Drivers

FIRST LOOK – 2017 Taylormade M1

BY MyGolfSpy
Oct 31st 2016
Read all comments

Today, we give you a first look (thanks to JDSclubs) at the 2017 Taylormade M1 Driver.

Take a minute. Collect your thoughts and questions.

Alright, so why the same name you are asking? A few reasons from what we have heard:

Development costs on new driver tech is high, Taylormade is in a transition, this saves cost.
It builds on a very established platform.
Same name gives perception that they are not releasing new product. Right now that is advantageous.
Taylormade M1 was the highest rated performing driver overall in 2016 MGS testing. It’s really good.

So, what are the differences?

New adapter.
Carbon Fiber Sole Plates (Save Weight)
Narrower Channels (Save Weight)
Possible Heavier Weights
Greater Adjustability

Your Thoughts?

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comments

Join The Discussion

John

7 years ago

Can’t wait to add this to my bag!!

JD texas

7 years ago

TM is doing the new shaft adaptor in order to get more revenue and keep people from using m1 m2 sldr etc. shafts that they have now and keep them from buying just the head off ebay from tour fitters and other sources. There will also be adaptors knock offs from China in six months or so thus people will just wait for this and buy the head on ebay etc. From info I got off of ex Golfsmith master fitter who is now with TM tour fitting van the major change is not more distance but more control and MOI. As the carbon fiber sole plate allows them to move weight around to other spots on the driver which again translates to more control. So net-net they are going after making the m1 more forgiving but still lower spin and crazy long. Will it be xxx amount better than the current m1?? Time will tell but I will wait a year or two as my current m1 and fugikura pro shaft is doing just fine as I bought it six months ago and I have just really got it consistently dialed in, so jumping to new just because it is new is not in my plans.

Terry Ganus

7 years ago

I swing a Titleist 913D 7.5 Fujikura Motore Speeder that I can hit high, low, draw and fade and consistently carry 280. At 56 years of age I cannot see how anything TaylorMade throws at me could improve upon that. I am a TaylorMade fan, I use an R9 3 and 5 wood and happen to think the R9 is still the best they ever created..

Ian Splisgardt

7 years ago

I wonder why the back end of the horizontal t track is expanded like that

etep

7 years ago

To remove the weight

Brett Cupps

7 years ago

It’s beautiful. I’m never disappointed with a Taylormade club.

Richard Shanks

7 years ago

Seent preorder 2 weeks

Ryan Daniel

7 years ago

same as every the year

Jeff Wallace

7 years ago

The way I see it if you have a TM you know they are for the most part all solid and there is no point to get the newest model, if you don’t just try them out and you will see how good they feel

Seth M

7 years ago

I saw an interesting tidbit concerning Chris Dimarco. While he wasnt the best I praise him for his philosphy, if it aint broke dont fix it. He played same driver on tour for 10 years. Thats what I love most about this game, there is more than oe way to skin a cat, in dimarcos case he was comfortble with what he had and saw no need in changing. Golf probably has come out with more gadgets and gizmos than all other sports combined, does it mean they will help you? Hell let Tin Cup answer that one. It doesnt make me mad that TM has all these new drivers coming out cause they are just tryig to live out their American Dream and if it means a new driver every year to gain some profitability best believe they arw gonna do it, one major point everyone here missing, they r a business amd trying to make money, i feel they will do what they have to in order to achieve this.

Find what works for you and stick with it, dont try to keep up with joneses.

onouno

7 years ago

Way too busy, what most golfers need is a couple of lessons. Learn to hit the ball straight and you won’t need this erector set.

Matthew Bourke

7 years ago

Yeh get one then I can use it

Jordan Hill

7 years ago

I love this! This is a new Taylormade people, and they’re going to own the golf market again!

Kyle Hastings

7 years ago

if it hits like yours for sure. Cool that you ca adjust fade/draw

Derek Roy

7 years ago

They are sweet

Scott Grant

7 years ago

I figured this was coming because they just had a price drop.

Michael Moynihan

7 years ago

It will be in my bag!

