly.
When you strike it right in the middle of the sweet spot, you are get a driver a face that emanates a rewarding sound that makes you want to hit over and over.
Forgiveness/Feel: A+
The swing feel and forgiveness of the Stealth 2 driver are its money maker, and after hitting a bunch of balls with it, I can attest as to why.
There are so many areas you can hit off the face as an amateur golfer, and we take full advantage, where the Stealth 2 feels like it does everything it can to help you maximize your result off of whatever part of the face you hit.
The energy and transition from face to ball on contact also has a very seamless level to it, and when you couple with the sound, makes it a very fun driver to hit.
The enjoyment of the feel was similar to how I felt when I hit the Callaway Paradym X driver, an excitement and energy that makes it fun to hit, where robot testing cannot describe this feature, and makes it more enticing to spend money on.
Distance: A-
As mentioned above, I did get very quality distance out of the Stealth 2 driver given what my swing speed was at the time.
The spin felt a bit higher than I would prefer, however that can also be due to the fact that my swing was not as inside-out as I prefer it to be at optimal performance.
Overall, when you square up the Stealth 2 with a good swing path and face-to-path, you will get explosive distance off that beautiful face. Hitting off the toe or heel is also much less penalized for distance with the forgiveness level provided.
Accuracy: B-
The spin rate I was getting on my drives was quite dispersed in range, and often times a bit higher than what I would prefer with drivers I use.
The Stealth 2 wasn't as great as some other drivers in keeping the sidespin in check a bit more, even when it was my own fault for not getting the optimal inside-out swing that I should have.
Just means that I had a little bit more dispersion in where the ball ended up, but overall my swing played a larger role.
Overall Swing Enjoyment: A
The Stealth 2 Driver from TaylorMade is a very enjoyable club to swing and did give me a energetic feel similar to the one felt hitting the Paradym X.
TaylorMade drivers have always held a soft spot with me, and they continue to make a quality blend of enjoyable swing feel and performance in the Stealth 2.
Value: Is the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver Worth it?
Visually, the look of the red 60x Carbon Twist Face on the Stealth 2 is astonishing and screams class.
The sound is fantastic, and its exceptional forgiveness is handy for the average golfer. The distance is long, as promised, and the Stealth 2 did not let down on any expectations overall. The spin was a little bit higher than some other drivers, but that can be more attributed to my swing overall.
With the Qi10 line of drivers out, the Stealth 2 has reduced in price and is a great value for the performance it brings. The tech in the Stealth 2 is only one year behind the Qi10, so any reduced price makes it even more enticing if you don't want to spend the full price on brand new tech.
You will not be disappointed with the Stealth 2 driver and it is still worth it today.
TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver Technology
Carbon Face Construction
One of the standout features of the TaylorMade Stealth 2 is its Carbon Face construction.
Utilizing the 60X Carbon Twist Face, this cutting-edge technology promotes better energy transfer between the clubface and the ball.
Using carbon fiber not only makes the driver lighter but also enhances the club's overall performance. Incorporating more carbon makes the clubhead more forgiving, improving accuracy, even on off-center hits.
Inertia Generator and MOI
Another integral aspect of the Stealth 2 Driver is its Inertia Generator. The TaylorMade team designed this feature to optimize the Moment of Inertia (MOI), increasing stability during ball impact.
A high MOI is important for maintaining ball speed, particularly when the shot is not struck in the center of the clubface.
We average golfers should honor the time spent by club manufacturers increasing MOI in their drivers daily since it helps keep our drives as quality as possible even when our best swings aren’t being taken.
Speed Pocket and Twist Face Technology
The Stealth 2 Driver benefits from TaylorMade's key technologies, such as the Speed Pocket and Twist Face technology.
The Speed Pocket is engineered to maximize clubhead speed, resulting in impressive and consistent distance.
Twist Face technology addresses the common issue of off-center hits by altering the face curvature to minimize side spin, effectively improving shot accuracy.
Adjustable Loft Sleeve
Lastly, the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver features an adjustable loft sleeve, which enables golfers to fine-tune their desired loft and trajectory settings.
This level of adjustability adds versatility to the club, allowing customization to better suit individual preferences and playing conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who should Play the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver?
If you're a beginner or high handicap golfer, you will get a lot out of playing the Stealth 2. The combination of forgiveness and distance will get you set up for success, especially on days where you don't have a great driver swing.
Players of all skill levels can use the Stealth 2 driver and get fantastic results.
What improvements have been made from the original TaylorMade Stealth to the Stealth 2?
The TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver features significant design enhancements compared to the original Stealth model. One key improvement is the refined carbon face construction, contributing to a more satisfying feel and sound at impact.
Players will also appreciate the higher moment of inertia (MOI) offered by the Stealth 2, resulting in improved stability and performance during off-center strikes.
How does the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus driver differ from the regular Stealth 2 model in terms of features and benefits?
The TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus driver differs from the regular Stealth 2 model mainly in weight placement and MOI. The Stealth 2 model has a back and central 25g tungsten weight, providing a higher MOI. At the same time, the Stealth 2 Plus features different weight configurations.
Players seeking maximum forgiveness and stability might find the Stealth 2 more suitable. In contrast, the Stealth 2 Plus may cater to those seeking greater adjustability or different performance.
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.