At a recent event, US Open Champion Dustin Johnson smacked a golf ball, eyed its flight through the air, and declared that it was “gonna be long.” Spectators waited for the Trackman data to register on the M1 driver in DJ’s hand. The result: 325 yards. Long was an understatement.
Johnson was trying out TaylorMade’s new M lineup, which consisted of metalwoods and irons tailored to fit both DJ and regular Joes. Here’s what you need to know about the new releases.
Driver, Woods, and Rescues
Distance, Forgiveness and Personalization
TaylorMade’s engineering has focused on multi-material construction, shaving weight where it’s unnecessary and putting it back into the places that provide the best results. The 2017 M1 Driver has 43 percent more carbon fiber than last year’s model, mostly noticeable on the bottom of the club. These weight savings have allowed TaylorMade to expand the T-Track weight system to allow 64 percent more front-to-back movement, creating a nice mix of strong ball flight and forgiveness.
The M2 Driver is built for distance and maximum forgiveness. There’s a deep Speed Pocket at the base of the club (behind the face) to generate higher launch and lower spin rates. In other words, your ball should go straighter and farther. If you tend to miss right (like most amateur golfers) the M2 D-type Driver is a club worth hitting. It’s slightly offset with a bit more weight added in the heel to promote a right-to-left ball flight.
Then there’s the M1 Fairway, TaylorMade’s longest adjustable wood to date with 25 grams that can be moved left and right to capture your ideal ball flight. The speed pocket is also built into the design for increased forgiveness. If you need even more grace (we all do), there’s the M2 Fairway Wood model, which includes a significantly wider speed pocket as well as a slightly recessed crown with a built in speed pocket for better performance, even on a difficult lie. For the lower handicapper looking for a sleeker model with workability, there’s also the M2 Tour Fairway Wood.
The iconic two-tone crown has been carried over to the M2 Rescue Wood as well as the speed pocket for enhanced forgiveness. For the player looking for a sleeker hybrid with more adaptability, there’s the M1 Rescue Wood. It includes a sliding weight track (the first ever in a rescue club) and an all-black stealth crown for a minimal, sleek look.
TaylorMade 2017 M1 Driver
Shafts: Fujikura Pro XLR8 56 (X, S, R, A), Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Dual-Core Tini 60 (X,S,R)
Grip: Lampkin Cord 52g .620 Round Black/Green, Lampkin Cord 52g .600 Round Blk/Grn,
MSRP: $500
TaylorMade 2017 M2 Driver
Shafts: Fujikura Pro XLR8 56 (X, S, R, A), Fujikura Reax 45 (L)
Grip: TM Dual Feel 47g .620, Winn Dual Feel 37g Gray/White
MSRP: $400
TaylorMade 2017 M2 D-Type Driver
Shafts: Matrix MFS5 White Tie 55 (S, R, A), Matrix MFS5 White Tie 45 (L)
Grip: TM Dual Feel 47g .620, Winn Dual Feel 37g Gray/White
MSRP: $400
TaylorMade 2017 M1 Fairway Wood
Shafts: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Silver Tini 70FW (X, S, R), Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Silver Tini 60fw (A)
Grip: Lampkin UTX Cord 52g .600 Round Black/Green
MSRP: $300
TaylorMade 2017 M2 Tour Fairway Wood
Shafts: MRC Kuro Kage Tini 70FW (X, S, R)
Grip: Lampkin UTX Cord 52g .600 Round Black/Green
MSRP: $300
TaylorMade 2017 M2 Fairway Wood
Shafts: TM Reax 65 (X,S), TM Reax 55 (R,A) TM Reax 45 (L)
Grip: TM Dual Feel 47g .620, Winn Dual Feel 37g Gray/White
MSRP: $250
TaylorMade 2017 M1 Rescue
Shafts: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Silver 80HY (X, S, R), Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Silver 70HY (A)
Grip: Lampkin UTX Cord 52g .600 Round Black/Green
MSRP: $250
TaylorMade 2017 M2 Rescue
Shafts: TM Reax 75 (S), TM Reax 65 (R) TM Reax 55 (A), TM Reax 45 (L)
Grip: TM Dual Feel 47g .600 Ribbed, Winn Dual Feel 37g Gray/White
MSRP: $200
Available Jan 27, 2017. Preorder starts Jan 12.
Learn More: DriversLearn More: Fairway WoodsLearn More: Rescue Woods
Balls Worth Putting In Your Bag
Eric Loper and the rest of the golf ball development team have refined their approach to the 5-layer golf ball, hoping to create less spin and drag, more distance, and great feel around the greens. The two models provide a softer feel with a mid-launch (TP5) and more firmness and higher launch in the TP5X. Available in March. Learn More: Here
Irons
Distance, Height and Workability
In their M1 and M2 irons, TaylorMade has introduced Geocustic engineering — a combination of a rear fin badge and face slots that allow for a dampened sound at impact. Both irons include their Speed pocket Technology at the base of the club for increased club face flex and tighter shot dispersion. The M1 differentiates itself further for lower handicap players with a smaller clubface and a tungsten weight near the toe for stability and workability. Both play long and include a generous amount of forgiveness.
TaylorMade 2017 M1 Irons 3-SW
Shafts: Steel, Tru Temper XP 95 (S,R). Graphite, Mitsubishi Rayon Kuro Kage Silver Series (S-80g, R-70g, A-60g)
Grip: Lampkin UTX-P .580 Round 47g
MSRP: $1,200
TaylorMade 2017 M2 Irons 4-LW
Shafts: Steel, REAX 88 HL by FST (S,R). Graphite, M2 REAX (S-75g, R-65g, A-55g)
Grip: TM DUAL FEEL .600 Ribbed 47g
MSRP: $900
Available Jan 27, 2017. Preorder starts Jan 12.
