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ReviewsTaylorMade Qi4D Driver ReviewQi4D, MAX, LS and MAX LITE scored on construction and numbers
Updated: Oct 5, 2026Contains affiliate links
I'm a golf gear nerd. I cross-check head materials, construction and weight placement against official specs and third-party measurements and test reviews, and I write the weaknesses before the strengths.
The Gear Nerd's Bottom Line Overall ★★★★★ 3.8 / 5
"If you can dial in the weights and shaft yourself, now that the price has dropped, this is the one to buy." Upgrading from the Qi35 won't necessarily add distance.
Buy it if
- Your head speed is 43 m/s or higher and you want a strong, low-spin flight (Qi4D)
- You want a discounted 2026 model from a major brand
- You can try it out and choose the shaft and weights
Pass if
- You're happy with the Qi35 and only expect more distance
- You fight a slice and draw bias is your top priority
- Your head speed is under 45 m/s and you're considering the LS
The Qi4D in one minute
All four models get movable weights, and street prices have dropped to about 40% off MSRP. I love a head with a lot to tinker with, so this design is hard to resist. For what you get at the price, I think right now is the best time yet.
What I like
- Movable weights on all four models, a first for TaylorMade's MAX line
- Lie angle adjusts up to 4° upright
- GDO's test found spin stays stable even on heel strikes
- Many reviewers say the shape at address is back to the sharp look of the Qi10 days
- MSRP is ¥107,800; the lowest price on a comparison site was ¥65,534 (Sep 14)
What I don't like
- One measurement puts distance level with the previous Qi35 (Yoshikazu Matsuo)
- So many combinations that it's easy to get lost. No wrench included, and extra weights are sold separately
- Measured MOI is lower than the previous model (5,355 → 5,095 for the Qi4D)
Which one to pick
All 4 models are 460cc, 45.5 inches and ¥107,800. The thing to look at is where the heavy weight sits.
- Qi4D: for players who want to dial in their ball flight with the four weights
- MAX: for players who want stability on off-center hits and a higher flight
- LS: for players whose shots balloon from too much spin. Assumes a head speed of 45 m/s (about 101 mph) or more (GDO)
- MAX LITE: for players who want an easy swing with a light club of about 275g. The guide is under 40 m/s (about 89 mph) (Yoshikazu Matsuo)
If you're happy with your Qi35, I don't recommend switching for distance alone.
Where to buy it cheapestRakuten Ichiba, as of Oct 5, 2026 10:17
TaylorMade Qi4D Driver (including MAX and others)New, lowest price first
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
- アドバンススポーツ¥86,240+ shippingSee today's price on Rakuten
- ShotLaboWETTSPIEL¥91,630free shippingSee today's price on Rakuten
- ゴルフプラザセブンツー¥97,020free shippingSee today's price on Rakuten
Used from ¥60,080 (GDO Golf Shop Rakuten store) See used
Ad: New units (right-handed) from Japanese retailers found in a Rakuten Ichiba search, lowest price first. Used and grey-import items are excluded. Prices, shipping and stock change. Prices can also differ by loft or shaft, so check the product page before you buy.
In this article
- Bottom line: how I'd choose
- Model differences and how to choose
- What's new in the design, and what the maker says it does
- Scored in six categories
- Construction through a gear nerd's eyes
- Concerns
- What still earns credit
- Numbers vs. the previous model and rivals
- Who it suits, who it doesn't, and alternatives
- FAQ
Bottom line: how I'd choose
"If you can dial in the weights and shaft yourself, now that the price has dropped, this is the one to buy." Upgrading from the Qi35 won't necessarily add distance.
If I had to name one weakness: "some measurements show distance on par with the previous model."
Model differences and how to choose
All four are 460cc, 45.5 in and ¥107,800, so no difference there. When I look at the construction, the first thing I compare is where the heavy weight sits. The LS has it forward for low spin and workability; the MAX has it back for forgiveness; the Qi4D sits in between and lets you fine-tune with four weights. If you're short on swing power, start with the MAX LITE, which brings the whole club down to about 275g.
