First Look – TaylorMade M5 & M6 Drivers, Fairways and Hybrids
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First Look – TaylorMade M5 & M6 Drivers, Fairways and Hybrids

First Look – TaylorMade M5 & M6 Drivers, Fairways and Hybrids

We’ve already said we think 2019 will be the best year for drivers ever. There’s a convergence, like a golfing solar eclipse, where for the first time in years Callaway, Ping, and TaylorMade are all launching their flagship drivers at roughly the same time. That’s in addition to new offerings from Titleist, Wilson, Srixon, Tour Edge, PXG, and seemingly countless others.

Callaway and Ping had fantastic 2018’s at retail. TaylorMade had a good year too, despite experiencing some growing pains following their sale by adidas. Are M5 and M6 the drivers that help TaylorMade get back on top? TaylorMade believes so. The company has identified a problem and offered up a unique solution.

Problem: Driver faces aren’t hot enough

2019 may well be remembered by equipment geeks as The Great War for Ball Speed. It’s been said that we’ve been at the limits of COR, CT, ball speed, firepower, or however else you’d like to describe it for a long time. You may have been lied to by the OEMs. At the very least, you haven’t been told the whole truth.

Cobra touched on it last year with its CNC milled driver faces. Driver faces aren’t actually at the limit of performance – not all of them anyway. Despite nearly everyone claiming otherwise, manufacturing tolerances mean they can’t be. If companies produced drivers that aimed to deliver absolute max CT limit, they’d inevitably produce a certain percentage that exceeds the USGA threshold. So, if they set the target CT safely below the USGA limit, any faces over the target CT would likely still be under the USGA limit.

Those manufacturing realities are fine as far the rules are concerned, but it also means that the driver you buy is probably well short of the limit. Outside of getting your driver face shaved (not exactly a conforming solution), there’s not much a consumer can do about it.

Tolerances for loft are something golfers have long been aware of. We all know by now that if we buy a driver, the likelihood is that the actual loft isn’t what is stamped on the head. Manufacturing tolerances, while improving, still mean individual parts can miss the target lofts by upwards of a degree. You can order a digitally lofted driver from PING to ensure you get the loft you want or a hand-picked head from Tom Wishon. What you can’t order is a head that’s been tested to ensure its at the CT limit. You get what you get.

Tour Issue heads have long been touted as being hotter than off the rack heads, and the market for them is lucrative for the select few who deal in the bits and pieces that somehow find their way off the tour vans. With the new M5 and M6 TaylorMade looks to put an end to all of that while promising that golfers who buy its new drivers will end up with a head hotter than what PGA Tour pros had in the bag last year.

The Solution: Speed Injected Twist Face

From the company that brought you Speed Pockets, Inverted Cone Technology, and Twist Face; TaylorMade is excited to bring you Speed Injected Twist Face. Previously referred to here as #ScrewFace, where do we start with this one…

First, Speed Injected is a bit of a misnomer. Slow injected is the more accurate description. TaylorMade’s latest driver face is by design, built to be over the legal CT limit. Actually, what TaylorMade is claiming is that its drivers ship over the COR (Coefficient of Restitution) limit, which is an odd distinction given that CT (characteristic time) is the actual USGA standard. That seemingly critical detail aside…Rather than getting all Fast and Furious, and trying to tune the driver to the limit, the new M5 & M6 drivers start too fast and are then throttled back from the limit.

So how do they do that?

The first step is to individually test every single driver face to see how far over the limit it is. Adams (remember them, the innovative company from Texas that TaylorMade swallowed up?) did something similar with the XTD driver, so this isn’t the first time that a production line has tested every single head or that a company has claimed every head will be verified to be at the limit.

It’s also important to note that every OEM that we know of CT tests its heads several times during the manufacturing process. Everybody has a range, and by Speed Injecting each head, TaylorMade is basically seeking to narrow its range, presumably by a significant amount.

In TaylorMade’s version of this story, behind the driver face are two pockets or reservoirs. TaylorMade fills the pockets as needed with resin to bring the face back down to the legal limit. We’re not talking about Speedfoam. Let’s call it Anti-Speed Resin.

The pockets are accessed via the screws in the face. A proprietary algorithm specifies the exact amount of resin that needs to be placed in the heel and toe to bring each driver down to the limit. The resin is syringed in before the screws are set in the driver face. There’s plenty of chatter about the screws being an eyesore, but actually, at address, they’re nearly invisible. Not quite flush with the face, they sit just a fraction beneath it.

Additonally, the new M5 and M6 feature a redesigned Inverted Cone Technology (TaylorMade’s proprietary ball speed maintaining face technology), and both feature Hammerhead 2.0, which makes for a more flexible slot. As you’d expect, Twist Face, TaylorMade’s twisted bulge and roll that purports to help golfers hit the ball a fraction straighter, carries on to the new models as well.

