TaylorMade Stealth 2.0 Driver Review | Honest Take in 2024

Looking fo ra definitive TaylorMade Stealth 2.0 driver review? The TaylorMade Stealth Driver has garnered some serious attention over the last few years and for good reason. Not only does it boast a sleek, attractive look with its red carbon face, but it has been in the bags of some of the best players on tour – Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy included.

The second version of the club is due for release on 17th February 2023. We have taken an early peek, and want to give you the low down.

The objective of this article is to provide an honest, and in-depth stealth 2 review. As always, we will aim to decrypt jargon and technical terms so the content is digestible for beginner and intermediate golfers.

Overview- What are we going to cover?

The original Stealth driver dropped in 2022 and took the market by storm. TaylorMade famously stated that ‘titanium has gone as far as it can go’ (when referring to drivers) and now views carbon drivers as the future.

The bottom line was that the carbon face did yield extra distance but perhaps was not as forgiving as some of its competitors. Read our review here.

Taylormade’s new Stealth 2.0 Driver is said to be the perfect blend of power and forgiveness.

The new design features the same carbon face with a variety of flex and launch settings to maximize performance, along with Taylormade’s patented 60x carbon twist face technology which is said to ensure straighter shots even when your swing isn’t perfect.

Taylormade has attempted to preserve the explosive distance potential that made the original so popular while simultaneously providing more forgiveness than ever before.

If you are a skim reader, then the below section gives you a summary of the main takeaways in this review.

Do I recommend the TaylorMade Stealth Driver?

Yes, but if you already own the original version of the TaylorMade Stealth 2 then you will not need to rush out and buy the newest version of the driver.

The marketing slogan for the club is ‘fargivness’– i.e. you still get big distances off the tee, but the club is more forgiving than the original Stealth driver.

This is broadly true, but it does still feel like this is a club that has been made for the best players in the world to get incremental gains. It is more forgiving, but perhaps still not as much as other drivers out there.

There are some technical differences. The lightweight carbon sole, carbon re-inforced composite ring, and inverted cone technology all make this TaylorMade driver more forgiving (don’t worry we explain what these mean below).

The aesthetics of the club are in a league of their own from the competition. The striking red carbon face, new glossy crown, and silver details are gorgeous. The head cover also needs a mention: it is stunning (picture towards the end of the article).

Bottom line: this is an expensive, glamorous piece of kit that the top pros in the world use. The club comes in three versions (which we explain below as well). The Stealth and Stealth Plus will mostly benefit lower handicap golfers.

With that said, if you occasionally slice off the tee, but have the money and want to be the envy of your peers, then the HD model would be a great solution.

This is probably the most desirable driver that hit the market in 2023.

TaylorMade Stealth Driver Snapshot: Key data

TaylorMade Stealth Driver: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Monster distance when hit on center
• Aesthetically, possibly the most beautiful club ever made
• Sound and feel are second to none

Cons

• More forgiving than the original Stealth driver, but not as forgiving as other drivers on the market (Although the HD version of the club is)

TaylorMade Stealth Driver Review: Key Questions Answered

What is the release date for the TaylorMade Stealth 2.0 Driver?

Golf enthusiasts were able to pre-order the club on the 10th January 2023. It was available in stores on 17th February 2023.

What has carried through from the original Stealth model?

The Taylormade Stealth 2 driver features many of the same characteristics and technology as the original Taylormade Stealth.

• The red carbon face lends the same sleek and stylish look.
• The 60-layer twist face still helps increase ball spin, accuracy, and distance, making it ideal for any golfer who wants to improve their drive performance.
• The Plus model (we will get into the different models later) still gives golfers the benefit of adjustable weights so you can customize the weight and trajectory of the club with ease.
• You can also still adjust the loft setting for optimal tee shots that give you more control over your drive performance.

The Taylormade Stealth 2 provides a lot of the same features along with a familiar feel and look. At the address position, however, you might notice more of the crown has a glossy finish. This is purely a look and feel thing and is down to preference.

What is different about the TaylorMade Stealth 2.0 driver vs the original Stealth?

The Taylormade Stealth 2 driver has been upgraded in certain departments. So let’s look at the brand new features.

• The TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver features a lightweight carbon sole which helps to redistribute even more weight towards the back of the club to increase forgiveness.
• It also boasts an innovative carbon-reinforced composite ring around the back of the club (the red part around the back of the club). The idea is that this ring is super strong, helping to support lighter parts of the clubhead to get maximum distance and forgiveness when you don’t strike the center of the face.

• The other main change is the introduction of inverted cone technology which was previously only possible in titanium but now works in carbon too. In simple terms, it allows TaylorMade to create thinner and thicker points in the face for further improved forgiveness.

All this follows the narrative that this new model of the club has not been manufactured to reinvent the wheel, but to tweak some of the areas that the previous model fell short in.

How did the club test in practice?

We were lucky enough to get our hands on a Stealth 2.0 Driver at the range. Testing it out was definitely insightful. I was impressed right away, noticing the big carries when I hit it perfectly.

It should also be noted that it felt and sounded spectacular too – giving me that feeling of effortless joy you only get with a drive off the sweet spot.

Although off-center hits were still slightly unpredictable with it, I certainly wouldn’t say I was disappointed in any way.

What are you paying the money for?

It’s a fair question. Why does it cost so much (almost double a lot of very good drivers)?

After 20 years of extensive research and millions of dollars invested, TaylorMade engineered a revolutionary technology with the capacity to take on rigorous use.

