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The TaylorMade Qi4D fairway wood has incorporated subtle but effective changes for 2026. A redesigned shape, added adjustability, and improved forgiveness with new loft options for all types of player needs.
Introduction
If you are of a certain age, you probably remember or at least have heard the story of Ben Hogan’s famous one iron in the 1950 U.S. Open at Merion. Well, here we are in 2026 and the age of the long iron is effectively over. No brand has capitalized more on this shift over the years than TaylorMade by expanding its line of fairway woods to fit almost every single level of golfer.
This year’s Qi4D core model from TaylorMade takes it one step further by adding a 24 degree 9W to its already successful lineup of fairway woods. While this review was performed with the 3W, could TaylorMade’s new offerings replace more than one club in your bag? Let’s find out.
Looks
Once I pulled the TaylorMade Qi4D fairway wood from its packaging, the first thing I noticed was the change in the carbon fiber crown. TaylorMade toned down the brightness this year and went with a matte black finish with a very subtle carbon fiber underlay. Visually, it is less distracting than last year’s Qi35 [review HERE] which also saw a more rounded body compared to the Qi4D. I think a lot of players will prefer the more compact, triangular version this year.
The crown is only framed by an outline of white dash marks along the rear of the club and a “T” logo alignment aid that sits on the leading edge. [See Price / Buy]
In the bag, the TaylorMade Qi4D fairway wood’s sole has a clean, leveled appearance that sits flush against any turf. Aside from the white TaylorMade branding, the club is all black with a mirrored finish covering majority of the sole. There is a single removable weight that sits just behind the speed pocket which provides some adjustability. While a forward weight was present in the previous Qi35 iteration, this year’s weight is marketed as interchangeable..
Sound & Feel
One thing TaylorMade has done well in recent years when it comes to fairway woods is not letting sound suffer because of adjustable weights. Sound can become clicky if not done right and TaylorMade strategically designed the Qi4D fairway wood to avoid this.The Qi4D produces a low, muted “tick” at impact. It is low in volume but has a crisp sound with well struck shots.
The feel of the TaylorMade Qi4D fairway wood is just as solid as the sound. Contact feels moderately soft and matches well with its subdued feedback even on less than perfect strikes. This club felt like an old friend as I was instantly comfortable with its similarities to fairway woods of TaylorMade’s past. [See Price / Buy]
Performance
Unlike the new Qi4D drivers, I found the TaylorMade Qi4D fairway wood to have more subtle upgrades rather than large wholesale changes for 2026. This isn’t a bad thing. The TaylorMade Qi4D fairway wood retained the same adjustability that players liked in the Qi35, pairing a forward weight with an adjustable hosel. Its Carbon Twist Face and speed pocket were already dialed in, so there wasn’t much reason to reinvent them.
The biggest difference for 2026 starts with their head shape refinement. Some of this refinement plays into TaylorMade’s desire to move weight around to create a better center of gravity (this equals forgiveness). However, it also allowed them adjust the “sit points” which simply refers to how the club head “sits” at address. For the Qi4D fairway wood, it wants to roll more closed at address so it’s square to your target. This is a small change that I liked, and I know a lot of players will enjoy as well.
A byproduct of this weight redistribution is that they were able to introduce a new eight gram TAS (Trajectory Adjustment System) weight to the forward part of the sole. While this is a removable weight, it is best for small adjustments to your setup in either more distance (heavier weight) or better control (lower weight).
I tested the Qi4D fairway wood with the stock eight gram weight and distance and dispersion were better than expected, so I didn’t feel the need to venture into different weights. For those wondering, there is a TAS weight kit available on TaylorMade’s website for $69 for all the Qi4D drivers and fairway woods. Just keep in mind, changing this weight in the Qi4D fairway wood will alter the swing weight.
For more adjustability, check out the TaylorMade Qi4D Tour fairway wood HERE
On the course, I typically like to use my three wood both from the tee and off the turf. From the tee, the TaylorMade Qi4D fairway wood launched high and long without getting to spinny. The balanced head wasn’t too difficult to draw or fade, and the ball was consistently on or near my target line. I never felt like one got wildly offline in either direction. [See Price / Buy]
Off the turf was a similar story. The redesigned head slightly shallowed the profile compared to last year’s model. Combining the low profile with the aforementioned “sit point” makes a lethal combo of point and shoot, particularly when aiming at a par five in two. Again, these are small changes that combine to make a big difference.
Finally, this year there is a nine wood in the lineup. On top of that, all lofts in the TaylorMade Qi4D fairway woods will feature the four degree adjustable hosel, a new change for 2026. This allows players to access virtually any loft with their preferred face angle.
Conclusion
TaylorMade built upon their previous fairway wood success by making small tweaks to enhance the new Qi4D fairway wood. Refining the head shape, redistributing mass to boost forgiveness, and adding in more adjustability make this a potential fit for a wide array of players and is a must try for 2026. [See Price / Buy]
Buy the TaylorMade Qi4D Fairway Wood:
The Qi4D Core line of fairway woods provides golfers of all abilities the perfect blend of distance, forgiveness and playability.
TaylorMade Qi4D Fairway Wood Price & Specs
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9 Comments
Thanks for this review, Zach. Sounds like a good lineup to try at a future DEMO Day. Just a footnote, this is not TM’s first foray into 9 Woods. I have a STEALTH 9W in my bag from about 2-3 years ago and love it. Hey, sometimes we older dudes need to check our egos in the parking lot and go with what works!
Steve
You are correct that it isn’t their first time incorporating a 9 wood but last year’s Qi35 model did not have a 9wood, which is mainly what I was referring to. Appreciate the help in clarifying this. Would love to hear your thoughts if you decide to upgrade from your Stealth!
Zack
Played TM fairways cor years then went to tour edge a few years ago,never looked back.
I recently put the Qi4D 3 HL in play and am super impressed. I typically have been inconsistent in hitting a 3 off the deck but no longer with this club. Easy to elevate off the deck, great off the tee. Distance and forgiveness are first rate. Super impressed with the stock React 65 stiff shaft. Thinking of dumping my 3 hybrid and replacing with the 7 wood.
Big Mike,
What loft is your 3 hybrid? Either way, would definitely be interested in the differences in performance for you if you decide to go with a 7wood instead.
Zack
Thanks for the review.
This makes me so happy – “On top of that, all lofts in the TaylorMade Qi4D fairway woods will feature the four degree adjustable hosel, a new change for 2026.” I do not like bonded hosels, as I tend to tinker with my clubs and would prefer to just swap out shafts when testing.
TM woods have been in my bag for many, many years. This looks like another option to swap out the old Stealth+/Stealth2 models with.
Jason,
I agree with you that I prefer the option to tinker. As a disclaimer, some of the previous models had the adjustable hosel, but some of the higher lofted woods did not. Now all of the Qi4D lofts have the adjustable hosel, which is great for players like us! Let us know if you decide to swap out to the new model!
Zack
I played the Qi35 3 and 5 wood last year and loved it. My fitter made me a Qi4D 7 wood to replace my 4 iron, since I only use my 4 iron to reach par 5 in 2. It has been incredible. I feel like the Qi4D sits better and sounds better than my Qi35. I also play my fairway woods one click higher which closes the face. The Qi4D face looks more open at address than the Qi35 did, so now it looks more square at my settings. I was not planning on switching my 3 and 5 wood for the Qi4D but my 7 wood is making me think hard (by think I mean I am replacing them on Friday).
Greg,
Happy to hear you found something that works for you. Would be interested in hearing your thoughts once you play a few rounds with the whole Qi4D family in your bag!
Zack