Our exclusive look at the TaylorMade 2017 M1 and M2 woods – direct from TaylorMade HQ!
By Jon Levy
The claim of “new, breakthrough” designs with most OEM product launches these days has become a politicized topic.
Look through any online forum with skeptical golfers challenging the hype, and you’ll get my drift.
Yes, the public isn’t buying constant promises of “more distance” and “maximum forgiveness” any longer, because it’s hard to discern truth compared to yet another strategic marketing campaign. Especially when consumers’ dollars – and worse, their hopes – rest in a new club they’re expecting will transform 230-yard drives into Dustin-Johnson-like, 340-yard bombs.
But when does “new, breakthrough” technology actually mean new, breakthrough technology?
I made a trip to TaylorMade Headquarters in an effort to answer this question, while getting a sneak peek at the revamped TaylorMade 2017 M1 and M2 woods hitting shelves on Jan. 27.
As you’ll see in the videos below, my exclusive Q&A with the man in charge of product design himself, Brian Bazzel, details exactly what makes the new M line of woods better than the previous models. And I also did my best “roughing it” at the Kingdom to find out just where design meets practical application.
Same name. Measurably better.
We’ll save full disclosure for the interview, but for those who prefer to cut to the chase …
Akin to TaylorMade’s guideline of ONLY launching new products that are “measurably better,” I have no doubt they’ve accomplished this feat with the TaylorMade 2017 M1 and M2 woods. These designs may carry the same name as their predecessors, but they have legitimate technology advancements significantly improving performance.
Any further proof needed to convince me, at least, came in the form of the M2 driver I demoed (10.5 degree, Project X HZRDUS shaft). I honestly still can’t stop thinking about how good this club was, because it was THAT long and THAT easy to hit. And I’ve hit just about everything out there.
So, if you’re one who falls in the camp of skepticism every time an OEM promises more distance and forgiveness, look elsewhere on the “it’s all marketing” gripe with the TaylorMade 2017 M1 and M2 woods. These clubs are, without a doubt, improved products over their predecessors.
The TaylorMade 2017 M1 and M2 Woods
VIDEO: TaylorMade’s Brian Bazzel on the 2017 M1 and M2 drivers
TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver
As TaylorMade Puts It: Distance. Forgiveness. Complete personalization.
Key Takeaways
Bazzel explains it and the company’s tagline says it – the M1 is all about personalization. Its new materials have unlocked a domino effect of weight savings and redistribution that have enhanced what already made this club great – an incredibly high degree of adjustability. If you value adjustability in your driver, the new M1 – when dialed in correctly – is like an even more personal, more perfect, portrait of your swing.
Features & Benefits
New multi-material construction saves weight, moves CG, adds adjustability
• 6-layer carbon crown with 9-1-1 skeletal titanium body saves weight
• Carbon toe gives 43% more carbon & 2x weight savings vs. old M1
Complete Personalization
• Longer tracks, more moveable weight = 64% more CG moved in 460cc
• Longer tracks, more moveable weight = 94% more CG moved in 440cc
• Three Premium stock shafts, or 30+ after-market, no-upcharge options
• Lamkin UTx Cord Grip (stock)
• New ultra-lightweight, Aluminum, 4° Loft Sleeve with 12 settings
FF2FF Precision Process
• Crown-to-body craftsmanship of the highest quality
• Manufacturing repeatability for consistent look and performance
-460cc head offered in lofts of 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 12
-440cc head offered in lofts of 8.5, 9.5, 10.5
-Retails at $499.99
TaylorMade 2017 M2 driver
As TaylorMade Puts It: A new level of distance and forgiveness
Key Takeaways
If GEOCOUSTIC is the new thing in golf club technology, then I can’t get enough of it. The M2 I demoed felt incredible and, as its design promises, it launched high with low spin, carried 10 miles and did so wherever I hit it on the face. It has a slightly bigger footprint than the M1 (and previous M2 model) and not as much adjustability, but once you have the proper setup it’s a winner for amateurs and tour players alike.
