2024 TaylorMade

[jll62]

Had a chance to test the 2024 TP5x a couple of times over the past week and recorded some numbers on Trackman tonight. I posted some thoughts and data over in the Golf Balls section, but my initial thought is that the performance sits in between the 2019 and 2021 versions. Looking forward to getting this on the course once Spring hits.

 

 

 

Edited February 14 by jll62

[dcmidnight]

I have had the LS out on the course for another couple rounds this weekend and am happy with it so far. I went with the 10.5* head on my Ventus Black 6x. Look at address on the course is fantastic. Sounds is great, its a little different than the Stealth2 but still has that muted pop that I really like. I also have not noticed any really bad balls, no knuckleballs, no weird ducks that their seemed to be warnings about with this head - its been great. And its been...not great weather around here, high 40s/low 50s.

 

I will still get in for some Trackman time eventually but for now I'll keep working it out on the course.

[dmeeksDC]

58 minutes ago, dcmidnight said:

I have had the LS out on the course for another couple rounds this weekend and am happy with it so far. I went with the 10.5* head on my Ventus Black 6x. Look at address on the course is fantastic. Sounds is great, its a little different than the Stealth2 but still has that muted pop that I really like. I also have not noticed any really bad balls, no knuckleballs, no weird ducks that their seemed to be warnings about with this head - its been great. And its been...not great weather around here, high 40s/low 50s.

 

I will still get in for some Trackman time eventually but for now I'll keep working it out on the course.

Great report. That LS head looks so good from address. Every time I check out “better player” drivers it is my favorite shape. Sleek and well-proportioned. Really does not look intimidating. 

[Mookie91]

Any way to tell installed backweight other than removing the weight and weighing it? Just received my Core and it seems super light and I ordered the 9g weight due to the length being -.75”

[BirdieBob]

3 hours ago, Mookie91 said:

Any way to tell installed backweight other than removing the weight and weighing it? Just received my Core and it seems super light and I ordered the 9g weight due to the length being -.75”

Yes, the tss (backweight) will have the weight number on the backside.

[Mookie91]

12 minutes ago, BirdieBob said:

Yes, the tss (backweight) will have the weight number on the backside.

And if there is no number?

[BirdieBob]

Just now, Mookie91 said:

And if there is no number?

I have a 2g and a 9g...both have the numbers.

[Mookie91]

1 minute ago, BirdieBob said:

I have a 2g and a 9g...both have the numbers.

I looked top, bottom, side and back and no dice. Hate to be a pain but could you snap a quick pic?

[BirdieBob]

5 minutes ago, Mookie91 said:

I looked top, bottom, side and back and no dice. Hate to be a pain but could you snap a quick pic?

 

this is a pic of the back and front of the 9g...

 

 

 

[Mookie91]

6 minutes ago, BirdieBob said:

 

this is a pic of the back and front of the 9g...

 

 

 

Do I need to pull it apart to see? I attached pics of both weights.

[BirdieBob]

You need to remove the tss weight from the rear that is attached with the screw...takes a #20 Torx

[Mookie91]

4 minutes ago, BirdieBob said:

You need to remove the tss weight from the rear that is attached with the screw...takes a #20 Torx

TY! Appreciate you taking the time

[halfsumo]

I bought a wrench specifically for Taylormade weights when the back weight on my Stealth 2+ came loose last year. I wonder why they don't just use weights that can be adjusted with the same wrench that adjusts the loft sleeve like every other OEM 🤷‍♂️

[cubuffs]

1 minute ago, halfsumo said:

I bought a wrench specifically for Taylormade weights when the back weight on my Stealth 2+ came loose last year. I wonder why they don't just use weights that can be adjusted with the same wrench that adjusts the loft sleeve like every other OEM 🤷‍♂️

 

Same thing happened to me when the back weight came loose.  Nothing like having to carry 2 wrenches in your bag "just in case".

