50 Words or Less
The TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver offers immense forgiveness, strong ball speeds, and wonderfully satisfying sound.
Check out the new TaylorMade Qi10 driver HERE
Introduction
TaylorMade’s highly publicized “Fargiveness” catch phrase for the Stealth 2 family may seem a little contrived, but hearing Rory say it is gold. I chuckle every time I hear it in that Irish accent. I’d like to hand him a piece of paper with forgiveness and fargiveness both spelled out and have him say both words, just to see if there’s an actual difference. But I digress. You’re here to learn about the TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, so let’s jump in.
Looks
First, the headcover – it’s really nice. I particularly like the hexagons in the red section and the crisp white stitching. Pulling off the cover my eyes were drawn to the distinctive satin finish of the red framework. Add to that the asymmetrical angles of the Inertia Generator, the gloss black finish, and red pinstriping and you have a sole that is both modern and classy looking.
At address, the Stealth 2 driver maintains that classy look with a clean field of black. The red framework, now visible on the trailing edge of the crown, provides definition to the shape. While the roundness of the crown is clearly skewed towards the toe, the position of the alignment logo “T” spotlights how toe-centric the design really is.
What truly makes the Stealth 2 driver unique in the looks department is the red carbon fiber face. With closer examination, I realized the hexagon pattern I liked on the headcover was in fact a larger representation of the face. A wonderfully cohesive look overall – especially when you factor in the colors employed on the Ventus shaft.
Sound & Feel
Surprisingly, this was my first time hitting a carbon face TaylorMade driver, and let me just say – the sound and feel of the Stealth 2 is very satisfying. Impact sound is a crisp “snap” similar to what you’d hear cracking a tree branch the size of a drum stick across your knee. Volume was in the 4-5 range and fairly consistent across the face.
Through the impact zone, the feel was also consistent – solid and stable with every reasonable strike. It felt like every ball hit between the white groove graphics was dead center unless I was truly focused on contact location.
Performance
The highlight of my TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver testing was the forgiveness. Even during my “get to know you” phase, the driver delivered strong ball speeds. And as I became more comfortable with the shaft and head, the Stealth 2 really delivered solid, and repetitive, distances. I mention the head specifically, because the optimum strike location is visually heel biased – trust the alignment aid.
Billed as mid-low spin, I found it on the low side. The stock Fujikura Ventus TR Red [full review HERE] is a great shaft, but not a perfect fit for me. On the plus side, I’m confident that my spin could be brought up with a shaft change, and the results could be really impressive. We say “get fit” all the time for a reason.
The science behind fargiveness revolves around carbon technology. TaylorMade designers utilized twice as much carbon in the Stealth 2 compared to the original Stealth driver. There’s an exploding graphic on the TaylorMade website [link below] that that illustrates just how much of the head is carbon – and it’s shocking.
By saving weight in nearly every element of the driver head, mass was distributed exactly where best suited for stability and, you guessed it, forgiveness. The most obvious example is the 25 gram tungsten weight pod of the Inertia Generator – precisely positioned to boost MOI.
Conclusion
For the golfer seeking both distance and forgiveness, the TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver is a must try for 2023. Stronger players who need low spin and enhanced adjustability should consider checking out the Stealth 2 Plus [full review HERE]. And if you struggle with a slice, or desire a serious draw, take a look at the Stealth 2 HD [full review HERE]. Fargiveness may be sound like just a clever marketing word, but it perfectly defines the TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver.
Visit TaylorMade HERE
TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver Price & Specs
- Canon PowerShot GOLF Digital Laser Rangefinder Review - September 27, 2024
- PXG Black Ops Irons Review - September 25, 2024
- Titleist GT2 Fairway Review - September 12, 2024
32 Comments
Hey hey.
I’d be up to demo one and send it back. Scratch golfer, LH, xflex, 9 degree-ish.
100% will leave an honest review on whichever platform you prefer. If I love it, I’ll buy one.