Features & Benefits
New multi-material construction saves weight, repositions CG low & back
• 6-layer carbon crown with 9-1-1 skeletal titanium body frees up weight
• Heavy back weight locates CG low for speed, farther back for forgiveness
GEOCOUSTIC technology
• Sole shaping with recessed toe panel expands clubface for forgiveness
• Externalized sound ribs optimize clubhead vibration for sound and feel
Deeper, more active Speed Pocket
• 3x more active than original M2 to increase flexion & forgiveness across the clubface
• Generates high lanch/low spin shots to achieve massive distance
FF2FF Precision Process
• Crown-to-body craftsmanship of the highest quality
• Manufacturing repeatability for consistent look and performance
Premium Features and Options
• Fujikura XLR8 Pro Stock Shaft with 30+ additional no-upcharge shafts
• Dual Feel Grip
• Ultra-lightweight, Aluminum, 4° Loft Sleeve with 12 settings
-460cc offered in lofts of 9.5, 10.5, 12
-460cc women’s offered in lofts of 10.5, 12
-Retails at $399.99
TaylorMade 2017 M2 D-Type driver
As TaylorMade Puts It: Hit it long. Hit a draw.
Key Takeaways
If you’re a golfer who slices the ball, this club not only provides all of the performance-enhancing benefits of the M2’s easy-to-hit technology set in a draw-biased head, but it maintains a surprisingly square look at address which can only help inspire confidence. It blew me away just how square this club does look, even though it is a couple of degrees closed.
Features & Benefits
New multi-material construction saves weight, moves CG low, back and toward heel
• 6-layer carbon crown with 9-1-1 skeletal titanium body
Draw-biased design
• More weight in the heel promotes closing the face at impact
• Increased offset, slightly closed face, more upright position for R-to-L flight (RH golfers)
• Slightly closed face with draw-promoting crown cosmetic helps eliminate slices
GEOCOUSTIC technology
• Advanced sole shaping with recessed toe panel enables club face expansion for added forgiveness
• Externalized sound ribs optimize clubhead vibration for exceptional sound and feel
Deeper, more active Speed Pocket
• 3x More active than original M2 to increase flexion and forgiveness across the clubface
• Generates high lanch/low spin shots to achieve massive distance
Premium Features and Options
• Matrix MFS5 White Tie Stock Shaft with 30+ additional no-upcharge shafts
• Dual Feel grip
• New ultra-lightweight, Aluminum, 4° Loft Sleeve with 12 settings
-460cc offered in lofts of 9.5, 10.5, 12
-460cc women’s offered in lofts of 10.5, 12
-Retails at $399.99
In-Hand Photos
VIDEO: Bazzel on the 2017 M1 and M2 fairway metals
TaylorMade 2017 M1 fairway metal
As TaylorMade Puts It: Our longest adjustable fairway metal
Key Takeaways
The weight savings and redistribution in the new M1 fairway have added distance vs. the previous version. But its real improvement is an enhanced ability to personalize to your swing characteristics, meaning you get more of exactly what you want from it. So, if you want it to excel in producing low, burning draws from the tee or high, soft fades from the fairway, the new M1 fairway design offers even more adjustability to fully dial that in.
Features & Benefits
Multi-material construction for low CG with adjustability
• 6-layer carbon crown, 450 SS body, 25g tungsten weight, c300 superalloy face
New open-channel Speed Pocket generates distance and forgiveness
• Adds ball speed, lowers spin, and increases sweet spot size
Redesigned sliding weight track with single 25g tungsten weight
• Refined shape with more intuitive L-to-R adjustability
Drop-step Sole Shaping
• Reduces drag through the turf to maintain clubhead speed
Premium Stock Components
• Mitsubishi Kuro Kage TiNi FW Shaft
• Lamkin UTx Cord Grip
Loft Sleeve adjustability
• New ultra-lightweight, Aluminum, 4° Loft Sleeve with 12 settings
-Offered in lofts of 15, 17, 19
-Retails at $299.99
TaylorMade 2017 M2 fairway metal
As TaylorMade puts it: Forgiveness. Taken farther.
Key Takeaways
BALL GO FAR with the new M2 fairway – even more now than with the previous model. But the key enhancement is that BALL STILL GO FAR on mishits with improved performance across the entire face. So, while you may buy this club for its distance on solid shots, you’ll keep it in the bag for its performance on mishits.