[Tommyboi95]

On 1/27/2024 at 11:18 AM, Tommyboi95 said:

So I finally got all my shafts in and went for my official fitting. Below are shafts I took 

Speeder NX blue tipped 1” 60x 

1k Blue tipped 1” 60TX

TR Blue tipped 1” 6x

Accra Gold TZ 462 tipped 1” 6x

Tested in the LS 10.5 and Standard 10.5 heads 

 

The Accra (not shown) felt great but just lacked the extra HP like the other three. 

1k Blue (red) and standard model was super stable but the issue was because of how stiff the handle was my miss hits were super high on the face. 
 

TR Blue (green) with the Standard model I really thought was going to be the winner. Felt super stable and ball flight were perfect tight draws. The only really issue was, the combo for me just didn’t spin. I understand I could always order a heavier back weight to pull the CG back but something just didn’t feel right about taking a chance in case it didn’t work. 
 

Speeder NX (white)w/ the 10.5° LS opened 1 click was an absolute dark horse for me. I hit this combo right after the Accra and was shocked at the jump in CH speed and Ball speed. Ultimately what was the deciding factor was the ability to control and shot shape with the Speeder NX. Spin stayed between 2100-2500.  See below my “squeeze cut” ball flight. Safe to say 10.5° LS was ordered!

Wanted to just give an update. 
 

So I got the 10.5 LS head, weather has been horrible but Sunday I was able to go to a course where it was wide open so I was able to go to a hole and experiment with flight windows and on course performance. The NX which I originally was going to play was by far the longest but on the course actually ended up being both the highest and lowest spin just by watching the ball flights. Fell back in love with the Tensei 1k Blue. I will say the 1KB definitely won’t be the longest driver combo but the dispersion with it and flight window was absolutely perfect especially paired with the new TP5x. I did end up going to the upright 1 click low setting and it looks and performs perfectly. 
 

Was able to sneak out after work today 53° sunny, soaking wet course. Hit 100% of my fairways through 14 holes and the flight were either towering reliable 7-8 yard fades or when I really stepped on one a low spin piercing falling right drives. Looks great down by the ball, think it’s a really nice size considering the low spin (looks a lot like the S2 standard to me size wise) super happy. Will try and get some updated track numbers in the next few weeks 

Edited February 15 by Tommyboi95

[halfsumo]

So, maybe this has been talked about in the past, but today when I was comparing the stock Qi10 to the stock Ai Smoke, I noticed that the Taylormade was about .5" longer in length. Yet, on paper they are supposed to both be 45.75". I know there is a disclaimer on the Taylormade driver website pages saying due to differences in how they measure, the driver could be non-conforming in a tournament. 

 

So, is stock Taylormade driver length now more like 46-46.25"???? I mean, that is one way to win the battle of the hitting bays. I actually noticed this as well when I was hitting the PING drivers with tour shafts side by side with the Qi10. The pings with tour shafts are 45.25" and side by side the Qi10 looked to be a full inch longer. 

 

I'm still buying a Qi10, but it kind of bothers me that they do this, feels a little sneaky of them. 

[dmeeksDC]

2 hours ago, halfsumo said:

So, maybe this has been talked about in the past, but today when I was comparing the stock Qi10 to the stock Ai Smoke, I noticed that the Taylormade was about .5" longer in length. Yet, on paper they are supposed to both be 45.75". I know there is a disclaimer on the Taylormade driver website pages saying due to differences in how they measure, the driver could be non-conforming in a tournament. 

 

So, is stock Taylormade driver length now more like 46-46.25"???? I mean, that is one way to win the battle of the hitting bays. I actually noticed this as well when I was hitting the PING drivers with tour shafts side by side with the Qi10. The pings with tour shafts are 45.25" and side by side the Qi10 looked to be a full inch longer. 

 

I'm still buying a Qi10, but it kind of bothers me that they do this, feels a little sneaky of them. 

