TaylorMade Stealth 3 Wood Review – Best Fairway Woods For High Handicappers [2024!]
TaylorMade Stealth 3 wood got everyone’s attention for its excellent performance on the course. After testing the Stealth 3, I can assure you of a few things:
Overall, the TaylorMade Stealth 3 is easily one of the best and most expensive fairway woods with the infusion of the brand’s most advanced technologies.
Overview of the TaylorMade Stealth 3 Wood
Has a sleek look, a great stock shaft and grip, and a very forgiving construction. The sweet spot is made larger for straighter strikes and fewer mishits.
Comes with the most impressive TaylorMade technologies including the 3D carbon crown, V steel sole, twist face, and speed pocket.
Why Consider the stealth 3 wood?
If you want to hit the ball far and make it go straight, the Stealth 3 is just the right pick for you. It offers the feel and control low handicappers want while serving high handicappers with more accuracy.
Just like me, you’ll feel confident with the larger clubhead, and the club will be easier to hit with the reduced weight.
Specifications and Features
- Loft: 15°
- Lie Angle: 59°
- Hand: LH/RH
- Clubhead Volume and Length: 190cc and 43.25 inches
- Materials: Carbon and C300 steel
- Launch: Mid to High
- Spin: Mid to Low
- Thru-Slot Speed Pocket increases club face flexibility
- V STEEL™ SOLE for more practical weight distribution
- TWIST FACE™ to overcome mishits
Testing the TaylorMade stealth 3 wood
To test how much improvement was done on the TaylorMade Stealth, it was tested side by side with the SIM2 and Stealth Plus clubs from TaylorMade.
The test results are based on multiple ranges and golf sessions. As for the external factors, the weather wasn’t extreme, and no special tools, grips, or shafts were used.
My Experience with the TaylorMade Stealth 3
Right off the bat, I was impressed by the feel of the club. It didn’t have any extra weight, and I was able to generate more power as the new design shifts the center of gravity. It was particularly easy to hit the sweet spot, and the ‘whoosh’ sound on impact was crisp and clean.
While the ball wasn’t spinning much to the right or left, it resulted in a higher number of straight shots. Compared to the other two fairway woods, I noticed reduced drag while hitting off the turf.
The club was fairly stable during backswing and downswing throughout the session. While I like the stock shaft, pulling off the head cover was a hassle.
performance reviews of the TaylorMade Stealth 3 Wood
Category | Grade |
---|---|
Look And Feel | (4.5 Stars) |
Balance Of Weight | (5 Stars) |
Launch Angle, Spin, And Speed | (4 Stars) |
Distance And Forgiveness | (5 Stars) |
Adjustability And Workability | (3.5 Stars) |
User Reviews | (4.5 Stars On Average) |
Now, let’s take a look at how the Stealth 3 performs and what the users are saying about it.
Look and Feel (4.5 Stars)
Take it from me; the new design of the Stealth 3 is way better than the previous TaylorMade SIM clubs. The black matte finish is less distracting, while the red lines look more stylish.
Thanks to the advanced laser-etched lines, you can easily align the club face and crown. With each shot, the multi-material construction feels stronger and gives you more confidence.
Balance of Weight (5 Stars)
I must admit, the engineering of the Stealth 3 is meticulously done with the change in the material and thickness. While the 3D carbon crown is lightweight, the club face is heavier steel.
The sweet spot and heel of the crown are particularly thinner to reduce drag. As the remaining areas are thicker, the center of gravity is positioned lower, and the weight is concentrated deeper. Therefore, the club generates more power while also being highly forgiving.
Launch Angle, Spin, and Speed (4 Stars)
These are some not-so-perfect aspects of the Stealth 3 for some golfers. From what I’ve seen, the launch angle is pretty high and the club generates more power with less effort.
For the most part, the power translates into high ball speed. However, when you try to fade or create more angled shots, you won’t get any added benefits due to poor ball spin.
Distance and Forgiveness (5 Stars)
Everything they say about the Stealth 3 wood being incredibly forgiving and giving greater distance is true! I was getting at least 10 yards of extra carry and total distance.
Some players also reported getting 25 to 30 extra yards. Similarly, I was hitting the sweet spot more often due to the large 190cc head. The Twist Face and Inverted Cone Technology resulted in smooth turf interaction and less resistance.
Adjustability and Workability (3.5 Stars)
Unfortunately, the club face isn’t adjustable, so you can’t set it to your preferred loft or lie angle. The only saving grace here is the thru-slot speed pocket that offers increased flexibility for hard hitters.
User Reviews (4.5 Stars on Average)
As I’ve expected, the Stealth 3 got excellent reviews from users across the top platforms. What impressed them most is the fact that it’s easy to hit, feels great, and launches soft.
Which Famous PGA Tour Players Use the TaylorMade Stealth 3?
As seen on the PGAClubTracker.com info base, TaylorMade Stealth 3 is positioned at #13 in the most popular 3-wood model among PGA tour pros.
Players who use the Stealth 3 include Adam Long, Cameron Smith, and Scott Stallings. Chris Kirk, Dustin Johnson, and Rory McIlroy also used to carry the club after its launch.
Who Are the TaylorMade Stealth 3 Woods for?
- Professional Players and Low Handicappers: A must-try second-shot club to get their desired accuracy and distance.
- Regular Golfers and Mid Handicappers: Good choice to deliver stable and controlled shots.
- Low Handicappers: Ideal pick for improving distance, but not that suitable to learn shot shaping.
Alternatives to Consider
Want something more adjustable or better looking? Here are some of the best alternatives to the Stealth 3:
Callaway Paradym X HL
Pros
- Callaway Paradym X HL has the most forgiving and flexible club design
- High spin, redistributed weight for easy turnover and maximized distance
- Reliable draw shots and little to no fades
- Increased contact area makes it more forgiving
Cons
- Left-biased
Ping G430 Max
Pros
- High adjustable, customizable weighting and hosel
- Consistent and accurate shots every single time
- Low loft, high MOI, and more ball speed
- Ping G430 Offers excellent grip, stability, and forgiveness
Cons
- Not much improvement in the distance section
Titleist TSR3 Fairway Wood
Pros
- Titleist TSR3 has Great aesthetics with classic black & white design and teardrop-shaped crown
- Adjustable, forgiving, and powerful flight
- Compact and lightweight
- Impressive carry distance
Cons
- Scores low in accuracy
Our verdict on TaylorMade Stealth 3 Wood Review
To be honest, I don’t see any reason not to purchase the Stealth 3 except for its high price tag and lack of adjustability.
If you want accuracy, speed, distance, and forgiveness, I doubt there will be any better wood than Stealth 3 in the next few years. It’s the easiest way to complete a par-5 in two shots.