Driver Review: TaylorMade Stealth 2 vs Stealth 2 Plus vs Stealth 2 HD

When it comes to choosing a new driver, the options can sometimes feel overwhelming. 

TaylorMade, a renowned name in the golf industry, offers three compelling driver models that have been newly released in 2023: the TaylorMade Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus, and Stealth 2 HD.

Each driver boasts its own set of features and benefits, making the decision-making process even more challenging for you as a golfer.

Luckily, we’ve done all the testing so that you don’t have to.

In this article, we’ll compare these three drivers to help you make an informed choice that suits your game.

My recommendation: Which driver is right for you?

If you can’t be bothered reading this entire review article and just want to know which of these TaylorMade drivers is best suited to your needs, don’t worry – I’ve got you covered.

Below is a quick summary of each driver to help you make a fast, informed purchase choice.

Specs	Stealth 2	Stealth 2 Plus	Stealth 2 HD
All New 60x Carbon Twist Face	Yes	Yes	Yes
Asymmetric Inertia Generator	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sliding Weight Track	No	Yes	No
Head Size	460cc	460cc	460cc
4° Loft Sleeve	Yes	Yes	Yes
Flight Bias	Neutral	Neutral	Draw
Custom Shafts & Grips	Yes	Yes	Yes
Spin	Mid-low	Low	Mid
Launch	Mid-high	Mid	High
Forgiveness	Highest	High	Highest
Hand & Loft	RH: 12, RH/LH: 9, 10.5	RH: 8, RH/LH: 9, 10.5	RH: 12, RH/LH: 9, 10.5

TaylorMade Stealth 2

The TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver strikes a balance between forgiveness and playability, making it a versatile option for a wide range of golfers.

Low and high handicappers will equally enjoy this driver. Its solid feel and consistent performance make it a reliable driver for those seeking a well-rounded combination of forgiveness and control.

In terms of budget, the Stealth 2 typically comes in the cheapest of all three.

TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus

If you value forgiveness and adjustability, the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus is an excellent choice.

Its lower launch and versatile features – it’s the only driver of the trio with the Sliding Weight Track –  make it ideal for golfers seeking forgiveness and control.

This club is well-suited for players who desire forgiveness without sacrificing distance, and have a little extra cash to spend.

TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD

If maximum forgiveness and a draw bias are your priorities, the TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD is likely the driver for you.

Its larger head size and high MOI provide exceptional forgiveness on off-center hits, while the draw bias helps reduce slices.

This driver is ideal for golfers struggling with a slice or seeking enhanced forgiveness.

If you want to know more about how these TaylorMade drivers perform, keep reading.

The rest of this article will break down all the key factors you need to know to give the complete picture about just how much these clubs can help your game.

Feel and performance: How the TaylorMade Stealth 2 series compares

One of the most crucial aspects of a driver is how it feels and performs in your hands.

If you don’t feel confident with the club while standing over the ball, chances are your results are going to suffer.

Let’s take a closer look at how the TaylorMade Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus, and Stealth 2 HD drivers fare in terms of feel and performance.

TaylorMade Stealth 2: Balanced performance and playability

The TaylorMade Stealth 2 isn’t only for amateurs; some tour players use it too, Tommy Fleetwood being a notable one.

The feel of the Stealth 2 was practically identical to the Stealth 2 Plus.

I noticed that despite my slightly imperfect swings, my shots were straight and the spin wasn’t dramatically different from the Stealth 2 Plus.

The difference visually is in the red line that stretches across the face of the driver, acting as an alignment aid.

I did find myself registering slightly higher swing speeds with the Stealth 2, but it wasn’t enough to be significant and was likely just natural variation.

Feel: The Stealth 2 delivers a solid feel and inspires confidence, enabling golfers to make consistent swings and achieve reliable results.

Performance: With its mid-low spin and mid-high launch, it strikes a balance between forgiveness and playability. The Stealth 2 provides ample distance while maintaining good control.

TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus: Forgiveness and versatility

The TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus was my personal favorite when it comes to forgiveness and adjustability.

It’s designed for players with a bit more speed who tend to spin the ball too much (like me).

I tried it out on the draw setting at nine degrees and found it to deliver lower launch and throughout the testing, I found that even for my off-center shots the spin rate stayed decently below 3000.

Despite a few hits straying right and left, the Stealth 2 Plus was reliable in providing fair distance and low spin rates.

Feel: The Stealth 2 Plus provides a satisfying feel, with a sense of stability and forgiveness even on off-center hits.

Performance: It offers a blend of distance and accuracy, making it a solid choice for golfers who prioritize forgiveness and versatility.

TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD: Maximum Forgiveness and Higher Launch

Last up was the TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD, which I found to be the most interesting of the three. This model isn’t just for the high handicap golfer who slices often; it has a broad appeal.

