TaylorMade Stealth 2.0 Driver Review: Is It Better Than The Original Stealth?

In recent years, the TaylorMade Stealth driver has gained significant attention, thanks to its red carbon face and endorsement from top professional golfers like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. The initial model garnered a mixed response, as many golfers found it highly rewarding when struck perfectly, but also extremely punishing on off-center hits. This led TaylorMade to address the forgiveness issue with their new release: the Stealth 2.0.

The updated Stealth 2.0 lineup features three different drivers, each tailored to different skill levels and preferences. The improvements aim to maintain the distance derived from the highly-appreciated red carbon face while increasing forgiveness for a wider range of golfers. With new features, such as a carbon sole and carbon reinforced composite ring, TaylorMade seeks to make the Stealth 2.0 a more well-rounded option for golf enthusiasts.

Key Takeaways

• The Stealth 2.0 series targets increased forgiveness while retaining desirable distance.
• Three drivers in the lineup cater to various skill levels and golfer preferences.
• New features, such as carbon sole and reinforced composite ring, enhance performance.

The Anticipation Surrounding the Stealth Driver

Without a doubt, the TaylorMade Stealth driver has been one of the most discussed drivers in recent history. With a red carbon face and players like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy endorsing it, the hype was undeniable. The launch of the Stealth driver was met with huge anticipation, and everyone wanted to test it out for themselves. However, opinions were divided as some golfers found it too challenging to hit consistently. Realizing this, TaylorMade is attempting to address these issues with the new Stealth 2.0 version.

The new lineup consists of three options: Stealth 2.0, Stealth 2.0 Plus, and Stealth 2.0 HD. The Stealth 2.0 Plus features a movable track at the front, while the Stealth 2.0 HD is designed to tackle slicing issues. They all have a sleek and impressive design, with red, black, white, and silver detailing. One minor change is the carbon crown on the Stealth 2.0 is glossier, which some may find less appealing. However, the red carbon face remains a prominent feature.

Three key features have been introduced in the Stealth 2.0 models to increase forgiveness while maintaining distance. First, a carbon sole has been added to match the carbon head, allowing for more efficient weight distribution. Second, the back ring has been strengthened with a carbon-reinforced composite material, which TaylorMade claims enhances off-centered strike performance. Finally, TaylorMade has incorporated the inverted cone technology into the carbon face, ensuring more consistent ball speed across the face.

Although the updates in the Stealth 2.0 lineup may not be groundbreaking, they are an important step in refining performance and addressing previous concerns. Testing the new drivers has shown promising results, with average carry distances and ball speeds that meet and sometimes slightly exceed modern driver expectations. While the stealth series may not be a revolutionary step in golf driver technology, it showcases TaylorMade’s commitment to continuous improvement and golfer satisfaction. So, take the chance to try out the new Stealth 2.0 and discover if it’s the right fit for you.

Stealth Driver 2.0: First Impressions

You’ve undoubtedly heard about the TaylorMade Stealth Driver, with its famous red carbon face that caught the eyes of top golfers like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Now, TaylorMade has introduced the Stealth 2.0, promising improved speed, control, and forgiveness. Let’s dive into your initial experience with this updated driver.

Three Models to Choose From

In this year’s lineup, TaylorMade offers three versions: the Stealth 2.0, the Stealth 2.0 Plus (featuring a movable track at the front), and the Stealth 2.0 HD (designed to eliminate slices). Their striking appearance, with red, black, white, and silver detailing, make them some of the most visually appealing drivers you’ve seen.

Key Features

The Stealth 2.0 series retains the 60-layer carbon face and Twist Face technology for off-center hit forgiveness but adds new features to address forgiveness issues. A carbon sole now matches the carbon head, allowing weight distribution in the clubhead for better control. Also, there’s a carbon-reinforced composite ring around the back that strengthens the lighter parts of the driver head, increasing both distance and forgiveness.