Qi4D (standard)
For players who want to fine-tune with weights
- Players who want to fine-tune ball flight with four weights
- Players who want to start adjusting from “medium” spin and draw bias (medium spin, medium draw bias on the official tendency chart)
- Players with head speed around 45 m/s (per Yoshikazu Matsuo, Minna no Golf Digest)
Better off skipping it
- Players who want it to fit straight out of the box (it's designed to be dialed in)
- Players who want an easy swing with a light club (about 308g stock)
Qi4D MAX
Suits
- Players who value stability on off-center hits and straightness (officially a “high-MOI design”: high moment of inertia, so the head twists less on off-center hits)
- Players who want to use the rear weight to launch the ball higher
- Players who want weight adjustment even in a MAX model (a first for the MAX line)
Better off skipping it
- Players who want distance from a strong, low-spin flight (→ LS)
- Players who want the head alone to fix a strong slice (some test reviews call its draw bias modest, so test it first)
Qi4D LS
Suits
- Players who spin it too much and balloon the ball (officially the lowest-spinning model in the series)
- Players who want to work the ball with a traditional tour shape
- Players with head speed of 45 m/s or more (per GDO's new product report)
Players who struggle to launch the ball should avoid it
- Players who struggle to launch the ball
- Players who want to pick one up casually at a nearby big-box store (sold at limited retailers)
- Players who lack draw bias and tend to miss right (low draw bias on the official tendency chart)
Qi4D MAX LITE
For players short on swing power
- Players who want distance with an easy swing and a light club (lightest in the series)
- Players who miss right a lot and want a ball that turns over
- Players with head speed under 40 m/s (per Yoshikazu Matsuo)
Not for
- Players with head speed of 42–43 m/s or more (Yoshikazu Matsuo notes it tends to balloon)
- Left-handed players (no left-handed option)
What's new in the design, and what the maker says it does
Face Roll Design + 60-layer Carbon Twist Face
Construction: a new face shape slightly rounded top to bottom (roll), with a carbon face made of 60 layers.
What TaylorMade says: it reduces variation in spin (ball rotation) on hits high and low on the face, stabilizing ball flight. It also straightens flight on high-toe and low-heel hits, reducing left-right dispersion (no figures published for the effect).
Larger through-slot Speed Pocket
Construction: the slot in the front of the sole (Speed Pocket) is redesigned and larger than before.
What TaylorMade says: even on low-face hits it preserves ball speed (how fast the ball leaves the face) while cutting excess backspin, enlarging the sweet area.
7075 forged aluminum frame (MAX, MAX LITE) and movable TAS weights on every model
Construction: the MAX and MAX LITE switch the body frame from titanium to lighter aluminum (the MAX LITE is TaylorMade's first “titanium-free” driver). The saved weight goes into removable weights on all four models.
What TaylorMade says: this is the first time weight adjustment has come to its MAX line. Combined with separately sold weights, every model lets you fine-tune launch height and spin.
REAX shaft
Construction: using data from over 11 million driver shots across 20 years, TaylorMade split players into three types (HR, MR, LR) by how much the face opens and closes during the swing, and developed a shaft for each with Mitsubishi Chemical.
What TaylorMade says: using the shaft that matches your type improves smash factor (how centered your strikes are), ball speed and consistency, leading to more head speed and distance.
Scored in six categories
| Aspect | Score | Why (from construction and numbers) |
|---|---|---|
| Distance design | ★★★★★ 3.5 | +4.6 yards vs. the previous model in Masa's testing. Yoshikazu Matsuo, however, says "distance and face rebound (COR) are the same as the previous model" |
| Forgiveness (straightness) | ★★★★★ 3.5 | Qi4D measured MOI of 5,095 is above average, but down from the previous model (5,355); the MAX also fell from 5,999 to 5,702 |
| Feel & sound | ★★★★★ 3.5 | Split between “the ball sits on the face” and “a bit firm” / “sound is higher than expected” |
| Workability | ★★★★★ 4.0 | Four weights can change ball flight and launch a lot (Muneyuki Matsuyoshi) |
| Adjustability | ★★★★★ 4.5 | Movable weights on every model, lie up to 4° upright. But no wrench included |
| Value for money | ★★★★★ 4.0 | List price ¥107,800. Lowest on price comparison sites: Qi4D ¥65,534, MAX ¥63,800 (Sep 14) |
Construction through a gear nerd's eyes
When I look at a new head, the first thing I check is what materials surround the face. Change that, and the whole weight distribution changes. On the Qi4D the ring is now 7075 forged aluminum, and on the MAX and MAX LITE the frame is aluminum too (official release). All four previous Qi35 models used a titanium frame with a carbon ring. The face is 60-layer carbon, and the crown and sole are carbon as well.
