Save your jokes—we’ve made them almost every time Titleist mentions “3D” in their iron designs—but TaylorMade is upping the ante with Qi4D drivers.
What are “4Ds”? Who knows… maybe it just means that with the 2026 driver model, TaylorMade engineers are playing four-dimensional chess.
What we do know is limited to information found in USGA photos and descriptions—which is to say, not much.
aesthetic
Given the fact that the USGA only releases black and white photos and only shows the single part, we can’t say much about the industrial design aspects of the new models.
In my opinion (for whatever that’s worth), TaylorMade killed it with this year’s carbon chrome model of the Qi35.
The photos suggest that TaylorMade has pulled back a bit with the Qi4D series. There’s no visible carbon weave on the sole, and the subtle design cues (green accents) that hinted at the relative locations of the CG seem to have disappeared as well.
Drivers are supposed to look different from one year to the next, and while I’m sure these will look good in the live color, I wonder if TaylorMade dialed it in a bit too much.
Three models
The USGA (and R&A) list includes three models. No surprises here, as TaylorMade is continuing with the familiar lineup. Next up are the Qi4D LS, the Qi4D (which TaylorMade refers to as the “Core” model), and the Qi4D Max.
Missing – at least for now – is a Qi4D Lite model. This, of course, assumes that TaylorMade is planning a one-for-one upgrade across the lineup. It’s speculative, but I’d point out that lightweight models (not used in the Tour) often don’t make the conforming list until shortly before the start.
TaylorMade Qi4D LS
The first noticeable change with the Qi4D lineup is that TaylorMade has swapped the three-weight system of the LS for a simplified front-to-back, two-weight system.
Whether this is to keep the flight completely neutral or there are some baked-in biases remains to be seen. Regardless, TaylorMade’s history will likely include some pieces about preserving mounting options while reducing complexity.
TaylorMade Qi4D (Core)
What TaylorMade took out of the LS, they put into the Core model (sort of). While it’s easy to miss in the photo (I guess there are hints if you look long enough), TaylorMade’s flagship model will use a three-weight system that adds an R7-style dual-weight port to the back of the Qi4D.
On the one hand, I would argue that placing two weights close together is likely to have only minimal impact. On the other hand, I will tell you that I swapped weights with my R7 Quad Mini Driver, and despite what physics might say, it flies exactly how I want it to – and that’s really all that matters.
At the very least, it should give putters all the leverage they need to dial the trajectory in the TaylorMade driver for the masses (2026 edition).
Qi4D Max
Qi4D Max is interesting for what is missing from USGA mark descriptions. There is no clear call of 10,000 MOI, or 10K, or anything else to suggest that the Qi4D Max reaches the pinnacle of forgiveness.
That’s not to say it isn’t, but given the industry’s compulsion to show off every little part that can fit into a club, the lack of an MIA callout is almost conspicuous by its absence.
TaylorMade has apologized? Have we already been conditioned to think that “Max” equals 10K, and so some manufacturers think it shouldn’t be mentioned anymore?
I guess we’ll find out.
The USGA description suggests that the Qi4D Max will have a dual-weight system not unlike that found in the LS model.
The face of carbon continues
To say TaylorMade’s carbon face is polarizing is an understatement. Actually, I’m not sure that’s a reasonable estimate. While I don’t recall anyone ever telling me they like it, many readers have cited it as the reason they won’t consider buying a TaylorMade driver.
Either way, the USGA’s descriptions suggest that TaylorMade is sticking with the technology for another cycle. In fairness, the company has systematically improved the quality of the connection, so problems with disconnected faces are mostly in the rearview mirror.
That said, it’s hard to point to any measurable performance benefits beyond the weight savings and increased MIA that might come from it. However, everyone who wants one has a 10K driver on the market, so you don’t need carbon faces to get there.
I would also argue that TaylorMade’s pursuit of MIA has cost them some performance in other areas.
This is all a roundabout way of saying that I’m hard-pressed to argue that chasing carbon has led to any significant performance advantage.
How much will the TaylorMade Qi4D drivers cost?
While pricing information hasn’t been shared, I think you can probably expect a price increase for almost everything coming out in 2026. Apart from a bump here or there, prices remained stable throughout 2025, which meant that almost everyone ate the added tariff costs.
It’s unconfirmed, but I’m told one major brand swallowed $50 million in added costs. With the majority of the industry consisting of publicly traded companies, that won’t happen again this year.
Prices will rise. It’s just a matter of how much.
We probably won’t see $700, but that will probably also be the result of some very nice hair splitting in the difference between $699.99 and $700 on the nose.
Best guess… $649 for Core, Max and eventually Lite. $699.99 for the LS. But again, this is just a guess, so please don’t take it as gospel.
Have your say
We will have more information soon. Until then, what do you think of what you see here? Excited for the TaylorMade Qi4D lineup?
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