Brian Batko

7 years ago

New adapter obsoletes all the other shafts. I like that Titleist is consistent in their adapter strategy.

Dustin

7 years ago

To be fair… Titleist changed tips in the past and Taylor Made has been loyal since RBZ Stage 2.

Matt

7 years ago

You’re not exactly being fair……
Taylormade tips almost always change. Whether it’s the amount of adjustment, color, ferrule, fit, etc………

Meanwhile, a Titleist 910 Sure Fit Driver tip will fit any driver Titleist has released since.

And the fairway woods and hybrids have only had 2 tips each.

Jack Joseph Russell

7 years ago

Not into all the adjustments, I like the M2 line, you want to hit a draw or a fade? Learn how to then.

Chris Dionne

7 years ago

You would know that the weights don’t allow you to hit draws or fades, it’s to help biased the shot shape based on off center hits. Being that you’re such a tech junky I’ll play you for money any day.

James Penrod

7 years ago

Just wish taylormade would bring back the silver face.. Not everyone likes the black face..

Uhit

7 years ago

Now, that they can move the CG lower than the neutral axis and make the sweet spot nearly as big, as the whole club face…

…how about making a very fast and slim driver with 400 cc?

I love my low CG drivers and would only buy an additional, if it is smaller in size, than the M1 430…
The funny thing is, I have bought the M1 430, the Cobra King Ltd Pro and the Cobra King F6+ Pro, before I knew (thanks to MGS for confirming my tests with real measurements) that those driver have the lowest CG (however I thought because of my tests, that they have to have a near ideal CG)!

Sound and feel of the King Ltd Pro on average hits is the best.
On center strikes, the feel and sound of the M1 430 is simply sensational.
And the F6+ Pro is in regard of sound, as annoying as my Ping G30,
but he is considerably longer and at least as forgiving.

Hey, there are already a lot of real gems on the market and now, there are probably more to come…

…we will see – cheers!

NANO-POWER

7 years ago

As a brand name transmitted orders from maker of best quality to second , there were reasons , cost saving #1. Wondering what would performance be ? Especially, there’s joint of different materials ,and that took many years another big guy spent for not a so welcomed driver in market.
Not perspective though ~

NANO-POWER

7 years ago

NOTE7 been found a disaster for SAMSUNG, it’s kind of worrying the carbon body part destroy the brand ~~

Richard Wells

7 years ago

Has Rory

Matty

7 years ago

This driver looks awesome!! I was thinking Taylormade would adapt an all carbon fiber crown for the next driver, and I wonder if this (http://mygolfspy.com/pro-tip-taylormade-m1-driver/) can be done to this new driver.

Lee Everhart

7 years ago

M2 guy myself

Anthony DiMarco

7 years ago

If every new club have me 15 more yards I’d be hitting it a mile

James

7 years ago

Taylormade is going to go down as one of the highest grossing companies ever because they were able to slightly tweak something every year, making almost no change what so ever and market the hell out it to people that have no clue as to what the technology behind it actually means.

If you know anything about simple physics and MOI you’ll know you need to find the most forgive head available and get properly fit into a shaft (the engine of a golf club). All this moving weight around to lower spin is bull shit! If you have the correct shaft for your swing you shouldn’t need to change anything.

Look at Bubba Watson one of the longest players on tour, plays a G series driver (yes he gets paid to play it) one of the most forgiving drivers ever and he plays a shaft that was fitted to him.

The average golfer shoots 100 they don’t need to messing with their damn driver if they are shooting 100. Go get a damn short game lesson and if you want to hit the ball further it’s called working out, golf specific exercises and stretches.

THOMAS REDOLPHY

7 years ago

Amazing! Too bad, I love my “M2” driver. Did not know the “M1” was supposed to be better.
Can’t wait to hit the new “M1”.

Rod_CCCGOLFUSA

7 years ago

It take a shift of at least 14 grams to alter a club head’s center of gravity enough to affect ball flight and spin axis. So, does each of the sliding weights weigh 14 grams?

