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Looking for distance and forgiveness without bulky looks? The TaylorMade Qi Max irons aim to deliver just that
Game-improvement have historically mustered a reputation for being the ugly step sister of golf irons. Plenty of golfers have been put off by their excessive bulkiness which has often diminished their sound and feel. That is until now.
TaylorMade believes their new Qi Max irons have finally broke this trade off, to deliver a game-improvement iron that resembles something closer to a players’ iron more than ever before.
But the question is, have they pulled it off? Find out in our full TaylorMade Qi Max irons review below…
The TaylorMade Qi Max irons prove that game-improvement offerings no longer have to be bulky and oversized. They offer excellent ball speed and forgiveness, but the brand has crucially paired that with a noticeably improved sound, a softer feel and a slimmer, more premium look than previous generations.
The strong performance levels on mishits make these irons suitable for a wider range of golfers, something TaylorMade hasn’t always historically targeted in this category of iron. For players who want a bit more help without feeling like they’ve sacrificed control or aesthetics, the Qi Max irons are among the best options currently available.
PROS
Excellent ball speeds across the set
A nicer feel than a lot of game-improvement irons
Very forgiving
CONS
None
First Impressions
I like what TaylorMade has done with the back of the Qi irons. They are definitely an upgrade on their predecessors and, with that, are more appealing to look at.
I’ve always been usually drawn to sets of irons that incorporate more silver and grey into their finishes and designs. They just look more premium in the bag and it gives the sense that you’re a serious player, even if your game doesn’t match the aesthetic. A very modern look.
TaylorMade has softened the overall profile, slimming down the head while retaining that confidence-inspiring footprint you’d expect from a game-improvement iron.
There’s still a thicker top line and noticeable offset, but it’s well disguised. Crucially, when the club is set down behind the ball, it doesn’t have a super-forgiving iron look to it, although you can see a hint of the back of the club.
This isn’t uncommon, as even players’ irons are now beginning to incorporate a little more offset at address than what you would typically expect. Even the better players don’t want to be intimidated by their own irons.
Test results
The ball speed is exactly what you’d expect, and then some. I found the long irons produce impressive carry distances with strong, penetrating flight, while still achieving usable peak heights. A five iron carrying over 200 yards with ball speeds consistently north of 130mph underlines just how fast these irons are.
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TaylorMade’s Straight Distance technology is particularly impressive. By stiffening the toe section of the face, the Qi irons reduce the tendency for longer irons to leak right, which is a common miss for a lot of golfers.
I found it promotes what is a straighter and more predictable ball flight, especially in the mid-to-long irons.
The shorter irons and wedges benefit from a flighted CG, which raises the centre of gravity to prevent shots having a ballooning high launch and disrupting gapping.
Despite the strong lofts, my spin numbers remained what I’d consider to be a healthy viewing, throughout testing. The descent angles also sat comfortably in the mid-40s, which is promising for better on-course performance and increased stopping power.
Even my poorer strikes retained impressive ball speeds and distances. From what we can gather from TaylorMade, I believe this is in part thanks to the Speed Pocket technology they have developed, which adds more forgiveness low on the club face.
Being a game-improvement set of irons, forgiveness is a major part of the quality of their performance. I can report that there is plenty to take advantage of here.
I was impressed with the numbers I was seeing from thin and fat strikes. The distances, ball speeds and spin rates all remained very playable.
The ball flight was another part of these irons that impressed. Visually, I liked how they were bit more ‘floaty’ and not as low spin as a players’ iron, but it still produced incredible distances.
NCG Verdict
Without being dramatic, I think TaylorMade has produced nothing short of one of the most complete game-improvement irons on the market. The Qi Max irons deliver exactly what an iron of their calibre should, which is speed, forgiveness and distance.
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This is all wrapped in a package that looks and sounds better, whilst also being a more refined feel than what I initially expected. A nice surprise.
If your a golfer who has avoided game-improvement irons because you think they look too bulky or feel too clunky, then these Qi Max irons might just change your mind.
