Takomo 101 MKII Vs TaylorMade Qi Max Irons Comparison And Performance Review
TL:DR Overview
The Takomo 101 MKII and TaylorMade Qi Max are both hollow body game improvement irons aimed at mid to high handicappers who want distance and forgiveness in abundance.
The Takomo’s are the budget option at just over $579 for a full set while the Qi Max will set you back around $1000 or more.
Both irons delivered very similar distance in our testing with the Qi Max producing slightly higher ball speeds but the Takomo launching higher with better stopping power on the greens.
The biggest difference is the price and the fitting experience, with Takomo being direct to consumer while TaylorMade offers in person fittings at retail.
Performance Stats
| Takomo 101 MKII | TaylorMade Qi Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Ball Speed | 126.4 mph | 123.6 mph |
| Height | 107 ft | 96 ft |
| Spin | 5823 rpm | 4595 rpm |
| Land Angle | 48.6° | 45.3° |
| Distance | 186.3 yards | 186.6 yards |
Takomo 101 MKII Overview
The Takomo 101 MKII are hollow body game improvement irons that cost roughly half what you’ll pay for a set from the big brands like TaylorMade or Ping.
The body is 431 stainless steel with a variable thickness 17-4 stainless steel face in the long irons from 5 through 8. That variable thickness stretches the sweetspot so your mishits off the heel or toe still get decent carry.
From the 9 iron to gap wedge they switch to a flat face for more precision and control around the greens.
The set runs from 5 iron to gap wedge which is a change from the original model that had a 4 iron nobody could hit. The gap wedge is oversized and ridiculously easy to launch making gapping into your wedges much cleaner.
Lofts are strong with the 7 iron at 29 degrees and users are reporting gains of 25 to 35 yards per club compared to older sets.
The chamfered topline creates an optical illusion making these look way thinner at address than they actually are. You get the visual confidence of a players iron with all the game improvement forgiveness hidden behind it.
The two tone cavity finish with brushed satin chrome looks genuinely premium and cleaner than most irons at this price point.
Sound and feel is surprisingly soft and buttery for a cast hollow body iron. Theres a satisfying pop off the face that feels more expensive than it is.
Theres 3.4mm of offset in the 7 iron which helps square the face for slicers but if you already close the face naturally this could push a draw into a hook.
TaylorMade Qi Max Overview
The Qi Max irons from TaylorMade are also hollow body game improvement irons but they’ve focussed on straight distance rather than draw bias.
The patented face technology reduces cut spin so if you leak it right these will help straighten things out without forcing a hook.
Each head is individually optimised for correct landing angles which means the ball doesnt just go far, it lands properly and holds greens despite the strong lofts.
They’ve got a refined players shape with a thinner topline and blade length that doesnt scream beginner iron at address. The shelf appeal is genuinely good and they’ve managed to balance oversized forgiveness with a bit of elegance.
Theres an internal stability bar and ECHO damper material that’s supposed to improve feel and while it helps a bit, these still sound like typical GI irons with that higher pitched slightly clicky tone. Its middle of the road for this category.
TaylorMade offer two versions, the standard Qi Max and the Qi Max HL. The HL has extra loft for slower swing speeds producing higher launch and better landing angles. For most amateurs the HL is probably the better option.
The lofts are strong with the 7 iron at 28 degrees but TaylorMade have been smart about balancing things so the ball lands correctly rather than just rolling off the back of greens.
Performance is genuinely impressive with exceptional ball speeds, tight dispersion and straight consistent distance. The forgiveness on mishits is excellent keeping you in play even when you dont catch it pure.
Stock shafts are KBS Max Lite in stiff and regular with a SuperStroke Crossline 360 Black grip.
Overall Comparison Takomo 101 MKII Vs TaylorMade Qi Max
Both sets delivered nearly identical distance in testing with the Qi Max edging it by 0.3 yards.
The Takomo launched significantly higher at 107 feet compared to 96 feet for the Qi Max and had better stopping power with steeper descent angles at 48.6 degrees versus 45.3 degrees.
The Takomo also spun the ball more at 5823 rpm compared to 4595 rpm for the Qi Max which contributes to that better stopping power on greens.
Both irons are extremely forgiving and will suit high handicappers looking for easy launch and maximum distance.
The Qi Max has slightly better aesthetics with that refined profile and is specifically engineered to reduce cut spin for straigher ball flights if you struggle with a slice.
The Takomo looks surprisingly premium for the price point and actually launches higher with more spin to stop the ball which could be an advantage depending on your course conditions.
The massive difference is price. The Takomo costs around $579 for a full set while the Qi Max will be over $1000. Thats nearly double the price for very similar performance.
With TaylorMade you get in person fitting at retail which can dial in the perfect specs for your game. With Takomo its direct to consumer so no try before you buy, though they do offer a 30 day trial with the 7 iron.
If budget is a concern and you can get your specs sorted with a basic fitting elsewhere, the Takomo delivers exceptional value. If you want the full fitting experience and brand recognition, the Qi Max is an excellent iron that will serve you well.
Both are strong options, it really comes down to whether you value that fitting experience and are willing to pay nearly double for it.
Takomo 101 MKII Irons
Category – Game Improvement
Takomo 101 MKII First Impressions
The Takomo 101 MKII’s are proper game improvement irons but they don’t look like it at all which is brilliant.