Joe Golfer

7 years ago

Good question. Maybe the weight is made out of tungsten. If so, it could very easily weigh that much and more.

Alan Smith

7 years ago

I think the move to upright lies over the past decades is hampering overall improvement in lowering handicaps across the world. All of the greats, like Hogan, said to have a path that approaches the ball from the inside With upright lies, it is nearly impossible to strike from the inside path. Weren’t Hogan’s clubs like 5-8 degrees flat from normal, back even then. My thought is purchase the correct arrows, then figure out how to hit the target with them.

Chris Burns

7 years ago

I’m buying one

Todd N. Turner

7 years ago

Yuk

Phil Ross

7 years ago

you have got to be kidding

Carl Brandon Jeep

7 years ago

They are simply try8ng to drum up business as they are selling the company soon.

Brenton Ford

7 years ago

No one seems to get on Callaway about it, TM did release a heap of clubs with short life spans in the past, but that has completely changed now.

TM released the M1 over 12 months ago. And the M2 just under 12 months ago, and this is just leaking, it could be weeks/months away from release. TM also only released PSI irons/M2 irons in the last 12 months.

Callaway have released… XR, then XR16, BB V series, BB Alpha 815, then 816, GBB, Fusion. That is 7 drivers. And don’t even mention irons, XR, Apex, BB, XR OS, BB OS, & Steelhead XR.

TM is much more on the 1-2 year life span, and just like iPhones, you should upgrade every 2nd lifecycle. iPhone 6 then 6s, TM M1 then M1s. #quitbitching

Michael D. Corley

7 years ago

Agreed. This will be debuted at the PGA Show in January. Most likely given to tour players in July. And public release in the fall. Usually how it works.

Chris Dionne

7 years ago

I agree and just because they come out with something doesn’t mean you have to buy it.

Ben Woodford

7 years ago

Agreed. The bashing is legacy thinking. The M1/2 are arguably TMs best stuff in a looooooong time. It’s going to be interesting to see how the new M1 stacks up

Tillman

7 years ago

I love my (Current) M1. Bought it because of MyGolf Spy evaluation as good for slow swing speed players and have been very happy with it.

I also have the Ping Ketsch for the same reason – also very pleased.

Started playing at age 70 1/2, now 75 with a year of for back surgery and still in the mid to high 90s.

Brandon Gray

7 years ago

Hahahaaa

Adam Martin

7 years ago

haha stop whining it’s been over a year and who knows when this will release!

Chris Humphries

7 years ago

Non stop bullshit isn’t it… they are absolutely kidding themselves ?

Brandon Gray

7 years ago

Damn they need to slow down

Alex326

7 years ago

It’s very interesting to see how different people react to a new driver being released. First off I’m new to golfing (been playing 2 years now). I came from cycling where top athletes expected new releases every year by their equipment manufacture. In fact if a company didn’t release a new frame then they were considered slackers.

Yet in the golf industry a company is chastised for frequent releases. It’s just odd that people hate on a company for releasing a new product. Especially when they haven’t tried it or as in many cases haven’t even hit the original. I’ve had my M1 for 11 months now and love it. Does that mean it’s the best driver. Nope! It just means that’s the one that motivates me to get out and play every week. And I think that’s the point right??

Regardless if it’s a carbon fibre Taylormade or pink Ping, find the one that motivates you to bomb it down the fairway and leave the marketing and engineering up to the manufacturers. You know the ones who really know what they’re doing.

Albert Eng

7 years ago

TaylorMade is back to the same old business strategy.

Harold

7 years ago

Why does everyone keep buying their shit. Hell the best way to get better is vist that thing called driving range. I remember setting by the trailer on pro-am day at the 3-M tournament talking with Jim Dent. I ask him what he was looking at and he said “just looking at all the guys I don’t want to play with, all the ones hitting just drivers .” They will be tired by the 10 the hole. It’s like there are no other clubs they

will have to hit. Hell Stenson played the whole week without a driver.