M5 and M5 Tour – $549.99

 

M5, like M3 and M1 before it, is your hyper-adjustable model. Available in two heads, a 460CC standard driver, and a 435CC M5 Tour, TaylorMade has kept the silver and composite crown design of the M3/4, and updated it with a very cool matte finished carbon. They look fantastic behind the ball. The silver titanium ledge is smaller as well, so much so that the alignment aid now sits in the carbon section. The head shapes are similar to the modern pear shape TaylorMade has used since the standard RBZ. Both heads appear to sit squarer than last year’s models, which looked open to many.

The sole features two-tone carbon fiber inserts, which much like the P760 irons, not all golfers loved in pre-release photos. In the flesh, it looks great (to us anyway). The total package looks more modern than what you’ll see from TaylorMade’s biggest competitor, and while visuals aren’t performance, often they serve as a tie-breaker.

Inverted T-Track

The modern TaylorMade adjustable weight system has evolved from T-Track to Y-Track to now an inverted T-Track. TaylorMade engineers claim that this is the movable weight system they always envisioned. It was only manufacturing constraints that prevented them from doing it sooner.

We’ll see how absolutely optimized it is when next year’s model rolls out.

Bottom line, we’re not sure we believe that part of the story, but we’re willing to go with it. The system itself features two 10-gram weights that can be moved around with enough flexibility to achieved 1,700 distinct positions. Be sure to ask your fitter to try them all.

Because the curvature of the head is a bit flatter, TaylorMade says the center of gravity is as low as possible, regardless of the weight setting (isn’t that always the case). The company claims you can achieve a 1° change in launch from front to back, as well as up to 600 RPM worth of spin change. Placing weights at the extreme left or right can provide 25-yards of left to right ball flight adjustment. The 2° loft sleeve allows for further tuning.

All told, the sum of the new design features make for a sweet spot that TaylorMade says is 66% larger than the M3, and over 100% larger than the original M1.

Feel is solid, muted with a touch of crack at impact, and similar across the whole line including the M5 Tour and M6 driver. It’s not as muted as a PXG driver, and the resin behind the face may be contributing to an overall solid feel.

Available in 9°, 10.5°, and 12, the stock shafts are Mitsubishi CK Tensei Orange 60 (not Pro) and Project X HZRDUS Smoke 70. As it has in recent years, TaylorMade is offering a number of additional no upcharge options. The Golf Pride MCC Decade is the standard grip.

M5 Tour Driver

For many, the M5 Tour is the driver you’ll want to play, regardless of whether or not it’s actually right for you. The compact 435cc head features a deep face and squat body. Modern styling aside, traditionalists will love how it looks at address.

As you’d expect, it’s lower launching and lower spining, but offers lower MOI. The smaller footprint makes it more aerodynamic. Adjustability remains the same, and it comes in 9° and 10.5° options. Stock and no upcharge options are the same as the standard model.

There will be some of you it fits, but realistically this is not a driver for the masses.

M6 Driver – $499.99

At address, the M6 appears almost identical to the M5. Underneath, it’s a different story. The M6 has 54% more carbon than the M4, with a large part of its sole made from the lightweight material. TaylorMade took all of those weight savings and used them to place mass low and back in what they call an Inertia Generator. Not at all unlike the Cobra F9 Speedback, similar, though less aggressive, features have been used in the PING G400 woods, and arguably first in JDM brand Ryoma’s drivers. The design gives the driver a much lower center of gravity compared to previous TaylorMade drivers. That was practically a necessity given that M4 was among the highest CG drivers on the market last year.

We found the M6 launches higher than M5, which is what it’s designed to do. It certainly appears TaylorMade has made a greater effort to differentiate M5 and M6 on performance (not just features) than with previous models.

Lofts again are 9°, 10.5°, and 12°. The standard shafts for the M6 are the Fujikura ATMOS Orange 5 (co-engineered, not available in the aftermarket), and the lower launching ATMOS Black 6. The standard grip is the Lamkin Dual Feel.

M6 D Type Driver – $499.99

Also, in the lineup is the M6 D Type, which should prove to be a good option for slicers in much the same manner as PING’s G400 SFT. It looks perfectly fine at address with most of the business taking place under the hood.

Many golfers think offset drivers look hideous, and no one wants to use a driver that looks like a training aid. By adjusting the paint line, TaylorMade was able to make the D Type look more open than it is, while its heel-biased weighting makes it easier to close the face at impact.

TaylorMade claims 20 yards of draw compared to the M6 driver.

The stock shaft is a Project X EvenFlow Max Carry 45.

Fairway Woods

It was a foregone conclusion that TaylorMade was going to include Twist Face in their fairway woods this year. Remember, it took Callaway a year to trickle Jailbreak down to their fairways. TaylorMade says the first iteration of Twist Face couldn’t be used in a fairway wood, but with more R&D time, the company made it work for 2019.

