TaylorMade Stealth Irons 2023 – Expert Review

TaylorMade’s new Stealth irons are designed to help with more distance and forgiveness. I review the best features and specifications of these irons.

I. What handicap are Stealth irons for?

The exact handicap range will vary depending on the specific set of irons and the golfer’s individual skill level. 

But, in general, the TaylorMade Stealth iron is suitable for golfers with handicaps between 14 and 30+ (mid-high handicaps) who desire improved accuracy, consistent distance, and forgiveness. 

Based on my experience, I can say that there is something new in them, and you can’t quickly get over it. Moreover, the TaylorMade stealth irons give quite a divergence from the traditional ones. However, the sole is wide and not so thick, which makes it a perfect choice for mid and high-handicappers.

The set also includes different types of wedges in it and all the irons can be customized based on your personality and preference.

II. My Experience review with TaylorMade Stealth irons

TaylorMade clubs have always captured my attention, and after using the SIM2 Max for three years, I decided to upgrade to the new Stealth irons released in 2022. With over 30 rounds played using these irons, I can confidently say that they offer maximum forgiveness and a satisfying ball flight.

It’s worth noting that, as expected with game improvement irons, the top line remains slightly thick, and there is a small amount of offset. To assess the performance of the TaylorMade Stealth irons, I put them to the test both on the course and with the assistance of a launch monitor.

Using the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball, I found that these irons are designed to provide forgiveness, impressive distance off the tee, and ease of launching. To offer a better understanding of their performance, I have included the statistics recorded from my launch monitor below:

My Test Stats 

Ball Speed	132.5 mph
Launch Angle	10.8 degrees
Spin rate	4817 Rpm
Club speed	91.5 mph
Carry Distance	193.9 yds
Total Distance	206.8 yds

The Stealth irons are definitely one of the longest sets of irons I have ever tested. The combination of their lower launch, faster ball speeds, slightly stronger lofts and lower spin create a perfect setup for covering good distances.

The launch and spin on the Stealth’s are drastically lower than the SIM2 Max, which does come with a drawback of less control when hitting into greens – especially for players with slower swing speeds who may struggle to get the ball airborne.

But in terms of technology, the cap back design at the back makes it look very premium and kind of makes it upmarket. Moreover, it certainly has a very good shelf appeal. 

TaylorMade uses a polymer inside the head that they mentioned as Echo Damping Technology. This technology more or less gives a forged feel and a better sound, especially when irons are hit off the face. It even delivers good ball flights with plenty of carry and loads of distance. 

The Thru-Slot Speed Pocket on the bottom again makes the clubface flex a little more, especially when I catch it a little low on the head. But nevertheless, these irons still maintain the ball speed and provide forgiveness and distance.

The distance and trajectory were good enough to start with, as the stats mentioned above. When I played from off the tees, the flight was strong and forgiving even while I hit out of the toe, I still achieved 215 yards. It has been consistent in terms of distance and has provided good results.

III. In terms of Performance Factors

The TaylorMade stealth irons are commonly known as the game improvement irons due to their cap-back design. 

This design helps expand the distance, forgiveness, and feel, making it easy to launch with a high trajectory. Some key factors are mentioned below:

1. Forgiveness (Score 9/10)

The stealth iron 450 stainless steel has an intelligently positioned sweet spot that covers the most common impact points. This also gives the club enhanced forgiveness and explosive ball speeds. It’s a great feature that helps me be more consistent with my shots and perform better on the course. 

Based on my test, I found that TaylorMade Stealth irons are better than their predecessor, SIM2 Max, which makes it a great choice for golfers who need more forgiveness.

2. Playability / Trajectory (Score 9/10)

As someone who struggles with getting the shots up in the air, I can say that these irons can improve one’s game. 

Through the use of a cap back design, these irons produce a high launch by moving mass from the toe to the sole, lowering the center of gravity for a higher launch angle and peak height. 

This means the shots will stay in the air for longer and won’t come crashing down as quickly, giving the golfer more time to make their way down the fairway.

3. Looks (Score 7/10)

The Stealth irons have a sleek and modern aesthetic that will turn heads on the course. The geometric shapes and parallel lines in the cavity design give these irons a sense of balance and symmetry that I appreciate the most. 

However, the thickness of the top line and face shape may be reminiscent of the SIM2 Max irons, which may not be to everyone’s taste.

The carbon fiber weave adds a touch of technological elegance, fittingly embodying the Stealth name. To complete the aesthetic, the font used for the Stealth family is truly visually pleasing. 

Overall, I am satisfied with the design and look of these irons and would highly recommend them to any golfer who is looking for a modern, sleek set of irons.

4. Distance (Score 8/10)

When I tested the TaylorMade Stealth irons against other game-improvement irons, I must say that while TaylorMade is known for producing products with great ball speed, the Stealth falls a bit short when it comes to distance. 

