TaylorMade STEALTH Driver, Fairway, Rescue & Irons (2022)
Posted by GolfBox on 9th Feb 2022
Welcome to the Stealth age, a new era of clubmaking in which TaylorMade have finally cracked the carbon-fibre face conundrum. And that, fellow golfers, is an accomplishment that has been 20 years in the making.
The lightweight 60x carbon-fibre Twist Face on the three Stealth driver models gate crashes the titanium face party that has been in full swing since the start of the century. Without a doubt it is the neon-lit attention grabber of the 2022 Stealth line-up, but the rising carbon tide floats all boats in the Stealth range.
The new Stealth fairway woods, rescues and irons have also received some love. And it has lifted the entire Stealth line-up to great heights performance-wise. Speed, forgiveness and impact acoustics, a crucial consideration for TaylorMade’s new Carbonwoods, all get a big leg up in comparison to the SIM2 range.
If you’re looking to improve your game in 2022, do it by Stealth.
Drivers
A radical lightweight carbon-fibre face powers performance across a trio of Stealth Driver models.
Woods & Rescues
Forgiving yet highly playable Stealth Fairway Woods and long-iron replacing Rescues.
Irons
The Stealth Irons feature Toe Wrap technology that increases launch, spin and distance.
TaylorMade STEALTH Driver
Carbon fibre faces are nothing new, with a few largely unsuccessful and unmemorable drivers released over the past couple of decades.
The problem with previous attempts was that despite the weight savings gained, carbon fibre faces simply couldn’t outperform good ol’ titanium.
And yeah, they sounded terrible.
But the new carbon fibre face on the Stealth driver range has burst through the performance barrier thanks to years of research and a new nanotexture face coating.
It translates to the new Stealth carbon fibre face performing and sounding better than its SIM2 predecessor.
TaylorMade Stealth Driver
Carbon fibre faces are nothing new, with a few largely unsuccessful and unmemorable drivers released over the past couple of decades.
The problem with previous attempts was that despite the weight savings gained, carbon fibre faces simply couldn’t outperform good ol’ titanium.
And yeah, they sounded terrible.
But the new carbon fibre face on the Stealth driver range has burst through the performance barrier thanks to years of research and a new nanotexture face coating.
It translates to the new Stealth carbon fibre face performing and sounding better than its SIM2 predecessor.
60x Carbon Twist Face
Comprised of 60 carbon-fibre layers, the Stealth face is a massive 44 per cent lighter than a comparable titanium face. It transfers energy into the ball with greater efficiency for extra distance and it’s also larger, increasing forgiveness and consistency when strikes are off-centre.
Nanotexture Cover
Years of painstaking research has produced a revolutionary polyurethane wrap on the 60x carbon fibre Twist Face. The breakthrough nanotexture formulation optimises launch and spin rates in both wet and dry conditions, making Stealth drivers ultra-consistent in any weather.
Inertia Generator
Continuing the slippery sole architecture established by SIM, the inertia generator on Stealth drivers focuses the CG low to improve launch and distance. And its asymmetric positioning is aerodynamically efficient, boosting swing speed where it really counts: on the downswing.
Thru-slot Speed Pocket
The most flexible Speed Pocket TaylorMade has ever designed contributes to the Stealth drivers’ impressive levels of forgiveness. Low strikes on the face escape punishment, with the Stealth’s Speed Pocket springing into action to maximise ball speed and crush drives high and long.
The Three TaylorMade Stealth Drivers
No matter how you feel about your game, there is a TaylorMade Stealth driver waiting for you! The Stealth driver trio – Stealth Plus+, Stealth and Stealth HD – are customised in slightly different areas to complement the unique swings and requirements of almost any golfer.
Stealth Plus+ Driver
Built as the ultimate Stealth driver, the Stealth Plus+ features a back weight screw paired with a sliding weight track at the front of the sole. The Stealth Plus+ affords players unlimited creativity off the tee, with the 10g adjustable weight dialling in flight and shape bias. Draw or fade? You get to decide.
Stealth Driver
The Stealth driver is built for forgiveness from the ground up, with 15 per cent more forgiveness than the Stealth Plus+. Its high-MOI design was made possible through weight savings from the carbon-fibre face, with mass shifted low and deep, while a rear weight screw further enhances stability.
