TaylorMade Qi4D Max Vs Qi35 Max Driver Comparison And Review

TL:DR Overview

The Qi4D Max and Qi35 Max are both TaylorMade’s answer to maximum forgiveness but they take very different approaches to getting there.

The Qi35 Max was TaylorMade’s first true 10K MOI driver with a bulkier profile and hand ground faces that led to some inconsistency issues between fitting and purchasing.

The Qi4D Max steps back from the MOI arms race intentionally and introduces robotic face finishing to solve the consistency problem plus a completely redesigned weighting system.

Both are extremely forgiving but the Qi4D Max produced faster ball speeds and lower spin in our testing while the Qi35 Max launched higher with more forgiveness on mishits.

The Qi4D Max is the better choice for golfers who value adjustability and fitting precision while the Qi35 Max suits high handicappers who just want maximum stability.

Performance Stats

	TaylorMade Qi4D Max	TaylorMade Qi35 Max
Ball Speed	159.4 mph	161.2 mph
Launch Angle	10.6°	12.1°
Spin	2305 rpm	2675 rpm
Height	31.3 ft	39.7 ft
Carry Distance	263.6 yards	267.2 yards
Total Distance	291.5 yards	286.9 yards

TaylorMade Qi35 Max Overview

The Qi35 Max was TaylorMade’s first genuine 10,000 MOI driver and they weren’t messing around with that claim.

The black graphite composite crown shifts to a dark grey hue in different lighting which gave it a modern look that split opinion among golfers.

TaylorMade packed a massive 34 gram tungsten weight into the trailing edge to achieve that 10K MOI while keeping the overall head weight at just 199 grams.

The fourth generation carbon Twist Face included small blue reflective fitting markers on the face which are helpful during launch monitor fittings with GC Quad or Trackman.

One of the clever bits was how TaylorMade reduced the CG projection by 50% compared to the Qi10 which dropped spin by roughly 200 rpm on center strikes without losing launch height.

The deep angular recesses on the sole look striking and probably do something for structure or aerodynamics though TaylorMade never explained it fully.

The sound is powerful and satisfying, a solid smack that sits around 5 out of 10 on the volume scale so its not booming loud despite all that carbon.

During testing the Qi35 Max averaged a 1.51 smash factor which is one of the highest numbers recorded and rarely seen in drivers.

The problem was the hand grinding process on each face led to inconsistency where the driver you got fit for didn’t always perform the same as the one you bought.

TaylorMade Qi4D Max Overview

The Qi4D Max is TaylorMades answer to the Qi35s inconsistency problem and they’ve made some massive changes.

The biggest shift is moving to robotic machine finishing for the faces which means every single head is identical and what you test is exactly what you get when you buy it.

TaylorMade deliberately stepped back from the 10K MOI race here focusing instead on a broader fitting window and smarter adjustability.

This is the first modern non titanium driver from TaylorMade using a forged 7075 aircraft grade aluminum collar instead which gives precise adjustability without losing ball speed.

The Trajectory Adjustment System is a proper upgrade from the Qi35 with four weights now (two 9g and two 4g weights) instead of just one adjustable port. You can shift weight around for draw or fade bias and tune for speed versus forgiveness.

The 60x carbon face has an improved roll radius designed to reduce spin variance on off center hits by up to 50%.

Where it gets really interesting is the three stock Mitsubishi REAX shaft profiles (MR, HR, LR) which are matched to your clubface closure rate during the downswing rather than just generic launch and spin numbers.

The darker matte carbon finish and new high contrast white alignment line make the head look sleeker and more compact at address compared to the bulbous Qi35.

The feel off the face is somewhat flat and less lively than recent TaylorMade models which is likely a trade off from the non titanium construction.

During testing dropping down to 7 degrees produced significant improvements in spin control and carry distance for better players.

Key Differences Between Qi4D Max And Qi35 Max

The face finishing is the biggest change, the Qi35 was hand ground which led to variations between clubs while the Qi4D uses robotic machining so every head performs identically.

