By James Hunt – Feb 27, 2024
(Reviewed by Coach Erik Schjolberg)
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Booming distance
- Notable forgiveness in a players driver
- Adjustability for fine tune ball flight
- One of a kind sound and feel
I like to call myself a golf nerd. My love of the sport goes beyond playing and practicing. Tinkering with setups, training, and testing out the latest and greatest that golf manufacturers have to offer. My favorite of which is testing out the newest big sticks. Drivers!
I just wrapped up testing out the newest TaylorMade “players driver”, the Stealth 2 Plus. Same one used by Tour pros Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, and Scottie Scheffler. I was able to test it out over a 10-day period with four range sessions and two rounds on course. I used my Rapsodo PLM to gather shot data on the range.
Summary of the Taylormade Stealth 2 Plus Driver Review
TaylorMade is going all in on the carbon game. They are certainly not wrong in doing so. They have found the strength and flexibility in a lightweight package, used properly, will provide a unique experience and performance gains.
“More carbon, more Fargiveness” is the Stealth 2 lineup slogan. The Stealth 2 Plus is fitted with 75% more carbon fiber than the original Stealth, which is the most carbon fiber used in a TaylorMade driver to date. A new Carbon Reinforced Composite Ring strengthens and stabilizes the head at impact, much like the ring in the SIM2, but far lighter.
This allows the positioning of extra weight in key areas low and forward center. Reduced spin, increased speed, and ideal trajectory come out of the repositioned weight. A sliding front weight lets you pick your preferred shot shape for a fade or draw bias. The famous TM 4° adjustable loft sleeve gives you all the customization you can ask for.
TaylorMade engineers changed the shape and curves of the club head and added internal ribs to generate a highly unique sound at impact. The 60x Carbon Twist Face has an improved Inverted Cone shape to reduce distance and dispersion losses across the face. This face is found in their entire Stealth 2 lineup below…
- Stealth 2 Plus – Sliding weight track, lowest spin, longest distances
- Stealth 2 – Best mix of forgiveness and distance
- Stealth 2 HD – Draw bias with high launch
TaylorMade Stealth 2 PLUS Driver Review
Available Lofts: 8°, 9°, and 10.5°
Launch: Mid
Spin: Low
Adjustable Hosel: Yes
Pros:
- Super high forgiveness for a players driver
- Easily the coolest looking driver to date
- Impact sound is unique and perfect
- Low launch and low spin
Cons:
- On the pricey side
- Misses went FAR right
- Reports of durability issues
My Full TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Review
Features and Benefits
- 60x Carbon Twist Face – Inverted Cone Technology from the original Stealth has been improved to help those off center drives
- Weight System – Two 15-gram weights, one fixed low and back and a sliding weight track behind the face, help reduce spin, gain speed, and improve launch
- Adjustable Hosel – The 4° loft sleeve allows for adjustment of the stated loft +/- 2°
- Inverted Cone Technology – an expanded Coefficient of Restitution (COR) zone means you get more ball speed and distance on off-center hits.
- Unbelievable Sound and Feel – TaylorMade pulled out all the stops to generate the ideal sound and preferred feel in the Stealth 2 Plus
Testing the Stealth 2 Plus Driver
I had 10 days with the Stealth 2 Plus and wasted no time. I took it to the range 4 times and played 2 rounds with it.
My Experience with the Taylor Made Stealth 2 Plus
It was certainly love at first sight with the Stealth 2 Plus. It’s a beauty that screams performance. Like a McLaren. I would be remiss to not mention there were some growing pains though. Straight to the range I went with this beast burning a hole in my bag.
My first several shots on the range were less than desirable, to say the least. I feared I wouldn’t be able to tame the beast. Much like if I were to get behind the wheel of a McLaren 720s. A dream, no doubt, but I would imagine a tough go of things to start.
Once I figured out how to play this driver, the results were amazing. Swing speeds nearing 110 mph were a good 4-5 mph faster than what I am used to seeing. That extra speed, along with reduced spin, really put some impressive numbers on the board.
The Rapsodo PLM showed me firing range rocks with over 250 yards of carry and nearly 20 yards of roll out. My usual miss is a push fade, which is a fancy way of saying a slice. That slice found its way into a few of my swings, but overall the forgiveness for a players driver was much more than I have seen with other brands.
On the course, I was seeing some impressive results. On the second hole of the day, I hit a center fairway drive totaling 303 yards. The first time I’ve confirmed a drive north of the coveted 300 yard mark. This monster was making me work for it though.
The first round I hit 57% of fairways, which is about 10% less than with my gamer. However, I wasn’t finding myself OB at all, and I would note that the course I was playing is known for narrow fairways.
The second round was much improved, but also wider fairways. Round two I saw 83% of fairways, which is incredible, and helped me post a great score.
Other than distance gains, I was most impressed with the sound and feel of the Stealth 2 Plus. It’s like nothing I have heard or felt before in a driver. It is super strong and powerful through the impact zone, but the sound is, for lack of a better word, stealthy. Understated, quiet, nice. I never considered gaming a players driver until I hit the Stealth 2 Plus.
