Taylormade Qi Irons Specs Explained: What You Need to Know
The TaylorMade Qi irons are engineered with a Cap Back design and progressive offset to blend distance, forgiveness, and a compact look. The key specs you need to know: the 7‑iron has 29° loft, 62° lie angle, and 36.75” stock length (steel), with offset ranging from 4.1 mm in the 4‑iron down to 1.9 mm in the pitching wedge. These numbers directly affect launch, shot shape, and gapping—so here’s what each spec means for your game.
Before ordering, note that the specs below apply to the standard right‑handed set with KBS Max MT 85 steel shaft (R‑flex). If you choose a different shaft, lie, or length—or if you’re left‑handed—the lofts remain the same, but the offset and lie angles may shift slightly due to manufacturing tolerances. Always verify with your fitter or the QR code on the hosel.
Loft and Gapping
TaylorMade set the Qi lofts to match modern distance expectations while still allowing smooth gapping between clubs. The 9‑iron is 39°, the pitching wedge 43°, and the approach wedge (AW) 46°. The longer irons are stronger: the 4‑iron sits at 21°, the 5‑iron at 23.5°, and the 6‑iron at 26°. This helps you carry the ball farther without sacrificing descent angle.
| Club | Loft | Lie | Stock Length (Steel) | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4‑iron | 21° | 60.5° | 38.75” | 4.1 mm |
| 5‑iron | 23.5° | 61° | 38.25” | 3.9 mm |
| 6‑iron | 26° | 61.5° | 37.75” | 3.7 mm |
| 7‑iron | 29° | 62° | 37.25” (steel) / 37.50” (graphite) | 3.5 mm |
| 8‑iron | 33° | 62.5° | 36.75” | 3.2 mm |
| 9‑iron | 39° | 63° | 36.25” | 2.8 mm |
| PW | 43° | 63.5° | 36.00” | 1.9 mm |
| AW | 46° | 63.5° | 36.00” | 1.5 mm |
Specs are for standard right‑handed sets with KBS Max MT 85 steel shaft (R‑flex). Lie and length may vary with other shaft options.
Practical implication for your set makeup: The 5‑ to 4‑iron gap is only 2.5°, but the low center of gravity helps launch the 4‑iron high enough to hold greens. If you already carry a hybrid or fairway wood at a similar distance (around 20–22°), you can skip the 4‑iron and save a slot for a wedge or extra wood. For most mid‑handicappers, the 5‑iron through AW creates a reliable distance ladder with 10–14 yard gaps.
Offset and Playability
The Qi irons use a progressive offset design. The long irons have the most offset (4.1 mm in the 4‑iron) to help square the face at impact and reduce slices. As you move through the set, offset decreases to 1.9 mm in the PW, giving you more shot‑shaping control with the scoring clubs.
- Long irons (4–6): High offset promotes a draw bias and makes these clubs easier to hit straight for mid‑handicappers.
- Mid irons (7–8): Moderate offset balances forgiveness with workability.
- Short irons and wedges (9–AW): Low offset lets you fade or draw the ball intentionally.
The trade‑off you need to know: If you already tend to hook the ball (especially with long irons), the high offset in the 4‑ and 5‑iron can exaggerate that hook—turning a playable draw into a duck hook. Players with fast tempos (above 90 mph clubhead speed with a 7‑iron) should test these irons against a lower‑offset model like the P790 before committing. A concrete verification: hit five 4‑iron shots on a launch monitor; if your face angle at impact is consistently closed by more than 2°, the offset is likely working against you.
Shaft and Length Options
TaylorMade offers the Qi irons with several shaft choices to fit your swing speed and feel preference.
- Steel: KBS Max MT 85 (lightweight) in Regular, Stiff, and X‑Stiff. Also available in True Temper Elevate MPH 95 (mid‑weight).
- Graphite: Fujikura Ventus Blue 5 (senior and amateur flexes) and Mitsubishi Tensei Red AM2 (regular, stiff).
- Length: Standard lengths are listed above, but you can order +0.5”, +1”, or custom. Graphite shafts are typically 0.5” longer than steel because graphite players often need more length to match swing weight.
How to choose: The standard swing weight for steel shafts is D1 for a 7‑iron; graphite runs a point lighter (C9–D0). If you’re sensitive to head feel, test both before ordering. A practical verification: take your current iron set to a swing‑weight scale. If you’re used to D2 or D3, the Qi with steel will feel slightly light; graphite will feel noticeably light. You can request a heavier swing weight at order (typically +1 to +2 points) at no extra cost through TaylorMade’s custom program.
The Cap Back Design
The Qi irons use a multi‑material Cap Back that wraps a 6061 aluminum piece over the top of the clubhead. This saves weight that is redistributed low and deep for higher launch (about 1° higher than the previous Stealth model) and more forgiveness on low‑toe and heel misses. The face is forged 4140 steel with Thru‑Slot Speed Pocket for consistent ball speed across the face.
What this means on course: On thin shots (low on the face), the Cap Back helps keep ball speed loss below 5 mph compared to a center hit. On toe misses, you’ll still gain about 80% of the distance you’d get from a center strike—better than most game‑improvement irons from three years ago.
The Gunmetal Edition
A gunmetal PVD finish gives the TayIorMade Golf Qi Irons Gunmetal 5-PW,AW Steel Shaft Stiff Right Handed a darker, more premium look without changing the performance specs. The head geometry, loft, offset, and internal weighting are identical to the standard Qi iron. If you prefer a less reflective finish that resists glare, this version is a cosmetic alternative—but the numbers in the table above apply equally.
One caveat: The gunmetal finish can show bag chatter more visibly than the standard silver finish. If you’re particular about appearance, consider using individual iron headcovers or accept that the dark coating will develop wear marks over time.
FAQ
Do the Qi irons have the same lofts as the Qi10?
No. The Qi10 irons (released in 2024) are about 1–2° stronger per club and have a slightly larger head. Always compare specific specs between models.
Can I bend the lie angle on Qi irons?
Yes, but the Cap Back construction limits how much you can adjust. TaylorMade recommends staying within ±2° to avoid damaging the aluminum frame.
What is the stock grip on the Qi irons?
The standard grip is the Golf Pride Z‑Grip 360 (black/white). Custom grip options are available at order.
How do these irons compare to the Stealth irons in terms of length?
The Qi irons are about 0.25” longer in the long irons and 0.125” longer in the short irons than the Stealth model, with slightly stronger lofts to match modern distance.
Are the Qi irons suitable for low handicappers?
They are primarily a game‑improvement iron. Low handicappers who want more control and feel usually prefer TaylorMade’s P‑series irons (e.g., P790 or P770).
Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.
His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.
You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.