Stealth HD Driver
The Stealth HD is biased to produce a high draw off the tee, but it also boasts the most forgiveness of the Stealth driver line-up. The HD’s inertia generator sits closer to the heel to help shut the face through impact, but its anti-slice characteristics don’t impact forgiveness by virtue of the lightweight carbon-fibre face.
60x Carbdon Twist Face
Comprised of 60 carbon-fibre layers, the Stealth face is a massive 44 per cent lighter than a comparable titanium face. It transfers energy into the ball with greater efficiency for extra distance and it’s also larger, increasing forgiveness and consistency when strikes are off-centre.
Nanotexture Cover
Years of painstaking research has produced a revolutionary polyurethane wrap on the 60x carbon fibre Twist Face. The breakthrough nanotexture formulation optimises launch and spin rates in both wet and dry conditions, making Stealth drivers ultra-consistent in any weather.
Inertia Generator
Continuing the slippery sole architecture established by SIM, the inertia generator on Stealth drivers focuses the CG low to improve launch and distance. And its asymmetric positioning is aerodynamically efficient, boosting swing speed where it really counts: on the downswing.
Thru-slot Speed Pocket
The most flexible Speed Pocket TaylorMade has ever designed contributes to the Stealth drivers’ impressive levels of forgiveness. Low strikes on the face escape punishment, with the Stealth’s Speed Pocket springing into action to maximise ball speed and crush drives high and long.
TaylorMade Stealth Driver Features
A range of premium shafts can be fitted to TaylorMade Stealth drivers, with custom shaft fitting also an option. A Lamkin Crossline 360 grip is fitted as standard. Stealth drivers also feature an adjustable hosel, which can adjust loft two degrees higher or lower.
TaylorMade Stealth Driver Specs
Hand: Right/Left
Shaft Options:
Stealth Plus+: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX 60 (Mid flight; regular 5.5, stiff 6.0, extra stiff 6.5); Mitsubishi Kai’li White 60 60 (low flight; stiff, extra stiff)
Stealth: Fujikura Ventus Red 5 (mid/high flight; regular, stiff, senior), Aldila Red 60 (mid flight; senior, regular, stiff, extra stiff)
Stealth HD: Fujikura Air Speeder 45 (high flight; regular, stiff, senior)
Stealth Women’s: Aldila Ascent Ladies 45 (high flight)
Grip: Lamkin Crossline 360; Lamkin Ladies Sonar
Stealth Plus+ Driver Lofts: 8°, 9° and 10.5°.
Stealth Driver Lofts: 9°, 10.5° and 12°.
Stealth HD Driver Lofts: 9°, 10.5° and 12°.
Stealth HD Women’s Driver Lofts: 10.5° and 12°.
Swing Weights: Stealth Plus+: D4/D5; Stealth: D4/D5; Stealth HD: D4/D5; Stealth HD Women’s: C8
TaylorMade Stealth Fairway Woods
Technology and performance unite in the Stealth fairway wood line-up, with some tweaking by the gang at TaylorMade producing some serious clubs for any skill level.
While the carbon-fibre face used on the Stealth driver didn’t make it on to their fairway wood cousins, the 3D carbon-fibre crown, Thru-Slot Speed Pocket and Twist Face tech did. And TaylorMade’s well-regarded V-Steel fairway wood sole makes a return appearance, too.
Fairway woods can be notoriously difficult to hit with consistency. But the new Stealth line-up is faster, straighter, more forgiving - and extremely versatile off the tee.
Breaking it down, the pair of Stealth fairway woods are just Stealth-ier: they’re easy to hit, whether you’re an elite ball striker or among the vast majority who are not.
V Steel Sole
A refinement of weight distribution in the new V Steel sole has added forgiveness to the pair of Stealth fairway woods. The distinctive V-shaped sole minimises resistance through the turf and enhances versatility while maintaining an optimal high-launching, low-spinning ball flight.
Twist Face
Stealth fairway woods boast Twist Face - TaylorMade’s renowned gear effect-cancelling technology. Twist Face adds more loft in the toe and reduces it in the heel, which straightens up ball flights and creates consistent distance when strikes aren’t out of the middle.