Performance Results

In your tests, starting with the Stealth 2.0, you achieved an average carry of 281 yards, 2,000 RPM spin, and just under 160 mph ball speed—a typical performance for a modern driver. The Stealth 2.0 Plus managed slightly better results, with an average carry of 287 yards, 2,100 RPM spin, and 161 mph ball speed. While these numbers didn’t blow you away, they show the Stealth 2.0 series is performing as expected.

The Verdict

The TaylorMade Stealth 2.0 drivers offer a refined, visually appealing design with some improved features, but they’re not a massive upgrade from last year’s model. While no revolution, the Stealth 2.0 series holds its own with good but not outstanding performance. The added forgiveness features make it worth considering whether you’re aiming for better control or trying to eliminate slices.

Features and Design of the Stealth Driver 2.0

The Stealth Driver 2.0 builds upon the success of its predecessor, offering improved performance and forgiveness. The lineup includes three models: Stealth 2.0, Stealth 2.0 Plus, and Stealth 2.0 HD. Each model has been engineered with distinct features to cater to different golfer preferences.

Visually, the Stealth Driver 2.0 retains the signature red carbon face and sleek styling, though the red is now slightly more muted. The carbon crown is still present, along with white and silver detailing. One change you might notice is the glossy finish on the crown, which provides an attractive, eye-catching look.

The Stealth 2.0 Plus model has a movable track at the front, allowing you to adjust the club for your desired shot shape. The Stealth 2.0 HD model eliminates the notorious slice with an enhanced weight at the back, providing extra forgiveness for higher handicappers.

Here are some key features and design elements of the Stealth Driver 2.0:

• 60-layer carbon face: This lightweight material reduces the overall weight of the clubhead, allowing for better distribution of weight and improved forgiveness.
• Twist Face technology: This design enhances off-center strikes, contributing to overall forgiveness.
• Adjustability: You can adjust the loft by two degrees up or down and make the driver more upright for a leftward shot bias.
• Carbon sole: The carbon sole helps save weight, allowing for better weight distribution and increased forgiveness.
• Carbon-reinforced composite ring: This strong material, found in the red ring on the Stealth 2.0 model, reinforces the lighter parts of the clubhead to maximize distance and forgiveness on off-center strikes.
• Inverted Cone technology in carbon face: This technology maintains a more consistent ball speed across the face by incorporating face thickening and thinning elements.

The price of the Stealth Driver 2.0 models is set at £529, which is competitive with other high-quality drivers on the market. While this year’s launch might not be a revolutionary step forward, it’s clear that the focus has been on improving forgiveness and refining the design. The performance improvements and tailored features make the Stealth Driver 2.0 a worthy consideration for golfers looking to enhance their game.

The Stealth 2.0 Lineup

Without a doubt, the most talked-about driver in recent times has been TaylorMade’s Stealth with its red carbon face. Top players like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have been eager to put it in their bags. Now, TaylorMade has introduced Stealth 2.0, which promises to be faster, straighter, and more forgiving. But is it?

There are three drivers in the Stealth 2.0 lineup: Stealth 2.0, Stealth 2.0 Plus, and Stealth 2.0 HD. The main difference between them is the adjustability. The Stealth 2.0 Plus features a movable front track, while the Stealth 2.0 HD promises to prevent slices with its additional weight at the back.

Carrying forward from the previous year, TaylorMade continues to use a 60-layer carbon face and Twist Face technology for more forgiving off-center hits. The drivers also have customizable Loft adjustments—up to 2 degrees up or down, and an option to make it more upright for a leftward bias.

New features in the Stealth 2.0 drivers include a carbon sole to match the carbon face, allowing weight redistribution for better forgiveness. A carbon-reinforced composite ring on the back strengthens and maximizes distance off the face and Forgiveness on off-center hits. Moreover, TaylorMade has introduced inverted cone technology in the carbon face, helping maintain consistent ball speed across the face.

