TaylorMade · Fairway · 2023
Stealth 2 Plus
CaddyIndex™ breakdown — what the agentic research found across each of the six performance dimensions, with cited sources.
You're a low-HCP (0-10) at 100-125mph who wants the most adjustable tour-spec fairway in the 2023 Stealth 2 line — comfortable with the compact 170cc players' shape and the willingness to actually use the sliding-weight system.
You don't actually use the sliding-weight adjustability, you have slower swing speeds (sub-95mph), you want broader loft options, or you want current-generation tech — the brand has 3 newer generations to choose from since.
Pros
- 50g sliding sole weight creates three fairway woods in one — Rocket 3 (fast/low-spin), all-rounder, or 3HL (high launch / 10% more MOI)
- Tremendous ball speed and more forgiveness than expected from a compact, players fairway wood
- Tour-validated: top tour staff bagged this head for low penetrating ball flight
- Golf Digest 2023 Hot List Gold Medal — industry-validated playability
Cons
- Industry test coverage: the head placed 24th overall in the 2023 best-fairway test — underwhelms relative to the field despite the tour-spec position
- Weight-back setting opens an exposed cavity that makes the head sound slightly hollow — sound suffers in HL setting
- $399 MSRP — premium pricing for the titanium head and sliding-weight track
- Only 2 loft heads offered (13.5°, 15°) — narrow spec range, tour-spec only
By dimension
Forgiveness
Reviewer testing: the head delivers tremendous ball speed and more forgiveness than expected from a compact, players fairway wood. Its best scoring category is forgiveness, which means it does well with consistent ball speeds, carry distances, spin rates, and dispersion area. Manufacturer: with the weight positioned at the back, golfers can expect a 3 HL setup with 10% more MOI. Multi-material titanium + carbon + steel construction adds to inherent forgiveness for the 170cc compact head. Above-average tour-spec forgiveness — explicit reviewer note that it's the head's best category despite being a compact players' shape.
Distance
Reviewer testing: tremendous ball speed. Manufacturer: with weight forward and closest to the face, the 15° head effectively becomes a Rocket 3 setting, which produces the fastest ball speeds and lowest levels of spin (expect 200 RPM less spin). A major-winning tour pro bagged this head at 13° for his low penetrating ball flight. Tour-validated titanium-bodied tour-spec distance.
Workability
Manufacturer: the head features a 50g sliding weight that creates three fairway woods in one. The weight can be positioned in three main settings, each with its own performance characteristics. 550 RPM spin difference between low-spin and high-MOI settings; loft adjusting 2 degrees up and down via hosel. Reviewer testing: innovative sliding weight varies launch and feel and together with hosel provides a high degree of adjustability for those who need it. 170cc compact tour shape supports shape-shifting. Top-tier 2023 workability — slide-weight system makes this three fairway woods in one per the manufacturer.
Feel
Reviewer testing: the impact sound is exceptionally crisp, and through the hands, the feel is explosive with excellent feedback. Titanium body + carbon + steel construction produces a refined tactile signature. Above-average tour-spec feel — explosive impact with excellent feedback per reviewers.
Sound
Reviewer testing: the impact sound is exceptionally crisp. Reviewer testing: when the weight was forward then the head sounded very solid. When it was further back then it sounded a little more hollow due to the exposed cavity and the balance did not feel as good. Above-average tour-spec acoustic — exceptionally crisp on center but the weight-back setting opens an exposed cavity that makes the head sound slightly hollow.
Looks at address
Reviewer testing: a compact, players fairway wood. 170cc compact tour-shape head smaller than the standard sibling's 190cc. Carbon crown plus titanium body produces a premium tour-spec aesthetic. Above-average address profile — compact tour shape with premium multi-material construction.
Sources
Some of the reviews, lab tests and head-to-head comparisons the agentic research read while grading this club.
- TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Fairway Wood Review - Plugged In Golf (ball speed, forgiveness, sound)
- TaylorMade Stealth 2, Stealth 2 Plus and Stealth 2 HD Fairway Woods Review - Today's Golfer (McIlroy 13° tour use)
- TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus+ Fairway Wood Review - Golfalot (workability, sound by weight position)
- TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Fairway Review - Golf Monthly
- Stealth 2 Plus Fairway - TaylorMade (manufacturer specs: 50g sliding weight, 3 positions, 2° hosel)
- TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Fairway Wood Review - Peak Adjustability - Golfstead