The distance driver isn't dead with the TaylorMade Qi35 LS driver! We review the 2025 model

While the Qi35 range is based around optimizing your spin while maintaining forgiveness, the TaylorMade Qi35 LS Driver is evidence that TaylorMade hasn’t forgotten what makes a distance machine

When you consider where TaylorMade has been repositioning itself in the market, both this year and last, the TaylorMade Qi35 LS Driver may be part of the last generation of the ‘speed and power’ driver models, slowly being replaced by more efficiently forgiving models like the fleets of electric cars taking over from the likes of the now old-fashioned Mustangs and M3s of the world.

Okay, I’m being dramatic! They’re never going to stop producing these kinds of drivers – it’s TaylorMade, for god’s sake – but looking down at the new LS model does bring my mind back to the driver options of 10-15 years ago.

Models released back then were built for one, and only one, purpose: send that ball as far as possible down range. If it found the fairway, great! If not… well, at least you’ve only got a short iron in.

While maybe unstable, there was something appealing about a club that required you to only turn up with your best to get performance out of it. That’s the feeling I get looking down at TaylorMade Qi35 LS Driver. But there’s certainly more underneath the hood than a driver from a decade ago.

Looks/Feel – 5/5

As I said, the feeling I get from this driver is old school and that starts at the shape. The Qi35 LS is classically built, with the traditional pear shape that appeals to every level of golfer, whether it’s right for you or not.

It’s still a 460cc head, like its Qi35 driver and Qi35 Max driver family members, but the dimensions are dramatically different, with a deeper face and shorter front-to-back length. The top line view is outstanding, with this more compressed shape covered in TaylorMade’s new Chromium Carbon Fiber material.

The new satin finish lends itself well to both the Carbon Fiber, that can be seen woven over the crown, as well as when addressing the golf ball, providing minimal distraction to your eye, despite the silver-grey nature of the new look.

It’s a look that continues around the entire head, with more gunmetal coloring to every surface, whether more Carbon or one of the other four elements used in constructing the Qi35 LS.

From an aural perspective, there’s familiarity between this and other driver models built from Carbon Fiber. It’s more muted than a purely steel or titanium design, but I think it’s worth noting that the LS produces a particular thud, one that doesn’t linger around to try and impress your playing partners. It’s to the point, like the drives themselves.

Technology – 5/5

I mentioned the five materials that make up the construction of the TaylorMade Qi35 LS driver and while you’ll get a deeper dive in our Qi35 breakdown, I think it’s worth talking briefly about the general tech and what makes the LS unique in the lineup.

The five mentioned are chromium carbon, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and steel. The various combinations of these components are used to help TaylorMade drive CG lower into the head than ever before. Lower CG (Center of Gravity) means less spin, and it’s been designed into every Qi35 driver, but the LS has been taken a step further.

Using the three-point weight adjustability, you can now get CG below the Neutral Axis, a golden zone that TaylorMade has never achieved before. This does come at a cost of forgiveness on off-center hits but, if you’re worried about that, this driver isn’t really meant for you.

With the heavy weight rearward, you’ll get a similar performance to last season’s Qi10 LS but weight forward is where the impressive ball speeds and low spin come from. Internally at TaylorMade, this setup is known as ‘Beast Mode’ and it’s easy to see why when you get out on the golf course with it.

Performance – 4.5/5

When I visited TaylorMade’s California HQ at the tail end of 2024 to check out the new line, the Qi35 LS was the obvious choice for me from the fitting. I’m a high spin player in general so I’m always going to be put into the weight-forward designs, like my own Titleist GT3, but there was more for me than just spin reduction here.

I typically sit around 107-109mph clubhead speed and produce 156-8mph ball speed, with a perfect hit able to crest the 160mph number. This element of my driving doesn’t really change when I’m optimized for a club, so as long as a new driver can perform to that standard, I’m happy.

My first drive with LS was over 161mph ball speed. The next five shots all sat comfortably over the 160 mark, with the exception of one slight mishit that achieved 157 mph.

Since the spec’d driver arrived back home for me to use out on my own course, this performance has continued. The Qi35 LS is comfortably 2-3 mph faster than anything else I’ve hit this year (including my gamer driver), and it’s undoubtedly offered me more distance to the tune of 5-10 yards, consistently.

The one fault I’d give it is that I now find myself trying to push my swing speed limits to see how much ball speed I can achieve instead of just enjoying the additional power created. But at least that’s giving me a chance to test what happens when you do strike the driver outside the center.

Shots struck from off-center are interesting. Yes, there is a drop in ball speed as you’d expect but the new lower CG actually keeps spin in a reasonable zone. There’s drop off in carry but I’m comfortable in the idea that, as soon as we get back into firmer summer conditions, the total distance won’t be too different between the good and the bad. The loss of some ball speed is the reason performance loses half a mark, but it’s also a driver that isn’t meant for the golfer who struggles to strike it so I don’t think it’s fair to hold this too strongly against the Qi35 LS.

Overall – 5/5

I’m really impressed with the TaylorMade Qi35 LS. While clearly designed for golfers who don’t have as much need for forgiveness, it still offers more than I was expecting due to the lower spin conditions with the weight forward, and setup with weight rear you’re still getting a driver with an MOI number in the mid-7000s.

The all-gunmetal, carbon finish looks fast and it sits cleanly on the ground during address. I like the non-distracting sound at impact and I love the distance gains I’ve picked up already.

I think my favorite thing about the LS, though, is what it represents. As great as forgiveness has been for the everyday golfer, having the option for a true distance-first club means that those who are willing to take risks on off-center misses for center-face rewards are still being catered for.

Yes, it’s a more niche desire, but, as one of those niche players, I couldn’t be happier with what TaylorMade has shown they can still produce.

About the author

Lewis Daff

Lewis joined the Today’s Golfer digital team in 2024, having spent more than a decade in both big-box golf retail and independent stores working as a club fitter and builder.

Experienced with every level of golfer, from beginner to professional, he has achieved Master Fitter and Builder status with most major manufacturers, including Mizuno, Taylormade, and Callaway, helping him to cement both a wide and deep knowledge base, ideal for helping guide golfers towards the correct equipment for them. Lewis specializes in Clubs, Shafts, Training Aids, Launch Monitors and Grips.

In Lewis’ bag is Titleist GT3 Driver (9º) with Fujikura Ventus Black, TaylorMade SIM Max Fairway Woods (15º and 18º), Wilson Staff D9 Forged 3-iron, Srixon ZX7 MKii Irons (4-PW), Titleist SM9 Wedges (52º, 60º), Toulon San Diego Putter, and the Titleist ProV1X Left Dash.

Talk to Lewis about why steel shafts are now dead and graphite is the only way forward, or any other equipment you’d like to debate, via his email, Instagram, or Bluesky.

RRP: £529.00 / $649.00

Lofts: 8º (RH), 9° / 10.5° (RH/LH)

Head Size: 460cc

Standard Shaft Length: 45.75”

Stock Shaft Options: Mitsubishi Kai’Li Blue DarkWave CB 60g / Mitsubishi Kai'Li White DarkWave 60g

Stock Grip: Golf Pride Z-Grip Black/Silver