The playbook is about as predictable as Mike McCarthy’s Green Bay Offense (which is, in part, why he got fired). The Philly Special this isn’t.

That said TaylorMade has modified Twist Face on the fairways. It’s Twist-IER than it is in the driver– and while that also makes for a good story, any golf club engineer will tell you that it’s a necessity for any implementation of bulge and roll on a fairway wood.

M5 Titanium Fairway – $399.99

The M3 fairway was a funny club. While performance was OK, it looked small, arguably too small, compared to most modern fairways. And while it got play on tour, generally speaking, recently TaylorMade’s adjustable fairways have played second fiddle to fixed hosel models from its competitors. So again, as with the drivers, TaylorMade has tried to provide greater differentiation between the M5 and M6 fairways. As noted, both feature Twist Face for the first time in fairway, but neither feature a Speed Injected Face. You’ll likely need to wait for the sequel for that one. The enhanced Twist Face/ bulge and roll is visible in both models.

Featuring titanium and carbon fiber construction, this is the first titanium fairway from TaylorMade since 2011’s R11. And while previous titanium fairways have been built around forgiveness, this one has been built with firepower and adjustability in mind.

It’s easier to make a hotter face from titanium, and more importantly, the material is lighter. That, combined with the lightweight carbon crown, gave designers significantly more discretionary weight to play with than in previous steel fairway woods. We’re talking about 65-grams allocated to a single movable stainless steel weight

It’s fair to say it’s the biggest movable weight we’ve ever seen in a golf club. Slap bang in the middle of the clubhead, the weight moves along a smaller than expected track, but with that much weight to slide, you should still see an appreciable change in ball flight.

The weight – over 30% of the total clubhead mass – is low and forward, which should make for a high launching, low spinning head. That’s on paper of course. Testing will reveal more. With admittedly brief experience with the club, I came away impressed. The weight is curved and essentially forms the bulk of the sole and makes the clubhead easy to use off the deck.

The new model launches high enough that TaylorMade didn’t feel the need to produce a 3 HL this time around. It’s a risky play as there are plenty of golfers who don’t use the 3HL exclusively for its higher launch. There are distance gapping considerations in play here. It’s all well and good making your 3-wood easier to get airborne, but not everyone wants to hit the ball further. Dustin Johnson is a good example of a player who preferred the 3HL.

There was some talk prelaunch of a Rocket Fairway. While that sounds super exciting, the manifestation of the Rocket is a stronger lofted option. At 14°, the Rocket is half a degree weaker than most strong 3W offerings, though with target lofts and tolerances coming into play, it’s probably a wash.

I have mixed feelings about this one. $399 is an excessive amount of money for a 3-wood, but it’s also nice to see a manufacturer offer something new (or new again), rather than rehashing what came immediately before it.

The M5 Fairway is available in Rocket 3 (14°) – RH only, 3 (15°) and 5 (18°). The stock shaft is the Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 75 (X) and 65 (S, R). Numerous additional shaft options are available at no additional cost. The stock grip is the MCC Decade grip from Golf Pride.

M6 Fairway – $299

There’s very little to say about the M6 fairway. And while that sounds a bit harsh, it feels like a club that exists to exist. Where the M5 fairway offers something different, the M6 brings more of the same. Now granted, the M2 and M4 fairways were popular offerings, and that will likely prove true again this year, but it feels like TaylorMade may have missed the boat with this one.

Yes, M6 has Twist Face. There also a redesigned Speed Pocket with a new insert that sits flush with the ground for better turf interaction. What it lacks is a significant reason to upgrade. It’s very much the same as what came before – though, in fairness, you can say the same about the bulk of new gear that hits the market annually.

For our money, with the significant changes to the M5, including the jump in price, M6 should offer an adjustable hosel. The lack of a 3HL, particularly in this model, again feels like a significant omission, though it’s at least partially offset by the Rocket option and the inclusion of 7 and 9-woods in the lineup.

An M6 D Type fairway has been added to the lineup this year as well. This makes infinite sense given the number of slicers out there in the wild.

The M6 Fairway is available in Rocket 3 (14°), 3 (15°), 5 (18°), 7 (21°) and 9 (24°). The stock shaft is Fujikura’s Atmos Orange in S, R, and A-flexes.

The M6 D-Type comes in 3 (16°) (which I suppose is HL), 5 (19°), and 7 (22°). The stock shaft is the Project X EvenFlow Max Carry 50 shaft in 6.0 (S), 5.5 (R) and 5.0 (A). The stock grip is the Lamkin Dual Feel.

No M5 Hybrids

For the first time, there is no matching M5 hybrid. TaylorMade believes that the M5 hybrid player will be satisfied by the GAPR offerings. The decision is somewhat surprising, though we respect that the company is limiting SKUs. Perhaps they’re waiting to see how successful a Titanium fairway wood is before launching a titanium Rescue?

