TaylorMade is known for producing some of the best golf equipment in the game, especially in the metalwood space. Given how highly I rated the performance of the Qi10 fairway woods released at the beginning of 2024, I was particularly eager to get my hands on the new Qi35 fairway wood and see what changes had been made to improve on the already impressive performance.
It’s clear to see from the get-go that there has been major changes cosmetically with the Qi35 compared to its predecessor. A new chromium carbon fiber finish is found throughout the whole Qi35 range and gives them serious shelf appeal. In my opinion, this fairway wood rivals the aesthetics of any of the best fairway woods I have seen for quite some time. The use of this ‘new-look’ carbon is not just about creating new visuals though, more so, it’s part of an advanced multi-material construction, alongside steel and aluminum to create an eye-catching design with performance benefits.
The Qi35 fairway wood (£309) is one of four fairway wood models in the new TaylorMade Qi35 lineup and is the model that will appeal to the majority of golfers thanks to its all-round performance. For players seeking a touch more forgiveness and a high, mildly draw-bias ball flight, the Qi35 Max or Max Lite (£309) will be what you’re after. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Qi35 Tour fairway wood (£379) which has a sliding weight port on the sole for extra CG customization and boasts a slightly more compact head shape. This is the model for confident ball strikers looking maximum ball flight control.
The main tech story within the Qi35 fairway woods is a revised CG location compared to last year's models. This sees the CG placed slightly lower and further back, lowering the CG projection and resulting in what TaylorMade is calling a ‘greater area of opportunity’ which will see balls launch effortlessly with less spin. The result? More distance.
I tested the Qi35 fairway wood both inside at Foresight Sports HQ in Guildford, Surrey, using the GCQuad launch monitor and Titleist Pro V1x golf balls as well as out on the golf course to see how it handled different scenarios. Behind the ball this fairway wood instills so much confidence. The rounded head sits flush to the ground and the face is fairly shallow to help you create effortless launch. I also really like the black detailing at the back of the crown, this again accentuates the rounded nature of the head and alongside the silver etched line across the top of the face, really helped with my alignment.
Producing an average of 156mph ball speed, the Qi35 fairway wood was no slouch. Combining this speed with an average launch angle of 12° and a solid 3259rpm of spin saw my average carry from the deck hit just shy of 255 yards and a total of 270 yards - very playable if I do say so myself.
If you find yourself playing in different conditions regularly and require different ball flights then the 4° loft sleeve on the Qi35 fairway wood should appeal to you. This allows you to ramp your loft up or down 2° from the standard head loft, allowing for better control of trajectory and spin and was something I took advantage of when testing outside in windy conditions.
The feel was the same muted, yet powerful sensation I loved from the Qi10 fairway wood range. It makes the ball feel soft and compressed while coming off the face hot. The new chromium carbon crown may have dampened the acoustics even more than last year's model, creating what can only be described as a serious ‘thud’ through impact - a sound I look for and enjoy in a fairway wood.
As far as looks go, I think you’ll be extremely hard pushed to find a better looking fairway wood than the Qi35 this year. The modern matte carbon fiber crown design is blended with gloss tones on the sole to create an ultra-premium look. The performance was also extremely impressive both indoors in a controlled environment and outdoors when facing the elements so if you’re in the market for a new fairway wood and want total performance, the TaylorMade Qi35 should be on your list to try. It's as close to perfect as you're likely to find in this category.
