Equipment
2022 TaylorMade Stealth driver: TaylorMade’s big bet on a carbon fiber driver face
The new TaylorMade Stealth driver began as a code-named project, the origins of which go back 20 years. The successor to the SIM line, TaylorMade’s family of Carbonwood drivers includes the Stealth, Stealth Plus, and Stealth HD.
The show-stopping feature of the new 2022 TaylorMade Stealth driver is its centerpiece technology, and it’s likely one you’ve already seen in our in-hand shots of Tiger Woods’ Stealth Plus: a carbon fiber face. For TaylorMade engineers, the conversion to carbon was aimed at one thing: more ball speed.
A close-up look at the new 60X Carbon Fiber Twist Face
The why and how of TaylorMade’s “60X Carbon Twist Face”
In a surprising departure from industry-standard titanium, TaylorMade engineers turned to another material to construct the face of the Stealth for better energy transfer: carbon. More specifically, 60 layers of strategically arranged carbon fiber sheets.
Interestingly, what TaylorMade is calling the “Carbonwood Age” began decades ago.
“In the mid-2000’s, our research team developed an understanding that the weight of the face can affect impact efficiency, more specifically, the lighter the face, the more efficient the impact and the better the ball speed,” says Brian Bazzel, TaylorMade’s Vice President Product Creation.
“We realized titanium faces could only take us so far and carbon would be the face material of the future. This breakthrough design of a lightweight carbon face in Stealth, has created a whole new starting line, a new era of drivers, a new threshold of performance and a new platform for more innovation.”
With the 60 layers of carbon, TaylorMade touts a thinner, lighter, larger face that features a higher COR (coefficient of restitution) and improved face geometry.
As a result of using a lighter material (carbon), the Stealth’s face is, not surprisingly, substantially lighter than the SIM2. 40 percent lighter than a titanium face of the same size, the carbon face is just 26 grams.
TaylorMade Stealth: A 20-year project
TaylorMade engineers first developed a prototype titanium-covered carbon face in 2003. R&D efforts go back as far as 2000 (TaylorMade 360 days). Engineers then turned their attention to a polymer cover for the carbon fiber — which eventually became the Stealth’s nanotexture face.
In 2012, for the production of the Japan-only Gloire Reserve driver, TaylorMade developed a small-scale composite face production facility.
Following years of continued prototyping, in 2016 TaylorMade engineers developed new manufacturing techniques, which resulted in the first 60-layer carbon face and the beginning of the Stealth project (2018).
Innovation and new manufacturing processes are one thing, but mass production is quite another. And while this is a launch story about a family of products, the process of developing multiple plants for high-volume composite part production is another significant element of the Stealth saga.
Beyond carbon: Other Stealth technology
Nanotexture face technology: A thin polyurethane layer overtop of the carbon fiber creates a surface that is both strong and flexible for improved launch. It’s calibrated to produce ideal friction in dry conditions and features full-face scorelines that also perform particularly well in wet conditions.
According to TaylorMade, the nanotexture face works in conjunction with the company’s Twist Face and Thru-Slot Speed Pocket for enhanced forgiveness on strikes across the face.
“The technological innovation of our nanotexture technology brings the entire face together and was a key to making this driver a reality,” Tomo Bystedt, Senior Director Product Creation, Carbonwood Drivers said. “Without this revolutionary cover design, we could not have achieved the launch and spin performance required to extract the optimal performance in dry as well as wet conditions. Once we added the nanotexture technology to the grooves, we were able to unlock the full performance of a carbon face.” –
Inertia Generator: Following in SIM’s footsteps, Stealth features an asymmetric Inertia Generator to facilitate optimum speed at impact. Additionally, the Inertia Generator allows additional weight to be placed at the rear of the club for higher MOI, higher launch, and greater forgiveness.
A few comparisons to SIM2
- Same CT as SIM2 but 1.1 mph more ball speed
- 11 percent larger face than SIM2
- 250-300 RPM less spin
- Carbon fiber face is as durable as titanium
- Even better sound, based on sentiment rating in player testing
Our Brian Knudson, host of the Club Junkie podcast, had a chance to hit the new Stealth. Here’s what BK had to say
“The first shot left me looking back at the TaylorMade folks in shock. TaylorMade somehow engineered this carbon fiber face to sound and feel like titanium. The Stealth and Stealth Plus were extremely forgiving and consistent on the range. My dispersion was very tight, and I felt like the Stealth launched a little flatter than my SIM2 Max.”