M6 Rescue – $249.99

Twist Face Rescue. Or, as TaylorMade describes it, Versatility, with a Twist.

I could leave it there, and that would all but sum up this hybrid. I will, however, continue. Claimed to be TaylorMade’s longest, fastest faced hybrid ever, the M6 is a wide-headed hybrid, with a low center of gravity, designed to hit the ball high and land soft.

Like the fairway, Twist Face is actually more pronounced in the rescue (again, this is a design necessity), so the crown design has been tweaked to make the Twist Face appear less in your face.

Available in 3 (19°), 4 (22°), 5 (25°), 6 (28°), and 7 (31°), the stock shaft is the Fujikura ATMOS Orange HY in 7 (S), 6 (R) or 5 (A).

The biggest issues with the M6 Fairways and Rescues is that, from the sole, they look cheap. Where the driver features an abundance of carbon fiber, the rest of the line features little more than a silver paint job, and not a particularly good one at that. If they perform on a launch monitor, the paint will matter less. As far as shelf appeal goes, however, it doesn’t measure up to what TaylorMade’s competitors are offering up with their new for 2019 premium offerings.

Final Thoughts

It’s a bit of a mixed bag for TaylorMade metalwoods in 2019. Speed Injected Twist Face will play to the strengths of TaylorMade’s marketing department. Until we test the heads, however, we won’t know how good, or at least how real the story actually is.

There’s certainly plenty about the story – and the Speed Injection portion in particular – that doesn’t pass the initial sniff test. It’s not unusual for golfers and competitors alike to poo-poo the newest technology, but there are legitimate red flags with what TaylorMade is claiming.

Screws in the face raise structural integrity questions. You’re not supposed to hit the M5 and M6 on the screws, but it’s going to happen. Will they hold up or will faces split like they did with slot-faced irons? There are similar concerns with the new crown design as well.

And about that CT stuff; have you ever stopped to consider what the real-world value of max CT is? At 100 MPH, 10 CT points are worth approximately ½ MPH of ball speed. We’re talking about roughly one more yard, and that’s only if you’re 10 CT points higher than the other guys – which isn’t likely to be the case here.

This is your basic consistency story spun as the breakthrough it almost certainly isn’t (especially in light of recent changes by the USGA that now place the same constraints on off-center CT as it does on center CT).

Multiple sources have told MyGolfSpy that TaylorMade’s CTs over the last several years have been both lower and less consistent than many of its competitors. Said one insider bluntly, “they could probably pick up some ball speed just by giving a shit.”

As we touched on earlier, while the CT is the USGA standard, TaylorMade is using COR not CT in its language. That’s puzzling considering that one of the few things R&D departments seem to agree on (even if most only whisper about it) is that the only way to really boost ball speeds is to push COR beyond the previous limit while keeping CT under the limit. Claiming a COR of at or near .830 when others are hinting they’ve pushed beyond it, is an odd stance.

Fundamentally, shipping faces over the limit only to bring them down does nothing to change the relationship between CT (the new USGA standard) and COR (the old standard) and create new speed. If there’s something else going on under the hood that makes that happen – and there very well could be – TaylorMade isn’t saying.

That said, we anticipate M5 and M6 will be strong performers. TaylorMade drivers almost invariably are, and the visible aspects of the technology are nothing short of brilliant. The new drivers will definitely stand out on the shelves, perhaps more so than Jailbreak did for Callaway.

It’s also no small thing that the drivers look and feel great behind the ball, and at impact, and for whatever it’s worth, I much prefer TaylorMade’s blood orange to Callaway’s green and yellow.

The M5 Fairway offers something new that will likely prove unique in the marketplace. The M6 driver is evidence that manufacturers are starting to converge on similar designs with the weight slung low and back. It’s slightly worrying from the standpoint of innovation, though the performance implications are encouraging. The M6 Fairways and Rescue offer nothing new beyond Twist Face, and don’t look the part of premium clubs.

While Speed Injection will garner plenty of attention, TaylorMade’s gambit here is odd, to say the least. The distinction between designed to the limit and manufactured to the limit notwithstanding, there’s an inherent contradiction with everything TaylorMade has claimed previously and what it’s saying now. In telling us that its COR is just now really reaching the limit, the company has effectively outed itself as playing fast and loose with the truth. Are we supposed to forget that TaylorMade has claimed faces at the limit for as long as there’s been a limit? COR or CT, it has previously claimed to maxed them both – then again, so has everybody else.

If these drivers are as hot as TaylorMade is claiming, and the spin numbers are decent, and they’re forgiving enough, the inconsistencies between then and now likely won’t matter. TaylorMade will almost certainly sell significant quantities in 2019.

The ever-persistent question remains, however; Brilliantly crafted marketing hype or actual innovation? It’s going to be loads of fun to see how this plays out.