Features & Benefits
Multi-material construction for low CG
• 6-layer carbon crown, 450 stainless steel body, and 455 stainless face Inverted Cone Technology in a fairway wood for the first time
• Protects ball speed across the entire clubface to produce a bigger sweet spot for more forgiveness
GEOCOUSTIC Technology
• Advanced shaping with a two-tiered sole design provides added playability from all lies
• Sound ribs that have been externalized for exceptional sound and feel
Longer, more flexible, open-channel Speed Pocket
• Increased flexion delivers more ball speed on low-face shots
• Generates distance by decreasing backspin Fluted hosel design
• Provided superior sound and feel without compromising CG or distance
Premium Options
• 30+ no-upcharge shaft options
-Offered in lofts of 15, 16.5, 18, 21, 24
-Women’s offered in lofts of 16.5, 21, 24
-Retails at $299.99
M2 Tour fairway metal
As TaylorMade Puts It: M2 horsepower in a compact shape.
Key Takeaways
This club is perfect for better players who prefer a compact head and a one-stop-shop in their fairway woods, as opposed to ultimate customization like the M1. The M2 Tour fairway, therefore, best serves as a reliable, predictable go-to club that does the single job its asked, and does it well.
Features & Benefits
Multi-material construction for low CG
• 6-layer carbon crown, 450 stainless steel body, and 455 stainless face
Inverted Cone Technology in a fairway wood for the first time
• Protects ball speed across entire face for a bigger sweet spot, more forgiveness
GEOCOUSTIC Technology
• Advanced shaping with a two-tiered sole design provides added playability from all lies
• Sound ribs that have been externalized for exceptional sound and feel
Long, flexible, open-channel Speed Pocket
• Increased flexion delivers more ball speed on low-face shots
• Generates distance by decreasing backspin
Compact size and shape with forward weight port
• Address view and face depth preferred by better players
• CG location that is low but also more forward for workability
Premium Stock Components
• Mitsubishi Kuro Kage TiNi 70FW Shaft
• Lamkin UTx Cord Grip
-Offered in lofts of 15, 16.5
-Retails at $299.99
In-Hand Photos
VIDEO: Bazzel on the 2017 M1 and M2 Rescue hybrids
TaylorMade 2017 M1 Rescue
As TaylorMade Puts It: Personalized distance and versatility
Key Takeaways
Better players tend to have finicky relationships with hybrids, because these clubs often tend to hook when the player isn’t expecting it. This is not the case with the new M1 Rescue. Aside from its small footprint and square-to-open look better players prefer, the new M1 Rescue offers an increased sweet spot and even more adjustability than the previous version. This should help with confidence in predictability – and non-hookiness (that a word?) – every time it’s pulled from the bag.
Features & Benefits
New sliding weight track with 27g weight
• Complete L-to-R ball flight adjustability
Open-channel Speed Pocket
• Adds ball speed to generate distance
• Increases the size of the sweet spot for more forgiveness
Refined shaping
• Small footprint and deep face for a look preferred by better players
• Improved leading edge to promote consistent shot-making
Loft Sleeve adjustability
• New ultra-lightweight, Aluminum, 3° Loft Sleeve with 12 settings
Premium Stock Components
• Mitsubishi Kuro Kage HY Shaft
• Lamkin UTx Cord Grip
-Offered in lofts of 17, 19, 21, 24
-Retails at $299.99
TaylorMade 2017 M2 Rescue
As TaylorMade Puts It: The new look of distance and playability
Key Takeaways
The new M2 Rescue has a slightly larger footprint than its M1 counterpart, and its new GEOCOUSTIC technology and shorter fluted hosel design have improved sound, feel and the ability to get the ball in the ball in the air over the previous M2 Rescue. The takeaway with this club is it offers more of everything most of us want from a hybrid – something easy to hit that goes high, and allows good contact from just about any type of lie.
Features & Benefits
Low-profile design with unmistakable “M” cosmetic and stepped crown
• Easier to play from the fairway
• Confidence when aligning the shot
Large, open-channel Speed Pocket
• Increased flexion delivers more distance and forgiveness on low-face shots
• Generates distance by decreasing backspin
GEOCOUSTIC Technology
• Advanced shaping with a two-tiered sole design provides added playability from all lies
• Sound ribs that have been externalized to manage and optimize vibrations and pitches for exceptional sound and feel
Improved, shorter fluted hosel design
• Provides superior sound and feel while lowering CG
-Offered in lofts of 17, 19, 21, 24
-Retails at $249.99
In-Hand Photos
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