Aluminum is light, so the saved weight (about 5g, per GDO's explanation) can go into weights. This time that mass went into movable weights on every model, and TaylorMade says the weights can change spin by about 300 rpm. To my gear-nerd eye, this is both a strength and a caveat. With that much adjustment range, the out-of-the-box setting won't necessarily suit you. It's a club built to be dialed in.
Overall, the CG is shallow and tuned toward lower spin. Measured moment of inertia fell from the previous model: Qi4D 5,355→5,095, LS 4,640→4,066 (Yoshikazu Matsuo). In Masa's testing, the 9° launched at 11.8°, about 2° lower than the previous model. I read it as a design that trades a little forgiveness for a stronger flight.
Cons
1. Some measurements show distance on par with the previous model
Club designer Yoshikazu Matsuo measured the Qi4D's distance and face rebound (COR) as both the same as the previous model. GDO users also say things like "distance similar to the Qi35" and "ordinary distance, ordinary curve." Masa's testing showed about 4.6 yards more than the previous model, so the verdict depends on who's testing. I don't recommend switching from the Qi35 just for distance.
2. Choosing the shaft, loft and weight combination is hard
GDO users say things like "the stock 50SR was too soft" and "too many combinations to choose from." Masa notes that the stock HR (red) has an active tip, so watch for misses to the left. No wrench is included, and weights are sold separately. With this many options, it's normal to feel lost. At a demo, I'd settle the shaft first and only then touch the weights.
3. Each model fits a narrow head speed range
GDO calls the LS "a bucking bronco" that assumes 45 m/s or more. The MAX dropped the previous "10K" label, and its GDO user rating is the lowest in the series at 3.9 (31 reviews). Matsuo notes the MAX LITE balloons at head speeds of 42–43 m/s or more.
What still earns credit
Many say the look has returned to the sharp shape of the Qi10 era, and measurements show stable spin on heel-side hits (GDO) and little left-right or front-to-back dispersion (Masa). GDO users rate it 4.3 across 91 reviews. Eight months after launch, street prices have dropped a lot, and I think now is the best time to buy for value.
Numbers vs. the previous model and rivals
| Item | Previous Qi35 | Qi4D |
|---|---|---|
| Ring | Carbon composite | 7075 forged aluminum |
| Movable weights | Core and LS only | All models |
| Measured MOI (core) | 5,355 | 5,095 |
| Measured MOI (MAX) | 5,999 | 5,702 |
| Measured MOI (LS) | 4,640 | 4,066 |
Who it suits, who it doesn't, and alternatives
TaylorMade doesn't state a target head speed. In Matsuo's view, the Qi4D, MAX and LS are all easiest to time for players around 45 m/s, and the MAX LITE suits players under 40 m/s. If you're in between, neither view quite fits. I'd first check whether the light MAX LITE balloons for you. I compare the four models' numbers in Qi4D driver differences.
FAQ
Is it worth upgrading from the Qi35 to the Qi4D?
Measured distance gains range from "same as the previous model" to "about 4.6 yards." If distance is your only goal, there's little reason to rush. It suits players who want to fine-tune ball flight with weights, or first-time buyers now that the price has dropped.
Is the Qi4D MAX forgiving?
Its moment of inertia is on the high side, but lower than the previous Qi35 MAX, and GDO called it “a MAX that doesn't pamper you.” It's not very draw-biased, so slicers should test it before buying.
What is the head weight of the Qi4D driver?
The official spec sheet I checked doesn't list the weight of the head alone. What it lists is total club weight: about 308g for the standard model, about 306g for the MAX, about 310g for the LS and about 275g for the MAX LITE (with the stock shaft). The movable weights are 4g x 2 front plus 9g x 2 rear on the standard model, 4g front plus 13g rear on the MAX, and 15g front plus 4g rear on the LS. If you want to change the head weight, you do it by swapping these weights.
Ready to choose? Start here
Related reading
TaylorMade Qi4D Drivers: The Differences
Sources for this article
- TaylorMade official release (PDF)
- Minna no Golf Digest: Yoshikazu Matsuo (core)
- GDO new product report: Qi4D
- GDO new product report: MAX
- GDO new product report: LS
- GDO 2026 Driver Study #3
- “Masa's Golf Notebook” (blog): Qi4D
- Golf Sapuri: Ryosuke Ishii
- GDO Gear Catalog: Qi4D
- Kakaku.com: Qi4D series
- TaylorMade official: Qi4D driver special page