In testing, the Stealth 2.0 drivers demonstrated solid but not mind-blowing numbers. Further testing is needed to understand the true performance difference between the Stealth and Stealth 2.0 series. As an evolution rather than a revolution, the Stealth 2.0 lineup is all about refinement, with distance taking a backseat to increased forgiveness this year.

Continuing Features from Previous Stealth Models

This section explores some of the features that the new TaylorMade Stealth 2.0 drivers have inherited from the previous Stealth models. As you know, last year’s Stealth driver gained a lot of attention, and many professional golfers immediately adopted it. TaylorMade is now taking it a step further, addressing some of the concerns raised by users about its forgiveness.

Here are some of the continuing features from the previous Stealth models in the new Stealth 2.0 drivers:

• 60-layer carbon face: TaylorMade remains committed to using carbon materials in its woods for the foreseeable future, and this technology carries over to the new Stealth 2.0 drivers.
• Twist Face technology: To improve forgiveness on off-center hits, the new Stealth 2.0 drivers still utilize Twist Face technology, which was introduced in the previous models.
• Adjustability: As with the previous models, the Stealth 2.0 series offers adjustability to suit your preferences. The standard Stealth 2.0 model features a sliding weight at the front that can be moved towards the toe or heel to create a draw or fade bias. The Stealth 2.0 HD (Hydra) version also has an enhanced weight system to improve forgiveness for higher-handicap players. Additionally, you can adjust the loft by two degrees up and down and make the driver more upright if desired.

With these existing features and some new improvements, the TaylorMade Stealth 2.0 drivers aim to address the forgiveness issue, providing you with more confidence and consistency in your golf game.

New Features in the Stealth 2.0 Drivers

The TaylorMade Stealth 2.0 drivers have been designed to address the lack of forgiveness in the previous Stealth drivers while still boasting impressive distance capabilities. Here’s what’s new in these drivers:

• Carbon Sole: The Stealth 2.0 now features a carbon sole to match the carbon head, allowing for efficient weight distribution within the driver. This helps ensure more forgiveness across the clubface.
• Carbon Reinforced Composite Ring: In the Stealth 2.0, the back ring now features a carbon reinforced composite material. TaylorMade claims this strong material helps reinforce the lighter parts of the driver head, maximizing distance and forgiveness on off-center strikes.
• Inverted Cone Technology: The carbon face on the Stealth 2.0 has been upgraded to include inverted cone technology. Previously reserved for titanium clubs, this technology enables a more consistent ball speed across the face by optimizing face thickness for better performance on off-center hits.

As a result of these improvements, the Stealth 2.0 drivers aim to provide golfers with both impressive distance and much-needed forgiveness, setting them apart from their predecessors.

Comparative Analysis: Stealth 2.0 vs Stealth Drivers

The TaylorMade Stealth quickly became one of the most popular drivers among golfers and professional players like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Now, with the release of the Stealth 2.0, it’s time to compare the two drivers and see if the new version lives up to its claims of being faster, straighter, and more forgiving.

Design and Aesthetics

At first glance, the Stealth 2.0 maintains the eye-catching red, black, and white color scheme of the original Stealth, but with a more subdued red carbon face. The Stealth 2.0 lineup includes three models: Stealth 2.0, Stealth 2.0 Plus (with a movable track at the front), and Stealth 2.0 HD (designed to combat slicing).

Similarities Between Stealth and Stealth 2.0

Both drivers feature the 60-layer carbon face, Twist Face technology for more forgiving off-center hits, and a level of adjustability. The Stealth 2.0 base model has a weight at the front that can slide from toe to heel to adjust for fade or draw bias. Similarly, the HD version has an enhanced weight at the back for higher handicapped players.

