TaylorMade’s Stealth kit sure caught the golf world’s attention last year with its bright red carbon front and it looks like it’s upping its game again in 2023 with the all-new Stealth 2 kit. TaylorMade has designed three models in Driver, Course and Hybrid so golfers of every ability can find the model they need to improve their game. The brand says it has been able to build on the success of the Stealth Driver by reducing weight in key areas of the head and moving it elsewhere, making the Stealth 2 easier and longer to strike. There is also a new iron model designed to help your slower swing achieve greater distance.
What is the new technology?
How does the Stealth 2 plan to be among the best golf drivers this year? By being the first brand to contain more carbon than any other material by volume. There’s a 75 percent increase in carbon in the Stealth 2 Plus and nearly 50 percent in Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD. By using more carbon, TaylorMade has shifted weight to improve CG positioning and increase the MOI rate—which is 9 percent higher in the Stealth 2 Plus than in the Stealth Plus. A Thru-Slot Speed Pocket has been added back to this group of woods to maximize ball speed and produce extra tolerance on low-face hits.
In 2022, TaylorMade unveiled its 60X Carbon Twist Face that will carry over into the Stealth 2. However, the driver’s face isn’t quite the same as its predecessor, instead featuring a new version of Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) that’s said to keep the ball. Speed on off-centre strikes and increased tolerance – TaylorMade calls this “spacing” and believes it will help make the Stealth 2 among TaylorMade’s best drivers ever.
(Image credit: TaylorMade)
With improved ICT, the Stealth 2 driver has a thinner face on the edges but a thicker face in the middle, designed in this way to spread speed around the golf club. In terms of face weight, the Stealth 2 is 2g lighter than the Stealth at 24g giving the Stealth 2 an enlarged COR area to enhance performance across the face and increase the sweet spot.
In the Stealth 2 family of Fairway woods, the V Steel sole continues to play a pivotal role by helping to lower weight for deeper CG, improve turf reaction and provide versatility in handling a variety of lies.
Like the Stealth 2 drivers, Fairways and Hybrid all feature new advanced ICT to increase speed and enhance durability. The design of the trail and hybrid ICT is slightly different from the driver as it is thinner in the center and edges but thicker on the sash around the face.
(Image credit: TaylorMade)
What are the models and who are they targeting?
TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus software
The Stealth 2 Plus Driver is the least spinning and least forgiving model but offers the most playability. This driver features a 15-gram slide weight trajectory designed to help golfers shape their shots by transferring mass on the sole to create desired ball flights.
TaylorMade Stealth 2 software
The MOI performance on the Stealth 2 driver is enhanced with a heavy weight 25g tungsten core placed on the inertia generator. On the sole of the club is the TaylorMade Swingweight System, which is strategically located to encourage optimal release and spin. The Stealth 2’s aesthetics are somewhat different from the Stealth 2 Plus because the carbon ring is bright red and visible in the title.
picture 1 from 11
TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD software
the Stealth 2 HD is the most stable and forgiving driver model out there. The inertia generator, weighing in at 30 grams, has been moved closer to the heel as a result of saving weight by introducing a full-body carbon construction. This will help golfers launch the ball higher and also make the club aligned with an extreme MOI.
The Women’s Stealth 2 HD driver differs slightly from the Men’s Stealth 2 HD driver with a lighter head designed to maximize clubhead speed, and is available as standard in alternate colours.
TaylorMade Stealth 2 Fairway
The Stealth 2 Trail has a 3D carbon crown marginally lower to the original Stealth Trail, which pushes the CG down and pulls the block away from the high toe area. By doing so, it allows more weight to be placed in the back of the club for optimal tolerance and maximum playability
TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Fairway
The Stealth Plus was one of the best woods of 2022, and for this year, the Stealth 2 Plus fairway is designed to suit golfers of all abilities with the wood featuring a 50-gram slip weight on the sole along with the FCT Loft Sleeve. This gives a great range of spin and loft (+/- 2 degrees of loft and about +/- 550 RPM of spin). These two functions in Stealth 2 Plus Fairway allow players to customize the club to suit their specific needs and playstyle.
picture 1 from 7
TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD Fairway
This is a brand new addition to the TaylorMade Fairway family. The Stealth 2 HD Fairway increases tolerance and playability for golfers of all abilities. The club is a 200cc head with top MOI construction of all TaylorMade fairway woods, making it extremely forgiving for off-deck play, bolstered by a low-profile sole. The Stealth 2 HD features internal weights that keep it biased. Stealth 2 HD Fairway is also available for women in different colors.
TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Hybrid
The hybrid is the only non-tuned Stealth 2 Plus wood. The hybrid features a touring-inspired compact head. Designed for the better player, the club integrates the control and operability of long irons and the tolerance of a hybrid.
TaylorMade Stealth 2 Hybrid
In the Stealth 2 hybrid, the CG is positioned lower than in the Stealth hybrid for a more centered CG view resulting in optimal launch and spin. There is a large pad at the rear of the club to increase the MOI even further, which helps place it among the most forgiving hybrids on the market.
picture 1 from 6
TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD Hybrid
The Stealth 2 HD Hybrid is another new addition within the Hybrid family. The greater, lower weight and internal bias in the draw are designed to help launch the ball higher and make it easier to hit a desired shot. The Stealth 2 HD hybrid model is also available for women, again in a different color scheme.
TaylorMade is also releasing the Stealth HD iron, a superior game-enhancing iron that embodies an unconventional approach in helping slower-paced golfers achieve more carry distance and a draw bias. It has an extremely low head to help increase release, aided by a stepped sole, as well as an asymmetrical bias face that also helps golfers gain ball speed.
(Image credit: Future)
What does Taylor say?
Video: Tomo Bested, Senior Director of Product Creation at TaylorMade, explains the thinking behind the evolution of the Stealth 2 engine design
who uses them on tour
TaylorMade’s Tour player Collin Morikawa put the new Stealth 2 Plus driver straight in the bag at last week’s Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, where he finished second behind Jon Rahm despite driving most of the championship. Taylor Made Tour players like Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are expected to make the switch to Stealth 2 for the 2023 season.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Specifications, pricing and availability
The entire family of Stealth 2 woods will be available for pre-order starting January 10th and will be available for retail starting February 17th with the following RRPs:
Stealth 2 Plus Driver £529
Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD Drivers £499
Stealth 2 Plus Fairway £379
Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD Fairways £299
Stealth 2 Plus Hybrid £249
Stealth 2 and Stealth HD Hybrids £239
The Stealth 2 Plus, water-track and hybrid will be available with a Mitsubishi Kai’li Red shaft as standard, as well as a black Project X HZRDUS shaft in the driver. The Fujikura Ventus TR Red is the standard shaft option on the Stealth 2 driver, Fairway and hybrid. On the Stealth 2 HD, Trail and Hybrid driver, the stock shaft is the Fujikura Speeder NX Red. Adila Ascent Ladies 45 Shaft is standard on Stealth 2 HD driver, Fairway and hybrid. Many additional shaft options are available to choose from with custom fixtures.