Equipment: TaylorMade M2 irons review
We tested the TaylorMade M2 irons on the practice ground at Moor Allerton, Leeds.
Conditions were windy and we were using non-premium balls.
A SkyTrak launch monitor was used to capture and compare data.
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First impressions of the TaylorMade M2 irons
It’s clear that these are TaylorMade’s game-improvement irons for 2016 – replacing last year’s Aeroburner irons.
It makes the TaylorMade irons line-up a fairly simple one – PSi irons for better and tour players with the M2 as their super game improvers. Mid-handicappers may look towards their RSi range.
There is an M2 Tour range which are for the better player who still wants some added distance.
The standard TaylorMade M2 irons, which we tested, are quite chunky with plenty of off-set.
From the looks alone you can see these irons are about distance rather than finesse. They look like rocket-launchers.
The design is very cool and they fill you with plenty of confidence at address.
Technology in the TaylorMade M2 irons
These irons are all about distance, forgiveness and ball speeds.
There’s even a fluted hosel which has allowed 3g of weight to be redistributed into the head. And that weight is put low to give these irons a low centre of gravity.
This is key as TaylorMade have added very strong lofts throughout the set. But they say this will be off-set by a higher launch. Low CG will result in a higher launch.
On the 7-iron the loft is 28.5˚ and the average 7-iron loft across the board is around 31˚-32˚. So the 7-iron in the TaylorMade M2 set is closer to what you’d expect from a 6-iron.
TaylorMade say the higher launch will help you to get these irons to stop on the green rather than bounding through.
The extra ball speed comes from TaylorMade’s Speed Pocket design and a 360˚ undercut which will allow the face to flex more at impact.
The 3D badge on the back of the face offers improved sound and feel, reducing any unwanted vibrations.
Performance of the TaylorMade M2 irons
When you set these behind the ball they are very large – possibly the largest around. That inspires plenty of confidence about making a decent strike.
The sound and feel off the face is pleasing and a bit softer than we had expected. Yes, they do feel very meaty but not at the expense of being too harsh.
There’s a nice high pitched sound at impact too.
Distance-wise, I would say these irons will go 5-10 yards further than what you’d expect. For me, 7-iron is usually my 150-yard club but this 7-iron was closer to 160 – and that was with non-premium range balls.
We compared the launch with other 7-irons and while not launching higher for us than others, they were about the same.
For example, we compared with one 7-iron which had a loft of 32˚ and the M2 launched at the same trajectory despite being 3.5˚ stronger in loft. So the technology does work.
We achieved ball speeds of 110mph which was a couple of mph faster than the average of other 7-irons we tested.
Overall verdict on the TaylorMade M2 irons
TaylorMade aren’t trying to be sneaky here by making lofts stronger to get more distance.
It’s all printed on their website and in their marketing material. Strong lofts and high launch are what the M2 irons are all about.
You can’t argue with the performance. These are distance irons, they do exactly what they are supposed to do.
And that is exactly want some players want and need. Some won’t want there irons to carry 10 yards further but some will.
As always with TaylorMade, their products are incredibly well made and get the job done.
If you want to look down on something sleek, these irons aren’t for you.
But if you’re struggling with your current irons and want to make the move into something a bit larger with more forgiveness and distance I don’t think you’ll need to look any further.
Details
SRP: £599 (4-PW) Steel / £699 (4-PW) graphite
Stock shaft: Reax 88 High Launch steel / M2 Reax Graphite
For more visit the TaylorMade website HERE
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James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