Richard Rebugio

7 years ago

That’s why Taylormade is for sell

richard

7 years ago

I have an Aeroburner TP I bought last October, I really like the club and paid next to nothing for it. I will wait until maybe spring when the new M2 comes out and buy the 2016 M2. Many want to buy the latest and greatest and there is nothing wrong with that. I like to wait

Steve

7 years ago

Stick with my G30 thanks

Randy Voss

7 years ago

All logical when you introduce a new product every 4 months.

SangHo Sean Wang

7 years ago

Control and distance same time or what?!

Paul Kielwasser

7 years ago

Interested to hear more about MOI and if it’s draw biased. It’d be cool if they had an all black option.

Geoff Strong

7 years ago

It’s literally the R15 with a different crown….

Jordan Hill

7 years ago

It’s really not even close.. To each their own though!

John Lancaster

7 years ago

Waste of time now Rory has picked the M2. Completely unnecessary technology

Oscar Johansson

7 years ago

World No.1 and 2 plays the M1. Your case is still valid?

AARON MERRITT

7 years ago

O wow…that looks absolutely gorgeous. And i just freakin bought this year’s model…lol

Connor B

7 years ago

I think they should have just called it the M1L or M1 Light or even M1 Ultra Light to make it sound cooler because it probably weighs less than the previous model and that’s the main focus probably

Ben Goergen

7 years ago

I heard its 42 yards longer and more forgiving than previous m1 from 6 months ago.

Josh Cash

7 years ago

But it’s been a year since the M1 was released

Steven Hartless

7 years ago

Cures your fade as well bruh. Just looking at the picture took 3 strokes off of my game

Shane McInnes

7 years ago

And they wonder why people are pissed off……like I’ve said before, hold off buying these new clubs and wait 3-6 months and get them at half the price

Tomas Salas

7 years ago

They released 2 drivers within the last a year. Don’t like it, don’t buy it. Quit whining.

Shane McInnes

7 years ago

Tomas Salas I don’t, in fact I get them for free of my PGA Tour mates lol. Just feel for my buddies who get shafted ??????

Tomas Salas

7 years ago

Then you’d know they haven’t released new clubs every 3-6 months within the last year. So. what’s your point?

Ryan Chalfant

7 years ago

Why the hell are you pissed off. That is just a completely ignorant statement. If you bought the M1 when it came out a year ago and it is working for you, then be pleased about it. That doesn’t mean you have to buy the newest model. But guess what, there are consumers out there with older technology that may be in the market for a new club…

Ryan Chalfant

7 years ago

I don’t understand why anyone would be mad because a for profit company is releasing new equipment. That makes no sense

Kevin Hext

7 years ago

Good, release it asap and drop the 2016 M1 another $100. Get to it.

Jeffrey Luster

7 years ago

Exactly how I feel

Jari Hakonen

7 years ago

MMMMMM pop…

Cody Waide

7 years ago

Wish they’d get rid of the ugly white on the crown

Otto Matic

7 years ago

I agree. It’s ugly. Looks like an Oreo cookie

Simon J Trickey

7 years ago

Just looking at that at the moment lol

Bob Gomavitz

7 years ago

More interested in the M2 because if they reduce weight in the sole area, this means a heavier back weight than the current 0.5 gram one. Not to excited about a new adaptor

GilB

7 years ago

Me likee, but can’t affordee.

Tim Peters

7 years ago

Another expensive club that probably won’t improve the average golfers game, being an average golfer I should know. The white color is a turn off for many including me.

sfo1ckh

7 years ago

Sounds like most of the comments are from people that have never tried one or even the original M1, so until you do, you should hold judgement. I play the original design and it’s the best driver ever. All of the concepts are sound, carbon fiber for lighter weight, full adjustability and the sound it makes when you hit it (people should really take this one into account). As in all adjustable drivers, once you find “your sweet spot”, you leave it. The only thing that I would add is a slot channel, but that might go over the .083 COR?

Leo

7 years ago

It’s 0.83 and all drivers are at max CoR since 2005

Jordan Bowen

7 years ago

But do you have a Scotty Cameron weight removal kit though??

