TaylorMade reveals new Qi Max and Qi Max HL irons

The new TaylorMade Qi4D drivers and woods are likely to dominate attention, but we shouldn't overlook their exciting Qi Max and Qi Max HL irons, which have been marketed as their finest game improvement models yet.

Featuring distinctive profiles to superior sound and feel, Qi Max and Qi Max HL irons have been engineered to deliver unparalleled distance and forgiveness in a package that inspires confidence.

Matt Bovee, Director of Product Category, Wedges and Irons, has commented: "Golfers in the game improvement category today are demanding more from their irons than just distance and forgiveness; they want irons that sound, feel and look great as well. That’s why we’ve designed both Qi Max and Qi Max HL irons to be the most complete game improvement irons we’ve ever made. From individual face optimisation to revolutionary internal structures, Qi Max and Qi Max HL irons check all the boxes in the game improvement category."

Qi Max and Qi Max HL irons will be available for preorder on January 8 and available at retail locations on January 29 at an RRP per iron of £143 / €183 for steel, and an RRP per iron of £157 / €200 for graphite.

What Do You Need to Know About TaylorMade's New Qi Max Irons?

Through extensive testing, TaylorMade engineers were able to deduce that the faces in most game improvement irons flex more on the toe at impact than anywhere else on the face. The result is unwanted fade bias that sees golfers losing too many shots to the right (for right-handed players). To counteract this tendency, the faces in Qi Max and Qi Max HL irons are designed to flex in unison and reduce cut spin for shots that stay online.

In surveying more than 11,000 core golfers, TaylorMade found that players who use game improvement irons are now expecting more than top-tier performance. They’re after a high-performance iron that delivers premium feel. And a lot of what golfers perceive as feel is related to the sound the clubface and ball make at impact.

Armed with these findings, TaylorMade engineers designed Qi Max and Qi Max HL irons to be as optimised for sound, and therefore feel, as possible. What they found was that the top of the face and the top line are the most prone to undesirable sound because these are the areas of the head with the most flexion at impact. As a result, TaylorMade incorporated a sound stabilisation bar that connects the back bar to the top line. As a result, the top line becomes more stable and produces a more solid feel. Additionally, the sound stabilisation bar allows for the expanded use of ECHO Damping System material higher up in the face which reduces vibration, ultimately producing a better sound.

Within the game improvement irons category, TaylorMade also found that there are two distinct camps golfers fall into when it comes to shaping.

On one hand, some players in the game improvement iron category are demanding a more aspirational, players look. To that end, TaylorMade has designed Qi Max irons with a thinner top line, shorter blade length and reduced offset in the hosel.

For other golfers, bigger is better. That’s why TaylorMade designed Qi Max HL to be as forgiving as possible. The blade lengths of each iron are slightly longer, the face height is taller, and both the sole and top line are moderately thicker.

In surveying core golfers, it also became apparent that those in the game improvement category desire a brighter, more metallic looking iron. Qi Max and Qi Max HL irons have evolved to take on a brighter, more aspirational, monochromatic look that draws inspiration from models in the P·Series iron family. At the same time, the tech in both Qi Max and Qi Max HL irons remains visible and confidence-inspiring.

Qi Max Irons

Qi Max irons are perfect for the player that wants more distance and plenty of forgiveness in a package that’s aspirational. Compared to previous generations, Qi Max irons feature a more compact profile. Specifically, both the top line and blade width are thinner, and there’s less offset as the head blends seamlessly into the hosel.

Qi Max irons also employ FLTD CG (also found in P·790 and P·770 irons) which positions the CG lowest in the long irons enabling high launch and stopping power coming into the green, and progressively higher in the shorter irons for optimised flight and distance control.

In the 4- through 8-irons, the Speed Pocket helps protect ball speed on shots struck low on the face.

The stock steel shaft is the KBS Max 85 MT (S, R), and the stock graphite shaft is the REAX by KBS (75S, 65R, 55A). The stock grip is the SuperStroke Crossline 360 Black 47g.

Qi Max HL Irons

Golfers looking for maximum carry distance and forgiveness in a lightweight package are going to benefit from Qi Max HL irons. These irons feature a slightly larger overall profile that’s designed to maximise forgiveness and carry distance.

While stronger lofts are beneficial for golfers looking to maximise distance, they can actually work against those with slower swing speeds as they can limit launch and make it difficult to hold the green. That’s why Qi Max HL irons employ lofts that are 3° weaker than those of Qi Max. Coupled with ultralightweight heads, shafts and grips, golfers with slower swing speeds are able to maximise both clubhead speed and launch. As a result they realise maximum carry distance and stopping ability.

Just like Qi Max irons, Qi Max HL irons employ Speed Pockets in 5- through 8-irons.

The stock steel shaft is the KBS Max Lite (S, R), and the stock graphite shaft is the REAX HL by KBS (50S, 50R, 50A, 45L). The stock grip is the SuperStroke Crossline Lite 360 Black 42g.

If you're looking to change your irons this year, could these be the ones for you?