New Features in Stealth 2.0

In an effort to increase forgiveness, TaylorMade has introduced a few key changes in the Stealth 2.0:

• Carbon sole: By adding a carbon sole to match the carbon head, TaylorMade can save weight and distribute it more effectively within the head.
• Carbon reinforced composite ring: The strong material in this ring reinforces the lighter parts of the driver head, maximizing distance off the face and forgiveness on off-center strikes.
• Inverted cone technology in the carbon face: This technology maintains consistent ball speed across the face, improving performance on off-center hits.

Performance Comparison

Using a launch monitor, you can compare the performance of the Stealth 2.0 drivers side by side. The Stealth 2.0 base model averages a carry of 281 yards with about 2,000 RPM spin and 160 mph ball speed. The Stealth 2.0 Plus, with its movable weight, averages a slightly longer carry of 287 yards, 2,100 RPM spin, and 161 mph ball speed.

As for the Stealth 2.0 HD, it’s more geared towards players struggling with slicing, and its performance numbers might not reflect its true benefits for that specific demographic of golfers.

The Stealth 2.0 drivers may not be groundbreaking in terms of performance improvements over the original Stealth, but they do provide golfers with some welcome refinements. Ultimately, you’ll have to test them out for yourself to see if the Stealth 2.0 is the right fit for your game.

Testing the Stealth 2.0

Without a doubt, the TaylorMade Stealth has been a highly discussed driver in recent years. With its red carbon face and top players like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy using it, the anticipation for the new Stealth 2.0 was immense. In this section, we will discuss the testing process and results for the Stealth 2.0.

To determine if Stealth 2.0 is faster, straighter, and more forgiving, we put it to the test using a GC quad and hitting Pro V1 balls. We analyzed both the carry distance and the dispersion pattern, as these were two significant concerns with the previous model.

Our goal for the testing process was to achieve a carry distance of 280 yards, with around 2,000 RPM spin and a ball speed of 160 miles per hour. We tested the Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus, and Stealth 2 HD Hydra models.

The results for the Stealth 2 were as follows:

• Average carry distance: 281 yards
• Average spin: Just under 2,000 RPM
• Average ball speed: Just below 160 mph

Moving on to the Stealth 2 Plus, we observed:

• Average carry distance: 287 yards
• Average spin: 2,100 RPM
• Average ball speed: 160 mph

Our testing of the Stealth 2 HD Hydra version yielded:

• Average carry distance: Slightly shorter than the other models
• Higher ball spin

It should be noted that the Hydra model is not designed for the same target audience, but it was included in the testing for completeness.

From these results, it’s evident that the Stealth 2.0 series offers good carry distances, with the Stealth 2 Plus standing out as the top performer. However, they may not be groundbreaking or significantly better than some other drivers on the market.

In conclusion, the TaylorMade Stealth 2.0 series shows an evolution, rather than a revolution, in driver technology. The improvements in forgiveness are welcome, but the overall performance might not be enough to entice all players to switch immediately.

Performance Data of the Stealth 2.0

As you explore the Stealth 2.0 drivers, you’ll first notice three in the line-up: the Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus, and Stealth 2 HD. The key differences between them are:

• Stealth 2 Plus features a movable track at the front.
• Stealth 2 HD, also known as Hydra, is designed for minimizing slices.

The performance data comparison of these drivers has been gathered through tests conducted on a GC Quad using Pro V1 balls. The prime focus was the carry distance, spin, and ball speed.

Stealth 2

With the Stealth 2, your average carry distance reaches 281 yards, combined with approximately 2,000 RPM spin and just under 160 mph of ball speed. These numbers offer a fairly modern standard for drivers.

Stealth 2 Plus

Switching to the Stealth 2 Plus, you see a slight increase in carry distance at 287 yards, accompanied by 2,100 RPM of spin and 106 mph of ball speed. While these improvements are notable, it is important to keep in mind that other competing drivers, like the Callaway Dragon, showcased more prominent enhancements.

Stealth 2 HD (Hydra)

On the other hand, the Stealth 2 HD is designed for high handicappers, offering an anti-slice profile. Its performance is not ideally suited for every golfer but can be beneficial for players looking to address slice issues.

