Pros and Cons of TaylorMade M1 Driver
The TaylorMade M1 is being introduced as “their longest driver ever”. It will enable better players to create their desired ball flight while helping all players maximize their distance and control. Starting with the proprietary materials of construction and finishing with the all-new “T Track” adjustment system, the M1 will be a club to be reckoned with.
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Distance
After rigorous testing by both mechanical and physical means, TaylorMade has confirmed their claim of “longest driver ever”, with the M1. The secret nowadays to hitting it longer is twofold. One, launch it higher, and Two, keep the spin rate on the ball as low as possible.
Thorough testing of the M1 has confirmed their ability to do just this. The added distance comes from adjusting the CG (Center of Gravity), moving it lower and further back.
Materials of Construction
The M in M1 stands for “Multi-Material”. This is the key to what TaylorMade has accomplished with this club. It’s a proprietary 7 layer Carbon Composite on the crown. It’s ultra-light, ultra-thin and high strength.
TaylorMade continues to use the “Inverted Cone Technology” (ICT) surrounding the sweet spot on the inside of the cavity. This technology has resulted in slight miss hits going significantly straighter than previous designs.
Adjustability: The T Track System and the Loft Sleeve
The M1 has taken weight distribution to the next level with its “T Track System” which is a combination of sliding weights. The front weight slides along the face and controls face bias, and the back weight slides the length of the clubhead and controls the launch and spin imparted on the ball. Industry tech-speak would call this “lowering the CG (center of gravity)”.
The front track is 15 grams and it provides settings from draw-neutral-fade. The back track offers many high, medium and low launch and spin settings. The back track settings control how you will hit the ball not only higher but with less spin, thus maximizing carry distance.
In addition to the clubhead adjustability, the loft sleeve offers a 4-degree range of loft adjustment (+/- 2 degrees), meaning you can adjust your 9.5-degree driver all the way down to 7.5 degrees of loft, or all the way up to 11.5 degrees of loft.
Most accomplished players have, in the past strived for a lower ball flight. However, this is no longer the case. Now, a golfer can get a higher ball flight while still maintaining a low spin on the ball. This is what gives players the added distance.
Custom Fitting Options and Dimensions
Start with the grip, order the right size and type (rubber, cord, half cord). There are countless options here. Then the shaft length; the standard is 45 ½ inches. From a club fitter’s standpoint, if your wrist to floor measurement is close to 32 inches, a standard length is appropriate for you.
Then choose a shaft: High Launch Fujikura Pro 60, Mid Launch Mitsubishi KuroKage TiNi Silver 60 and Low Launch Aldila Rogue Silver 70 are the shaft options available at no charge. Shafts are difficult to recommend to players. It all comes down to trying them out.
There are some shaft manufacturers that will have a demo day, perhaps in conjunction with a club manufacturer. From my point of view, I would recommend that you buy the one that feels best and keep it until the love affair is over. Other up-shafts are available as well, usually with a surcharge.
Next choose which club head size you want, 460cc or 430cc. See below for information on available lofts with different head sizes. The smaller head typically suits a better player. The larger head, being more forgiving, is better suited to a higher handicap player.
The M1 comes with a standard swing weight of D4, which is generally good for most players but can be changed as required. Unless you know a lot about swing weight, don’t presume you know what is best for you. Discuss this with a certified club fitter if you want more info on swing weights.
Specifications
- Right-handed 460cc head: Lofts available – 8.5, 9.5, 10.5 and 12 degrees.
- Right-handed 430cc head: Lofts available – 8.5, 9.5, 10.5 degrees
- Left-handed 460cc head only: Lofts available – 9.5 and 10.5 degrees
Keep in mind that custom fitting options should be done with a certified club fitter. If you are buying this club online, talk with a TaylorMade representative for help in sorting out which options might be best for you.
Acoustics
Believe it or not, acoustic feedback is very important to those who are attuned to the sound that their driver makes at contact. TaylorMade has, through the combination of materials, cavity shape and clubhead shape developed a club that sounds as good as it plays.
Optics
The M1 is especially pleasing to look at. The contrasting white and black used in the wrap-around head is striking. Putting it simply, “if you don’t love your driver, leave it at home”.
Accessories
The wrench used for the T Track System is the only accessory required.
Pros
Every golfer wants to add an extra 10 yards to their drives. The TaylorMade M1 does exactly this. The player that will benefit most is one who has a somewhat repeatable swing already. For that player, adjusting the weights and the lofts will give them immediate feedback regarding both fade/draw bias and trajectory.
Regardless of the golfer, it has a very high “WOW Factor”, that is definitely appealing to most golf enthusiasts. When fit to your specifications, it will add distance and it will allow you to modify your ball flight characteristics. It’s needless to say that the tremendous feedback from both PGA pros and European Tour pros will influence the popularity of the M1.
Cons
The seemingly endless options in regards to adjustability might be a bit confusing at first. A player may well need some quality time on the range to fully appreciate what the M1 can do for them. The M1 is steep in price. If you are a player who wants even more forgiveness and better price, the M2 would be a better fit for you.
Consumer ratings
Although the M1 just entered the market in October of 2015, the consumer ratings are pouring in…
High profile professionals currently using the M1 are; Jason Day… “the M1 is definitely longer than the R15”, Ryan Palmer…”I had a personal best ball speed of 177 MPH”, Martin Kaymer… ”the 430cc head gives me not only more distance, but more importantly, unparalleled control”, Edoardo Molinari, Darren Clarke, and Paul McGinley.
It is overall very well rated on Amazon and other sites by product owners.
Is This Club for You?
Our TaylorMade M1 Driver review will tell you that this is the driver of the future. It’s believed that TaylorMade has abandoned their latest in R Series drivers because this club is that good. While some will be scared off by the price tag, the M1 will be such a good seller, that I’m sure it will be hard to come by in some markets.
If you are a golfer who just wants to go out and play without being too concerned about why your ball goes where it goes, then this club is not for you. However, if you are a golfer that wants a high-end driver and knows the benefit of fitting the club to match your swing, the M1 is for you. You can also check out the M2 as a great alternative from TaylorMade. To see our review of the M2 click here. Which is at a lower price, while still with a lot of the same attributes in terms of distance and forgiveness, just with fewer options of adjustment.
People will be jealous to see the M1 in your bag. If you’re a golfer that wants to tinker with things like loft settings and face bias, then you have found your driver. Luckily, TaylorMade runs many demo days, whether at large golf retail stores or at a local golf course. This type of hands-on testing would go a long way to confirm whether or not this driver is for you.
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