2022 TaylorMade Stealth drivers: The models
TaylorMade Stealth Plus driver
- Carbon Twist Face weight savings allow for a 10-gram sliding weight track
- Lowest-spinning driver in the family
TaylorMade Stealth Plus driver: 60X Carbon Twist Face
TaylorMade Stealth Plus driver: Weight track, Inertia Generator
TaylorMade Stealth Plus driver: Rear view
TaylorMade Stealth Plus driver: Carbon fiber crown
TaylorMade Stealth driver
- Carbon Twist Face weight savings allow more weight to be positioned low and deep in the head
- 15 percent more MOI compared to Stealth Plus
- 200-300 RPMs more spin compared to Stealth Plus
TaylorMade Stealth driver: Face view
TaylorMade Stealth driver: Sole view
TaylorMade Stealth driver: Rear view
TaylorMade Stealth driver: Crown
TaylorMade Stealth HD driver
- Draw-bias plus high MOI thanks to the Carbon Twist Face weight savings
- Inertia Generator closer to the heel produces the highest MOI in the Stealth family
- Similar spin to Stealth Plus
TaylorMade Stealth HD driver: Face
TaylorMade Stealth HD driver: Sole
TaylorMade Stealth HD driver: Rear view
TaylorMade Stealth HD driver: Crown
TaylorMade Stealth Women’s driver
- Slightly lighter head weight
- Different colorway, look
- Slightly draw-biased
2022 TaylorMade Stealth: Specs, pricing, availability
Stealth Plus, Stealth, and Stealth HD drivers will be available for preorder January 4 and at retail February 4.
Stealth Plus
- MSRP: $599.99 USD
- Lofts: 8, 9, 10.5 degrees
- Stock shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Red 60, Mitsubishi’s Kai’li White 60
- Grip: Lamkin’s Crossline black/red
Stealth
- MSRP: $579.99 USD
- Lofts: 9, 10.5, 12 degrees
- Stock shafts: Fujikura Ventus Red 5, Aldila Ascent Red 60
- Grip: Lamkin’s Crossline black/red
Stealth HD
- MSRP: $579.99 USD
- Lofts: 9, 10.5, 12 degrees
- Stock shaft: Fujikura Air Speeder 45
- Grip: Lamkin’s Crossline black/red
Per TaylorMade, “Women’s stock offerings include the Aldila Ascent Ladies 45 shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip. With an elevated focus on customization and club fitting, women golfers can find a full array of components in the Custom Shop at TaylorMadeGolf.com, including lightweight shafts, grips and more.”
Brian Knudson took a deep dive with TaylorMade’s Tomo Bystedt into all things Stealth woods. Club junkies won’t want to miss!
MyStealth
Of particular interest to GolfWRXers, TaylorMade is continuing its “My” program with Stealth.
Via the MyStealth program: In the Stealth Plus model, golfers can choose from various options to create a driver look and feel to match their personal style
- Face color: Six color options include red, green, yellow, blue, orange, and grey
- Body color: Two color options include black and chalk (right hand only)
- Crown finish: Gloss or matte, with or without the TaylorMade ‘T-logo’
- Sole decal color: Eight color options include blue, black, red, orange, green, gold, pale blue and volt
- Head covers: Mono or color
MyStealth: Specs, pricing, availability
MyStealth is offered in the Stealth Plus model, with various cosmetic combinations. MyStealth will be available for preorder on January 4 and at TaylorMadeGolf.com as well as select retail locations starting February 4, 2022. MSRP: $699.99 USD. MyStealth will be offered in 9 and 10.5-degree lofts and features fully customizable shaft and grip components.
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- Kevin Tway what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Utility (2), Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT 100 TX (2), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F @51, 56-14F), SM7 (60-10S)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48-56), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: Scotty Cameron Black Baby T
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus4
More photos of Kevin Tway’s WITB in the forums.
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Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
The timing of Lowry’s putter changeup was curious: Was he just using a Spider putter because he was paired with McIlroy, who’s been using a Spider Tour X head throughout 2024? Was Lowry just being festive because it’s the Zurich Classic, and he wanted to match his teammate? Did McIlroy let Lowry try his putter, and he liked it so much he actually switched into it?
Well, as it turns out, McIlroy’s only influence was inspiring Lowry to make more putts.
When asked if McIlroy had an influence on the putter switch, Lowry had this to say: “No, it’s actually a different putter than what he uses. Maybe there was more pressure there because I needed to hole some more putts if we wanted to win,” he said with a laugh.
To Lowry’s point, McIlroy plays the Tour X model, whereas Lowry switched into the Tour Z model, which has a sleeker shape in comparison, and the two sole weights of the club are more towards the face.
