The new TaylorMade Stealth driver began as a code-named project, the origins of which go back 20 years. The successor to the SIM line, TaylorMade’s family of Carbonwood drivers includes the Stealth, Stealth Plus, and Stealth HD.

The show-stopping feature of the new 2022 TaylorMade Stealth driver is its centerpiece technology, and it’s likely one you’ve already seen in our in-hand shots of Tiger Woods’ Stealth Plus: a carbon fiber face. For TaylorMade engineers, the conversion to carbon was aimed at one thing: more ball speed.

A close-up look at the new 60X Carbon Fiber Twist Face

The why and how of TaylorMade’s “60X Carbon Twist Face”

In a surprising departure from industry-standard titanium, TaylorMade engineers turned to another material to construct the face of the Stealth for better energy transfer: carbon. More specifically, 60 layers of strategically arranged carbon fiber sheets.

• More photos of the TaylorMade Stealth driver in the GolfWRX forums. 

Interestingly, what TaylorMade is calling the “Carbonwood Age” began decades ago.

“In the mid-2000’s, our research team developed an understanding that the weight of the face can affect impact efficiency, more specifically, the lighter the face, the more efficient the impact and the better the ball speed,” says Brian Bazzel, TaylorMade’s Vice President Product Creation.

“We realized titanium faces could only take us so far and carbon would be the face material of the future. This breakthrough design of a lightweight carbon face in Stealth, has created a whole new starting line, a new era of drivers, a new threshold of performance and a new platform for more innovation.”

• See what GolfWRXers are saying about TaylorMade’s 2022 driver.

With the 60 layers of carbon, TaylorMade touts a thinner, lighter, larger face that features a higher COR (coefficient of restitution) and improved face geometry.

As a result of using a lighter material (carbon), the Stealth’s face is, not surprisingly, substantially lighter than the SIM2. 40 percent lighter than a titanium face of the same size, the carbon face is just 26 grams.

TaylorMade Stealth: A 20-year project

TaylorMade engineers first developed a prototype titanium-covered carbon face in 2003. R&D efforts go back as far as 2000 (TaylorMade 360 days). Engineers then turned their attention to a polymer cover for the carbon fiber — which eventually became the Stealth’s nanotexture face.

In 2012, for the production of the Japan-only Gloire Reserve driver, TaylorMade developed a small-scale composite face production facility.

Following years of continued prototyping, in 2016 TaylorMade engineers developed new manufacturing techniques, which resulted in the first 60-layer carbon face and the beginning of the Stealth project (2018).

Innovation and new manufacturing processes are one thing, but mass production is quite another. And while this is a launch story about a family of products, the process of developing multiple plants for high-volume composite part production is another significant element of the Stealth saga.

• Check out in-hand photos of Tiger Woods’ Stealth Plus driver.

Beyond carbon: Other Stealth technology

Nanotexture face technology: A thin polyurethane layer overtop of the carbon fiber creates a surface that is both strong and flexible for improved launch. It’s calibrated to produce ideal friction in dry conditions and features full-face scorelines that also perform particularly well in wet conditions.

According to TaylorMade, the nanotexture face works in conjunction with the company’s Twist Face and Thru-Slot Speed Pocket for enhanced forgiveness on strikes across the face.

“The technological innovation of our nanotexture technology brings the entire face together and was a key to making this driver a reality,” Tomo Bystedt, Senior Director Product Creation, Carbonwood Drivers said. “Without this revolutionary cover design, we could not have achieved the launch and spin performance required to extract the optimal performance in dry as well as wet conditions. Once we added the nanotexture technology to the grooves, we were able to unlock the full performance of a carbon face.” – 

Inertia Generator: Following in SIM’s footsteps, Stealth features an asymmetric Inertia Generator to facilitate optimum speed at impact. Additionally, the Inertia Generator allows additional weight to be placed at the rear of the club for higher MOI, higher launch, and greater forgiveness.

