Equipment: TaylorMade 2017 M2 irons review – first hit

Our TaylorMade 2017 M2 irons review took place during the launch event at West Palm Beach in Florida.

After listening to a couple of presentation on the TaylorMade 2017 line-up we headed to the range at Ibis Golf and Country Club to give the clubs a test.

Officially unveiled! New @TaylorMadeTour M2 irons. The brand say it will be the best-selling iron of 2017 #taylormadeevent pic.twitter.com/Pr8piRqPCX

— James Savage (@JamesSavageNCG) December 6, 2016

I tested the 2017 M2 irons on Trackman under the watchful eye of a TaylorMade fitter.

This TaylorMade 2017 M2 irons review was done very much on a first hit basis. We have some more in-depth testing and comparison videos on the way.

TaylorMade 2017 M2 irons review – First impressions

I was a big fan of the original M2 irons released last year.

2016 M2 iron

It wasn’t going to win any awards for looks but it very much did what it was supposed to.

It carried a bit further than all other irons we tested.

This was largely down to the lofts being very strong but it was also a very forgiving and stable golf club which performed well on mis-hits.

I think the looks of the 2017 M2 irons are much better. It seems a little more refined and not so bulky.

2017 M2 iron

This is not a product I’d expect current users of the M2 irons to switch into as a set of irons for me should last a good few years.

But anyone who has heard good things about the M2 and is looking for some added distance then go for the new product as there are quite a few improvements.

TaylorMade 2017 M2 irons review – The technology

They’ve changed the design of the fluted hosel which means even more weight has been saved to place low and deep in the head.

This helps achieve that nice high launch.

TaylorMade have also added face slots into the 2017 M2 irons to improve the performance on off-centre hits.

From amateur testing, they say most 15-30 handicap golfers tend to hit their irons towards the toe.

These face slots will help to reduce the amount of distance lost on off-centre hits.

A big thing for TaylorMade in 2017 is the sound and feel of their golf clubs.

They are calling the technology in the M2 irons Geocoustics where they have used a new badge and dampening system behind the face to create a pleasing sound.

What’s a pleasing sound? Well TaylorMade say on an iron like this it needs to be loud enough to make the player feel like the ball is coming off the face fast – but not too loud or harsh.

TaylorMade 2017 M2 irons review – First impressions

I’d say the looks of the 2017 M2 irons are a big improvement.

The original M2 irons were just going to put too many people off from the outset for being too large and chunky.

They were the best-selling iron in the USA last year but that is more of an indicator about the average ability level.

But that tells me that these irons work superbly well for higher handicappers – especially those looking for more distance.

I definitely found a few extra yards. I’m unsure whether or not they were flying further than the original M2 but certainly further than most other irons I have tested this year.

A well struck shot was going 165 yards for me which is 10 yards further than the current irons I play.

I found the performance on mis-hits to be excellent as I hit quite a few ropey shots during my fitting but never seemed to suffer a massive drop in distance.

I’d say this is the key area where these clubs differ to the new M1 irons.

I did notice more of a drop in distance when I mis-hit the M1.

The sound is a bit sweeter but, for me, is still quite loud and harsh compared to some others on the market.

But I love the performance and would struggle to make a decent case for me not using this irons on the course.

Who doesn’t want their irons to go further? Who doesn’t want forgiveness on mis-hits?

There are so many people who let their ego get in the way of getting an iron right for their game.

Don’t discount these just because you want something smaller and sleeker. Give them a try, look at the numbers and then make a decision.

For better players, they might just go a bit too far…

Bit of fun with the new @TaylorMadeTour M2 5-iron. Not bad in freezing cold, foggy conditions pic.twitter.com/aweQhycZEJ

— James Savage (@JamesSavageNCG) December 15, 2016

Details

SRP: Steel 7-piece set – £699

7-iron loft: 28.5˚

Available: January 27, 2017

For more visit the TaylorMade website HERE