On this page you’ll find our detailed assessment of the Taylormade M1 Driver, the pros and cons, and a comparison with other drivers we have recently reviewed.
Even though many professionals are contracted to Taylormade, you will see the M1 in many other players’ bags that aren’t with Taylormade too. It’s that good. And the reason why we have chosen it as our Editor’s Choice for drivers in 2016.
If you already own the Taylormade M1 Driver please leave your review in the customer review box at the end of this article.
Check out our more recent Taylormade driver reviews: M1 2017, M2 2017, M3 and M4.
Taylormade M1 Driver
Our Assessment
Taylormade have come to the party with the M1 and provided a host of standard adjustable lofts and shafts to accompany them. Superb forgiveness and workability along with long distance day in day out.
The black carbon and white titanium mix is definitely an improvement from the R1 and looks fantastic.
Offered in either a 430 or 460cc head - the first being slightly deeper and the latter having a slightly longer club-head from front to back - the M1 allows for varying launch and trajectory settings by altering the adjustable weight system and is wonderfully versatile. A somewhat low spinning driver, but if setup correctly this will benefit you to the max
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Pros
Cons
Key Facts
Features | Details | |
|---|---|---|
Launch RRP | $499.00 | |
Gender | Mens | |
Handicap Range | Low to Mid | |
Hand Availability | Right & Left Hand | |
Lie |
| |
Right Handed lofts Left Handed Lofts | 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° (12° in 460cc only) 9°, 10.5° (Only 460cc head for LH | |
Swing Weight | D4 | |
Lofts | 20° – 45° (3 – PW) | |
Club Length | 45.50″ | |
Shaft Type and Name | Fujikura Pro 60, Mitsubishi Kurocage Tini Silver 60, Aldila Rogue Silver 70 | |
Grip | Taylormade Lamkin Performance 360 | |
Manufacturer's Website |
Official Video
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Taylormade M1 Driver Detailed Review
Design & Appearance
Visual technology is a key factor in first impressions and the M1 has done it just right – the previous models being the SLDR and the R15 were purely white on the crown and now Taylormade have blended it into a ‘two-piece’ club-head with white backing up the club-face and the black carbon making up the balance of the crown.
Build Quality
Build quality is outstanding, Taylormade have used carbon composite on the crown of the club-head in order to move the center of gravity lower in the head and improve launch conditions.
Carbon composite has been tested by them for a number of years now and whilst they were close, it never seemed to meet or better that of titanium… that has now changed!
The M1 is offered in either a 430 or 460cc head – the first being slightly deeper and the latter having a slightly longer clubhead from front to back.
Control & Feel
The sound and feel when striking the M1 in the center are phenomenal and actually tend to bring an inkling of a smile whilst staring at your ball piercing into the distance.
The perpendicular sliding weights on the sole of the club give you a possible 270 combinations to choose from which best suit your swing.
Phenomenal.
Although not being able to change any settings during the course of a round it does offer the control desired by the better player.
Taylormade M1 Driver
Performance
5 stars in terms of performance. Super long off the tee and being able to tinker with the weighting in order to provide a varying launch angle is wonderful.
The carbon composite used in the top end of the clubhead has lowered the center of gravity and now provides the standard setting with a penetrating ball flight along with the lowest rpm spin off the club-face of any Taylormade driver ever manufactured.
As most would know the lower backspin provides more penetration and subsequently more roll.
Image credit: Official Taylormade Image
Value for Money
Even though it’s a fairly high price you cannot go wrong with the Taylormade M1 driver, it is a club that will hold it’s value for a long period and with all the customizable options at hand it is a complete winner.
A slight disappointment is there only being two left handed offerings compared to six for that of right handed players.
One would think a driver and brand with this sort of popularity would have more to offer the left hander. But fair enough, at least they have catered for the lefties!
One thing you can be certain of is that because the M1 is so pricey – you can bet your bottom dollar it’s going to be steadfast, reliable and a quality piece that will impress. To summarize – it’s a 5 star piece.