Takomo are relatively new to golf, founded in 2021, but they’ve been listening to what golfers actually want and it shows.
The first thing you notice is how clean these look at address. They’ve shaved the rear topline which creates this optical illusion where the club looks way thinner than it actually is. So you get that players iron confidence without losing the forgiveness.
We have a hollow body construction made from 431 stainless steel for flexibility and the face is variable thickness 17-4 stainless steel in the 5 through 8 irons for explosive speed. The 9 iron through gap wedge have a flat face for more precision and control.
Takomo listened to feedback and ditched the 4 iron from the previous model (which nobody really needed anyway) and added a gap wedge instead. Much better for gapping into your wedges.
The lofts are strong and modern so these sit firmly in the distance category. We’re talking 25 to 35 yards more per club compared to older beginner sets.
The feel is soft and buttery which is mad for cast hollow irons, you’d easily mistake them for forged clubs costing twice the price.
Takomo 101 MKII Selling Points
- Hollow Body Design For Distance And Forgiveness
- Looks Like A Players Iron At Address
- Soft Buttery Feel From Variable Thickness Face
- Strong Modern Lofts For Distance
- Progressive Weighting Through The Set
- 5 Iron To Gap Wedge Gapping
- Direct To Consumer Pricing At Half Mainstream Brands
- Consistent Data Off The Face
Takomo 101 MKII Lofts
| Club | Loft (°) |
|---|---|
| 5 | 22 |
| 6 | 25 |
| 7 | 28 |
| 8 | 32 |
| 9 | 37 |
| PW | 42 |
| GW | 48 |
Who Are The Takomo 101 MKII Irons For?
These are aimed squarely at mid to high handicappers who want forgiveness but also want their clubs to look the part in the bag.
The hollow body construction gives you muscle back looks with cavity back forgiveness which is the best of both worlds really.
The progressive weighting means the 5 iron has a slimmer sole for versatility while the pitching wedge has a wider sole that helps with turf interaction. The gap wedge has a large forgiving head thats easy to hit around the greens.
There is 3.4mm of offset in the 7 iron which does create some draw bias so if you tend to close the face and hook it you might need to watch that.
The direct to consumer model means you cant try them in person but you’re getting these for just over £500 for a full set which is brilliant value. Takomo are targeting golfers who know what they want and do their research.
Overall these will suit anyone from mid to high handicappers who want distance, forgiveness and premium looks without the premium price tag.
Scorecard
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Looks | 92 |
| Distance | 94 |
| Forgiveness | 93 |
| Sound And Feel | 91 |
| Workability | 85 |
| Value | 98 |
Overall Rating: 92/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
TaylorMade Qi Max Irons
Category – Game Improvement Irons
TaylorMade Qi Max First Impressions
TaylorMade skipped 2025 for their irons, spent two years developing the Qi Max and it shows. These are game improvement irons but they have a more refined players shape than you would expect from this category.
The topline is thinner and the blade length is shorter than typical GI irons which makes them look really nice at address.
They dont have that oversized chunky look that puts some golfers off. The big selling point here is straight distance. TaylorMade have patented face technology that controls face flexibility to reduce cut spin.
So instead of a draw bias they have gone for straight flight which I think alot of golfers will appreciate. Each head in the set is individually optimized which means your landing angles and ball flight are correct throughout the bag.
We saw ball speeds up to 151.4 mph on a 7 iron with really consistent low spin rates around 7,485 RPM. The sound and feel is where things get interesting. They have a new internal stability bar and ECHO damper material inside.
Its good but lets be honest its still a game improvement iron feel. A bit clicky and higher pitched but nothing that would put you off.
There is also a Max HL version with more loft for players with slower swing speeds who need that extra launch. Stock shafts are KBS Max 85 MT in stiff and regular flex with SuperStroke Crossline 360 grips.
TaylorMade Qi Max Selling Points
- Straight distance with reduced cut spin
- Refined players shape for a GI iron
- Individual head optimization throughout set
- Two models available: Max and Max HL
- Consistent dispersion and landing angles
- Modern clean aesthetics at address
- Available from 4 iron to lob wedge
Who Are The TaylorMade Qi Max Irons For?
These irons are built for mid to high handicappers who want forgiveness without sacrificing looks. If your missing the center of the face and losing shots right, the Qi Max will help straighten things out.
The standard Qi Max will suit moderate swing speeds while the Max HL is perfect for slower swingers who need that higher launch to get the ball up in the air.
Players who prioritize consistency and dispersion over workability will love these. They are not for the low handicapper looking to shape shots but for the golfer who wants to hit it straight and long with minimal fuss.
I would definately recommend getting fit to see which model suits your game best. Overall a serious contender in the game improvement category for 2026.
The TaylorMade Iron Lineup
The Qi Max sits as the game improvement option with the Max HL being even more forgiving. The P Series covers players irons and the Qi10 range sits in between for those wanting a bit of both worlds.
Distance: 97/100
Accuracy: 96/100
Forgiveness: 96/100
Feel and Control: 89/100
Value: 93/100
Overall Rating: 95/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Aidan Lehane is a 7 handicap who is on the road to becoming a scratch golfer. AIdan has been an avid reviewer of golf clubs for over 5 years now bringing a wealth of experience to the Golf Fitting And Equipment Markets. Recently seen winning the Lobster Cup in Bangkok Thailand.