Advanced Laser Alignment
Providing a high-contrast between the face and crown, the Stealth fairway’s laser-etched alignment aid removes any doubt in the aiming process. The alignment aid is guaranteed to get more shots starting on the correct line, increasing accuracy and confidence.
Thru-slot Speed Pocket
Borrowing from the Stealth driver, TaylorMade’s reimagined Speed Pocket is the most flexible yet. It allows the face of Stealth fairway woods to flex and rebound for extra ball speed and distance, especially on low strikes.
The Two TaylorMade Stealth Fairway Wood Models
TaylorMade’s Stealth fairway wood stable features two models: the Stealth Plus+ fairway and the Stealth fairway. While there’s not much difference between names, there is a very significant differentiation between the pair in terms of performance.
TaylorMade Stealth Plus+ Fairway
The TaylorMade Stealth Plus+ is the more compact of the two fairway models (175cc) but has a face that is 12 per cent larger than the SIM2 fairway. Designed for the better player and built for shot shaping, the Stealth Plus+ features an explosive ZATECH titanium face and re-engineered V-Steel sole.
TaylorMade Stealth Fairway
Bigger and more forgiving than its counterpart, the Stealth fairway wood is high-launching and easy to hit. Designed to meet a wide range of skill levels, the Stealth’s maraging steel face and V-sole make it highly versatile off the tee or fairway. Its 3D carbon fibre crown shifts weight rearward, maximising forgiveness.
TaylorMade Stealth Fairway Features
A range of premium shafts can be fitted to TaylorMade Stealth fairways, with custom shaft fitting also an option. A Lamkin Crossline 360 grip is fitted as standard. The Stealth Plus+ fairway also features an adjustable hosel, which can adjust loft 1.5 degrees higher or lower.
TaylorMade Stealth Fairway Specs
Hand: Right/Left
Shaft Options:
Stealth Plus+ fairway: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX 70 FW (mid flight, regular, stiff, extra stiff)
Stealth fairway: Fujikura Ventus Red 6 FW (stiff, extra stiff), Fujikura Ventus Red 5 FW (senior, regular)
Stealth Women’s fairway: Aldila Ascent Ladies 45
Grip: Lamkin Crossline 360; Lamkin Ladies Sonar
Stealth Plus+ Fairway Lofts: Rocket 3 (13.5°), 3 (15°), 5 (19°)
Stealth Fairway Lofts: 3 (15°), 3HL (16.5°), 5 (18°), 7 (21°), 9 (24°)
Stealth Women’s Fairway Lofts: 3HL (16.5°), 5 (18°), 7 (21°), 9 (24°)
Swing Weights: Stealth Plus+ fairway: D3, Stealth fairway: D3 Stealth Women’s fairway: C8
TaylorMade Stealth Rescues
Itching to ditch your long irons in favour of a couple of rescues?
Before you head down that path, the new TaylorMade Stealth rescues should really be in your wheelhouse.
While the spotlight is always on the driver line-up in any new release, the new Stealth rescues are heavy hitters in their own right.
Two distinct models encompass a large range of versatility, workability and, dare we say it, invincibility from any lie.
With a rollcall like that, Stealth rescues deserve some of the spotlight.
V Steel Sole
TaylorMade’s V Steel sole improves turf interaction at impact while distributing mass effectively to create optimal launch and spin conditions.
C300 Twist Face
A strong yet flexible C300 steel face produces red-hot ball speeds while TaylorMade’s Twist Face technology straightens out mis-hits.
Thru-Slot Speed Pocket
TaylorMade’s Thru-Slot Speed Pocket increases face flexibility for consistent ball speed and distance, especially on strikes low on the face.
The Two TaylorMade Stealth Rescue Models
TaylorMade’s two Stealth rescues achieve the same goal: more forgiveness than a traditional long iron. But they manage to accomplish the same thing via entirely different routes – one is aimed squarely at better players, the other will pique the interest of more recreational players.
TaylorMade Stealth Rescue
The Stealth rescue is bigger, with more of a U-shaped profile, and is aimed at players who want a user-friendly club in their bag. It’s easy to launch and extremely stable, with 15 per cent more forgiveness than the previous SIM2 rescue, and its V Steel sole will step up when needed from almost any lie on the course.