Pricing and Availability

M5 and M5 Tour Drivers retail for $549.99. M6 and M6 D Type Drivers retail for $499.99. M5 Fairway Woods are $399.99. M6 Fairway woods retail for $299.99. Hybrids are $249.99.

M5 and M6 Metalwoods are available for pre-order beginning 1/14/19. Full availability begins 2/15/19.

For more information, visit TaylorMadeGolf.com.

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      Tony

      6 years ago

      What nonsense is the writer of this article talking? Taylormade Hybrids are one of the best , even as per Golf Digest Hot list M6 Rescue is the only rescue which got 5 stars in all four parameters.
      So why is the writer creating confusion and his name is hidden.
      Only adverse reports are that the paint job is poor results in too many early scratches making the club look older. Shame on you and you did not have the guts to report then which brand hybrid is better. We will stop reading MGS if this continues.

      Reply

      Regis

      6 years ago

      I don’t know what difference a pro’s choice of club should make to an average golfer. But to the extent it does, here’s what I’d pay attention to: What drivers are being played by players endorsed by other manufacturers. As to Justin Rose, as soon as you get your swing mechanics and timing close to his, by all means follow your heart and go out and replace your bag with Honma. Except for the putter. I’m guessing he’ll stay with the TM Ardmore. Regardless buy whatever putter he’s gaming. We’ll see you on the Tour real soon

      Reply

      Arnold W Augustin

      6 years ago

      Some of the British U Tube testers have already proven that with all the hype both the new Taylor made and Calloway drivers are marginally better. So the question is how can this train of hype continue given the performance delta just is not there for the average guy to spend that kind of money and certainly not every year. Now if these companies come out with a subscription plan for a custom driver that works out to staying up to date for 5 years then maybe the game would be changed.

      I saw the reviews on the price reduction of the PXB driver and its performance and it looks in the ball park …. Wow!

      Reply

      mackdaddy

      6 years ago

      They look nice. Do you have any numbers? I loved the way you used do the group of six testers with the stats on a chart that we could look at the results of the players that most matched our stats. Would love to see charts like that again.

      Reply

      Ace

      6 years ago

      “Callaway and Ping had fantastic 2018’s at retail. TaylorMade had a good year too, despite experiencing some growing pains following their sale by adidas. Are M5 and M6 the drivers that help TaylorMade get back on top?” Wait, what?!?!

      TaylorMade was the #1 selling driver brand in 2018
      Callaway’s driver sales were DOWN 5.30% in 2018 vs 2017
      Source: Golf Datatech January – November 2018 On/Off-Course

      I thought you guys pride yourselves on getting the story straight.

      Reply

      Matt Wiseley

      6 years ago

      So…does this mean I can take those little red screws off, take out whatever has been added and have a non conforming club that I can pound 50 yards past my buddies?

      Reply

      JR2

      6 years ago

      That’s exactly what I was thinking! (or do I have a mess on my hands once I get them off…)

      Reply

      10shot

      6 years ago

      WOW. is all I can say.
      Glad the OEM are not afraid to say ” Son this is a rich mans game” then toss us a 2bit coin. Now what movie did I see that in…hummmm.

      I’ll wait for the on sale version at 129.00

      Reply

      Ol'pal Gary

      6 years ago

      After seeing how they’re pricing these new offerings for 2019;
      I’m thinking it’s time for me to Draw a line the sand & say “No More”
      I won’t be gaming this years offerings from TaylorMade.
      The only club that piques my interest is the D-Type, but they probably won’t make it for Left Handers.

      Reply

      10shot

      6 years ago

      Well said,

      Reply

      Brent Mertz

      6 years ago

      Question for the MyGolfspy staff: The M5 FW is reporting on the TM website a “More streamlined, 12-position Loft Sleeve for plus/minus 2° adjustability” does this mean the old sleeves will not fit into the new M5 heads? Could anyone comment on this? Thanks!

      Reply

      Joe

      6 years ago

      Once you have a club that fits you reasonably well, don’t you need to go out and swing it? Better scores are a result of better swings, better swings are a result of practice, instruction and clubs that fit. Not sure that a couple of screws and some resin, will make you a better golfer. Seems all to similar to “what’s the best car?”.

      Reply

      THOMAS

      6 years ago

      Its all martketing. . . Year-on-year, , , It would be really great and very much informative if if MGS would pick a half dozen major OEM drivers and test them against the same OEM’s previous every other years drivers. Might even end up with a major OEM colapse

      Reply

      Brandon

      6 years ago

      It would be cool if they released a non-conforming version without the anti-speed resin for those of us who don’t play in tournaments and don’t really care about what the USGA thinks the legal limit of a club should be.

      Reply

      wbn

      5 years ago

      I agree. And show the numbers difference with and without the resin.

