TaylorMade Unveils Latest M1 Drivers, Fairways and Hybrids for 2017

TaylorMade Golf have aimed to further push the boundaries of golf club technology with the next generation of its M family of metalwoods, highlighted by the latest M1 & M2 drivers, fairways and hybrids. Last year, M1's engineers had successfully combined the optimum blend of form and function in the club's aesthetics and alignment, bringing together new materials in a revolutionary manner. For 2017, TaylorMade is taking levels of performance one step further by focusing on materials and geometry that has been designed to deliver improved launch conditions, increased personalisation and greater levels of forgiveness for every golfer, in an effort to match the target of designing the best drivers in the company's history.

M1 Driver

By way of a new, lower density Titanium alloy called 9-1-1 and an added carbon toe panel that accounts for a total of 43% more Carbon composite than its predecessor, the new M1 460’s mass properties have been optimised to deliver optimal launch conditions, more personalisation and increased forgiveness. The iconic two-tone crown of the M1 driver incorporates a proprietary 6-layer Carbon composite panel that is precision-fit to the skeletal titanium body using an FF2FF process—a breakthrough engineering technique that results in craftsmanship of the highest quality with manufacturing repeatability for consistent, aggressive looks and undeniable performance.

The M1’s revolutionary construction methods allowed engineers to step outside of the box of traditional shaping, leveraging these new techniques into the next generation of TaylorMade product design. One of the primary features is the utilisation of a recessed Carbon toe panel that put TaylorMade’s engineers on a new runway of design.

The new Carbon composite crown in the new M1 saves more weight because the composite is 10% thinner, the bonding ledge is 18% shorter and the adhesive is half the thickness than the original M1. Furthermore, the new M1 also has a composite sole panel which utilizes the same thinner composite, shorter ledge and thinner adhesive approach as the crown. The combined weight savings of the new M1 composite crown and sole panel construction is 8g lighter than an equivalent titanium construction.

This, combined with the 3g savings from the 9-1-1 lower density titanium results in a total of 11g savings compared to a conventional titanium head such as that found on the R15 driver and more than twice the weight savings than the first generation M1.

In saving this critical weight, engineers were able to design a new, more aerodynamic T-Track system that houses 27g of moveable weight (2g more than the first generation M1), 12g of which reside in a re-designed back track that has been lengthened by 12.7 mm (19% longer) giving the golfer more high-to-low adjustability (64% more CG movement). The 15g located in the front track allows for the weight to be distributed from heel to toe (7% more than its predecessor) and the adjustment to their draw or fade bias by up to 25 yards. Engineers used the extra discretionary weight to make the footprint of the clubhead larger (4%) leading to a higher moment of inertia for more forgiveness.

The new M1’s CG is lower than that of its predecessor which results in a CG projection that is even closer to the centre of the face for a hotter trajectory and more ball speed protection at all impact locations. TaylorMade engineers relied on proven internal acoustic management techniques and modified them as necessary to meet the demands of new materials and shaping. The result: the re-definition of best-in-class sound to control vibration and pitch at impact. Combined, TaylorMade has delivered maximum distance and forgiveness through multi-material use and complete personalisation.

New to the next-generation of M drivers is a 440cc model, which utilises a slightly smaller head, deeper face and 30g of moveable weight, working in unison with all of the same technologies as its larger 460cc counterpart.

Both the 460 and 440cc models feature a new 4-degree ultra-lightweight aluminum loft sleeve (back sleeve compatible) and three new stock premium shafts: Fujikura XLR8 Pro 56 (hi-launch), MRC Kuro Kage Silver Dual Core TiNi 60 (mid) and Project X HZRDUS Yellow 65 (low), three of the most popular shafts on Tour and with consumers alike, along with a new premium performance Lamkin UTX grip with cord for greater durability and all-weather performance. TaylorMade is also once again offering more than 30 additional premium custom shaft options at no upcharge, having partnered with many of the industry’s leading shaft manufacturers to deliver golfers a plethora of options to personalise their M1.