A few comparisons to SIM2

• Same CT as SIM2 but 1.1 mph more ball speed
• 11 percent larger face than SIM2
• 250-300 RPM less spin
• Carbon fiber face is as durable as titanium
• Even better sound, based on sentiment rating in player testing

Our Brian Knudson, host of the Club Junkie podcast, had a chance to hit the new Stealth. Here’s what BK had to say

“The first shot left me looking back at the TaylorMade folks in shock. TaylorMade somehow engineered this carbon fiber face to sound and feel like titanium. The Stealth and Stealth Plus were extremely forgiving and consistent on the range. My dispersion was very tight, and I felt like the Stealth launched a little flatter than my SIM2 Max.”

2022 TaylorMade Stealth drivers: The models

TaylorMade Stealth Plus driver

• Carbon Twist Face weight savings allow for a 10-gram sliding weight track
• Lowest-spinning driver in the family

TaylorMade Stealth Plus driver: 60X Carbon Twist Face

TaylorMade Stealth Plus driver: Weight track, Inertia Generator

TaylorMade Stealth Plus driver: Rear view

TaylorMade Stealth Plus driver: Carbon fiber crown

TaylorMade Stealth driver

• Carbon Twist Face weight savings allow more weight to be positioned low and deep in the head
• 15 percent more MOI compared to Stealth Plus
• 200-300 RPMs more spin compared to Stealth Plus

TaylorMade Stealth driver: Face view

TaylorMade Stealth driver: Sole view

TaylorMade Stealth driver: Rear view

TaylorMade Stealth driver: Crown

TaylorMade Stealth HD driver

• Draw-bias plus high MOI thanks to the Carbon Twist Face weight savings
• Inertia Generator closer to the heel produces the highest MOI in the Stealth family
• Similar spin to Stealth Plus

TaylorMade Stealth HD driver: Face

TaylorMade Stealth HD driver: Sole

TaylorMade Stealth HD driver: Rear view

TaylorMade Stealth HD driver: Crown

• More photos of the TaylorMade Stealth driver in the GolfWRX forums. 

TaylorMade Stealth Women’s driver

• Slightly lighter head weight
• Different colorway, look
• Slightly draw-biased

2022 TaylorMade Stealth: Specs, pricing, availability

Stealth Plus, Stealth, and Stealth HD drivers will be available for preorder January 4 and at retail February 4.

Stealth Plus

• MSRP: $599.99 USD
• Lofts: 8, 9, 10.5 degrees
• Stock shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Red 60, Mitsubishi’s Kai’li White 60
• Grip: Lamkin’s Crossline black/red

Stealth

• MSRP: $579.99 USD
• Lofts: 9, 10.5, 12 degrees
• Stock shafts: Fujikura Ventus Red 5, Aldila Ascent Red 60
• Grip: Lamkin’s Crossline black/red

Stealth HD

• MSRP: $579.99 USD
• Lofts: 9, 10.5, 12 degrees
• Stock shaft: Fujikura Air Speeder 45
• Grip: Lamkin’s Crossline black/red

Per TaylorMade, “Women’s stock offerings include the Aldila Ascent Ladies 45 shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip. With an elevated focus on customization and club fitting, women golfers can find a full array of components in the Custom Shop at TaylorMadeGolf.com, including lightweight shafts, grips and more.”

Brian Knudson took a deep dive with TaylorMade’s Tomo Bystedt into all things Stealth woods. Club junkies won’t want to miss!

MyStealth

Of particular interest to GolfWRXers, TaylorMade is continuing its “My” program with Stealth.

Via the MyStealth program: In the Stealth Plus model, golfers can choose from various options to create a driver look and feel to match their personal style

• Face color: Six color options include red, green, yellow, blue, orange, and grey
• Body color: Two color options include black and chalk (right hand only)
• Crown finish: Gloss or matte, with or without the TaylorMade ‘T-logo’
• Sole decal color: Eight color options include blue, black, red, orange, green, gold, pale blue and volt
• Head covers: Mono or color

MyStealth: Specs, pricing, availability

MyStealth is offered in the Stealth Plus model, with various cosmetic combinations. MyStealth will be available for preorder on January 4 and at TaylorMadeGolf.com as well as select retail locations starting February 4, 2022. MSRP: $699.99 USD. MyStealth will be offered in 9 and 10.5-degree lofts and features fully customizable shaft and grip components.

• More photos of the TaylorMade Stealth driver in the GolfWRX forums.