Not really how this review site works…
Can’t argue with the 1.50 smash factor you achieved (80/120)!
Comparisons to Ping 430 Max and Paradym X? I know, get fitted but all reviews say great distance, most forgiving….any opinion?
Thanks
I’ve hit most of the new models Mark, and the Stealth 2 is going in my bag.
– Meeks
How will a carbon face stand the test of time compaired to titanium face will it break down sooner at that price you do not want to buy one every 150 rounds
I’ve not heard about any issues Joe – and I’m certain there are golfers who have used the original Stealth for more than 150 rounds now.
– Meeks
For an older, slower swinger, I tried the Stealth and the Ping G430. I loved the feel off the face of the Stealth, but after trying several shaft options in both drivers, the Ping G430 was consistently 10-15 yards longer and loss less distance on off center hits. The Ping is in my bag.
It is a sweet Driver Matt. I work at a golf shop and my top 3 Were the Stealth 2, Titleist TSR3 and the Srixon ZX5 MK II LS. The Paradym sounds good and feels good at impact but the numbers just weren’t there for me personally. Ping is just straight up ugly and I just can’t handle looking down at it. I was hitting the 3 Drivers I mentioned 15-20 yards further on average than Callaway, Ping or Cobra.
Have you heard anything about the face/head cracking and/or breaking? Got custom fit into a Stealth 2+. Custom Kai’li blue 60X shaft. Tried the Ping and Calloway during fitting but this performed better. PGASS/TM sent it out and the first day I received it, made it through about a 30-40 drives before that club head basically exploded sending the back of the head about 30 yards down the driving range. TM is supposedly going to replace the entire club for me but worried this is going to be an issue again. Thoughts? Have you heard anything? I have found a couple random stories like this on the internet but wondering if you know of a broader issue with this driver head? Thanks.
I have not heard of any issues Dan. If it was a common issue, I think it would be all over social media.
– Meeks
Just bought a stealth 2 and its on its way… I don’t swing overly hard but above average speed I suppose. 270 carry or so. I’m now worried about longevity on this driver. If it’s not common but not rare for it to break, that’s still a concern for a 600 dollar driver.
270 carry is damn near tour numbers XD
Same exact situation, 20 regular rounds and then it flew off 20 yards onto the range. TM replacing it but cannot answer the question if the warranty starts again from the time of replacement.
Well, the doubts on the longevity of the carbon face are spot on. Mine fell off after 20 rounds. And I swing only at 100 mph…Its not that the ‘supposedly 60 compressed together’ layers come apart, but the entire block of 60 layer comes off the last seat layer, if it can be called that. I did get a replacement, but also discovered at the fitter that this has been a problem with the stealth face. So Matt, it is an issue and TM knows about it.
Matt – I am the same Dan that commented above on 4/25/23. I just broke my THIRD Stealth 2+ yesterday. The first two broke on the driving range. The third club I was able to play one round with and made it through the round and then broke on the driving range again. The last two times it broke on the toe side where the seam is. A piece actually breaks off and the seam pops. They are replacing it again but there is no doubt in my mind that this is a larger issue that TM knows about. I love the performance of the club but if PGASS wasn’t an hour and a half from my house, I would have gone back and got fitted into a different brand. This is ridiculous. Matt – I think if you are giving honest reviews – you need to dig deeper into what is going on here….
Thanks for sharing your experiences Dan. That’s why I appreciate the comments section – we can all gain knowledge on the happenings encountered by others. If I have any issues, or hear learn of any from my playing partners, I’ll be sure to share them here also.
– Meeks
Just bought the stealth2+ because it just out performed TSR3, Paradym, Ping on miss gits. I was looking for dispersion, Stealth was king. However, a friend used a demo club and we found that it had broken just in front of the weight on the sole. Returned to the proshop and they said yeah we see that a lot.
Hmm. Anyone interested in a Stealth 2 slightly used?
My stealth 2+ sole broke today. Only 4 rounds of use. Swing speed 128mph.