My Grading of the TaylorMade Stealth 2+
Distance (A+)
The one gripe with the previous generation of original Stealth was distance. It didn’t seem to have the pop the SIM2 offered. TaylorMade addressed this issue and the Stealth 2 Plus has no issues here. I found it to be one of the longest drivers I have ever hit. Topping 300 yards confirmed on at least one drive.
Forgiveness (B+)
Playability (A)
Looks (A+)
Sound and Feel (A+)
Customer Reviews
Bottom Line – Why Consider the Stealth Plus 2?
The Stealth 2 Plus will undoubtedly be an upgrade compared to your current gamer. The improvements with the carbon face have pushed distance and speed to the max.
Bryson DeChambeau switched to the Stealth 2 Plus once he became a golf equipment free agent, and he is the club nerd of all club nerds. That says something.
Available Lofts: 8°, 9°, and 10.5°
Launch: Mid
Spin: Low
Adjustable Hosel: Yes
Pros:
- Super high forgiveness for a players driver
- Easily the coolest looking driver to date
- Impact sound is unique and perfect
- Low launch and low spin
Cons:
- On the pricey side
- Misses went FAR right
- Reports of durability issues
Who is the Stealth 2 Plus best for?
Low Handicap (YES)
Low spin and low launch make it perfect for a low handicapper. Some of the best players on tour chose to use this driver, and was one of my best rated golf drivers this year.
Mid Handicap (Maybe)
The Stealth 2 Plus would be a good option for mid-handicappers that are consistent off the tee. I am a mid handicap and strongly considering making this my gamer.
High Handicap (No)
The low spin and launch will make for a difficult time off the tee for a higher handicapper. The Stealth 2 or Stealth 2 HD would be a better option.
Alternate Choices
Ping G430 LST – Distance and low spin are on par with Stealth 2 Plus, and a good fit as a players driver
Titleist TSR3 – Movable weight, adjustable hosel, and premium sound and feel make the TSR3 a great alternative option.
Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond – Compact shape, interchangeable weights, and higher ball speeds make it a popular players driver.
Taylormade Stealth PLUS Driver – check out our original Stealth review from a few years ago if you’re looking for a discount.
My Final Verdict
The Stealth 2 Plus doesn’t disappoint. I was shocked to see a drive north of 300 yards. I am sure I’ve topped 300 a few times before, but this was the first confirmed. Clearly the distance question with the carbon face to rest.
The premium sound and feel you get with the Stealth 2 Plus was my favorite part outside of the distance. Not dull, not sharp, not loud, but perfect. The spring-like effect from the face made me confident I was maximizing my swing speed on every drive.
I have seen a few reviews about the face coming off the club head. This is because titanium faces are welded to the body of the club, but carbon fiber has to be glued. All of these reports did confirm TaylorMade fixed their issue with their fantastic customer service.
Overall, the Stealth 2 Plus is as close to perfect as you can get with a driver. I do know if I am going to put it in my bag, I’ll be going the myStealth2 route and customize it with different colors. TaylorMade has endless options to customize the look of this great club. You can even change the face color!
My one recommendation would be to try before you buy. The Globalgolf.com UTry program allows just that. They will ship it to you, and you get two weeks with it to see if it’s really the club for you. At the end of the trial, you simply ship it back with the provided label. It’s easy, affordable, and much more fun than in-store fitting!
FAQ
Is the Taylormade Stealth 2 plus forgiving?
What is the difference between Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 Plus?
Can a high handicapper use Stealth 2 Plus Driver?
Available Lofts: 8°, 9°, and 10.5°
Launch: Mid
Spin: Low
Adjustable Hosel: Yes
Pros:
- Super high forgiveness for a players driver
- Easily the coolest looking driver to date
- Impact sound is unique and perfect
- Low launch and low spin
Cons:
- On the pricey side
- Misses went FAR right
- Reports of durability issues
About the Author
By James Hunt – Last Updated on Feb 27, 2024
Expertise:
James is an avid golfer and equipment tester here at Swing Yard. He’s currently living in the golf mecca of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He first started playing golf at age of 11 with his Dad on the weekends. Just last spring, James was finally able to take his dad on a bucket list trip to The Masters! At a current handicap of 9, and consistently breaking 80, James is working hard to get closer and closer to breaking Par. Give James’s full bio a read for more info.
Reviewed By:
By Coach Erik Schjolberg – Last Reviewed on Feb 27, 2024
Expertise:
Coach Erik actively coaches several PGA Tour Professionals. He’s the head golf instructor and writer here at Swing Yard, was voted the “#1 Golf Coach in Scottsdale, Arizona”, and has been coaching for over 20+ years. Erik also owns and operates his own online golf school, EJS Golf Academy. His other credentials include: Active PGA Coaches Membership, Titleist TPI Level 1 and 2, Trackman Certified Level 1, Dr. Kwon’s Biomechanics Level I and II, Scott Cowx Certified Level I Advanced, BodiTrack and V1 Sports Pressure Mat Certified, Titleist Club Fitting and Ball Fitting Certified, PGA Hope, and Sportsbox AI. Check out Erik’s full bio and certifications for more info.