In conclusion, the performance data of the Stealth 2.0 drivers reveals a series of reliable and upgraded options, allowing you to choose the driver that best aligns with your golfing needs and preferences. With this information, you can make an informed decision and enhance your golf game.

Testing on the Golf Course

When it comes to the TaylorMade Stealth 2.0, expectations are high. After all, its predecessor was one of the most talked-about drivers in recent years, making waves with its red carbon face and endorsements from golf legends like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. As you put this new version to the test, you’ll want to determine whether it lives up to the claims of being faster, straighter, and more forgiving.

Comparing the features and design to last year’s Stealth driver, you’ll find several similarities. The 60-layer carbon base, twist face technology for more forgiving off-center hits, and adjustability options have all carried through to the Stealth 2.0. However, the new driver includes a few key additions to improve forgiveness.

Notable New Features

• Carbon sole: To save weight and allow for better weight distribution in the head, TaylorMade has introduced a carbon sole that matches the carbon head.
• Carbon reinforced composite ring: Strength is increased with this composite ring, reinforcing the lighter parts of the driver head. The result is maximized distance off the face and improved forgiveness on off-center strikes.
• Inverted cone technology: Now incorporated into the carbon face, this technology maintains consistent ball speeds across the face by strategically thickening and thinning areas.

To help evaluate the Stealth 2.0, you should gather data using a launch monitor like the GCQuad, hitting golf balls like the Pro V1. It’s important to pay attention to carry distance, spin, ball speed, and dispersion patterns.

For the standard Stealth 2.0 model, you may find that it performs well with average carries of around 280 yards, spin rates hovering around 2,000 RPM, and ball speeds just under 160 miles per hour. These numbers may not blow you away, but they meet expectations for a modern driver.

As for the Stealth 2.0 Plus and HD versions, you may notice some differences in performance. The Stealth 2.0 Plus could potentially offer slightly longer carry distances, while the HD shouldn’t be your top choice if you already have a low handicap.

In conclusion, the TaylorMade Stealth 2.0 maintains many of the features players loved from the original but adds improvements focused on forgiveness. As you test it on the golf course, you’ll want to consider how it performs for your specific swing and skill level.

Let’s See What Rick Shiels Thinks…

Final Evaluation

Without a doubt, the TaylorMade Stealth has been the most discussed driver in recent years, with its red carbon face capturing the attention of both professional and amateur golfers alike. Now, the new TaylorMade Stealth 2.0 has arrived, claiming to be faster, straighter, and more forgiving than its predecessor. But how do these claims hold up?

The Stealth 2.0 lineup consists of three models: the Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus with a movable track at the front, and the Stealth 2 HD (Hydra). The head cover this year is also noteworthy, undoubtedly winning the award for “head cover of the year.” Priced at £529, the drivers maintain the 60-layer carbon base, twist face, and adjustability features from the previous version.

With the new version, TaylorMade introduces a carbon sole and a carbon reinforced composite ring in response to the forgiveness concerns of the original Stealth driver. This strong ring reinforces the driver’s light-parts, maximizing distance and forgiveness. Additionally, the carbon face now includes inverted cone technology to maintain consistent ball speed across the face, even during off-centered strikes.

In testing the three Stealth 2.0 models, the results show that the drivers perform well, but not extraordinarily. The Stealth 2 carried an average of 281 yards, spinning around 2000 RPM with a ball speed of 160 mph. The Stealth 2 Plus showed slightly better results, carrying 287 yards with 2100 RPM spin and a ball speed of 106 mph. Lastly, the Stealth 2 HD saw similar performance but was not specifically tailored for your swing.

In conclusion, the TaylorMade Stealth 2.0 drivers exhibit improved forgiveness compared to the original version. Although not awe-inspiring in terms of performance enhancements, the lineup remains a solid option for those interested in upgrading or seeking a new driver.