TaylorMade Stealth Driver Review – Is it Worth the Hype?!

TaylorMade has long been known for making the best clubs with advanced technology alongside its game improvement privileges. So when they release a new club, it triggers a lot of excitement and curiosity among players.

Bringing Stealth Carbonwood drivers back to the gaming industry is not a simple task. Manufacturers took almost two decades into designing a carbon-faced driver that can stand firm against the repeated golf swings of 100+ miles per hour, which can also produce remarkable performance.

But when the year 2022 came, TaylorMade created a new line of the strongest clubs - the TaylorMade Stealth Driver, clubs that golfers would definitely love to have. Especially if you’re aiming for game improvements. It is worth the wait, and definitely worth investing too.

In terms of the latest or newly released clubs, before you decide what to buy, it’s important to do thorough research about the precise details of each, and read reviews so you will know which ones will suit you best. So bear with me till the end so you will know more about TaylorMade’s top two choices of drivers: the Stealth and the Stealth Plus. Let us first take a look at the similarities between the two and what to expect from them.

Also Read: Best Golf Drivers

TaylorMade Stealth Driver Review

Technology Used

When you use the Stealth, and the Stealth Plus, you will acquire a dynamic golf swing motion. And upon impact, the energy of the clubface will then be transferred to the stationary ball. This will compress and move the golf ball forward. And at that very moment, the face itself will automatically absorb the remaining energy.

If you’re wondering how this happens, what’s the explanation? Since the carbon material that is equipped with this driver is denser and lighter than titanium, there will be less energy that will be lost in the face. And this will allow the ball to have consistent ball speed and better propulsion.

Overall, this performance gives a more efficient and better transfer of energy. This is what also makes Stealth drivers better than any other drivers that are in the industry nowadays.

Aside from this Carbon Twist Face that is equipped in the Stealth drivers, here is more of the technology that is being used in the Stealth and Stealth Plus:

Cover & Construction

The Stealth and the Stealth Plus both have excellent energy transfer once you hit the ball and fine ball speed. This happens because the carbon face is built to be 40% lighter compared to other brands that are also titanium-made.

An innovative nano texture cover is also equipped in the driver’s face to add that fine texture that will bring a fair amount of friction to every impact. And without this cover, the carbon construction will be overly smooth, so it won’t produce a virtuoso performance that is ideal for wet conditions. These drivers also have polyurethane material for optimized launch.

Check out other clubs from the TaylorMade Stealth Series:

• TaylorMade Stealth Irons Review
• TaylorMade Stealth Hybrid Review
• TaylorMade Stealth Fairway Woods Review

Sound & Feel

The sound is one of the few things golfers have in mind. And since Stealth and Stealth Plus have carbon face technology, most people think that the sound is unpleasant. Because before, carbon face drivers didn't sound that great.

But nowadays, TaylorMade has the best engineers that created a driver with a perfect pitch sound.

This is because of the Stealth’s shape, stiffened internal ribs, curvature design, and premium tuned acoustics to produce a pleasant sound with powerful performance.

Design & Forgiveness

Part of the design of the Stealth and Stealth Plus is the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket. This is TaylorMade’s timeless technology and signature. But these drivers have a more flexible design that is specifically made to boost the speed of the golf balls while supplying extra forgiveness in terms of low face strikes.

The Stealth Drivers also have concentrated aerodynamics because of their profound shape called - an asymmetric inertia generator. It has a slippery and fast head shape which assists in better swing speed before impact, on your most difficult downswings.

Also, expect better forgiveness because these drivers have an extra weight that is located on their low and back, although the two have minor differences in design & forgiveness (which will be discussed later on).

TaylorMade Stealth vs. Stealth Plus - What’s the Difference?

Although both almost have the same technology used, construction, and design, they still differ in performance and forgiveness:

Stealth Driver

Spin

The Stealth Driver also has more moment of inertia (increased by 15%) and further RPM spin by 200 to 300 compared to the Stealth Plus. Although not all golfers have the same gear, these numbers are based on golfers that were tested with an average swing speed of 106 miles per hour. So it’s safe to say that these numbers are an average spectrum for players.

Design & Forgiveness

The Stealth has a more forgiving design than the Stealth Plus. TaylorMade removed the Sliding Weight Track, but included more weight at the rear of the club for a better and enhanced moment of inertia. Thus, contributing to consistent off-center strikes and better forgiveness.

These features also supply more spin that can help players who are in need of assistance in maintaining the ball in the air for longer.

To better conclude, the Stealth is a driver built for a mid to low spin, which supplies topmost forgiveness and higher launch. This driver is suitable for you if you’re not that good at locating the club’s center. At the same time, if you prefer better forgiveness than distance.

Stealth Plus Driver

Spin

The Stealth plus is considered to be one of the lowest spinning drivers because of its more forwarded center of gravity. This is due to the extra Sliding Weight track that is equipped in it, which makes it perfect for golfers that are better with fast swing speed, or those who prefer more distance.