      Reply

      Paul

      6 years ago

      It didn’t take long to show that all that TM made claims about more speed for everyone is a complete crock. They need to name their next driver the Hyperbole. Every year they pile it up even deeper….

      Reply

      Marty

      6 years ago

      The m6 looks an awful lot like the cobra f9.
      Wonder who copied who…

      Reply

      Mike Smith

      6 years ago

      Watched a review on the M5 & M6 where the golfer got the same ball speed as M3 & M4

      Reply

      Robert

      6 years ago

      What is really interesting to me is howPXG has gotten the sole and back of the club really low. If you look at the pics between the M5 and the PXG drivers, the PXG sole sits flat on the ground and the top angles down towards the back. It reminds me of the Hi-Bore the way it’s shaped. Taylormade, Cobra and Ping have just a small section of the head that sticks out that low, but PXG has been able to get the entire head that low. It’s no wonder that they are getting crazy low CG’s. And I’ve been wondering why no one has tried to improve on the Hi-Bore shape as it was super low CG. I wasn’t really looking at PXG until I saw this. It looks like they have a step above everyone at this point, but seeing how different the shape is compared to these M5’s and M6’s makes me think they are on to something big.

      Reply

      gerench

      6 years ago

      Not sure it will beat my ’16 M2 but the M6 looks as promising as the Cobra F9 from a forgiveness and CG perspective.

      To be honest i am a big fan loft and lie adjustments on the Callaway and Titleist clubs from a fitting perspective so I am in wait and see mode.

      Reply

      Jeff

      6 years ago

      Are the grips made of fine corinthian leather?

      Reply

      Mike

      6 years ago

      I think you’re showing your age w/ that comment & I love it!

      Reply

      Berniez40

      6 years ago

      Actually, it’s “Rich Corinthian Leathet”, but Tatu prefers….”De Plain” ones.

      Brad

      6 years ago

      At this price, I would much rather have one of the new PXG drivers sitting in my bag. It’s a good bet the performance will be better on average with the PXG driver than with these new M5/M6 #ScrewFace drivers from TM anyway. Even if not, at least the PXG wouldn’t lose half its value three months after purchase like the TM.

      Reply

      BenSeattle

      6 years ago

      “It’s a good bet the performance will be better on average with the PXG driver than with these new M5/M6 #ScrewFace drivers from TM anyway.”

      Really? Your statement is based on WHAT, exactly? No-one (meaning we mortals, anyway) have seen, touched, swung, hit or smelled either of these drivers so this statement is completely baffling to me. Say they’re identical performance-wise. You’d rather pay $650 than $499 ….. WHY?

      And PXG performance is “superior” to TM based on, say, Tour useage? Name me ONE Tour player bagging a PXG driver who isn’t getting paid to use it. I can name you dozens playing TM (and see my earlier statement about college golfers) who have no TaylorMade endorsement deal.

      With their new models maybe PXG has created a high-level driver (finally!) but let’s not assume anything before actual demos occur, okay?

      Reply

      Brad

      6 years ago

      @BenSeattle Thanks for asking.

      I’m basing my statements on the information that is available regarding the PXG and TM drivers, which includes some of the available data regarding the CG and MOI properties of these drivers. A few salient points:

      1. The M5 drivers will retail for $549, not $499, which is the one I would be inclined to purchase of the M5/M6 drivers.

      2. TM drivers seem to lose their value somewhat more quickly on the secondhand market, at least compared to Ping or Titleist, and even Callaway. That wouldn’t be a major factor in a purchase for me, but if you can sell an driver 2nd hand 3-4 years down the road for $50-75 more than another one then that is handy.

      3. The claimed CG and MOI properties of the new PXG drivers would give them the potential to be some of the very best drivers on the market, if not the best (see “Gen2 Technology” from the recent MyGolfSpy article – http://mygolfspy.com/20109-pxg-0811-x-gen2-and-0811-xf-gen2-drivers/).

      4. The PXG drivers are better looking (IMO) than the new TM drivers. I’m not a fan of the red screws on the face or the colorway either. I would prefer to look down at the PXG than the TM.

      5. Taylormade is a marketing machine and spends loads of money on the PGA Tour. If you think a PGA Tour Pro is not being influenced by what drivers the top players are using (who are paid to play TM), then you’re dreaming. Koepka uses a TM driver and isn’t paid to do so, but guess what – his good buddy DJ is paid by TM to play a TM driver. In any case, I’m not overly influenced by what clubs any tour pros are using in making my own buying decisions. They could get around the course under par with pretty much anything given time to adjust. Me, not so much.

      As you can see, my statements were based on more than just airy fairy conjecture. Yes, it won’t be certain that the PXG drivers are “superior” to the M5/M6 drivers until there are some thorough tests, but based on physics (expected MOI/CG properties) and a test of the new M5/M6 by Rick Shiels that I watched before posting my comment – there doesn’t seem to be anything spectacular going on with the new M5/M6 drivers other than marketing and bling – so the bar the PXG drivers need to beat doesn’t appear to be all that high.

