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In this review, I’ll be taking a look at the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus fairway wood.
The Stealth 2 Plus is the better-player model in the Stealth 2 line of fairway woods. With a 50g sliding sole weight, adjustable hosel, and compact profile, it’s designed to deliver maximum versatility and control for whoever wants it.
But how does the Stealth 2 Plus actually perform when put to the test? How does it compare to the regular Stealth 2 and original Stealth Plus models? Who is it best suited for? Is it worth putting in the bag?
Read on to get the answers to these questions and learn what you need to know to make an informed purchase.
Note: Unless otherwise indicated, stock shafts and stock grips are used when evaluating clubs and the 3W is evaluated in the case of fairway woods. In most cases, the golf clubs reviewed on Golfstead are acquired temporarily for testing purposes and are not purchased. The review that follows is based on the personal experience and research of the author. Because everyone’s swing and body are different, results with a particular club may differ from person to person.
What are the reviews like?
As with its sister models, the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus fairway wood won a gold medal on the 2023 Golf Digest Hot List.
It is generally praised by critics and enjoys a high average customer rating of 4.8/5 (97% recommended) on the TaylorMade store.
What People Like
- unique sliding sole weight enables spin and launch control
- impressive forgiveness
- pure feel at impact
- compact players’ shape
- monstrous distance under the right conditions
What People Don’t Like
- distance and general performance can be underwhelming with the wrong configuration
The Features
The Stealth 2 Plus fairway wood has mostly the same technologies as the Stealth 2 and Stealth 2 HD models, but there are some differences that set it apart.
Its main distinguishing feature is a sliding weight track that is used to alter the center of gravity (CG). TaylorMade calls this “three fairway woods in one” since you can have the weight in the back, center or forward position:
- Back Position: higher launch, forgiveness and MOI
- Center Position: versatile performance
- Forward Position: lower launch and spin for max distance
Other features include:
- Carbon Crown: enables weight savings that are redistributed to optimize performance.
- Twist Face & ICT: optimizes the thickness of the titanium face at every point for maximum ball speed and forgiveness. The iteration of ICT (Inverted Cone Technology) in the Stealth 2 also improves durability.
- V Steel Sole: a classic TaylorMade innovation that unlocks the benefits of having a raised heel and toe (significantly improved turf interaction and less resistance through impact) while keeping the CG low for high launch and low spin.
- Thru-Slot Speed Pocket: increases sole flexibility, leading to increased ball speed and forgiveness low on the face.
- Laser Alignment Aid: a visual indicator stretching across the top of the face that helps with alignment at address, allowing the crown to stay relatively clean.
The Stealth 2 Plus has a multi-material construction consisting of carbon, titanium and steel which paves the way for the sliding weight track. Its 170cc head is the smallest in the Stealth 2 line.
Stock Info
The Stealth 2 Plus fairway wood is available in 3W and 5W at lofts 15° and 18°, respectively.
Also available are the Stealth 2 Plus Tour 4 and Tour 6 fairway woods. These are special alternative loft options (16.5° and 20°) for the Stealth 2 Plus that were previously only accessible to pro golfers but are now available to the general public through custom ordering.
Unlike the other models in the Stealth 2 line, included is a loft sleeve that allows you to adjust loft, lie and face angle. There are 12 possible sleeve variations that can increase or decrease the loft and lie angle by ±2°, and the face angle by ±4°.
The stock graphite shaft is the Mitsubishi Kai’li Red and the stock grip is the Golf Pride ZGRIP Plus2. Custom options are available.
If you’re interested, full information on the fairway wood, shafts, grips and their specs can be found here.
Below are the specs of the Stealth 2 Plus fairway wood. Click or zoom to enlarge.
The Performance
Distance
Distance results are very consistent with what the Stealth 2 Plus is supposed to be. Compared to the standard Stealth 2 model, with the weight in the center position, I was seeing:
- a few (around 3-6 or so) yards less total distance
- roughly the same clubhead speed and ball speed
- marginally lower spin rates of around 100 RPM on average
Compared to the original Stealth Plus, I’m pleased to say that the Stealth 2 Plus has an overall edge in speed off the face and hence an advantage in distance.
The spin of the Stealth 2 Plus does seem to be a little higher than the Stealth Plus, though, which golfers will need to take into consideration.