At address, I noticed the Stealth 2 HD has a larger, more elongated shape. The draw bias is slight and helps keep shots on track, even with my less-than-perfect swings. 

As expected, the spin numbers were higher on the HD, aligning with its goal of eliminating the right side of the fairway and delivering forgiveness.

Feel: The Stealth 2 HD provides a solid and powerful feel, offering a sense of stability and control.

Performance: With its larger head size and higher moment of inertia (MOI), it enhances forgiveness on off-center hits. The Stealth 2 HD offers a high launch, helping golfers generate more carry distance and achieve greater accuracy.

if you’re seeking a driver with high forgiveness, the original Stealth 2 should be your go-to.

It has a great feel across the face with a newly designed thickness level. If you’re a more seasoned golfer with a bit more speed and are seeking adjustability with a lower launch, the Stealth 2 Plus might be a better fit.

Surprisingly, the Stealth 2 Plus and the Stealth 2 felt very similar in performance.

Lastly, the Stealth 2 HD, despite common perceptions, does not have to be for someone with a slower swing speed. It offered impressive yardage and a decently conservative spin rate.

Most notably, it successfully helped eliminate the right side of the fairway for me.

Appearance: Sleek designs with distinct features

The TaylorMade Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus, and Stealth 2 HD drivers all feature sleek designs with subtle differences that set them apart.

Stealth 2: The TaylorMade Stealth 2 maintains a similar design language with its glossy finish, but it introduces a touch of red on the clubhead, acting as an alignment aid. It strikes a balance between classic and contemporary styling.

Stealth 2 Plus: The TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus model showcases a clean and modern aesthetic. It features a glossy finish and minimalistic details, giving it a sophisticated look at address.

Stealth 2 HD: The TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD adopts a more elongated shape and a slightly larger head size. Its glossy finish, coupled with the red accent, offers a bold and visually striking appearance.

Sound: Solid and confidence-boosting

The sound produced by a driver can provide valuable feedback to golfers, instilling confidence in their swings.

In short, all three TaylorMade drivers sounded basically the same, delivering their trademark solid and muted sound upon impact.

You can definitely hear the difference when you’ve flushed one, with the deep, commanding thump instantly recognisable as a TaylorMade driver (something that was evident too in the earlier Sim Max and Sim Max 2 models).

If you like a driver that sounds like a cannon when you hit it, any of the Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus or Stealth HD will be perfect for you.

Forgiveness: Find the sweet spot consistently

Forgiveness refers to a driver’s ability to maintain ball speed and accuracy on off-center hits.

All three TaylorMade Stealth models felt ultra forgiving, largely due to the new 60x Carbon Twist Face technology, which is designed to maximize the outcome of poor strikes.

Stealth 2: The TaylorMade Stealth 2 offers commendable forgiveness, allowing golfers to maintain consistent ball speed and accuracy on off-center strikes. It strikes a balance between forgiveness and playability, catering to a broad range of golfers.

Stealth 2 Plus: The TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus also excels in forgiveness, providing a higher level of stability and preserving ball speed even on mis-hits. It offers forgiveness for both toe and heel strikes, helping golfers achieve better results on imperfect swings.

Stealth 2 HD: The TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD takes forgiveness to the next level with its larger head size and higher MOI. It is engineered to provide exceptional forgiveness on mis-hits, minimizing the loss of distance and accuracy.

Playability: Shaping shots with confidence

The ability to shape shots according to specific shot requirements is an essential aspect of playability.

If you need to hit a draw or fade on command off the tee, you want a driver that responds to what you’re trying to do.

The TaylorMade Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 Plus – despite being super forgiving – are both extremely responsive to shot shaping.

Being able to adjust the loft, thanks to the 4 degree loft sleeve, is massively helpful in this regard too – the lower the loft, the easier it is to move the ball left or right through the air.

The Stealth 2 HD, with its draw bias and high MOI, is probably the only exception given it’s designed to promote a right-to-left ball flight for those golfers seeking help with reducing a slice or generating a slight draw.

Out of the three clubs, it was the hardest to shape due to this bias – with the Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 Plus performing similarly.

Specifications and adjustability: A closer look at key features

The TaylorMade Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus, and Stealth 2 HD drivers are very adjustable, which is one of the most appealing aspects to each of these drivers.

It’s also why they’re some of the most expensive on the market at the moment (but as they say, you get what you pay for).

Let’s dive into the key specifications and adjustability features of each driver.

Head size: All three drivers, the TaylorMade Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus, and Stealth 2 HD, feature a 460cc head size, providing a good balance between forgiveness and manoeuvrability.