Great catch. It is definitely weird that they would measure in a way that could make one of their drivers ordered at stock length non-conforming for events. Why not play it safe?

 

So if I want a TM driver to play at 45.25 — as in, the same length as my Callaway driver at that length — would that mean I order the TaylorMade at minus 1 inch? 

[halfsumo]

8 minutes ago, dmeeksDC said:

Great catch. It is definitely weird that they would measure in a way that could make one of their drivers ordered at stock length non-conforming for events. Why not play it safe?

 

So if I want a TM driver to play at 45.25 — as in, the same length as my Callaway driver at that length — would that mean I order the TaylorMade at minus 1 inch? 

I'm not sure. I just ordered Qi10 at -.5" and I'll figure it out when it comes. I do have the ability to butt cut a shaft on my own 😁. It sounds like they may give you heavier weights if you order directly from them at a shorter length, but I'm not sure if they will if ordered from a third party dealer with no swingweight specified (which I did because I had trade-in credit). I already got the special wrench, the rod saw for butt-cutting, and I know I can buy heavier weights so I'll get it right eventually if it needs some tweaking. 

[dmeeksDC]

7 minutes ago, halfsumo said:

I'm not sure. I just ordered Qi10 at -.5" and I'll figure it out when it comes. I do have the ability to butt cut a shaft on my own 😁. It sounds like they may give you heavier weights if you order directly from them at a shorter length, but I'm not sure if they will if ordered from a third party dealer with no swingweight specified (which I did because I had trade-in credit). I already got the special wrench, the rod saw for butt-cutting, and I know I can buy heavier weights so I'll get it right eventually if it needs some tweaking. 

Well, at least at a half-inch short you will be conforming. It’s annoying to have to factor this in. TaylorMade needs to get with the program, meaning zero clubs sold that are non-conforming in stock specs. 

[Pnwpingi210]

23 minutes ago, dmeeksDC said:

Well, at least at a half-inch short you will be conforming. It’s annoying to have to factor this in. TaylorMade needs to get with the program, meaning zero clubs sold that are non-conforming in stock specs. 

Their clubs will be conforming at the stock, retail length.   The will not sell a non conforming club at stock length.  
 

edit - I am wrong.  Just read the disclaimer on the TM site.  

Edited February 16 by Pnwpingi210

[dmeeksDC]

9 minutes ago, Pnwpingi210 said:

Their clubs will be conforming at the stock, retail length.   The will not sell a non conforming club at stock length.  

Maybe, maybe not. Their own note indicates any custom driver ordered at stock length (45.75) may be non-conforming. The way I read that, merely requesting a no upcharge shaft change could be a problem. A lot of players do not choose a stock shaft. 
 

But again, the larger issue is: Why confuse things? Why not just have 45.75 inches be the same way the USGA comes up with 45.75 inches? Here is the TM disclaimer:
 

“Due to a slight variance in how we measure club length compared to the USGA, custom drivers ordered at 45.75 inches may exceed the 46 limit as defined by the USGA. If you’ve ordered a driver at that length, please measure from the end of the grip to assure conformity prior to competing in a sanctioned golf tournament.”

[Pnwpingi210]

Just now, dmeeksDC said:

Maybe, maybe not. Their own note indicates any custom driver ordered at stock length (45.75) may be non-conforming. The way I read that, merely requesting a no upcharge shaft change could be a problem. A lot of players do not choose a stock shaft. 
 

But again, the larger issue is: Why confuse things? Why not just have 45.75 inches be the same way the USGA comes up with 45.75 inches? Here is the TM disclaimer:
 

“Due to a slight variance in how we measure club length compared to the USGA, custom drivers ordered at 45.75 inches may exceed the 46 limit as defined by the USGA. If you’ve ordered a driver at that length, please measure from the end of the grip to assure conformity prior to competing in a sanctioned golf tournament.”

