While the release of the new Qi35 drivers might be enough to get you excited, I couldn’t help but wonder what’s actually changed. What are the real differences from last year to this year? To find out, I took a closer look at the Qi10 and Qi35 releases to see what truly sets these two apart (besides the 365 days between their releases).
Same carbon face, better spin control
The Qi10 and the Qi35 use multi-layer carbon faces to save weight and increase ball speed. With the Qi35, TaylorMade improved the bonding process and lowered spin. If you look at the Qi10 Max compared to the Qi35 Max, the spin rate has dropped about 200 rpm.
Similar “Quest for Inertia” but more models
There were three Qi10 models: the Max, the standard model Qi10 and the LS.
In the Qi35 series, there are four: the Qi35 Max, the Qi35 Max Lite, Qi35 (standard) and the Qi35 LS.
The Qi35 driver series gives more fitting options and addresses a broader range of spin/forgiveness needs.
| Model | What’s the Same | What’s Different |
|---|---|---|
| Qi35 Max vs. Qi10 Max | Same 10K MOI focus (extreme forgiveness). | Qi35 Max has ~200 rpm lower spin and a slightly lower CG for better launch and distance. |
| Qi35 Max Lite | Model didn’t exist. | A lighter-weight version of the Max with a 24-gram back weight, lighter shaft/grip, and ~9K MOI, designed for moderate swing speeds. |
| Qi35 (Standard) vs. Qi10 (Standard) | Both offer high MOI but with different weighting approaches. | The Qi35 offers adjustable front/back weighting with specific ports (9,000 MOI in back, ~8,100 MOI in front), while the Qi10 utilizes a simpler design with less adjustability. |
| Qi35 LS vs. Qi10 LS | Low-spin model in both lines. | Qi35 LS replaces the sliding track with three pinpoint weights for more precise weight placement, offering flexibility between spin reduction and forgiveness. |
Improved center of gravity (CG)
The Qi10 pushed MOI to the limit but the spin rates became a concern for some players.
In the Qi35, the lower center of gravity across all models should cut spin without sacrificing forgiveness.
As an example, the Qi35 Max remains at 10K MOI but the center of gravity is about half a millimeter lower than the Qi10 Max. The goal here is to help reduce spin and keep dispersion tighter.
New closure rate fitting
The Qi10 offered the traditional driver fitting with a look at launch, spin, feel and a line of stock and custom shafts to test. The Qi35 still has the same adjustable loft sleeve and adjustable head weight in some models but TaylorMade is changing its approach to shaft fitting.
With the Qi35, the new “closure rate” fitting measures how quickly (or slowly) the driver’s face rotates through impact.
Using Foresight or newer TrackMan systems, TaylorMade can use this metric to help recommend a shaft profile focusing more specifically on tip stiffness, torque, etc.
The Qi35’s fitting method focuses on matching you to a shaft that supports how you naturally deliver the clubhead. Shaft choice is important so this is a notable upgrade for anyone looking for a new TaylorMade driver in 2025.
Pricing and availability
The Qi10 launched at $599 for the Max and standard models and $629 for the LS. The Qi35 is $599 for the standard, Max and Lite but the LS will be $649.
TaylorMade also offers a Designer Series model in the Qi35 Max, Qi35 and the Qi35 Max Lite that costs $649.
With these new releases, the Qi10 drivers are down to $499. Keep that in mind if the upgrades to the Qi35 are not worth the extra money to you.
Bottom line
Here’s what I took away from comparing the Qi10 and Qi35 drivers.
- The Qi35 drivers reduce spin and offer more adjustability while maintaining a focus on forgiveness.
- For ultra-low-spin golfers, the Qi10 LS provides more nuanced tuning options.
- A new addition, the Max Lite, is tailored for slower swing speeds, expanding the lineup.
- The Qi35’s updated closure rate system should make it easier to find a shaft that perfectly matches your swing during a fitting.
Now we wait to see how the new Qi35 drivers perform in our 2025 Best Driver testing. Stay tuned!
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