Written by Joe
Last Updated on March 25, 2025 by Matt
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I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with fairway woods. When I catch them flush, they feel amazing. But more often than not, I struggle with low bullet shots, mishits that veer off-line, or just making clean contact in the first place. That’s why I was excited to try the TaylorMade Qi35 Max Fairway Wood—a club designed to make those long fairway shots easier, higher launching, and more forgiving for handicap golfers like me.
After testing it on the range and out on the course, I can confidently say this is one of the easiest-to-hit fairway woods I’ve ever used. If you’ve struggled with the Qi10 Max or fairway woods in general, this upgrade could be exactly what you need.
TaylorMade Qi35 Max fairway wood
One of the most forgiving TaylorMade woods in the last 5 years
Pros
Cons
Qi35 Max vs. Qi10 Max: What’s New?
While the Qi10 Max was a solid performer, the Qi35 Max builds on its strengths while addressing some of its weaknesses. The biggest upgrades come in stability, turf interaction, and ease of launch.
Qi35 Max – Maximum Forgiveness & Playability
If you want the most forgiving fairway wood possible, the Qi35 Max is the better option. It features:
- A larger, low-profile clubhead for more confidence at address.
- An even deeper center of gravity (CG) to help launch the ball effortlessly.
- More perimeter weighting, improving stability and accuracy on off-center hits.
On the course: The first thing I noticed was how easy it was to launch the ball high. Even when I hit it slightly thin, the ball still got up in the air and carried well.
Qi10 Max – Still Forgiving, But Slightly Less Stable
The Qi10 Max was already a solid fairway wood, but it didn’t quite provide the same level of forgiveness and launch assistance as the Qi35 Max. It had:
- A slightly shallower CG, making it better for players who already hit the ball high.
- Less extreme perimeter weighting, meaning mishits weren’t as stable as with the Qi35 Max.
- A similar shape, but not as confidence-inspiring at address.
On the course: The Qi10 Max was still a great club, but my mishits felt more penalizing compared to the Qi35 Max. If you struggle with inconsistent contact, the newer model is the way to go.
Launch Monitor & Performance Comparison
| Model | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin Rate | Carry Distance | Total Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qi35 Max | ~146.3 mph | ~17.8° | ~2,900 rpm | ~235.2 yds | ~261.6 yds |
| Qi10 Max | ~149.5 mph | ~16.2° | ~2,600 rpm | ~241.8 yds | ~267.4 yds |
The Qi35 Max trades a bit of distance for a higher launch, more forgiveness, and easier playability—which, for most high handicappers, is a trade-off well worth making.
Key Features of the Qi35 Max
1. Confidence-Boosting Clubhead
The larger, low-profile head sits behind the ball beautifully, making it look easy to hit. If you’ve ever felt intimidated standing over a fairway wood, the Qi35 Max gives you instant confidence.
2. Improved Sole for Better Turf Interaction
One of my biggest struggles with fairway woods is hitting off tight lies or out of the rough. The new sole design on the Qi35 Max glides through the turf effortlessly, helping prevent those dreaded chunky or thin shots.
3. Thru-Slot Speed Pocket for Distance on Mishits
This technology helps maintain ball speed even when you don’t strike the center. I noticed that even my slight mishits still traveled a consistent distance, which isn’t always the case with fairway woods.
4. Perimeter Weighting for Stability
TaylorMade added more weight around the perimeter of the Qi35 Max to help stabilize off-center hits. Compared to the Qi10 Max, I found my mishits stayed straighter with the newer model.
Who Should Play the Qi35 Max?
- High handicappers who struggle with consistency and need extra forgiveness.
- Mid handicappers looking for a fairway wood that’s easy to launch and control.
- Golfers who struggle with low ball flight and want a higher-launching club.
- Players who have trouble with turf interaction and want a smoother sole design.
Final Verdict
The TaylorMade Qi35 Max Fairway Wood is easily one of the best fairway woods for high-handicap golfers. It simplifies long shots, launches effortlessly, forgives mishits, and provides consistent performance. If you’ve ever struggled with your fairway woods, this club will give you instant confidence and better results. It’s earned a spot in my bag, and if you need help with your long game, it’s absolutely worth a try.