Yup - I placed an edit after I posted.  I think it’s due grip caps.  There there’s up to a 3/16 variance in grip cap widths. And they likely measure cut length and not EOG.

[dmeeksDC]

38 minutes ago, Pnwpingi210 said:

Yup - I placed an edit after I posted.  I think it’s due grip caps.  There there’s up to a 3/16 variance in grip cap widths. And they likely measure cut length and not EOG.

It would be no big deal to remove the grip and butt trim the shaft a little if needed for club to conform. I am not playing at the max length so not a worry. Drivers are easier for me at about 45.25, so am just curious what to specify in the order to get that. If it is just the grip cap adding a little, I don’t worry about that. 

[halfsumo]

When I was holding the Qi10 w/stock shaft side by side with Ai Smoke it seemed more than a butt cap longer than the stock Ai Smoke driver, but I suppose it could have been just a butt cap longer. Looked to be more like .5" longer and possibly even .75" longer, but I was holding both below the waist where I know my perception on length can get a little off 😂

[vq6shadow]

4 hours ago, halfsumo said:

I'm not sure. I just ordered Qi10 at -.5" and I'll figure it out when it comes. I do have the ability to butt cut a shaft on my own 😁. It sounds like they may give you heavier weights if you order directly from them at a shorter length, but I'm not sure if they will if ordered from a third party dealer with no swingweight specified (which I did because I had trade-in credit). I already got the special wrench, the rod saw for butt-cutting, and I know I can buy heavier weights so I'll get it right eventually if it needs some tweaking. 

Right after I ordered my QI10 Max, I called Customer Service and told them the -0.75" I asked for needed to make the final length 45". It was when it arrived. I also asked for D3 but it came D4 anyway.

[JohnnyHangs]

Standard QI with some hot melt feels/sounds absolutely $. Spin retention and ball speeds are excellent 

[dmeeksDC]

58 minutes ago, JohnnyHangs said:

Standard QI with some hot melt feels/sounds absolutely $. Spin retention and ball speeds are excellent 

So I hear different things about hot melt location and sound. I’ve read 4g of hot melt in the middle of the crown is where you want it to give the head a nice solid sound. And I’ve read it’s the amount that matters, it doesn’t matter where you put it, and many put in the front low corners of the face, with 2g in each corner. 
 

Is there a certain way to go about it? What did you do to your Qi10?

[Brooks_Cupcake]

On 2/15/2024 at 8:34 PM, vq6shadow said:

Right after I ordered my QI10 Max, I called Customer Service and told them the -0.75" I asked for needed to make the final length 45". It was when it arrived. I also asked for D3 but it came D4 anyway.

Be happy you got D3…like come on…

[JohnnyHangs]

12 hours ago, dmeeksDC said:

So I hear different things about hot melt location and sound. I’ve read 4g of hot melt in the middle of the crown is where you want it to give the head a nice solid sound. And I’ve read it’s the amount that matters, it doesn’t matter where you put it, and many put in the front low corners of the face, with 2g in each corner. 
 

Is there a certain way to go about it? What did you do to your Qi10?

 

I don't do it myself, but I saw the recent fitting video with Trottie and Boucher at the kingdom and he said specifically not to put any hot melt up against the face as it can kill ballspeed/trampoline effect.

 

I believe we settled on putting it a bit closer to the back of the head as i like the heavy weight back feel. No fade or draw bias - I think it was around around 5.5-6Gs all in as I play at 44.75 in a 7X

 

 

[dmeeksDC]

48 minutes ago, JohnnyHangs said:

 

I don't do it myself, but I saw the recent fitting video with Trottie and Boucher at the kingdom and he said specifically not to put any hot melt up against the face as it can kill ballspeed/trampoline effect.

 

I believe we settled on putting it a bit closer to the back of the head as i like the heavy weight back feel. No fade or draw bias - I think it was around around 5.5-6Gs all in as I play at 44.75 in a 7X

 

 

Awesome. That all makes sense. Thank you.