Availability & Pricing

Available on 27th January, 2017 priced at £479/€579/NOK 5,599/DKK 4,499/SEK 5,699/CHF 639, the M1 460 driver will be offered in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° & 12° loft options, while LH models will be offered in 9.5° and 10.5° lofts. The M1 440 driver (RH only) will be offered in 8.5°, 9.5° & 10.5° loft options.

M1 Fairway

In designing the new M1 fairway, TaylorMade’s engineers strove to challenge convention that a fairway wood cannot be both adjustable and also incredibly long. Constructed with a 450 stainless steel body, strong Ni-Co C300 face and same 6-layer Carbon composite crown as the M1 driver, the completely re-designed and reshaped M1 fairway has a track system that has been shifted more rearward to make room for a new open channel Speed Pocket designed to deliver more ball speed & more forgiveness.

Similar to the evolution of titanium casting, the steel fairway castings have also been pushing the limits of manufacturing to achieve thinner and thinner crown thicknesses every year. Thus, TaylorMade turned to carbon fiber to unlock a new runway of design. Similar to the M1 driver, a carbon fiber crown is bonded onto the head of the new M1 fairway by way of the same FF2FF manufacturing process and replaces the majority of the steel that was formerly on the crown and also lowers the centre of gravity. The track was moved back behind the Loft Sleeve pocket in order to make room for a through-slot which promotes faster face-flex and ball speed on mis-hits low on the face and also reduces backspin leading to more overall distance. The sides of the weight were angled to match the shape of the head which thus allowed engineers to maximise the length of the track, permitting CG to remain as low as the original M1 while maintaining the same heel-to-toe CG movement. The result is TaylorMade’s longest adjustable fairway.

The new design of the open-channel Speed Pocket is designed to deliver more distance through increased speed & lower spin, as well as forgiveness by way of ball speed protection on shots struck low on the face. A new advanced design with a recessed rear sole – divided by the sliding weight track delivers improved sole to ground performance. Golfers can personalise this new, longer M1 fairway more than ever with the new ultra-lightweight aluminum 4-degree loft sleeve, 25g draw-neutral-fade sliding weight and over 30 no upcharge aftermarket shafts.

Availability & Pricing

Available on 27th January, 2017 priced at £279/€349/NOK 3,199/DKK 2,599/SEK 3,299/CHF 389, the M1 fairway will be offered in 15° (3), 17° (3HL) and19° (5) loft options while LH models will be offered in 15° and 19° options. Premium componentry comes standard in the M1 fairway, with an MRC Kuro Kage Silver TiNi 70g fairway shaft in R, S & X flexes as well as 60g A flex. All models come equipped with a Lamkin UTx cord grip.

M1 Rescue™

The new M1 Rescue features a moderate sized, Tour-proven shape and a newly designed sole that will appeal to a larger demographic of player, offering more playability from an increased variety of lies. The sole is engineered with TaylorMade’s first-ever sliding weight system in a hybrid – and the company’s most adjustable ever – providing golfers the opportunity to not only experience the neutral/fade biases of its predecessor but with the added option of draw setting – as well as anything in between for ultimate shot shape adjustability and personalisation.

In addition to the new 27g sliding weight track and advanced sole design, the head comes equipped with a new, 3-degree ultra-lightweight aluminum loft sleeve. Premium components again are offered as stock options, with a MRC Kuro Kage Silver hybrid 80g shaft in R, S & X flexes as well as a 70g A flex along with a new Lamkin UTx grip.

Availability & Pricing

TaylorMade’s most adjustable hybrid to date, the M1 Rescue will be offered in 17° (2), 19° (3), 21° (4) and 24° (5) options while LH models will be offered in 19° and 21° options priced at £239/€299/NOK 2,699/DKK 2,299/SEK 2,799/CHF 329.

“Performance is the genesis of everything we do, and through the use of multi-material construction with the original M1, we were able to elevate performance to a level that captured the attention of golfers around the world. Our mission continues in 2017 by advancing the use of exotic materials with new, intelligent shapes to once again deliver industry-leading performance. The M1 is our flagship driver designed and engineered to give all golfers the ability to further personalise their driver to maximise their game.” Brian Bazzel, Senior Director of Product Creation, Metalwoods.

For more information, visit http://taylormadegolf.co.uk/.