TaylorMade Qi4D Max Lite Driver

The TaylorMade Qi4D Max Lite is the lightest driver in the Qi4D line, with the forgiving Max head shape and a lighter head, shaft and grip for easier speed.

Why it made the list

Many high handicappers swing slower than the golfers that standard drivers are built for. The Qi4D Max Lite is made for them. It keeps the oversized Max head, which TaylorMade rates as having the highest forgiveness in the Qi4D family, and pairs it with the line’s lightest head mass, shaft and grip. A lighter club is easier to swing faster, and more speed means more carry.

TaylorMade’s chart lists its player type as “easy speed and launch,” and it spins mid, like the Qi4D Max.

What it does well

• Helps slower swings add clubhead speed with the lightest head, shaft and grip in the Qi4D line
• Keeps the forgiving, oversized Max head shape
• Supports faster ball speed with the 60x Carbon Twist Face
• Keeps spin more consistent across the face with a new roll radius
• Adjusts loft, lie and face angle with a 4 degree loft sleeve

The light spec is the reason to buy it. You get the same forgiving shape as the Max without the weight that makes a standard driver hard to swing for a slower golfer.

Who it’s for

Buy it if you swing slowly, struggle to get the ball in the air or feel tired swinging a standard driver late in a round. It suits senior golfers and high handicappers who want a TaylorMade with high launch. It comes in 10.5 and 12 degrees for right-handed and left-handed golfers.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you already swing fast, because a light driver can feel hard to control at high speed and the stock shaft only comes in regular, senior and ladies flex. Skip it too if you want to move weight for draw or fade. It has one 4 g weight for swingweight only, so the standard Qi4D Max is the better choice for shot-shape tuning.

Key specs, explained

The head is 460cc. Both lofts are 45.75 inches long with a D0 swingweight, which is lighter in feel than most men’s drivers. The lie adjusts from 58 to 62 degrees through the loft sleeve.

The stock shaft is the REAX MR40 Blue, a mid rotation shaft in R, A and L flex. The grip is a Golf Pride Z-Grip Black/White at 43 g, lighter than a typical 50 g grip. The single 4 g Trajectory Adjustment System weight is there to fine-tune swingweight, not shot shape.

How it compares

The Wilson DYNAPWR Max+ Driver has a 12 degree Lite build that is shorter, at 44.75 inches, and costs $150 less. The Cobra OPTM MAX-K Driver has an A flex Kai’li Red 50 shaft for slower swings and costs $399. Choose the Max Lite if you want the lightest full-length TaylorMade with a Max head.

Good to know

The linked listing is Golf Discount at $649.99. When we checked, it had right-handed 10.5 and 12 degree heads in regular and senior flex, and a left-handed 10.5 degree in senior. TaylorMade also makes an LME version of the Max Lite, which Golf Discount lists at $699.99. A women’s Qi4D Max Lite is sold separately.

Questions about the TaylorMade Qi4D Max Lite

What lofts does the Qi4D Max Lite come in?

It comes in 10.5 and 12 degrees. The 4 degree loft sleeve also lets you change loft, lie and face angle after you buy it.

Who should use the Qi4D Max Lite?

Golfers with slower swing speeds who want more clubhead speed and an easy launch. Faster swingers will do better with the standard Qi4D Max.

Can you move the weight on the Qi4D Max Lite?

The single 4 g weight changes swingweight, not shot shape. For draw or fade settings, look at the standard Qi4D Max.