      Cheers. Have a nice day.

      Steve S

      6 years ago

      I hope all these manufacturers have successful years and continue to launch new products every year. And that the economy stays robust so all the “early adopters” go out and buy these clubs at full retail. That will mean golf will stay healthy and I’ll be able to keep playing until I’m physically not able(hopefully that will be one day before I croak or at best after making an eagle putt on 18).

      Bottom line…I’m a “gear guy” who is slowly homing in on the best set up to maximize my scoring by a combination of stretching, swing tempo and the right equipment.

      Reply

      BenSeattle

      6 years ago

      The golf world enjoys a vast variety of personalities and that includes many amateur gearheads who have the desire (and the cash) to get the “latest and greatest” EVERY YEAR. Good for them; everybody needs a hobby. Only a fool and the naïve would believe marketing hype about yearly “breakthroughs” that promise significant distance gains but then there are people like me: those who have a 12-year-old driver in the bag and who might…MIGHT… be ready for something new — even if it’s really pricey. If TaylorMade (or Callaway or Cobra or Ping or Titleist) can show me SIGNIFICANT performance gains, then believe me — I’m All In. (Assuming a discounted M3 or M4 doesn’t get me the same improvements!)

      Side note: last fall I attended a college golf tournament (Husky Invitational) and one thing stood out: TaylorMade drivers out-ranked every other brand probably 10 to 1. A few Callaways, a few Titleists, a few Pings but nearly every bag had an M3 or M4. And that’s regardless of whatever other clubs were in the bag. In other words, very few of these D1 athletes were being ORDERED to play TaylorMade. Just saying…..

      Reply

      Yuma Made

      6 years ago

      I do know other companies talking about CT and really starting that movement in the golf world, as well and driver that first had that Inertia Generator same as the F9. I do miss that world though.

      Reply

      Ward

      6 years ago

      The screws would make me nervous. If they don’t compromise structural integrity and put stress on the screw head or threads, they are at the very least on a different plane than the rest of the face and would put some cray weird spin on the ball if you make contact on part of one. I’d like to think I could keep it in the middle of the club face on these 460cc heads, but after some range sessions, I tend to find some low toe and heel tee marks quite often….

      Reply

      Dave Ebels

      6 years ago

      This is an interesting conversation. Nearly every year new clubs appear with promises of many things most golfers can only dream about. Just hitting fareways more often makes all the difference for me. Sure, hitting the ball a long way is fun, but what good is that distance if you’re hitting out of the deep grass or the woods? The new TM drivers are loaded with things that support their marketing line. Adjust this, adjust that, take advantage of our hot face , and on and on. I’d like a driver that would change my game, but the way I see it, only making a good, efficient, repeatable swing will make my game what I’d like it to be. I’ll continue to follow conversations like this one and enjoy reading the claims made by club manufacturers.

      Reply

      P.J.

      6 years ago

      I’ve been anxiously awaiting the latest drivers from TaylorMade, as I really wanted an M3 or M4 after the price dropped.
      Having seen these and read about them, it has me pondering an M5 or M6. I currently game the M1 and after reading about the sweet spot ~ “TaylorMade says is 66% larger than the M3, and over 100% larger than the original M1”, it really makes me very interested. Yes, so far it’s all marketing, so I’ll wait to see how it fares in the 2019 MGS tests. But, so far – Taylormade, you have my attention!!

      Reply

      Conrad Glewicz

      6 years ago

      Nice shot at the Packers….good to see that you are on top of your game so early in the year…CGG…

      Reply

      Joseph Bagadonitz

      6 years ago

      Just picked up F8 Blue Camo Edition driver with the ATMOS Tour Spec Red shaft for $250 Canadian dollars.

      I love this time of year!

      Reply

      Gawie Malan

      6 years ago

      Shame poor TM tour players. Having to play with a new driver every year as TM sees fit. Maybe thats why Justin Rose left?

      Reply

      Marc

      6 years ago

      $400 for a fairway wood is crazy. I might use that club twice a round

      Reply

      Mac

      6 years ago

      With the Tensei Orange counterbalanced shaft as stock, I wonder if the ‘real story’ is that they are just making the heads heavier for more ball speed….

      Reply

      Ciri Cuenco

      6 years ago

      What an exciting time, I can’t wait to see how these drivers and fairway metals perform! Once they are on the shelves I’m first in line. Thank you

      Reply

      Mike Reed

      6 years ago

      Seems like more marketing BS from TM to me. I am sure these clubs will be a great buy on closeout in 2 years. All this increase in prices is doing is keeping more people from playing golf…that is very sad!!

      Reply

      Terry

      6 years ago

      And you have the statistical analysis to prove that? Also, someone doesn’t need to buy brand new clubs to play golf. There are tons of used clubs at cheap prices to fill your bag and enjoy the game.