Lowry’s Spider Tour Z has a white True Path Alignment channel on the crown of his putter, which is reminiscent of Lowry’s former 2-ball designs, thus helping to provide a comfort factor despite the departure from his norm. Instead of a double-bend hosel, which Lowry used in his 2-ball putters, his new Spider Tour Z is designed with a short slant neck.
“I’ve been struggling on the greens, and I just needed something with a fresh look,” Lowry told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship. “It has a different neck on it, as well, so it moves a bit differently, but it’s similar. It has a white line on the back of it [like my 2-ball], and it’s a mallet style. So it’s not too drastic of a change.
“I just picked it up on the putting green and I liked the look of it, so I was like, ‘Let’s give it a go.’”
Read the rest of the piece over at PGATour.com.
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Equipment
Webb Simpson equipment Q&A: Titleist’s new 2-wood, 680 blade irons, and switching to a broomstick Jailbird
With seven career wins on the PGA Tour, including a U.S. Open victory, Webb Simpson is a certified veteran on the course. But he’s also a certified veteran in the equipment world, too. He’s a gearhead who truly knows his stuff, and he’s even worked closely with Titleist on making his own custom 682.WS irons.
On Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, I caught up with Simpson to hear about his experience with Titleist’s new prototype 2-wood, how Titleist’s 680 Forged irons from 2003 ended up back in his bag, and why he’s switching into an Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Cruiser broomstick putter this week for the first time.
Click here to read our full story about Simpson’s putter switch on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, or continue reading below for my full Q&A with Simpson at Quail Hollow Club on Wednesday.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
GolfWRX: It seems like you’ve been a little all over the place with your irons in the past six months or so, and now going back to the 680’s. Is that just a comfort thing? What’s been going on with the irons?
Webb Simpson: Titleist has been so great at working with me, and R&D, on trying to get an iron that kind of modernizes the 680. And so the 682.WS took the T100 grooves, but kinda took the look and the bulk and the build of the 680’s into one club. They’re beautiful, and awesome looking. I just never hit them that well for a consistent period of time. It was probably me, but then I went to T100’s and loved them. I loved the spin, the trajectory, the yardage, but again, I never went on good runs. Going through the ground, I couldn’t feel the club as well as with the blade. So last week, I’m like, ‘Alright. I’m gonna go back more for…comfort, and see if I can get on a nice little run of ball striking.’
So that’s why I went back.
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OK, that makes sense. I know you had done some 2-wood testing recently. Is that in the bag right now?
It’s like day-by-day. I used it at Hilton Head every day. Valero, I used it one round. And this week, me and my caddie will do the book every morning, and if it’s a day where we think we need it, we’ll just put it in and take the 3-wood out. I love it because it’s a super simple swap. Like, it doesn’t really change much.
Yeah, can you tell me about that club? I mean, we don’t really know anything about it yet. You know? I haven’t hit it or anything, obviously.
It has grooves like a 3-wood. Spin is perfect. And it’s honestly, like, everything is in the middle of a 3-wood and driver number. Trajectory, spin, carry, all of it. So, a Hilton Head golf course is almost too easy to talk about because, you know, there, so many holes are driver 3-wood.
Valero, our thinking was we had two par-5’s into the wind, and we knew that it would take two great shots to get there in two. So instead of hitting driver-driver, we just put it in. And I used it on those holes.
Hilton was a little easier because it was off-the-tee kind of questions. But Colonial will be a golf course where, you know, there’s a lot of driver or 3-woods. It’s kind of like a backup putter or driver for me now. I’ll bring it to every tournament.
So it’s, like, in your locker right now, probably?
Well, it would be. It’s in my house [because Webb lives near by Quail Hollow Club, and is a member at the course.] It’s in the garage.
Oh, yeah, that’s right. Do you know what holes you might use it out here if it goes in play?
Potentially 15, depending on the wind. Second shot on 10. Could be 14 off the tee. The chances here are pretty low (that he’ll use the 2-wood). But, like, Greensboro would be an awesome club all day. I’m trying to think of any other golf courses.
There’s plenty that it’ll be a nice weapon to have.
It’s interesting, the wave of 2-woods and mini drivers. Like, it’s just really taken off on Tour, and all the companies have seemed to embrace it.
Yeah. The thing I had to learn, it took me, like, at least a week to learn about it is you gotta tee it up lower than you think. I kept teeing it up too high. You need it low, like barely higher than a 3-wood. And that was where I got optimal spin and carry. If you tee it up too high, you just don’t get as much spin and lose distance, I don’t know if that’s just a mini driver thing.
And you obviously have a Jailbird putter this week. What spurred that on?