Despite having high overall ball speeds, strong carry distance, and a high launch angle, the final shot length was still shorter than the other clubs in its category. 

It’s not a deal breaker for me, but it’s something to keep in mind if the distance is a major concern for you.

5. Sound and Feel (Score 7/10)

When I first tested the TaylorMade Stealth irons, the feel was so incredibly soft that I had to take a double take. 

However, as expected, the reason behind this was due to the clubs being designed with TaylorMade’s Echo Damping System, a strip of soft polymer that is hidden in each head that absorbs shock and creates a smooth feel.

The sound produced with each strike was pleasing to the ear and had a nice “snap” to it. But, I noticed that when contact was made on the edge or heel of the club, the sound lost some of its clarity. All in all, the sound and feel of the club are a big plus for me, and I think it will be a great addition to my bag.

IV. Features of TaylorMade stealth irons

The TaylorMade stealth irons have been specially designed to help golfers of all skill levels play their best. From beginners to pro golfers, these irons offer something for everyone. So, whether these irons are an excellent choice for you or not, let’s understand their features.

1. Cap Back Design with Toe Wrap construction

The cap back design is an advanced engineering accomplishment. This design helps shift mass from the head’s extreme high toe to the sole to create an extreme lower CG. 

2. Fast Forgiving Face with Progressive Inverted Cone Technology

TaylorMade Stealth irons feature the best progressive Inverted Cone Technology (PICT). This technology makes the clubs more forgiving on off-center hits, meaning you’ll still get decent results even if you don’t make perfect contact with the ball.

3. Stealth Iron System

One of the unique features of the TaylorMade irons is their ECHO damping system. This system uses a soft polymer blend and multiple contact points across the channel of the face. It also helps to reduce away harsh vibrations and gives you a forged-like feel at impact.

4. Thru-Slot Speed Pocket

The patented TaylorMade technology is engineered to maximize face flexibility. The Thru-Slot Speed Pocket also helps to increase ball speed and distance on mis-hits.

5. Forged iron feel

The best benefit of the hidden Cap back design is that it spans full flexibility from the heel to the toe. It also uses multiple contact points on the club face to absorb the unwanted vibrations.

These features give the Stealth irons a solid feel considering their hollow head as the ball speed explodes off the club face.

Read More: Forged vs. Cast Irons

V. Specifications

The TaylorMade stealth irons are available for both Men and Women and the specifications depend on clubs and different factors:

Specifications	Men	Women
Shaft	KBS Max MT for Stock Steel and Fujikura Ventus Red for Graphite Shafts.	Aldila Ascent 45 Graphite
Grip	Lamkin Crossline 360	Lamkin Ladies Sonar
Hand	Right and Left	Right
Irons	4-PW 4-PW, AW, 5-PW, AW, SW 5-PW 5-PW, AW	5-PW, AW
Flex	Senior, Regular, Stiff	Ladies

VI. Alternatives for TaylorMade stealth irons

For all those who are seeking irons that come up with high performance and modern look. You can check the TaylorMade stealth irons review and can even consider the other alternatives for comparison.

1. Callaway Apex Irons

These are one of the best Callaway irons that cover a wide range of abilities and deliver not only distance but also a great feel.

The Apex 21 design has a hollow body with the new tungsten energy core for higher consistent launch and spin. These clubs help in good shots and are a complete blend of power and feel. Therefore, these irons can be a good alternative for TaylorMade stealth irons.

2. Mizuno Pro 225 Irons

The irons are specially designed to provide more speed as a blended set made of tungsten weights (2-7 irons). Each bar has a grain flow forged 4135 Chromoly Face & Neck with a 431 stainless steel back. The steel back weight adds more precision and penetrating flight in the scoring irons. Moreover, these irons are best for mid-to-low handicaps that want the best-looking irons without compromising the distance.

3. Ping I525 Irons

The Ping i525 irons are a replacement for the i500, and it has been tested that they are the upgraded ones. The brand-new face technology in this model has increased speed, distance, and control. 

Moreover, combined with polymer inserts, these clubs deliver better sound and feel throughout the bag.

My take 

After trying out the TaylorMade Stealth irons for myself, I can confidently recommend them to golfers looking for a combination of superior performance and forgiveness. 

The solid feel upon impact and the useful feedback from each shot boosted my confidence and helped me identify and correct mistakes in my swing.

My game has also improved thanks to the Progressive Inverted Cone Technology and the smartly placed sweet spot. I noticed big changes in speed, accuracy, and distance with each shot, making the golf round much more fun.

If you’re looking for new golf clubs, I highly recommend taking a closer look at the TaylorMade Stealth irons. Their noteworthy performance and forgiveness make them a wise investment for golfers who want to improve their game.