Taylormade Qi35 Fairway wood review

Welcome to my Taylormade Qi35 Fairway wood review where we took a whole overview of one of the most talked about fairway clubs from Taylormade. I am sure you know TaylorMade is reputable for producing some of the best golf equipment, especially in the metalwood space.

The TaylorMade Qi35 fairway wood follows in the footsteps of some of the best fairway woods on the market and replaces the TaylorMade Qi10 fairway wood. Given how highly the Qi10 fairway woods released in early 2024 were rated, there was anticipation to see what changes would be made to improve the already impressive performance in the new Qi35 fairway wood.

Taylormade Qi35 Fairway Wood Review- Overview

The TaylorMade Qi35 fairway wood blends premium aesthetics with outstanding performance. 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.

Look/Design

It’s clear to see from the get-go that there have 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 modern matte carbon fiber crown design is blended with gloss tones on the sole to create an ultra-premium look. The weights in the sole are now visible and modify the CG position to create a better launch from an improved head shape.

Features/Tehnology

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. The head comprises a chromium carbon crown with a steel and aluminum chassis to keep the weight as low as possible to improve the launch conditions.

Improved Shaping and Weight Distribution

One of the standout features of the Qi35 is its improved shaping, which has been optimized for better weight distribution. The center of gravity (CG) has been lowered compared to the previous Qi10 models, aligning it more closely with the center of the ball at impact. This adjustment leads to a more powerful strike and greater forgiveness on off-center hits, making it easier for golfers to achieve consistent results from various lies.

Adjustable Loft Sleeve

For the first time in TaylorMade’s fairway wood lineup, all 3-wood and 5-wood models feature a 4° adjustable loft sleeve. This allows golfers to fine-tune their loft settings, enabling adjustments from 13° to 17° for the 3-wood and similar flexibility for the 5-wood. This level of adjustability empowers players to optimize their launch angles and shot shapes according to their individual swing characteristics and course conditions.

Twist Face Technology

The Qi35 incorporates TaylorMade’s renowned Twist Face technology, which is designed to correct common mishits by providing a more forgiving face shape. The face is slightly angled on mis-hits, helping to redirect shots back toward the target line. This feature is particularly beneficial for golfers who struggle with consistency, as it helps mitigate the effects of off-center strikes.

Thru-Slot Speed Pocket

The Thru-Slot Speed Pocket is another critical feature that enhances performance, particularly on low-face strikes. This innovative design allows for greater flexibility in the clubface, resulting in increased ball speed and improved distance even when contact is made lower on the face. The Speed Pocket also contributes to a higher launch angle while reducing spin, which can be advantageous for players looking to maximize distance.

Chromium Carbon Crown

The head of the Qi35 fairway wood features a new chromium carbon crown that not only enhances aesthetics but also contributes to performance by reducing weight. This lightweight material allows for a lower CG placement, promoting higher launch conditions and increased ball speed. The sleek matte finish adds a modern touch while maintaining TaylorMade’s signature look.

Multiple Models for Different Player Profiles

The Qi35 lineup includes multiple models tailored to various skill levels and playing styles:

• Qi35 Standard: Offers a neutral bias with a slightly larger head shape that provides forgiveness while maintaining distance.
• Qi35 Max: Features a larger (200cc) head designed for maximum forgiveness and stability on mishits, ideal for high handicappers.
• Qi35 Tour: A more compact design (170cc) aimed at skilled players who prefer greater control and shot-shaping capabilities.

Enhanced Feel and Sound

TaylorMade has focused on improving the feel and sound of the Qi35 fairway wood through its construction materials and design elements. The combination of a softer face material with the new crown design results in a satisfying sound at impact, enhancing the overall experience during play. Many golfers appreciate this feedback as it can help them gauge their performance with each swing.

Taylormade Qi35 Fairway wood Specs

The Qi35 comes with an adjustable hosel in the 3 and 5 wood versions. The loft sleeve can change the head loft through a range of 4° as well as varying the lie angle which gives the SGGT fitting team plenty of options. The face is a little bit shallower than before too, which is a good thing as some of the recent Stealth fairways had quite tall faces.

PERFORMANCE

The Qi35 is another very good looking and excellent performing fairway wood from TaylorMade. The shallower head and lower CG make the range easier to hit and the clean looks stand out really well.

Distance:

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. Throughout testing, the Qi35 averaged roughly 8 additional yards of carry distance compared to the max, and while it is less forgiving than its larger brother, that additional speed will undoubtedly appeal to better players for whom every yard counts.

Forgiveness:

The standard Qi35 fairway has a single weight position in the front and a lovely deep rounded head to balance speed with forgiveness. The Qi35 Max fairway wood is the most forgiving model in the brand’s new lineup and the oversized head will inspire confidence to less confident ball strikers. This club is just so easy to hit, and thanks to the large profile, there is so much forgiveness on offer from across the face.

Feel & Sound:

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.

Playability/Trajectory:

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 shallower Qi35 head had a lower flight with significantly less spin than the Qi10 and was posting similar numbers with a different flight.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Qi35 fairways are incredibly easy to hit.
• New adjustability makes fitting simple.
• Faces are powerful and satisfying to strike.
• Delivers exceptional performance in every metric.
• Feel and sound are once again spot on from TaylorMade.
• The confidence-inspiring head looks fantastic behind the ball.
• Having an adjustable hosel meant that we could compare heads using the same shaft.

Cons:

• Shallower head less likely to suit steeper swings.
• The gloss sole looks dirty quickly.

Comparison with previous series and others in this series

The major change is that the Qi35 comes with an adjustable hosel in the 3 and 5 wood versions. The Qi35 has a revised CG location compared to last year’s models[1]. The Qi35 Max has a larger (200cc) footprint compared to the likes of the Qi35 core model and Qi35 Tour fairway wood (170cc).

Who Can play this Club

Qi35 Fairway Woods are designed for the widest array of golfers. The Qi35 is another fantastic offering from TaylorMade and would make an exceptional long game option for almost any golfer. Designed to help high and mid handicappers make the most out of their long game, this generously size fairway wood could be one of the best clubs of 2025.

Conclusion

The Qi35 is another very good looking and excellent performing fairway wood from TaylorMade. The shallower head and lower CG make the range easier to hit and the clean looks stand out really well. It may well be one of the most well-rounded fairway woods released this year.

Whether you’re seeking consistency off the tee or looking to shape shots into tight pins, the TaylorMade Qi35 fairway wood delivers on all fronts. With its impressive blend of aesthetics, technology, and versatility, this club is poised to become a favorite among golfers in 2025 and beyond. If you’re in the market for a new fairway wood that enhances your game while providing customization options tailored to your needs, the Qi35 should definitely be on your radar.