TaylorMade Stealth Plus+ Rescue
Closer to an iron than fairway wood, the Stealth Plus+ is more compact than its Stealth rescue companion. It has a squared-off toe and sharper angles all round, which will appeal to better players who seek a degree of workability and flight control. It also features an adjustable hosel that can change loft across a 3° range.
TaylorMade Stealth Rescue Features
A range of premium shafts can be fitted to TaylorMade Stealth rescues, with custom shaft fitting also an option. A Lamkin Crossline 360 grip is fitted as standard. The Stealth Plus+ rescue also features an adjustable hosel, which can adjust loft 1.5 degrees higher or lower.
TaylorMade Stealth Rescue Specs
Australian Release Date: Stealth Plus+ Fairway 01/04/22
Hand: Right/Left
Shaft Options:
Stealth Plus+ Rescue: Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Red HY (mid flight; extra stiff-75, stiff-75, regular-70)
Stealth Rescue: Fujikura Ventus Red (regular, stiff, senior),
Stealth Rescue Women’s: Aldila Ascent Ladies 45
Grip: Lamkin Crossline 360; Lamkin Ladies Sonar
Stealth Plus+ Rescue Lofts: 2 (17°), 3 (19.5°), 4 (22°)
Stealth Rescue Lofts: 3 (19°), 4 (22°), 5 (25°), 6 (28°), 7 (31°).
Stealth Women’s Rescue Lofts: 4 (22°), 5 (25°), 6 (28°), 7 (31°).
Swing Weights: Stealth Plus+ Rescue: D3; Stealth Rescue: D3; Stealth Women’s Rescue: C8
TaylorMade Stealth Irons
In the game improvement iron category, the new TaylorMade Stealth irons pull off an amazing trick.
They are unashamedly distance irons, designed to belt the living suitcase out of the ball to gain extra yards for golfers with, shall we say, sub-optimal ball-striking talent.
However, they do it with the graceful feel of a forged iron.
Stealth irons have been made longer by what TaylorMade call Toe Wrap technology, which takes a huge bite out of the toe area and repurposes it at the bottom of the iron head.
And most golfing gearheads know that when that occurs, launch, spin and distance all take a big leap forward.
Cap Back & Toe Wrap
Mass is removed from the high toe area and relocated low in the sole, with a stiff stainless-steel frame supporting the topline. The CG is lowered, increasing distance and forgiveness.
Fast Forgiving Face
The highly-flexible Stealth iron face has an expanded sweet spot, which produces consistently high ball speeds and maximum forgiveness for off-centre strikes.
Eco Damping System
The new Stealth irons are equipped to kill bad vibrations, a soft slab of polymer sits in contact with the face and frame of the iron to provide a soft and pure forged iron feel
Stealth Irons
There’s a lot to unpack with the new Stealth irons. There’s the new Toe Wrap design which relocates a chunk out of the high toe area to the sole (which has a Thru Slot Speed Pocket, btw). And hand-in-hand with the Toe Wrap is the Cap Back, which supports the top line so the lower part of the face can flex more. Then there’s the ECHO damping system, which provides forged iron feel. It all adds up to a distance iron that is a high handicappers dream – no matter how bad you hit it, it’ll keep you out of trouble.
TaylorMade Stealth Iron Specs
Australian Release Date: 01/04/2022
Hand: Right/Left
Shaft Options: KBS MAX MT 85 (Steel, regular, stiff), KBS Max MT 85 (Graphite, regular, stiff) Fujikura Ventus Red (Graphite, senior, regular, stiff), Aldila Ascent Ladies 45 (graphite)
Grip: Lamkin Crossline 360, Lamkin Ladies Sonar
Stealth Iron Lofts: 4 (18.5°), 5 (21°), 6 (24°), 7 (28°), 8 (32°), 9 (37°), PW (43°), AW (49°), SW (54°), LW (59°)
Swing weights: 4-AW (D1 steel, D0 graphite, C2 women’s), SW (D2 steel, D1 graphite, C3 women’s), LW (D3 steel, D2 graphite, C3 women’s).