Scottie Scheffler testing driver under tournament competition at Hero
Adam Schupak- Scottie Scheffler is testing a new TaylorMade Qi4D driver at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
- Scheffler uses the 20-man event as an opportunity to test new equipment in a competitive setting.
- The new driver has been a better fit for his eye and has produced consistent spin numbers and ball flight.
- Scheffler is the two-time defending champion and aims to be the first to win the event three times.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Scottie Scheffler is wielding a new driver this week at the Hero World Challenge.
Scheffler was spotted practicing with the TaylorMade Qi4D driver on Tuesday and used the club during Wednesday’s practice round. Last year, he tested out a new grip, switching to the claw for putting, and after his round at Albany Club, he confirmed during his pre-tournament press conference that he likes to use this unofficial, 20-man field event as a test before he makes equipment changes.
“I would say that's a lot of what's really valuable for me about this week. I would say testing things out in competition is a good way of kind of seeing where you're at,” he said. “You can simulate competition at home, but coming out here and playing stroke play is always a bit different over the course of four days. I find this week to be pretty valuable.”
Scheffler noted that last year he struggled to get comfortable with the Qi35, TaylorMade’s driver launch geared for this year and he remained in the Qi10 that he had used to great success in 2024.
“I feel like we learned a lot throughout that process of what I like to see in a driver, the way it needs to perform for me specifically,” he said. “We went through a lot of different kind of options for what the face needed to be specifically for me and felt like we're in a good spot, and then the testing was a lot simpler this time around, for sure.”
He said this driver has been a better fit for his eye.
“That's always the first test for me,” he said. “So far the performance has been good, my spin numbers have been really consistent, ball flight's been consistent and looking forward to getting it in competition.”
Rory McIlroy has already been using the Qi4D as has Tommy Fleetwood. Scheffler didn’t speak about the fairway woods but it appears he’ll swap in the fairway woods into his set-up for the Qi10 too this week as part of his off-season testing.
Scheffler is the two-time defending champion and is seeking to become the first player to win the Hero World Challenge three times.