Loft sleeve: Each driver comes equipped with a 4° loft sleeve, allowing golfers to fine-tune the loft and tailor it to their desired launch conditions.

Flight bias: The Stealth 2 Plus and Stealth 2 feature a neutral flight bias, accommodating golfers with various swing tendencies. On the other hand, the Stealth 2 HD has a draw bias, promoting a right-to-left ball flight.

Spin and launch: The Spin and Launch characteristics vary slightly among the models. The Stealth 2 Plus offers low spin and a mid launch, the Stealth 2 provides mid-low spin and mid-high launch, while the Stealth 2 HD delivers a mid spin and high launch profile.

Forgiveness: All three drivers excel in forgiveness, with the Stealth 2 Plus and Stealth 2 HD offering the highest forgiveness levels due to their design features including the 60x Carbon Twist Face and Asymmetric Inertia Generator.

Adjustability: The Stealth 2 Plus offers adjustability features such as a sliding weight track, allowing golfers to fine-tune the center of gravity (CG) and customize shot shape bias to their preference. The Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD, while not equipped with a sliding weight track, still provide adjustability through the loft sleeve, enabling golfers to optimize launch conditions.

Cost and value: Are they worth the money?

Now, the big question you want answered is – does the price vary much between these drivers? Well, not hugely.

The Stealth 2 is usually priced competitively, while still being higher than some other drivers on the market due to the brand recognition TaylorMade has.

The Stealth 2 Plus typically falls into a higher price range due to its adjustability features and advanced technology.

Personally, I think it offers excellent value for golfers who prioritize forgiveness and versatility and would certainly be my top pick (if you’re willing to pay just a little bit extra).

The Stealth 2 HD, from what I’ve seen, is around the same price point of the other two.

So, are the TaylorMade Stealth 2 series worth the money? It’s a resounding yes from me. These clubs feel great, perform exceptionally and overall just look fantastic.

Of course, they will put a dent in your wallet, but unfortunately golf can be an expensive sport if you’re wanting to game the latest tech.

If you can afford it, you can’t go wrong with either the TaylorMade Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus or Stealth HD driver.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I adjust the loft on these drivers?

Yes, all three drivers – the Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus, and Stealth 2 HD – come with a 4° loft sleeve that allows for loft adjustment.

This feature enables you to fine-tune the loft and customize your launch conditions to match your swing and desired ball flight.

Are these drivers suitable for beginner golfers?

Absolutely! The TaylorMade Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus, and Stealth 2 HD drivers are designed to cater to a wide range of golfers, including beginners.

With their forgiveness and playability features, these drivers offer assistance on off-center hits and help maximize distance and accuracy.

They provide a solid platform for beginners to improve their game and gain confidence off the tee.

Which driver is best for reducing a slice?

The TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD is specifically engineered with a draw bias to help reduce a slice. 

Its design promotes a right-to-left ball flight, making it an excellent choice for golfers struggling with slicing the ball.

The high forgiveness and draw bias of the Stealth 2 HD provide assistance in correcting and controlling your ball flight.

Do these drivers come with custom shaft and grip options?

Yes, all three drivers – the Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus, and Stealth 2 HD – offer custom shaft and grip options.

TaylorMade provides a wide range of choices to accommodate different swing speeds, player preferences, and fitting requirements.

Customizing the shaft and grip can help optimize performance and enhance your overall experience with the driver.

Can I shape shots with these drivers?

Yes, the TaylorMade Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus, and Stealth 2 HD drivers all offer the potential to shape shots to some degree.

The Stealth 2 Plus and Stealth 2 provide more versatility and shot-shaping options due to their adjustability features, such as the sliding weight track and loft sleeve.

The Stealth 2 HD, with its draw bias, is designed to promote a right-to-left ball flight, aiding in shot shaping for golfers who prefer a draw.

Final message

In conclusion, the TaylorMade Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus, and Stealth 2 HD drivers offer golfers a range of options to suit their game and preferences.

Each driver excels in various areas, providing unique features and benefits.

The Stealth 2 strikes a balance between forgiveness and playability, catering to a wide range of golfers.

The Stealth 2 Plus combines forgiveness and adjustability, making it a versatile choice for golfers looking to fine-tune their ball flight. 

The Stealth 2 HD emphasizes maximum forgiveness and a draw bias, making it an excellent option for golfers seeking help with reducing a slice and achieving straighter shots.

Consider factors such as feel, appearance, sound, forgiveness, playability, specifications, adjustability, cost, and value when making your decision.

Ultimately, it’s important to test these drivers yourself and assess how they perform with your swing to find the driver that provides the best combination of performance, confidence, and enjoyment on the course.

By using this comprehensive comparison, I hope you can make an informed decision and choose the TaylorMade driver that suits your game and helps you achieve your golfing goals.