TaylorMade Stealth Driver Review: Is Carbon Worth The Price?

In 2022, TaylorMade changed the trajectory of golf drivers when they released the Stealth range. This move saw them shift from the era of titanium dominant big sticks to the age of Carbonwood.

What makes Carbonwood special, and how can it improve your game? In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the TaylorMade Stealth driver.

Carbonwood apparently boosts your coefficient of restitution (COR) for maximum ball speed, a high launch, and impressive distance off the tee. Plus, it reduces backspin rpm. While this sounds phenomenal, does its performance correlate with the speak of TaylorMade’s marketing executives? Keep reading to find out.

Before you learn about the ins and outs of the Stealth, you can also read more about options for high handicappers in our most forgiving driver’s review.

The Verdict

Total Score	88.8
Star Rating	4-stars
Distance	89
Forgiveness	90
Launch	92
Accuracy	90
Aesthetics	93
Price	79

The TaylorMade Stealth driver replaces the popular SIM 2 to offer consistency, distance, and forgiveness to mid-handicappers. Released to the market in February 2022, the equipment behemoth is confident that titanium drivers are old news, and we are now entering the era of the carbon wood.

Sixty layers of carbon support a nanotexture to create the most innovative driver design of this decade. The unique face is supported by an Asymmetric Inertia Generator and Thru Slot Speed pocket to explode ball velocity, while added weight in the rear elevates MOI.

There are three Stealth Drivers by TaylorMade:

1. The Stealth is crafted for mid-handicappers seeking consistent launch, forgiveness, and distance.
2. The Stealth Plus works best for superior players.
3. The Stealth HD is ideal for beginners.

With that brief introduction to the standard TaylorMade Stealth, let us learn what components drive these features.

TaylorMade Stealth Driver Specifications

Club	Lofts	Handed	Lie	Volume	Length	Swing Weight
TaylorMade Stealth Driver	9°, 10.5°, & 12°	Right & Left (12° is only Right)	56° – 60°	460CC	45.75″	D4/D5

TaylorMade Stealth Distance Chart

Loft (Degrees)	Carry Distance (Yards)	Total Distance (Yards)
9	265	273

TaylorMade Stealth Driver Review

Look

The Stealth driver sports a unique look with a red face and black crown. I enjoy the combination; it proudly stands out from the dull titanium appearance. The presence of the 60X Carbon Twist Face paired with a nanotexture produces the Ferrari red finish.

By ditching titanium, the Stealth becomes the first modern carbon wood. Any clubs manufactured with this texture will now fall into the category of carbon woods.

Feel

Applying 60 layers of carbon to the driver’s face, and a nanotexture amplifies the feel and acoustics of each tee shot. In addition, it prompts a satisfying sound as the ball leaves the driver’s face for the fairway.

After playing with solid titanium faces for most of my life, I struggled to feel the ball coming off the clubface. It muted the feeling, which I am still unsure whether I appreciate or not. One thing is sure. This setup prevents any vibrations from disturbing your hands.

Energy Transfer

TaylorMade suggests that the 60X Carbon Twist driver face encourages maximum friction between the clubface and the golf ball at impact. This helps you boost the energy transfer to prompt rapid ball speed, low speed, and a high flying drive.

Ball Speed

The partnership between an Asymmetric Inertia Generator, Thru Slot Speed Pocket, and the carbon face produces consistent ball speed.

I noticed several Stealth driver reviews revealed lower ball velocity than average, and I agree with my colleagues. However, as Rick Shiels explains, a consistent relationship between ball speed and spin exists, leading to optimal distance.

Spin

The consistent backspin provided by the TaylorMade Stealth impressed me. I record 2500 rpm of backspin on average, but with this driver, I was hitting 2300 to 2400 on average. 100 rpm is not excessively different, but it still impacts the total yardage of my strike.

I found it restricted backspin rpm, even on off-center strikes, leaving me with satisfactory distance numbers.

Launch

TaylorMade’s engineers constructed the Stealth driver to produce a medium to high launch. This makes it easier for the average golfer to get the ball airborne without hassle. Plus, it encourages maximum carry distance off the tee.

A mid to high launch is not ideal for faster swinging golfers who risk ballooning their drives and losing distance.

Forgiveness

The TaylorMade Stealth driver provides exceptional forgiveness all around. It reduces spin and accelerates ball pace for consistent distance. In addition, its high moment of inertia (MOI) clubhead resists twisting to generate straight ball flight for optimal accuracy.

Finally, its mid-to-high launch profile suits slower swinging mid-handicappers looking to get their ball into the sky consistently.

Read More: The Best Golf Drivers for Distance

TaylorMade Stealth Driver Review – Features

60X Carbon Twist Face

The 60X Carbon Twist face references the sixty layers of the substance applied to the clubface. The carbon amplifies friction between the clubface and ball at contact to enhance the energy transfer and ball velocity. This prompts a high, long tee shot for increased yards off the tee.