Forgiveness
Much of the forgiveness of the Stealth 2 Plus depends on the position of the sole weight.
With the weight forward, center strikes are richly rewarded but mis-hits can go pretty far off line and lose a decent amount of yards.
With the weight back, ball speed preservation is very good and dispersions are tighter. In this configuration, I would say the Stealth 2 Plus approaches the level of the HD model in terms of forgiveness.
Playability/Trajectory
Typical trajectories produced by the Stealth 2 Plus are middle of the road. The flight bias is neutral but draw or fade bias can be introduced using the adjustable hosel.
Others who have evaluated the Stealth 2 Plus have reported that the position of the sole weight has a significant impact on launch and spin, and I can vouch for this based on my own experience.
With the weight forward, spin is low. This allows faster swingers to generate extra distance with a nice penetrating flight that performs well in windy conditions.
With the weight forward, spin goes up significantly (sometimes by 700+ RPM) and the launch increases. In this position, golfers with too high a clubhead speed may have problems with ballooning, so I would usually only recommend it if your clubhead speed with a 3W is under 100 mph.
The extensive adjustability of the Stealth 2 Plus, combined with the V Steel Sole and other technologies, makes it an extremely versatile club. In addition, its compact shape is very conducive to shot shaping.
The Look
The Stealth 2 Plus fairway wood has a fairly traditional pear shape that will no doubt be appealing to most better players. As previously mentioned, it features a 170cc head which is on the compact side, and this really makes you feel like you can control your ball at address.
The sliding sole weight has a unique design that is different from adjustable soles we’ve seen in the past. Instead of sliding a smaller weight within a track, you’re effectively sliding a larger weight which surrounds a nut.
I certainly won’t say it’s bad, but it could potentially confuse some players who think that having the center nut in the “back” position means the weight is back when it’s actually the opposite. TaylorMade makes an effort to clear up any confusion with a “Higher/Lower” indicator on the sole.
Aside from these factors as well as an altered sole aesthetic, the overall look is very similar to the other Stealth 2 models, with a clean gloss crown and laser alignment aid that sits prominently across the top of the face.
The Sound & Feel
The feel of the Stealth 2 Plus fairway wood at impact is extremely satisfying overall, with explosiveness and also crispness and solidness.
I do find, however, that the position of the sole weight makes a noticeable difference in feel.
With the weight back, impact feels less solid but more consistent across the face. With the weight forward, impact feels more solid but mis-hit feedback becomes more distinct and mis-hits feel a little harsher in your arms and hands.
I found the sound at impact to be closer to the Stealth 2 HD than the Stealth 2 — lower-pitched with a crisp “whoosh” through the ball.
Turf interaction is clean and just excellent in general. I love the addition of the V Steel Sole to the Stealth 2 woods and think they would have been much worse off without it.
Where To Buy This Fairway Wood Online
You can order a Stealth 2 Plus fairway wood with your choice of loft and shaft on TaylorMade’s official store. You can optionally do full customization through their Custom Shop where you can also order the Tour 4 and Tour 6 variants.
Another option is PGA TOUR Superstore. They offer customization, performance guarantees, club fittings, club trade-ins, and other programs designed to make the buying experience as smooth as possible.
You can alternatively check out the offers on Global Golf and Amazon.
Don’t forget about eBay, where you can often find unbeatable deals on new and used golf equipment.
Final Thoughts
The Stealth 2 Plus is a worthy successor to TaylorMade’s original Stealth Plus and fulfills its role as an adjustable, versatile fairway wood geared towards better players.
Whether you want low spin with maximum distance or a high degree of stability and launch, the Stealth 2 Plus’s sliding weight will allow you to achieve it and tailor the club to your specific needs.
On the other hand, if the configuration of the Stealth 2 Plus is wrong for your body and swing, you’re probably going to have a bad time. This is why it’s important to take advantage of the adjustability features to dial in a ball flight that works for you.
It’s worth noting that apart from its versatility and control, the Stealth 2 Plus doesn’t really come out on top in the speed or forgiveness categories. For those, we recommend trying the Stealth 2 or Stealth 2 HD.
Interested in the Stealth 2 Plus fairway wood? Have you played it? What’s your experience? Let us know in the comments below.