Ash Gourlay

7 years ago

Well the glovebox is locked so’s the trunks in the back,I know my rights so gonna need a warrant for that

mjkladis

7 years ago

Looks like the weights will swap with each other or can be added into the same channel. Like the article that was up here a while back. I bet those weights weigh the same.

Jordan Bowen

7 years ago

Do you might if I walk around the car real quick?

Geo Golfx

7 years ago

Is it discounted yet ? :)

Jeffrey D. Smith

7 years ago

Courtney

7 years ago

The M1 on the heel at address looks terrible. I really can’t believe they are going to release this club, they’d be better suited to keep the original for another year at the same price.

Bradley

7 years ago

Man I didn’t even notice it!

Daniel Apostol

7 years ago

Mizuno-esque

Andre Thaon

7 years ago

Just another driver…

Bryan Carroll

7 years ago

Same shit, different Taylormade driver.

alan

7 years ago

Ah, the inconvenient truth.
Few words, bur powerful statement.

Fozcycle

7 years ago

I’ll keep my Cobra King LTD…..It’s so perfect, I don’t need any add’l adjustments!

Matt

7 years ago

I am still hitting my Fly -z driver, got fit for a new shafts and have not found anything as good,,Cobra for me as is you the best driver put there.

Jay Hinkle

7 years ago

Has it already been six weeks since the original M1 came out?

Tomas Salas

7 years ago

It’s been a year. Try again.

Jay Hinkle

7 years ago

Wow…

Phill Mckeown

7 years ago

Ian Ross

Jimbo

7 years ago

I’m holding out for the M0…or maybe even the M -1

Neal

7 years ago

Very interested, but a new adapter?! Crap!

John

7 years ago

Callaway did the same thing XR and XR16. You people are dumb as shit. Also it’s been over a year with M1 and M2. Stop hating and get a real job losers. Make America great again.

Gilbert Doplito

7 years ago

Yeah!

Nic

7 years ago

Spoken like a “True American”.

There is no room for that type of hate speech on a golf discussion board. I would ask that you please refrain from “contributing” in the future.

If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything..

Signed, a Real Job Having Non-Loser.

robin

7 years ago

You are so Fing right , outstanding.

leonard wee

7 years ago

M1 was over a year ago. M2 was launched less than a year ago in Jan this year I believe.

Brian Fergusson

7 years ago

More details on the new adapter?

Rich Thompson

7 years ago

Trick or Treat!!!!!! flavor of the month!!

Bert Gwaltney

7 years ago

Might play well (might) but it’s horrendous to look at. I hate white (guess I’m old school). And the shaft really is a ……

Laurent Pecqueux

7 years ago

They gonna change all 6 months !!!!

Ron

7 years ago

More hype from the company that is to be sold as soon as Adidas finds a buyer. Please leave the industry.

Tider992010

7 years ago

What would make you want to buy it? Looks like this years model and probably makes a difference of 2 yards at most. Kind of like the RBZ 2!

jlukes

7 years ago

Maybe you haven’t bought a driver in 3 or 4 years and you want the latest and greatest?

For some reason people react to a new release it has to be a monumental leap from the previous iteration, but the reality it is the average golfer keeps his driver for at least three years, so OEMs are really marketing towards THOSE people; not the people that just bought the M1 last year. If any original M1 owners jump onboard, then that’s just gravy.

Jay

7 years ago

I agree, everyone really is so polarized on a new driver coming out as everyone (or some golfers) always buy the latest, or is expected to buy the latest. Many golfers buy only every two, three, six years, whatever. So for them, it may be a nice improvement. Plus don’t you love you can buy last years technology that “you almost bought” at a discount!
By the way, I have heard that the auto industry comes out with new cars every year. Even if they are named the same, there is always some improvement for those who didn’t buy the year, two years… get it? There will always, always be a later something in our lives. Ever been married more than once! Since I demo’d drivers from 2016, now I just have to wait for my favorite to get to my price point.

jlukes

7 years ago

What’s funny is the golf industry is the only place this faux outrage exists.