In addition, I found that the Carbon twist face softened the impact on every shot for a smooth feel. In addition, it damped vibrations on off-center contact to shield my hands from nasty shocks.

Nanotexture Cover

A polyurethane cover with Nanotexture technology protects the Carbon Twist face. In addition, the technology enhances launch and fine tunes spin for improved flight and carry distance.

Asymmetric Inertia Generator

TaylorMade enhanced the aerodynamics of the Stealth driver by employing an Asymmetric Inertia Generator. This component helps you accelerate clubhead speed leading to impact for maximum energy transfer. As a result, you are more likely to produce rapid ball speed, which leads to increased distance.

Thru Slot Speed Pocket

Sticking with velocity, we turn to the Thru Slot Speed Pocket. This technology has featured in several TaylorMade drivers of late, and it cracks the nod of approval in the Stealth. I appreciate how it improves the flexibility of the driver’s face to maintain ball speed on all strikes.

It is highly effective in producing consistent ball pace on strikes low off the face. An unforgiving driver would reduce your ball speed and spin, resulting in a low flying shot with minimum distance.

Furthermore, the additional flex causes increased spring into the golf ball at impact to increase velocity.

Adjustable Loft Sleeve

As you would expect from a premium driver, the TaylorMade Stealth is equipped with an adjustable loft sleeve. It allows you to alter the clubface loft and lie angle to achieve the desired launch.

The adjustable sleeve alternates 2 degrees in either direction. For example, if your driver has a standard loft of 9 degrees, you can strengthen it to 7 degrees or weaken it to 11 degrees.

Loft

The Stealth driver is constructed with three different loft angles. You’ll notice that the strongest option is a 9-degree setup, while the weakest is 12-degrees. The average mid-handicapper should best suit a 10.5-degree driver.

Remember that the adjustable loft sleeve enables you to strengthen or weaken the loft by 2 degrees. Therefore, if you play with a 12-degree driver, you can reduce the loft to 14 degrees for a higher launch.

Shafts

Golfers are afforded the option of four shafts to fit on your Stealth driver. These are the Aldila Ascent Red, Ventus Red 5, Graphite Tour AD 12, and the Mitsubishi Diamana ZF60.

The only shaft that suits slow swingers is the Ventus Red 5, which is available in a stiff, regular, and senior flex. The Aldila Ascent Red features a regular flex that the average swinger can operate.

Lastly, the Graphite Design Tour AD 12 and Mitsubishi Diamana ZF60 are only created in extra stiff and stiff. The limited flex is ideal for faster swingers that do not require the added spring produced by flexible graphite.

Grip

You only have the choice of one stock grip on the Stealth driver. TaylorMade opted for the Crossline 360 Black and Red grip. It provides a textured feel to enhance traction and control over your driver.

Stealth Driver vs Stealth Driver Plus+ vs Stealth Driver HD

TaylorMade constructed three Stealth drivers to cater to golfers of all skill levels. All three drivers contain a 60x Carbon Twist Face, Asymmetric Inertia Generator, and 4-degree loft sleeve.

The major differences exist in the available loft options, sliding weight track, and performance features.

The TaylorMade Stealth Plus driver is crafted for superior golfers and is the only driver in the series with a sliding weight track. This allows you to shift the driver’s mass to prompt your preferred shot shape. In addition, the Stealth Plus is the only driver in the series which offers an 8-degree loft angle.

The TaylorMade Stealth Driver is positioned to prompt neutral ball flight, mid-low spin, mid to high launch, and maximum forgiveness. This is a suitable driver for mid-handicappers seeking consistent launch, distance, and forgiveness.

Finally, the Stealth HD is built for high handicappers seeking maximum forgiveness. Unlike the Plus and standard Stealth, the HD features a draw bias setup to combat slice sidespin. This causes straighter shots for improved accuracy. In addition, it delivers mid-spin, a high launch, and the highest level of forgiveness.

	Stealth	Stealth HD	Stealth Plus
60X Carbon Twist Face	✓	✓	✓
Sliding Weight Track	✓
Asymmetric Generator	✓	✓	✓
Head Size	460 cc	460 cc	460 cc
4° Loft Sleeve	✓	✓	✓
Flight	Neutral	Draw	Neutral
Spin	Mid-Low	Mid	Low
Forgiveness	Highest	Highest	High
Loft	9°, 10.5°, 12°	9°, 10.5°, 12°	8°, 9°, 10.5°

Alternative Options To Stealth Driver From TaylorMade

Callaway Rogue ST Max

The Callaway Rogue ST range is the brand’s response to the Stealth, although they stuck with titanium. A 26-gram tungsten speed cartridge sits low and deep in the crown to elevate the MOI of the driver. This helps you keep the clubface square leading into impact for accurate results.