Design & Forgiveness

The design and shape of the Stealth Plus feature an extra-large face, together with its innovative weighting properties. This makes the driver provide high forgiveness, but there’s a minor difference between the two in terms of forgiveness properties. The Stealth Plus gives a fine-tuned distance for high launch and low spinning conditions, which at the same time, supply a consistent level of forgiveness. Overall, making it suitable for any golfer of skill level.

To simplify, the Stealth Plus is for those who prefer a specific ball flight when off the tee. Because of its Sliding Weight Track, which can be very beneficial to your play. Plus, if you’re the type of golfer that has the ability to produce distance gain from low spin drivers to high spin drivers.

Other differences:

Aside from the spin, design, and performance, here are a few minor differences between the two:

• The Stealth has loft options of 9, 10.5, and 12 degrees, while the Stealth Plus has 8, 9, and 10.5 degrees.
• The Stealth has a mid to low spin, whilst the Stealth Plus has a low spin.
• The Stealth provides mid to high launch, and the Stealth Plus supplies mid-launch.
• The Stealth Plus Driver costs a bit higher than the Stealth Driver.

FAQs

Q. Is it worth it to choose TaylorMade’s Stealth Driver carbon-fibered face?

Before, carbon fibers were not a suitable choice for a driver’s face. Because clubs need to be durable and flexible enough to endure repeated and strong impacts, carbon fibers cannot handle this. At the same time, drivers that were made of carbon fibers before had thick faces that were twice the size of traditional titanium-made driver’s faces. This invention produces dead-end sounds that are unpleasant to the ears.

This is why TaylorMade invented Stealth drivers which have their own unique carbon fiber thickness.

This innovation means that the Stealth drivers are built with 60 layers of carbon fiber that are strategically crafted to provide a pleasing sound and the same amount of flex, compared to the titanium-made SIM2 Max.

Q. How does the carbon face of the Stealth drivers work?

One of the fundamental goals of TaylorMade’s exploration of carbon face Stealth drivers is to save weight while maintaining straight ball speed.

Usually, the face of a typical titanium driver weighs about 43 grams. But by changing to a carbon that is 26 grams lighter, you’ll save 39.5% of the weight. So this 17 grams of freed mass will then be repositioned to the face, which will be combined with the said remaining freed mass to be distributed to the rest of the body.

So how does this removed extra weight contribute to your performance? There will be more efficiency in transferring the ball’s energy upon every impact because every mass is properly spread on the entire body.

Q. Are the TaylorMade Stealth and Stealth Plus drivers worth it?

Yes indeed, they are. Both of these drivers will give you that extra confidence, consistent shot-to-shot performance, and improved forgiveness.

With this, golfers can predict that they will have less drop-off in terms of off-center hits, without worrying if the aerodynamics will be decreased.

And unlike the traditional drivers that have titanium faces, both of these drivers won’t easily weaken. They are more robust for they have the latest technology of carbon face material.

Q. Are the Stealth Driver's lofts adjustable?

Yes, they come with 13 adjustable hosels, each with a different lie or loft setting. There’s also an adjustable head weight which contributes to optimized and consistent ball flight.

Interested in more Drivers? Check out the following:

• TaylorMade SIM Driver Review
• TaylorMade SIM Max Driver Review
• TaylorMade SIM 2 Driver Review
• TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Driver Review
• Callaway Mavrik Max Driver Review
  
• Callaway Big Bertha B21 Driver Review
• Callaway X HOT Driver Review
• Cleveland Launcher Turbo Driver Review
• Cobra Speedzone Driver Review
• Callaway Epic Speed Driver Review
• Cobra F9 Speedback Driver Review

Final Thoughts about TaylorMade Stealth Driver

Both the TaylorMade Stealth and Stealth Plus feature a carbon fiber face, with robust material, excellent forgiveness, and solid impact.

These two are a win-win situation for every golfer in your golf bag.

The Stealth is said to be more forgiving than the Stealth Plus, but the Stealth Plus is said to have a better design. But although they have minor differences, the breakthrough design and performance make the Stealth and Stealth Plus drivers suitable for any handicapped golfers.

Alternatives to Consider

Here are the top two alternatives to consider:

Callaway Mavrik Max Driver     

The Mavrik Max provides a whole new level of optimization and solid sound. The head is also individually crafted to look beautiful with every hit of the ball.

The shape is bigger and gathers attention - all in a good way. Everything in this club, starting from forgiveness, and performance, to sound and feel, is incredible. Mavrik Max is designed for golfers who are looking for an easier hit and more forgiveness.

There’s no doubt that the Callaway Mavrik Max Driver will look great in your golf bag and provide you with better performance. A club that is worth investing in, because it can produce an impressive ball speed that is better than other drivers.

It’s very affordable and is a great option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly club.

Cobra SpeedZone Driver

The Cobra SpeedZone Driver is just like the other drivers mentioned here. It, too, has great forgiveness and stability in every strike. These two are always and very important to players.

You can also rely on it in windy conditions because it helps provide consistent ball speed. It will surely assist golfers to hit straighter and longer drives.

A fair amount of price if you’re not looking too much about the brand, but rather the price and performance.