Do people get upset that Apple releases a new phone every year?
Or that Samsung releases multiple TVs over the course of every year?
Or that Canon updates their camera lines every year?

Nope. But GOD forbid a golf company releases more than one club every 2 years.

Alan

7 years ago

The car comparison is a poor analogy.
Number one, with the escalation of new car prices people are holding their cars longer. The US average is now 10 years !!!!
Number two cars wear out, but you replace things like tires, shocks/struts battery etc. before you make a major investment on a new cars.
Number three, cars continually get better, ie. faster acceleration, better occupant protection, improved gas mileage and so on.
Golf drivers on the other hand are limited by rules/reg. CC’s are maxed out at 460, dimensions are near the limits and then there is that 0.830 COR threshold.
Hit any driver in the sweet spot flush and (given other variables are the same) there will not be a world of difference with performance. Will a few yards more or less change your game?
you would be better off going to a good fitter to have your swing analyzed and reshaft
with a premium stick from Fuji, or Aldila or MRC or Graphite Designs. After all, the shaft is the engine of the club.

Matt

7 years ago

This. Except for the fact that newer drivers offer more forgiveness, lighter clubhead weight and, while not necessarily the case with this one, give more customization/adjustability.

You have to consider that for gearheads who read MGS, there isn’t a whole lot to get excited about. But if your a guy, like me, who is gaming something like an R1 or older and in the market for a new stick, this IS a little exciting. I am not a fan of the white on these either, but if as the Most Wanted study indicates that it will put more balls in the short grass, it is something I can look past.

craig

7 years ago

Alan, you have just spouted one of the greatest myths of golf. Yes its true that getting a good fitting is paramount, but the engine of any golf club is actually YOU.
The shaft is just the transmission.
eg flex, bend profile, torque

leonard wee

7 years ago

True… But I’d love a spanking new driver in the bag anyways…. Human nature to always upgrade to the newest isn’t it?

Chris Embardino

7 years ago

Different adapter…. i wonder if M1/2 adapters will still fit but with less asjustability

Chal

7 years ago

Hopefully, Last time they changed the adapter, the old ones still worked.

leonard wee

7 years ago

Likely they’ll still work. Maybe new ones come with more adjustability options like lie angles?

Chris Loskie

7 years ago

Thats what I’m wondering.. if it was the same I’d just replace my sldr with this head

Kevin Hext

7 years ago

Tell me which part is the “adapter” I’m not hip with that term. I have an SLDR S.

Chris Embardino

7 years ago

The little black aluminum part with the vinyl cap at the end of the shaft. For adjusting the loft. I think they call it “adjustment sleeve” officially. Adapter has become kind of a catch all.

Chris Loskie

7 years ago

Looking at this again.. is it me or is the plate less adjustable? ! Doesn’t go back as far?

JimmyW

7 years ago

I like the design of the original. The newer model’s soul doesn’t look as stream lined.

Gary

7 years ago

Are you kidding me! I’m sure there are golfers out there who will fall over themselves to get one. No wonder Adidas wants to rid themselves of this company.

Dan Bertolucci

7 years ago

Stayin with 915 D3. Will look at Ping G & New 917.

Jose

7 years ago

Dan:
You may want to try Wilson. Their clubs are coming back to be what they once were: Top of the class.

Brian Jay Murra

7 years ago

What gives it more adjustability? Seems like it’s just a carbon copy with potential different weight distribution.

William ogden

7 years ago

Looks fantastic hope they fixed the problem with the paint chipping off that according to Taylormade isn’t a defect cause it doesn’t affect performance!

Stephen Dixon

7 years ago

Its the same but different

KL

7 years ago

” Same name gives perception that they are not releasing new product. Right now that is advantageous. ”

what advantage is that?

Joe Ricci

7 years ago

Looks clunky

Jake

7 years ago

Interesting move from a marketing standpoint, to keep the name. I already like the looks more than the original M1.

Lw

7 years ago

Good thing the crown looks similar. And so confidence inspiring so upgraders can still feel comfortable at address….

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