Inconsistent putting. I’m stubborn in a lot of ways when it comes to my equipment, but I have to be open minded – I just hadn’t putted consistently well in a while. And I’m like, ‘Man, I feel my ball-striking coming along. Like I feel better; for real, better.’
If I can just get something in my hands that I’m consistent with. Being on Tour, you see it every year, guys get on little runs. I can put together four to five tournaments where I’m all the sudden back in the majors, or in the FedExCup Playoffs. You can turn things around quick out here. I’m like, ‘Man, whatever’s going to get me there, great.’
My caddie, David Cook, caddied for Akshay at the Houston Open and he putted beautifully. Then, I watched Akshay on TV at Valero, and he putted beautifully. And, I’m like, ‘I’m just going to try it.’
I’ve never tried it for more than a putt or two, and I just ordered what Akshay uses. It was pretty awkward at first, but the more I used it, the more I’m like, ‘Man, it’s pretty easy.’ And a buddy of mine who’s a rep out here, John Tyler Griffin, he helped me with some setup stuff. And he said at Hilton Head, he wasn’t putting well, then tried it, and now he makes everything. He was very confident. So I’m like, ‘Alright, I’ll try it.’”
And you’re going with it this week?
Hundred percent.
Alright, I love it. Thank you, I always love talking gear with you. Play well this week.
Thanks, man.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
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Ugly Driver
Jan 31, 2022 at 1:47 pm
1 and done.
Pingback: TaylorMade Stealth Launch Day Report: Everything you need to know about TaylorMade’s new driver – GolfWRX
Vince Guest
Jan 5, 2022 at 7:21 am
Holding out for Stealth 2…..coming soon.
stealth owner
Jan 4, 2022 at 11:12 pm
its worth it. its fast, forgiving, easy to hit
Brandon
Jan 4, 2022 at 8:50 pm
If you get a Grey face, matte top, and black out everything else on the MyStealth page it will actually look stealth. That’s what they should have done to begin with.
Dannyboy
Jan 4, 2022 at 7:51 pm
Just over the marketing bologna … no significant change over the last 3 years from the big brands.
BJ
Jan 17, 2022 at 9:40 am
WAY WRONG….
Bruce
Jan 4, 2022 at 7:41 pm
I wonder if it’s USGA conforming? They were probably scratching their heads over that face coating . . .
geohogan
Jan 4, 2022 at 7:39 pm
IMO most signicant is decrease in weight of the face= much more perimeter weighting, allowing more “mass”
as in F=ma.
The face isnt rugged enough for the fairway and hybrid clubs?
leon
Jan 4, 2022 at 1:21 pm
The COR is capped and limited to 0.83. Wonder how can TW further increase it…
Michael Bigham
Jan 4, 2022 at 11:47 am
Wow! only $600 for a driver that’s going to give me an extra three yards, and I get to look at That hideous face every time I tee It up. I can’t wait!
Jeff Reed
Jan 4, 2022 at 12:28 pm
$849.00 with a shaft upgrade. Yikes.
Jack Nash
Jan 4, 2022 at 12:44 pm
60 layers of carbon fibre, at 10 bucks a layer isn’t too bad when you consider they said they’ve been working on it for 20 yrs. Lol. Then when you consider it’s 14 times more carbon intensive to make than steel, it’s obvious where TM is getting theres and that’s China. Only 3 countries make carb fibre for manufacturing. U.S. , China, and Japan. If made in the first and latter that driver would cost close to a grand, but Not when China’s involved.
Jon
Jan 4, 2022 at 1:25 pm
Why are you looking at the face on the tee box?
Rascal
Feb 23, 2022 at 5:31 pm
Because he had to find something to whine about, nothing new.
Jason
Jan 4, 2022 at 11:38 am
I can’t wait til next month, when they introduce something else.
Drkviol801
Jan 5, 2022 at 12:15 am
Me too #metoo
Carloyn
Jan 5, 2022 at 4:07 am
You know they have to come out with new “Patend” clubs every year so they can Control the retail price….if not retailers could sell them for what they want….the amazing way to skip fair trade laws which once were great but cooperate Lawyers tour them apart over the years…You all know that NO buddy can sell OEM golf club for less then MSRP even at the end of a products run OEM control the price..IE everyone sells Callaway Maverick driver for $299 now, notice no one selling it for $289 or $279….
Vas
Jan 4, 2022 at 9:45 am
This one is interesting. If a perfectly-fit Stealth+ gives an additional 1.1 mph of ball speed over my perfectly-fit Sim 2, I’ll buy one… used… in late-summer.
dat
Jan 4, 2022 at 9:20 am
How much??? $600. What?