Taylormade Stealth vs Stealth Plus - Driver Comparison

Taylormade Stealth vs Stealth Plus – Driver Comparison

The TM Stealth and Stealth Plus are two of the latest drivers from Taylormade. 

In this post we examine the key similarities and the key differences between these two products. 

By the end of the article, you should have a pretty good understanding of the technology that they share, and the unique attributes of each driver. Now let’s get stuck into the details. 

Key Similarities - Taylormade Stealth vs Stealth Plus

PRODUCT FEATURESTEALTHSTEALTH PLUS
60X CARBON FACEYesYes
TWIST FACE TECHNOLOGYYesYes
THRU-SLOT SPEED POCKET™YesYes
HEAD SIZE460cc460cc
4° LOFT SLEEVEYesYes
LIE ANGLE56° - 60°56° - 60°
LENGTH45.75"45.75"
SWING WEIGHTD5D5

Key Technology In Both Drivers

60X CARBON TWIST FACE

Twenty years of development marks the end of the titanium era. The all-new 60X Carbon Twist Face is 40% lighter than an equivalent titanium face, while also being 11% larger than SIM2 and SIM2 Max drivers and nearly 20% larger than the 2020 SIM driver. Sixty layers of carbon fiber have been strategically designed to optimize energy transfer to deliver fast ball speeds over a large area, resulting in optimal distance and forgiveness.

NANOTEXTURE COVER

The 60X Carbon Twist Face is encased by a polyurethane cover, featuring a revolutionary new nanotexture technology. The nanotexture cover is used to fine-tune launch and spin to optimize total distance regardless of playing conditions.

HIGH MOI DESIGN

The weight savings of the 60x Carbon Twist Face has allowed more weight to be positioned low and deep in the head. Additional weight savings come from the removal of the Sliding Weight Track. Compared to Stealth Plus+, the Stealth model offers 15% greater MOI.

ASYMMETRIC INERTIA GENERATOR

The Inertia Generator remains the foundational source of refined aerodynamic properties. The result is a slippery-fast head shape that aids in swing speed generation on the downswing for golfers at every level. It provides the added benefit of enhanced forgiveness vs. Stealth Plus+ with extra weight positioned low and back.

THRU-SLOT SPEED POCKET

Taylormade’s most flexible Speed Pocket™ design engineered to maximize ball speeds and produce additional forgiveness on low face strikes.

Please note – this product info is sourced directly from Taylormade

Key Differences - Stealth vs Stealth Plus

PRODUCT FEATURESTEALTHSTEALTH PLUS
SLIDING WEIGHT TRACKNoYes
LAUNCHMid-HighMid
FORGIVENESS (MOI)HighestHigh
LOFT OPTIONS9°, 10.5°, 12°8°, 9°, 10.5°

1. Backspin & Launch Conditions

The biggest difference between the Taylormade Stealth vs Stealth Plus is the backspin numbers that you can expect with each driver.

The Stealth Plus is the low backspin mid-launch version of the driver. If you have a high enough swing speed (at least 105 mph, but 110+ would be preferable), the Taylormade Stealth Plus will almost certainly travel further than the Stealth.

This is because the mid-launch, low spin combination offered by the Stealth Plus produces a more penetrating trajectory that should carry further and have a bit more rollout than the Stealth.

However, if your swing speed is a bit slower (anywhere from 90 mph to 105 mph), you will probably find that the mid-spin and mid-high launch offered by the Taylormade Stealth will actually work in your favor.

In essence, there is a sweet spot when it comes to backspin and swing speed. Most male amateurs actually need the extra backspin and higher launch angle offered by the Stealth. It is a setup that will ensure the ball travels high enough to achieve maximum carry numbers.

Obviously, a driver fitting is the best way to see which driver performs best for your swing, but as a basic rule of thumb:

  • Taylormade Stealth: Ideal for players with a swing speed ranging from 85 mph to 105 mph.
  • Taylormade Stealth Plus: Ideal for players with an average swing speed of 110 mph or faster.

2. Forgiveness

If you analyze Taylormade’s product info, you should see that the Taylormade Stealth offers 15% greater MOI.

In almost all cases, the higher the MOI, the more forgiving a driver will be, allowing you to ‘get away with off-center strikes. In Rick Shiels’ review of the TM Stealth and Stealth Plus driver, he comments on the drastic distance dispersion with the Stealth Plus specifically. Basically, if you hit the Stealth Plus on the sweet spot, it will travel super far. However, if you are slightly off-center, you can lose up to 20 yards.

With the forgiveness level offered by the Taylormade Stealth driver, you should find that off-center hits still travel almost as far as near-perfect strikes.
That extra MOI is something you can feel when you hit the club, and it makes the TM Stealth far less punitive than the TM Stealth Plus. 

3. Sliding Weight Track

Taylormade Stealth Plus Driver Sliding Weight Scale

Both the Stealth Plus and the Stealth are built with a neutral flight bias. However, the Stealth Plus also includes a sliding weight track, that gives you the option to alter the flight bias.

The sliding weight track effectively allows you to set up the following flight bias conditions:

  • Neutral
  • Slight Fade
  • Maximum Fade
  • Slight Draw
  • Maximum Draw

4. Loft Options

There is a slight difference in the default loft options available with the Stealth and Stealth Plus. Put simply:

  • Taylormade Stealth Loft Options: 9°, 10.5°, 12.0°
  • Taylormade Stealth Plus Loft Options: 8°, 9°, 10.5°

5. Design

While the products look almost identical, there are three main visual differences.

  • The first cosmetic difference is the silver section at the back of the Stealth Plus. This is the easiest way to differentiate between the two drivers.
  • The second visual difference is the sliding weight track. The Stealth Plus has a sliding weight track, the Stealth does not.
  • The third difference in looks is simply the word ‘Plus’ written on the bottom of the driver. 

6. Minor Price Difference

The recommended selling price (RSP) of the Taylormade Stealth is about 20 dollars cheaper than the RSP of the Taylormade Stealth Plus. 

Given how expensive both drivers are, a 20 dollar difference isn’t particularly meaningful. Nevertheless, it is another slight difference between these two products. The sliding weight scale probably contributes to the slightly higher price of the Stealth Plus.