I have been fitted for a driver and am about to order the TaylorMade Stealth 2, however after reading some of the comments, I have my concerns about breakage. Is this the norm? What do you suggest to prevent it from happening? Thank you
It’s definitely not the norm Linda, but it’s not rare. There’s nothing you can do to prevent it since we don’t know the root cause. Many people say you shouldn’t leave clubs for extended time in a hot trunk, but I ignored that for 10 years in Florida without incident. And of course treating your driver with normal care – not banging the head against trees – is always prudent.
– Meeks
I’ve broken two stealth driver heads but I swing at 117 mph so it could be isolated. Still switching to tsr
My son has just cracked his second sole on his Stealth 2. He loves the forgiveness and distance. Swing speed between 125-135. It definitely seems if your swing speed is above 120, you may want to look elsewhere, or play a lot of rounds without your driver while they keep replacing it… It’s helped him rely on other clubs though…
I demoed the Stealth 2 driver a month ago. My local golf shop let me take it to the range to hit (which was great). I took my Callaway Great Big Bertha and a recently purchased Ping G430 Max with me to compare. I set up my launch monitor and started hitting balls. Long story short, the Stealth 2 was the longest of the 3. Easily out drove the CBB and the G430 by 10-12 yds on average. I noticed the ball speed was higher with the Stealth as well. I’m a 13 handicap and was searching for more distance (imagine that). I found it. From someone who tested it against two other popular models, the Stealth won out. And the sound coming off the face was also a bonus. Very soft and muted. I would highly recommend the Stealth 2 driver. You will not be disappointed.
I caved in the face in April on a stealth2 Plus and it just happened again this weekend (October). So I am going on my 3rd Stealth2 head. Very disappointed.
I recently purchased a Stealth 2 driver from PGASS in Tampa, Fl. After one range session, the red polyurethane face cover has visible scuffs and damage from range balls. I Don’t know about the durability of this cover but I assume that, basically like a golfball cover, it will probably get scuffed and damaged over time. Will this affect the carbon fiber it is protecting? I don’t know but there are multiple complaints to Taylormade regarding the Stealth and Stealth 2 Drivers. The driver does perform well for me and I am a senior citizen with a “slowish” swing speed. Won’t be hitting any more range balls with it! We will see how long it lasts.
Hello, I am very interested in the Stealth 2 driver, I hit one along with the Ping g430 , the Stealth driver just seems to perform so much better for me. (13 handicap), but after reading reviews and comments I’m extremely hesitant because of the issues a number of players are having, is it club abuse or just a T/M defect, I really want one but very cautious to spend my money on something that may only last a few rounds, looking for an honest option from someone. Thanks Marty
I have only heard about defects from readers who have heard about defects. I’ve not seen nor heard of one directly from a user. I gamed my Stealth 2 for a year with zero issues (now playing the Qi10). You need to do what will allow you to sleep soundly at night.
– Meeks
Hi Matt,
I’m a new golfer, 36 handicap however I have quite a fast swing speed for my handicap. I currently only have Ping G430 clubs and a G430 five wood. I want to buy a driver right now but am not quite sure what to get between the Stealth 2 and Ping G430 Max 10K. I don’t have alot of experience with drivers so will have to learn as I go, however I can’t try out either one of these clubs. Based on my handicap and high swing speed would you recommend either one or the other or even a completely different driver?
Thanks in advance,
Felix
Thanks for the question Felix. High handicaps can be the result of many things – terrible short game, wicked slice, etc. But generally, most all mortal golfers need maximum forgiveness. There’s no compelling reason not to go with the Ping driver since you’re familiar with brand.
– Meeks
Hi Matt what do you think of the stock speeder nx shaft for the stealth 2 driver. I am 75 and a very good player. Thank you for your insights
There’s really no way to answer that Donald. Age and scoring are part of the shaft equation, but not determinant. I will say that stock shafts are chosen for a reason – they work for the majority of golfers.
– Meeks