The Qi35 maxed out at 10,000 MOI while the Qi4D deliberately reduced MOI to focus on better fitting and control across a wider range of golfers.

Weighting systems are completely different, the Qi35 had one Inertia Generator port while the Qi4D has a Quad Weighting System with four adjustable weights for way more tuning options.

Materials shifted too, the Qi35 was titanium based while the Qi4D uses aluminum and carbon construction which is lighter and allows more precise weight placement.

The Qi35 looks bulkier and more massive at address while the Qi4D has a sleeker pear shaped profile that better players prefer.

Shaft fitting approach changed entirely, the Qi35 used standard Fujikura AirSpeeder shafts while the Qi4D introduces rotation based fitting with three REAX profiles matched to how fast you close the face.

Performance Comparison Qi4D Max Vs Qi35 Max

The Qi35 Max produced slightly higher ball speed at 161.2 mph versus 159.4 mph for the Qi4D but the story is more complicated than just that number.

Launch angle was significantly different, the Qi35 launched at 12.1 degrees with 2675 rpm of spin while the Qi4D came in at 10.6 degrees with just 2305 rpm.

That 370 rpm spin difference is massive and explains why the Qi4D had better total distance at 291.5 yards versus 286.9 yards for the Qi35 even though carry distance was similar.

The Qi35 ballooned higher at 39.7 feet versus 31.3 feet for the Qi4D which meant less roll out.

The Qi4D produced a more penetrating flight that maximized distance through the air and on the ground.

The Qi35s higher MOI did provide exceptional forgiveness on mishits with that 1.51 smash factor average but the Qi4D wasn’t far behind and offered way more adjustability to dial things in.

Interestingly the Qi35 showed a slight right bias during testing despite being designed with draw bias while the Qi4D could be tuned either way with the quad weight system.

Who Should Choose The Qi35 Max

The Qi35 Max is the better choice if you’re a high handicapper who struggles to get the ball airborne and needs maximum stability.

That genuine 10K MOI delivers outstanding resistance to twisting on off center hits and the higher launch with more spin helps golfers who have slower swing speeds.

If you want simple set it and forget it forgiveness without worrying about adjustability the Qi35 is easier to just play.

The powerful satisfying sound will appeal to golfers who like audible feedback without it being too loud.

Just be aware of the hand ground face inconsistency issue, make sure you test the actual club you’re buying if possible rather than just a fitting head.

Who Should Choose The Qi4D Max

The Qi4D Max suits mid to high handicap golfers who want serious forgiveness but also value fitting precision and adjustability.

If you’re willing to get properly fit and take advantage of the Trajectory Adjustment System there’s real performance to unlock especially with loft and weight tuning.

The lower spin and more penetrating flight is better for golfers with moderate to faster swing speeds who don’t need help getting the ball up.

The rotation based shaft fitting is genuinely clever and could help golfers who struggle with squaring the face at impact.

Better players who want a sleeker look at address will prefer the Qi4D’s pear shape over the Qi35s bulky profile.

The robotic face finishing gives peace of mind that what you test is what you get which solves the biggest complaint about the Qi35.

Just know the feel is somewhat flat and less lively than previous TaylorMade drivers which might disappoint golfers who love that explosive pop.

Overall TaylorMade Qi4D Max Vs Qi35 Max

The Qi4D Max is the better driver for most golfers because of the improved consistency, adjustability and performance.

It produces lower spin, more total distance and a better flight for maximizing rollout while still delivering excellent forgiveness.

The Qi35 Max has its place for high handicappers who need maximum MOI and higher launch but the hand ground face inconsistency is a real problem.

TaylorMades shift to robotic finishing and the rotation based shaft fitting shows they’re thinking smarter about how to actually fit golfers rather than just chasing MOI numbers.

If you’re choosing between these two the Qi4D Max is worth the upgrade for the peace of mind alone that your club will perform like the fitting model.

Just make sure you get properly fit with the right shaft profile and weight setup because that’s where this driver really shines.