TaylorMade’s new Stealth 2 Plus, Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD Carbonwood drivers, which are available to buy from February 17, combine the speed of the original Stealth driver with technological advancements that create a new level of forgiveness.
Building on the success of the original 60X Carbon Twist Face that produce faster ball speeds, the new face design in the Stealth 2 drivers feature an advanced version of Inverted Cone Technology which is designed to maintain ball speed on off-centre strikes and increase forgiveness, or as TaylorMade likes to call that combination: ‘Fargiveness’.
A more pronounced ICT produces a thinner face on the edges and a thicker centre face, engineered to spread speed around the perimeter. Stealth 2’s face weighs just 24g – 2g lighter than the original Stealth face – and is designed to have an expanded COR area for a larger sweet spot and boosted performance across the entire face.
Tomo Bystedt, TaylorMade’s Senior Director of Product Creation, said: “There are two main ways to produce forgiveness in a driver, by optimising the face and by optimising the body. Building off the 60X Carbon Twist Face in the original Stealth that led to ball speed gains for golfers across various skill levels, with Stealth 2 we challenged ourselves to bring more forgiveness in each of the three models. We accomplished that through introducing our modified face construction focused on forgiveness on the outside of the face, and a brand-new carbon-based modular body construction.”
MORE CARBON, MORE CONTROL
Stealth 2 is the first driver TaylorMade has built that features more carbon (including composites) than any other material by volume. It has gradually increased the use of carbon over the last five years and when compared to first generation Stealth there is a 75% increase in carbon in Stealth 2 Plus, and nearly double in Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD. More carbon creates more discretionary mass that can be re-located for a higher Moment of Inertia (MOI) and optimal centre of gravity location. The additional carbon has also enabled total MOI by 9% compared to the Stealth Plus.
Carbon features in Stealth 2 drivers in the form of a carbon crown, a carbon reinforced composite ring, carbon sole and the 60x carbon Twist Face. The only parts made of metal are the titanium collar on the front of the club that holds the hosel and frames the face, and front and rear weights that vary by model. The added carbon reinforced ring provides constructional strength, durability and mass savings that allowed engineers to form a more complex and functional shape.
TRIED & TRUSTED TECHNOLOGIES
The Stealth 2 drivers feature various technological innovations that were used in the original Stealth driver, including the 60X Carbon Twist Face which is encased by a polyurethane nanotexture cover that is used to fine tune launch and spin to optimise total distance regardless of playing conditions.
The Inertia Generator remains the foundational source of refined aerodynamic properties. The result is an aerodynamic head shape that aids in swing speed generation on the downswing while retaining high MOI; while a flexible Thru-Slot Speed Pocket design is engineered to maximise ball speeds and produce additional forgiveness on low-face strikes.
STEALTH 2 PLUS DRIVER
Stealth 2 Plus is the lowest spinning driver in the line-up. Because of weight savings from the use of carbon materials, engineers were able to incorporate the use of a 15g sliding weight track designed to help golfers dial in shot shape by shifting mass on the sole to create the desired ball flight.
It will be offered in 8°, 9° and 10.5° lofts with shaft offerings including Mitsubishi Kai’li Red 60 (X, S, R) and Project X HZRDUS Black (Gen 4) 60 (X/6.5, S/6.0). The stock grips is Golf Pride’s Z-Grip Plus 2 Black/Red (52g).
RRP: £529
STEALTH 2 DRIVER
The reconstructed Stealth 2 driver delivers high MOI performance with a heavy 25g tungsten weight positioned on the Inertia Generator. An interchangeable swingweight is strategically located on the sole to encourage optimal launch and spin properties. The carbon ring is completely red and visible at address, unlike the Stealth 2 Plus where it is hidden.
Offered in 9°, 10.5° and 12° lofts, Stealth 2 shaft offerings include Fujikura’s Ventus Red TR 5 (S, R, A) and Mitsubishi’s Diamana S+ 60 (X, S, R), while the stock grip is Golf Pride’s Z-Grip Plus 2 Black/Red (52g) grip.
RRP: £499
STEALTH 2 HD DRIVER
Stealth 2 HD is the most stable and forgiving driver in the range. Engineers used weight savings from the full-body carbon construction to shift the Inertia Generator with its heavy 30g weight closer to the heel to create high launch and draw-bias with extreme MOI. Offered in 9°, 10.5° and 12° lofts, the stock shaft offering is a Fujikura Speeder NX Red 60 (S) or 50 (R, A).
RRP: £499
STEALTH 2 HD WOMEN’S DRIVER
Featuring a lighter head weight than the standard HD model and a unique colour scheme, the Stealth 2 HD Women’s driver is designed to enhance clubhead speed and maintains the high MOI head design for easy, high launch with a draw bias. It comes in 10.5° and 12° lofts with an Adila Ascent Ladies 45 shaft and a Lamkin Ladies Sonar (38g) grip.
RRP: £499
MYSTEALTH 2 PLUS DRIVER
TaylorMade’s MyStealth customisation programme allows golfers to personalise their Stealth 2 Plus driver with different face colours (red, black, yellow, blue, light blue, bright green, pink, orange, purple); different ring colours (red, black, gold, silver, white, charcoal), a choice of gloss or matte crown finishes, and a black or white topline. The sightline is offered with or without a logo and the weights are available in black or silver.
RRP: £599
The Stealth 2 Plus, Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD drivers are available for pre-order now and at retail on February 17.
For more details, visit www.taylormadegolf.eu