Aside from its accuracy, the Rogue ST Max produces impressive speed, thanks to the A.I. Jailbreak Speed Frame. The stable club head keeps the face square while ramping up speed and lowering spin across an expanded zone. This leads to optimal yardage off the tee.

Finally, Callaway applied an adjustable hosel to this driver to help you achieve optimal launch and carry distance.

Overall, the Rogue ST Max is forgiving, fast, and consistent. It is ideal for mid-handicappers who want distance without sacrificing forgiveness. Remember that it is a premium product, and you must increase your budget.

PXG 0211

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PXG are the new kids on the block compared to TaylorMade, Callaway, and Cobra, but the 0211 is worth mentioning. The driver features a Ti412 clubface built to explode ball speed, enhance durability, and lower total mass.

In addition, the precision of Railed Sole Geometry allowed the engineers to lower the CG for higher MOI and a towering launch.

Furthermore, PXG roped in their Honeycomb TPE Insert to improve the club’s takeaway through impact. Plus, the TPE insert works to shed shocks experienced on off-center contact. As a result, it keeps your hands protected and feels smooth.

Lastly, the driver boasts a hybrid crown construction that aims to beef up the spring of the clubface into the ball at contact. Ultimately, the PXG 0211 offers all the bells and whistles of a game improvement driver, and it does not cost an arm and a leg.

Cobra LTDX Max

These days, a driver review is nothing without mentioning Cobra. They have worked tirelessly to produce long, powerful drivers that work for Bryson DeChambeau and the average golfer.

The star feature of this driver is the PWR-COR technology. Thanks to the addition of 30% more carbon, Cobra repositions the saved weight of the club low and forward.

The aim is to accelerate ball speed and reduce spin across the clubface.

Its PWR-COR technology is supported by the H.O.T. Face Design that creates fifteen zones with optimal thickness. These CNC milled zones explode your ball speed and restrict spin for a powerful launch and maximum distance.

Moreover, the LTDX Max contains adjustable weights that allow you to alter the flight bias for improved consistency. Plus, the adjustable MyFly8 hosel adapts the lie and loft of the clubface to produce the ideal launch.

In conclusion, the Cobra LTDX Max driver is an excellent option for mid and high handicappers who need an expanded sweet spot. This leads to consistent ball speed, minimal spin, and maximum distance.

FAQs

Is The Stealth Driver Worth It?

Yes, the Stealth driver is worth it if you do not own a SIM or SIM 2. The technology is relatively similar, and it does cost a premium. However, if you are in the market for a new driver, it is well worth the money as you will not need to replace it for several years.

When Was The Taylormade Stealth Driver Released?

The TaylorMade Stealth driver release date was February 4th, 2022. It is the latest driver released by TaylorMade.

How Much Distance Does The Stealth Driver Add?

My tests showed that the Stealth driver did not add to my average distance of 273 yards on good shots. However, it reduced distance loss on off-center strikes. I found that I produced consistent distance results on all strikes, which is where the Stealth adds value.

What Pros Use The Stealth Driver?

No pros use the standard Stealth driver. However, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler use the Stealth Plus driver. The pros prefer the neutral flight bias that enables workability. In addition, the Plus produces low driver spin and mid-launch for optimal distance. Finally, these drivers offer a stronger loft option than the standard Stealth.

Read More: What’s in Rory McIlroy Clubs?

Is The Stealth Driver Adjustable?

Yes, the Stealth driver features TaylorMade’s 4-degree Adjustable Loft Sleeve. That allows you to weaken or strengthen the loft of your driver for the ideal launch and apex. Unlike the Plus edition, the standard Stealth lacks a sliding weight track.

Does The Stealth Driver Have A Twist Face?

Yes, the Stealth features a Carbon Twist Face that enables the engineers to position extra weight in the driver’s rear. The added mass in the shaft amplifies the MOI of the driver to resist twisting during your swing. As a result, it helps you keep your clubface square at contact for a straight drive.

TaylorMade Stealth Review – Final Thoughts

After all the hype about entering the Carbonwood era, it’s not worth selling your current SIM driver. It is super forgiving, consistent, and durable. However, the overall technology on this club is similar to the SIM 2 and SIM.

The older models did not feature a 60X carbon twist face. But, the Asymmetric Inertia Generator and Thru Slot Speed Pocket are nothing new.

My point is that if you own a SIM or SIM 2, the Stealth does not make financial sense. But golfers in the market for a new driver should absolutely consider it. It feels sensational, produces ample distance on mishits, and looks good.

Therefore, if you have not treated yourself to a driver for several years, I suggest testing the TaylorMade Stealth driver. You can check out customer reviews of the TaylorMade Stealth driver.