While the big talking point on the new TaylorMade M3 and M4 drivers has been TwistFace technology, the M3 and M4 irons also feature a newly launched technology known as RIBCOR.
This is designed to help you hit the ball higher, straighter and longer, which these days is the purpose of almost every new feature added to a golf club.
For the sake of clarity this review only covers the new M4 irons, which replace the popular M2 irons and feature improvements on many of the design elements found in the previous generation with the addition of the likes of RIBCOR to help you enjoy your round more, especially if you are a mid to high handicapper with a slower swingspeed.
TaylorMade M4 Irons
Our Assessment
If it’s more distance and forgiveness you seek from your irons then the M4 irons need to be on your radar.
The many design elements carried through from previous game improvement models such as the face slots and speed pocket in the sole combine really well with the new RIBCOR technology to reduce low hooks and high slices, the most common mishits experienced by higher handicapped golfers.
It really is quite astounding just how consistently straight the ballflight produced by these irons are, with almost every shot feeling as if it was hit from the face of a wood such is the power and feel at impact.
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Pros
Cons
Key Facts
Features | Details |
|---|---|
Launch RRP | $900.00 |
Gender | Mens & Women's |
Handicap Range | Mid to High |
Hand Availability | Right & Left |
Swing Weight | Men’s – Steel – D2-D4, Graphite D0-D3. Women’s – Graphite – C2-C5 |
Lofts | Men’s – 19°-54° (LW – 59°). Women’s – 19°-54° |
Length | Men’s – 38.88-35”, Women’s – 37.88-34.25” |
Shaft Type and Name | Men’s – Steel KBS – Max 85, Graphite – Fujikura Atmos Red. Women’s – TaylorMade Tuned 45 |
Manufacturer's Website |
Official Video
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TaylorMade M4 Irons Detailed Review
Design & Technology
The TaylorMade M4 Irons are built for speed, distance, and forgiveness, designed to help golfers of all skill levels improve their game.
When it comes to the looks of the M4 irons they are quite chunky with thick toplines and significant offset.
The fluted hosel is now a similar colour as the rest of the clubhead so that it isn’t as distracting as before.
The finish on the face has also been extended up onto the topline for improved alignment at address.
One thing that is certain is that these irons are not very workable and instead produce a consistent straight and high ball flight, perfect for higher handicapped golfers. And these irons are very difficult to hook or slice.
Build Quality
A lot of effort has gone into the design of the M4 irons and it reflects in the performance of these irons.
The cast steel clubhead features an incredibly thin face, just 1.5 millimetres thick, a deep cavity and a very chunky muscle pad. The fluted hosel has been carried through from the M2 irons and reduces weight in the hosel allowing for more weight to be placed lower in the clubhead.
A small notch is visible lower on the hosel near the heel of the club and this allows for the loft and lie angle of each iron head to be adjusted, something that is normally very difficult to do to a cast clubhead.
The visible RIBCOR technology in the cavity reinforces the entire clubface above the muscle pad to ensure a consistent result across the entire area.
Control & Performance
One of the key features of the M4 Irons is RIBCOR technology. This design feature is intended to improve the accuracy and consistency of the shots. The RIBCOR technology is a rib-like structure that connects the top line of the iron to the back bar, which stiffens the perimeter of the club head. This structure helps to transfer more energy to the ball, improving ball speed and distance.
It’s also amazing how well this RIBCOR technology works to reduce unwanted vibrations on these mishits. The face slots and speed pockets also help to increase ball rebound speed, soften feel on mishits and reduce vibration.
Adding RIBCOR to the upper portion of the face also allows more mass to be placed lower in the clubhead. TaylorMade claims this increases the MOI of the M4 irons by up to 20 percent and also lowers the CG to help produce the high launch and lower spin.
Value for Money
Being cast irons you wouldn’t expect to fork out too much for a set of M4 irons and so the price tag is very decent.
The stock steel and graphite shafts combine well with the clubheads to ensure the overall weight of each iron is light enough to assist in increasing swingspeed without much extra effort.
Distance and Speed
The M4 Irons are built for speed. They feature TaylorMade's Speed Bridge technology, which connects the sole of the club to the top line, creating a more rigid structure that allows for more energy transfer to the ball at impact. This results in increased ball speed and more distance.
In addition, the M4 Irons feature a thin, flexible face that is designed to provide maximum ball speed across the entire face. This means that even shots that are hit off-center will still travel a good distance.
Accuracy
While the M4 Irons are built for distance, they also offer good accuracy. The Speed Bridge technology helps to stabilize the clubface at impact, reducing the amount of twisting that can occur on off-center hits. This results in more accurate shots, even on mishits.
The M4 Irons also feature a fluted hosel design, which removes weight from the hosel and redistributes it to other areas of the clubhead. This helps to lower the center of gravity and increase the moment of inertia, making the clubhead more forgiving and easier to hit straight.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a key feature of the M4 Irons. The Speed Bridge technology and fluted hosel design work together to create a clubhead that is more forgiving on mishits. Shots that are hit off-center will still travel a good distance and maintain good accuracy.
In addition, the M4 Irons feature a large sweet spot that provides plenty of forgiveness on shots hit anywhere on the face. This makes the M4 Irons a great choice for golfers who are looking for a forgiving set of irons that can help them improve their game.