In particular, it took 3-4 years for their engineers to perfect the lighter carbon composition in order to make it durable enough for repeatedly striking golf balls – an element they saw as a particularly difficult hurdle when creating its lightweight face.

TaylorMade has a team of engineers that guarantee the sound quality is not impacted by their switch from titanium.

For some golfers, the “feel” on impact matters just as much as sound. To bring this innovative technology to market requires considerable time, skill, and resources. So why go through all this effort for a carbon face?

Carbon explained

TaylorMade believes the most efficient way to maximize a golfer’s ball speed and distance is by using carbon in their driver’s faces. But how does this help? It all comes down to energy transfer. The lighter face helps ensure more energy from your swing is transferred into launch, generating more ball flight.

Huh?

Let me explain with a rather crude analogy.

Visualize being hit by an automobile. Not a pleasant image, right? Now think about getting struck down by a locomotive and you can understand the concept we are trying to convey. The larger mass behind something, the more force it will transfer when in motion.

The carbon face of this driver head is 40% lighter which allows for extra weight towards its rear. The result is higher kinetic energy transmission when contact with the ball occurs.

By turning a car (titanium driver) into a train (carbon driver), TaylorMade has developed an ‘asymmetric inertia generator’ that shifts the weight to the back. Thru slot speed pocket tech also re-inforces this effort.

60 layers of carbon fibers form their unique twist face and are a large part of making the face so strong.

What is the difference between the Stealth, Stealth Plus, and Stealth HD models?

Confused by the three different TaylorMade Stealth drivers? Not sure which one is right for you? Fear not! We provide a straightforward breakdown of each driver below, starting with the Stealth Plus. We have provided a summary, but a deep dive can be found here.

TaylorMade Stealth Plus

If you’re a top tour professional or an advanced and low-handicap golfer who is looking to maintain ball speed, then the Stealth Plus should be your go-to choice.

This version of the golf club has a ‘sliding weight track’ on its head. This allows you to adjust where the weight sits in order to achieve just the right shot trajectory.

It will provide you with less spin, more distance, and increased flexibility too.

If you are a higher handicap golfer who is more focused on connecting with the fairway, then this iteration of the club might not be ideal for your needs.

TaylorMade Stealth

For intermediate and regular golfers alike, the Stealth is an ideal choice.

The regular stealth does not havee sliding weight tracks. This driver has been designed with more forgiveness and stability in mind for off center strikes.

Likewise, it produces more spin when you hit the ball which not only increases distance but also keeps it airborne longer – especially if you don’t possess a fast clubhead speed.

All things considered, if maximizing carry distance while taking into account missed strikes is your goal then opt to go with the original Stealth. Available lofts are shown below.

TaylorMade Stealth HD

If you’re just starting out or have a higher handicap, then the Stealth HD (high draw) driver is ideal for you.

This club has some of the most forgiving mechanics and will help counter any slicing tendencies off the tee. It’s incredibly common to see right-handers’ balls curve right due to generating side spin on their shots — lefties too can experience this phenomenon with reversed results.

The Stealth HD 2.0 driver has been designed to give golfers with a slicing tendency the best chance for success. While it is still possible to slice your tee shot, you can expect more spin and slightly less ball speed combined with greater forgiveness compared to other drivers in their lineup.

All options are available with a custom or stock grip.

Which tour professionals use the Stealth 2.0 Driver?

Tiger and Rory famously use the original stealth driver, but have any pros been spotted using the newest version of the club on the course?

The answer is yes.

The Stealth 2.0 driver got its first outing at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. It was sighted in the hands of Scottie Scheffler and Colin Morikawa. Other TaylorMade athletes are sure to adopt the 2.0 in time, but are yet to debut it on tour.

The Stealth and the Stealth 2.0 are favored by some of golf’s top players, major championship winners, and sports superstars.

When golfers rely on a carbon face even in the most nerve-wracking situations – when their reputation, glory, and massive amounts of money are all at stake– this serves as notable recognition for the product.

Is the TaylorMade Stealth 2.0 Driver forgiving for beginners?

TaylorMade Stealth Driver’s HD version is the ideal choice for novices. Its high draw (HD) characteristic was designed to battle slices away from the tee, where a golfer usually strikes too much side spin. If you’re just starting out and are right-handed, your ball may veer off toward the right when hit.

The generous forgiveness of this model keeps you on track while providing extra lift—which helps maximize ball flight—in exchange for slightly reduced ball speed at impact.

Why is everyone raving about the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver’s head cover?

It’s purely a nod to how awesome it looks. Classy, sleek and elegant– see below.

Pricing Breakdown

If you’re looking for the premier driver on the market, then TaylorMade’s Stealth Driver is your go-to.

Not only does this club boast a carbon face that maximizes precision and innovation, but it also boasts unbeatable quality from one of the most sought-after brands in golfing equipment.

While there are certainly more budget-friendly alternatives out there, if you want top-tier performance like Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy, then this is what you can expect to pay.

In the US, it retails at $599 for the Stealth and Stealth HD, $629 for the Stealth Plus.

In the UK you are looking at the £499 mark for the Stealth and Stealth HD. The Stealth Plus comes in at around £529.

The price difference owes to the sliding weight rack.

Comparison

It seems somewhat unfair to compare the Stealth 2.0 driver review to last year’s generation of drivers. With this said, as soon as we get our hands on the Callaway PARADYM and the latest releases from PING and Titleist, we will be sure to compile the comparables side-by-side!