      Reply

      Nihonsei

      6 years ago

      Ever had to go to the city B*ball courts wearing And1s or Shaqs? Too bad then that Payless and Walmart don’t offer TWs, JSs, or that new Rory set. Inclusivity is not limited to affordable prior gens and used sticks. It took my pops over 15 years after my first set to buy me a set to fit my height and over twenty years for me to buy my own set. I respect the tech and the necessary overhead though there should be some consideration with any clubs lower than the putter and wedges. At any rate, I imagine, golf will forever be a sport of Sneers for Years…..so keep on charging and I’ll keep on finding deals, it’s mostly the youth I’m concerned for having an even tech playing field. Forget about golf balls!

      George Johnson

      6 years ago

      I have tried all the new drivers ,i have a Ping i25 driver that i hit better and farther then all the new ones ,why would i spend $500 plus

      Reply

      Terry

      6 years ago

      I doubt that is true but if so good for you.

      Reply

      Steve S

      6 years ago

      It may be true if he bought an out of spec head. I had a 2007 burner that hit the ball further(for me) than any head I tested until 2013. I’m convinced it was over the limit because I hit my friend’s “identical” club and it didn’t go as far.

      scot

      6 years ago

      I love looking at the new line up of clubs and TaylorMade as other club makers can reinvent the wheel year after year. I always question is the new year model any better then last years offering ? Better yet can company’s trying to keep there line up fresh and new looking make clubs that preform not to the standers of models made two to three years earlier ?

      Reply

      KALLE

      6 years ago

      The M6 look like a rip-off of the Cobra F9 and to a higher pricepoint with crappy design.

      Reply

      shortside

      6 years ago

      Test results should be interesting. That said running my 2010 FT-iz tour out of the bag has proven futile to date. Few more yards here and there of course. But ease of working the ball no contest. No weights or adjustability. How’d they do it? (Had a standard head also. Couldn’t work the ball the same). Yes I know the shape. But truth is it becomes normal in a hurry. I now find traditional odd to look down on.

      As for the rest of the line the Cobra F7 hybrids aren’t going anywhere for years. And I didn’t like hybrids. They were #1 in their release year for a reason.

      All that said once again I’ll be sniffing around for the Holy Grail driver this Spring. Ten more yards, accuracy and easy workability. Come to daddy.

      Reply

      William

      6 years ago

      Price points continue to rise and the technology is complicated albeit fascinating but I don’t believe extra distance is being attained. I am a 1 handicap and I prioritize accuracy and in my bag I carry a Callaway X Hot. I bought a M3 last year and it sits in my closet after many fittings to try to maximize.
      Drivers from the manufacturers are their ticket to sales boasting of higher swing speeds, straightening out drives etc. but swing speed and a golf pro lessons achieved length and consistency.

      Reply

      shortside

      6 years ago

      Pro’s can make a nice living playing out of the trees. The rest of us need to find as many fairways as possible.

      Reply

      Seth

      6 years ago

      Hi William,

      Can I buy your old M3 driver from you?

      Reply

      Thomas A

      6 years ago

      See, that $500 Wilson Cortex now seems right in line.

      Reply

      Tony Covey

      6 years ago

      Ain’t that something…

      Reply

      George P.

      6 years ago

      Tony, Rick Shiels posted his review of the M5 on YouTube, and it is longer than previous TM drivers, but not due to “ball speed”. It launches higher, and spins less producing more overall distance. So again….TM’s tag line of “everybody gets faster” is all hype, as expected. It will likely outsell last years models due to shelf appeal, but once again….TM will be financial benefactors from shrewd marketing instead of living up to their claims of faster ball speeds. Go figure!

      Dan

      6 years ago

      Glad to see you mention the Adams XTD driver of 2014. The marketing hype on it said that EVERY driver head was checked 4x during the manufacturing process to make sure it was the “hottest allowed by PGA rules”. I still game this driver as it it long and I really like the Matrix shaft. I guess what confuses me is that if Adams/Taylor Made could hold manufacturing tolerances consistently in 2014 (on the face CT/COR- hotness) why can’t they now? Like your article states, either they were lying to me then , or now.

      NSlefty

      6 years ago

      Keep going. Keep redesigning and improving. But know that the mass market is becoming sceptical in a major way. Most of my golf pals play two year old tech for fear of buying a $650 dog that is only “latest” for 3 months. Too much new in the amateur bag actually looks bad on the first tee. IMHO this is a seismic shift.

      Reply

      Joe

      6 years ago

      NSLEFTY please indulge me with a list of drivers that sold for $650 that were “latest” for three months? Also while we are on the topic let me know the last TM driver that was “latest” for three months as well.

      shortside

      6 years ago

      Got my eye on it. One of the sexiest clubs I’ve ever seen.

      Reply

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