TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Rescue Review

While hybrids have fallen somewhat out of favor with better players in recent years, giving way to driving irons and higher-lofted fairway woods, the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Rescue makes a compelling case for their continued relevance. This isn’t your typical “rescue” club – it’s a sophisticated weapon designed for skilled players who demand versatility.

Design and Aesthetics

The Stealth 2 Plus Rescue presents a compact, assertive profile that better players will appreciate. Its design embraces simplicity with a predominantly black finish accented by subtle red details on the sole. The head shape resembles an asymmetric teardrop, wider toward the toe, creating one of the slimmest profiles in current hybrid offerings.

At address, the clean appearance – free from alignment aids – combines a thin matte topline with a slightly glossy crown. Even the headcover impresses, featuring a premium design that incorporates TaylorMade’s carbon-wood face aesthetic with tasteful red, black, and white stripes.

Sound and Feel

The Stealth 2 Plus offers a sophisticated impact experience that belies its distance capabilities. The forged Twist Face delivers a notably soft sensation, though with a distinct punchy character rather than springiness. The V-steel sole ensures smooth turf interaction, enhancing the refined feel of well-struck shots. However, thin strikes provide clear feedback, feeling notably firmer – similar to mishitting a blade iron.

Acoustically, impact produces a distinctive “thwock” – initially higher-pitched before pleasantly mellowing, without lingering. This sound profile perfectly complements the club’s premium feel and better-player positioning.

Performance Characteristics

While marketed for shot-shaping capabilities, the Stealth 2 Plus proves itself more versatile than a simple shot-maker’s tool. Testing revealed impressive versatility:

Shot-Making Ability

• Effective draws and fades
• Capable of both stingers and high, soft-landing shots
• Superior rough performance compared to fairway woods
• Enhanced maneuverability through tough lies

Technical Improvements

• Updated inverted cone technology
• Optimized ball speeds across the face
• Tighter dispersion patterns
• Lower launch with higher ball speeds

The “Plus” Difference

Unlike its Stealth 2 siblings, this Plus model offers crucial adjustability through its loft sleeve, allowing ±1.5 degrees of loft adjustment. This feature enables players to optimize the club for specific needs:

• Lower loft for driving iron-like performance
• Higher loft for improved stopping power
• Fine-tuning for preferred trajectory

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this hybrid as forgiving as other models?
A: While not the most forgiving hybrid available, it offers impressive accuracy and consistency for better players.

Q: How does it compare to a 5-wood?
A: It offers better versatility from rough lies due to its compact head design, though with a different flight profile.

Q: Can it replace a long iron?
A: Yes, particularly for players seeking more versatility and slightly higher launch than a traditional long iron.

Final Verdict

The TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Rescue successfully bridges the gap between traditional hybrids and better player preferences. Rather than serving as an emergency option, it functions as a sophisticated tool for players who understand how to use it effectively.

Key strengths include:

• Premium aesthetics
• Versatile shot-making ability
• Excellent rough performance
• Meaningful adjustability

For skilled players seeking a versatile long-game option that offers more sophistication than a traditional hybrid while maintaining playability, the Stealth 2 Plus Rescue presents a compelling option. Its combination of workability, consistent performance, and refined aesthetics makes it a worthy consideration for better players’ bags.