50 Words or Less
The TaylorMade Qi4D LS driver got a full overhaul for 2026. TM simplified the weighting system and redesigned the carbon face to focus on what the brand does best – distance. All of it comes packaged in a compact, matte finished head.
Introduction
For 2026, TaylorMade said they wanted to get back to those roots of chasing big time distance in their new Qi4D drivers and woods. I recently picked up the TaylorMade Qi4D LS Driver to test out the new changes and see what kind of distance this can generate for the regular golfer.
Looks
At address, the crown displays a uniform carbon fiber design in a matte black finish. The TaylorMade “T” logo sits along the leading edge and acts as the singular alignment aid.
Overall, the sole is mostly wrapped in the same matte black that is seen on the crown with a few subtle accents of a dark blue-green color around the rear. These color accents frame the first of two weight ports – one in the rear and another centered on the front edge. This is a notable change from the TaylorMade Qi35 LS [review HERE] model which had weight ports in the heel, toe and rear of the club.
In short, I am impressed with the changes, and I think the TaylorMade Qi4D LS driver is one of their best looking in quite some time.
Sound & Feel
The sound the TaylorMade Qi4D LS driver generates is a deep, muted “tick,” synonymous with TaylorMade drivers of the past. If you’re a long time TaylorMade fan, you will love it. Any shot away from the center produces a noticeably higher pitched “click” which is helpful in identifying when you don’t strike it well.
The feel in the Qi4D LS matches well with its sound. Well struck shots feel solid and absent of any harsh oscillation through the grip and hands. Strikes on the heel or toe provide slightly more feedback and make it obvious when you don’t catch it just right. Ultimately, the theme I got here is that TaylorMade stuck with what works and didn’t try to change too much in this category.
Performance
The TaylorMade Qi4D LS driver is the first low spin model in a while that demonstrates measurable improvements in performance year over year. Those improvements start with TaylorMade’s strong focus on speed. Just a few swings on the launch monitor showed an immediate increase in club head speed. I rotated between my gamer and several other low spin drivers, and the TaylorMade Qi4D consistently delivered speeds one to two miles per hour faster than the rest. This appears to have come from the refined shape and lighter head construction. Based on these results, the design changes are working.
TaylorMade also made changes to its Carbon Twist Face and Speed Pocket. Engineers at TaylorMade made note that the carbon layer thickness distribution was adjusted to make the face lighter, thus increasing the COR across the face. Without getting too far into the technical weeds, COR means “coefficient of restitution” – a measurement of how bouncy the face is. A higher COR equals better ball speeds and the TaylorMade Qi4D LS driver expanded the high COR areas across the face.
As for my testing, my numbers backed up these claims. Center strikes were producing some impressive ball speeds and great distance numbers. On a handful of awful swings, the ball still flew much further than I expected. I even had one of the fitters at Club Champion take notice and confirm how hot the face was.
The other part of the equation in the Carbon Twist Face is the new “roll radius.” Roll radius is the vertical rounding of the face, largely influencing spin on shots high or low on the face. I think this is a new way to market the age old “bulge and roll” concept, but nonetheless it’s all real and can be effective when it comes to drivers.
The data showed that in all of my testing with the TaylorMade Qi4D LS driver, my worst shot produced 3605 rpms while the overall spin averaged just under 2500 rpms. This driver delivers on low spin – even when you miss the center of the face.
Also worth noting is the change in adjustability. The TaylorMade Qi4D LS driver features two adjustable weight ports instead of three like the 2025 Qi35 LS. The reasoning for this change is to better optimize mass placement for both aerodynamics and stability.
For players who rely on weight adjustability to correct a strong left or right ball flight, their new TAS (Trajectory Adjustment System) does reduce the ability to fine tune shot shape. However, the tradeoff is performance driven. Removing a weight port helps push the center of gravity forward promoting lower spin and maximizing distance.
As you can see in my launch monitor data numbers, my upward angle of attack naturally produces a high launch and because of that, the heavier weight forward proved to be the best fit for my swing. Swapping the heavier weight to the back increases forgiveness but also bumps up launch and spin.
What really surprised me was how easy it was to consistently start the ball online with a controlled 10-15 yard fade. In the past, I struggled to keep the ball from leaking too far right with TM drivers. This head felt different. Flight was predictable and dispersion tightened up in a big way. It was genuinely a lot of fun to hit and for the first time since my 2016 M2, I am seriously considering putting a TaylorMade driver back in my bag
Find even more forgiveness in the TaylorMade Qi4D Max driver HERE
Conclusion
TM stretched themselves in 2026 to design the new TaylorMade Qi4D LS driver. They totally revised the head shape and changed the weighting system to optimize spin and distance which is evident. Combining these features with a redesigned Carbon Twist Face, this may be one of the best TaylorMade drivers we have seen in years.
Buy the TaylorMade Qi4D LS Driver HERE
TaylorMade Qi4D LS Driver Price & Specs
- TaylorMade Qi4D LS Driver Review - February 23, 2026
- The 2026 Genesis Invitational Recap - February 22, 2026
- TaylorMade Qi4D Fairway Wood Review - February 19, 2026
