50 Words or Less
The TaylorMade Qi35 fairway wood has one of the best sounds of any FW this year. Bold new address look. Versatile, long, and forgiving – a great choice for almost any player.
Introduction
Many golf clubs are built to serve a very specific player type. The TaylorMade Qi35 fairway wood is the opposite: it’s a club that almost any golfer can put in their bag. TM has found a superb balance with this club, merging high end performance with enough forgiveness for almost any recreational player.
Looks
From the moment you set it down, you can see that the TaylorMade Qi35 fairway wood is a massive aesthetic departure from the Qi10 fairway wood [review HERE]. Where the Qi10 had a gloss black crown, the Qi35 fairway wood is covered in grey carbon fiber. The back edge has black stripes which give the shape a bit of definition. Overall, the Qi35 is of average size with a balanced (though not symmetrical) shape.
The sole of the TaylorMade Qi35 fairway wood is primarily a high gloss black that almost looks like a dark silver. Branding is very minimal – “TaylorMade” across the middle of the sole and a small “Qi35” on the toe. Two tiny triangles of mint green give the club the smallest hint of color.
Comparing the Qi35 fairway wood to the Qi35 Max (above, right), the core Qi35 is a bit smaller from front to back and heel to toe. The Qi35 also has a slightly taller face. What stands out more than the dimensional differences is the contrast in shape. Where the Qi35 has a slimmer look, the footprint of the Qi35 Max is sprawling, fuller in heel and toe.
Sound & Feel
It was love at first strike for me and the TaylorMade Qi35 fairway wood. The sound is deep and woodsy, calling to mind an old persimmon club. This exquisite sound pairs with a solid feel. For my taste, TaylorMade absolutely owns sound and feel in the woods category.
The standard Qi35 fairway wood also provides its user with excellent feedback through the hands. I was able to feel my strike location with good precision from my very first testing session. Audio feedback is more muted, but you’ll be able to distinguish pure from imperfect strikes after a little time.
Performance
While the look and sound of the TaylorMade Qi35 fairway wood is a pretty big departure from the Qi10 FW, the best performance characteristics have carried forward. This club remains forgiving, versatile, and long which is why it’s a great choice for players across the handicap spectrum.
At any level of the game, players want their fairway woods to be long. Whether it’s trying to reach an ambitious par 5 or replacing the driver for a tight tee shot, we all want maximum distance. The TaylorMade Qi35 fairway wood has that covered with elite ball speed. On center, it’s as fast as anything I’ve tested this year. TaylorMade’s tried and true technologies like Thru-Slot Speed Pocket help to keep that speed high on mishits, too.
Additionally, the Qi35 fairway wood is versatile. I was able to launch it easily off the turf and hit it confidently off the tee. The face is fairly tall for a game improvement fairway wood and only a fraction of an inch shorter than the Qi10. For the player that uses their woods in a variety of situations, this is a great choice.
The one major change for 2025 is the addition of an adjustable hosel. Available in the 3, 3 HL, and 5 woods, the Qi35 FW gives players the ability to add or subtract two degrees of loft. This is useful for dialing in launch conditions and shot shape, offering players many options for loft and face angle. For example, a player who wants to play a 15 degree 3W with an open face can opt for the 3 HL and turn down the loft.
Speaking of shot shapes, the TaylorMade Qi35 fairway wood is a blank canvas, allowing players to show their skill and creativity. When I was swinging well, I could flight the ball higher or lower and bend it left and right. The stock ball flight is mid launch and mid spin – an ideal starting point.
Finally, hitting the Qi35 fairway wood side-by-side with the Qi35 Max fairway wood, some very obvious differences were revealed. The Qi35 Max launches higher and spins more, and it has a moderate draw bias. What surprised me is the small gap in forgiveness. The Qi35 fairway wood does an excellent job preserving ball speed and keeping shots on line, giving up very little to its larger brother.
Conclusion
If you’re confused or overwhelmed by the number of choices at your local shop, grab the TaylorMade Qi35 fairway wood and head to the fitting bay. If you get this club dialed in with the right loft and shaft, there’s very little chance that you’ll be unhappy with the results.
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TaylorMade Qi35 Fairway Wood Price & Specs
Editor In Chief at Plugged In Golf
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.