TaylorMade’s new Qi Irons offer a blend of minimalistic aesthetics and advanced multi-material technology to deliver the optimal combination of distance, accuracy and solid feel in an inviting game-improvement package.
At the heart of the Qi Iron is individual head optimisation, organic face designs and FLTD CG, all working in unison to help golfers minimise the right miss. While some of the leading game improvement irons have a fade bias in the long irons, the Qi irons have significantly less right bias for straighter and more accurate shots.
INTEGRATED SYSTEM DESIGN
With Qi Irons, TaylorMade debuts its new Integrated System Design – a suite of technologies aimed at optimising each individual iron head. The advantage of this system lies in the ability to facilitate communication among key technologies throughout the engineering process. This is crucial, says TaylorMade, because the face design, Speed Pocket functionality and mass distribution are intricately interconnected, collectively influencing ball speeds, launch angles and spin rates.
Driven by organic face geometries, Cap Back Design and Speed Pocket technology, this comprehensive approach tunes the performance of each head to ensure ideal gapping, high ball speeds and consistent launch angles throughout the entire set.
The 4- and 5-irons feature a lower profile backbar design for a low centre of gravity that encourages easy launch and towering ball flights. On the other end, shorter irons showcase a backbar design with exaggerated heel-toe weighting for higher inertia, delivering enhanced forgiveness with the ability to control ball flight with scoring clubs. FLTD CG also plays a critical role in optimising performance throughout the set.
In the simplest terms, the advantage of FLTD CG is easier launch with long irons and better control with short irons. Considering that long irons are generally more challenging to get airborne, TaylorMade’s engineeers strategically position the centre of gravity lower to invite easy launch conditions. The CG progressively rises into the short irons, which aids in control, launch, spin, trajectory and accuracy.
Now in its second generation, Cap Back Design with Toe Wrap Construction blends the advantages of a hollow-body iron with those of a traditional cavity back, replacing the steel back with a more efficient composite badge. The result is a synergistic construction with optimal mass properties, clean lines and a satisfying sound and feel, akin to a player’s distance iron such as P·770 or P·790.
SUPERIOR SOUND & FEEL
To enhance sound and feel, the Qi Irons feature re-engineered HYBRAR Echo Dampers in the 4-9 irons. Individually designed for each iron, these dampers incorporate strategically placed ribbed structures that sit behind the face. Each iron face aligns with the damper, effectively reducing unwanted vibrations. Furthermore, the Echo Damper collaborates with Cap Back Design and a 360 undercut with thick-thin topline geometry to maximise COR and forgiveness while maintaining a desirable sound and feel.
Qi HL Irons
In addition to the standard Qi irons, TaylorMade is also introducing the Qi HL irons, which are crafted for players seeking higher launch and faster clubhead speeds.
Loft configurations are approximately 2° higher compared to the standard Qi model, contributing to Qi HL’s ability to achieve increased launch angles.
Another defining feature is the weight reduction, with like-to-like builds of Qi HL measuring up to 26g lighter than a standard Qi iron, a design element intended to enhance clubhead speed and overall performance for a specific audience.
Stock shaft options include the KBS Max LITE (steel) and Fujikura Speeder NX 50g (graphite), available in flex options S, R and A.
Specifications, Pricing & Availability
Available for pre-order on January 9, and at retail from February 2, the Qi irons have an RRP of £143 per club for steel shafts and £157 for graphite. They are offered in 4-PW, AW, SW, LW and come equipped with KBS Max MT 85 steel shafts (S, R) or Fujikura’s Ventus Blue graphite shafts (7S, 6R & 5A).
Qi HL will be offered in 5-PW, AW, SW and come with KBS Max Lite (S, R) shafts. For women, the Qi and Qi HL irons are fitted with Fujikura Speeder NX TCS 40 shafts.
For more information and to find your nearest TaylorMade fitting centre, visit www.taylormadegolf.eu
