TaylorMade Qi Irons Review

TaylorMade boldly markets the Qi irons as “the straightest distance irons in golf.” While this claim might raise eyebrows given their pronounced draw bias, one thing is certain: TaylorMade knows how to create irons that deliver exceptional distance. Following in the footsteps of the popular P790 and recent Stealth models, the new Qi irons continue TaylorMade’s tradition of helping golfers take less club into greens. Let’s dive deep into what makes these irons special and whether they live up to their marketing promises.

First Impressions and Aesthetics

The Qi irons make a striking first impression with their sophisticated appearance. The back of the club features a sleek design that centers a large carbon fiber piece, tastefully framed by matte silver and chrome elements. TaylorMade has shown admirable restraint with the branding, limiting it to a simple white “Qi” near the toe and a modest TaylorMade logo along the top.

Looking closer, you’ll notice thoughtful design differentiation between the long and scoring irons. The 4-8 irons incorporate Speed Pockets on their soles and feature material removal from their hosels, while the scoring clubs maintain a more traditional appearance. This visual distinction hints at the performance optimization throughout the set.

At address, these irons make no attempt to hide their game-improvement heritage. The offset is generous, particularly in the long irons, though it progressively decreases toward the scoring clubs. Even the A Wedge maintains a noticeable offset, clearly signaling these clubs’ anti-slice intentions. The medium-thick toplines and larger face profile inspire confidence, while a clever design touch keeps the rear of the club hidden at address, offering a nod to more traditional aesthetics.

The Sound and Feel Story

Modern game-improvement irons often struggle to deliver satisfying feel, but the Qi irons break this stereotype. TaylorMade’s latest iteration of their Cap Back design, enhanced by HYBRAR Echo Dampers, creates an impressive impact experience. The feel is consistently solid and robust, providing the kind of feedback that makes good shots genuinely satisfying.

Perhaps more surprisingly, these hollow-body irons have overcome the loud impact sounds typically associated with this construction method. When striking a urethane-covered ball, you’re greeted with a quiet, wooden knock that enhances the solid feel. While the sound does increase slightly in volume with the long irons, it never becomes distracting.

The feedback system strikes an excellent balance between forgiveness and information. Center strikes reward you with a sweet sensation through the hands, while mishits feel noticeably duller without being harsh. Similarly, the sound provides clear feedback without being punishing, helping players develop their strike awareness while maintaining confidence.

Performance Deep Dive

Let’s address the elephant in the room: these irons feature very strong lofts, continuing the approach seen in the Stealth series. Rather than debate the merits of modern loft configurations, let’s focus on how these clubs perform relative to the numbers on their soles – after all, that’s what matters to most golfers.

Scoring Irons

Starting with the wedges, the standout characteristic is their remarkable accuracy. During testing, any shot that finished more than a few yards offline felt like a significant miss. The ball flight is notably penetrating, thanks to TaylorMade’s FLTD CG system, which positions the center of gravity higher in the scoring clubs for enhanced control.

Mid Irons

Moving into the mid irons reveals the Qi’s distance capabilities. Through a combination of low spin and exceptional ball speed, these clubs deliver impressive carry distances. During testing, the 8-iron consistently carried about 15 yards further than a traditional 7-iron. The draw bias remains present but manageable, typically producing 6-7 yards of right-to-left movement on well-struck shots.

Long Irons

In the longer irons, the draw bias becomes more pronounced – a intentional design choice addressing the common challenge many players face with slicing longer clubs. The FLTD CG system shows its versatility here, providing slightly higher launch and increased spin compared to the scoring irons, helping achieve playable trajectories with these traditionally challenging clubs.

Forgiveness and Consistency

The forgiveness package in the Qi irons is comprehensive and well-executed. The Speed Pocket technology, featured in the 4-8 irons, proves particularly effective at maintaining ball speed and launch on thin strikes. Ball speed consistency across the face is impressive, resulting in minimal distance loss on off-center hits.

The Importance of Proper Fitting

While we always emphasize the importance of fitting, it’s particularly crucial with the Qi irons due to their strong lofts. The 5-iron comes in at just 21 degrees, which may affect set composition and gapping for some players. Some golfers will find perfect gaps right out of the box, while others might need to adjust their set makeup, potentially ending their playable long irons at the 6 or 7-iron.

Key Technical Features

• Advanced Construction
• Cap Back Design with HYBRAR Echo Dampers
• Progressive Speed Pocket (4-8 irons)
• FLTD CG System for optimized trajectories
• Enhanced hosel design in long irons
• Performance Characteristics
• Strong draw bias, especially in long irons
• High ball speeds across the face
• Penetrating trajectory in scoring irons
• Progressive launch in longer irons

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How strong is the draw bias compared to other game-improvement irons?
A: The draw bias is more pronounced than many competitors, particularly in the long irons, though it remains playable with proper fitting and setup.

Q: Will these irons work for a player who naturally draws the ball?
A: Players who already draw the ball should carefully consider the amount of built-in draw bias, particularly in the long irons. A fitting session is crucial in this case.

Q: How do the strong lofts affect gapping and set composition?
A: The strong lofts may require careful consideration of set makeup, particularly in the longer irons. Some players might find their optimal set starting at 5 or 6-iron.

Q: Can better players use these irons?
A: While designed primarily for game improvement, better players seeking maximum distance and draw bias might find these suitable, particularly in long iron replacements.

Final Verdict

The TaylorMade Qi irons successfully deliver on their primary promises: impressive distance and slice correction. They achieve this while maintaining playability and offering satisfying feel and feedback – no small feat in the game improvement category.

The combination of strong lofts and technical innovations results in clubs that will have your playing partners questioning which iron you just hit into the green. The draw bias, while strong, remains manageable with proper fitting and setup, potentially offering a game-changing solution for chronic slicers.

However, these aren’t one-size-fits-all clubs. The strong lofts and pronounced draw bias mean that proper fitting is crucial for optimal performance. Players should work with a qualified fitter to determine the ideal set composition and ensure proper gapping throughout their bag.

For golfers struggling with a slice, particularly with longer irons, or those seeking maximum distance with game-improvement features, the Qi irons present a compelling option. They continue TaylorMade’s tradition of pushing boundaries in iron design while maintaining playability and adding meaningful innovations to help golfers achieve better results on the course.