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TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver v TaylorMade 2016 M1 driver

Equipment: TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver review – First hit

Equipment editor James Savage brings you his TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver review from the brand’s launch event in Florida.
 

Our TaylorMade M1 driver review was filmed at the Ibis Golf and Country Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

I attended the launch presentation at the Hilton Hotel before heading to the golf course the following day for a full fitting session and interviews with all the top TaylorMade R&D guys.

This TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver review is done very much on a ‘first hit’ basis and we will be bringing you more in-depth tests and comparisons in the coming weeks.

TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver review – First impressions

The 2016 M1 was a huge success. It rapidly became the number one driver on tour helping Jason Day and Dustin Johnson, among others, to their best-ever year.

Looking at the crown you wouldn’t notice too much of a difference from the 2016 model but you can see a fair bit of difference when looking at the sole.

TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver review

There’s more carbon composite added to the sole for additional weight savings.

We still have the T-track weight system allowing weights to be moved from heel to toe or front to back.

This adjustability is the main reason Dustin Johnson, for example, is such big fan.

Just like the original model, this driver looks stunning and really feels like a premium piece of kit.

And for the price you should hope so!

TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver review – The technology

The M1 has a 43 percent larger carbon composite construction than it’s predecessor which means significant weight savings are made to create a low centre of gravity and improved adjustability

A more aerodynamic T- Track system houses 27g of moveable weight (2g more than the first generation M1).

There’s 64 percent more adjustability on the front-to-back rail which is about the equivalent to 1˚ of loft, making it ideal for those who want to retain a square look at address.

The head also appears slightly larger and more confidence-inspiring.

TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver review – The results/NCG verdict

I’m a huge fan of the look at address with the 2017 M1 driver.

The black and white crown really helps to align the ball and they have even adjusted the way it frames the ball to give the appearance that it’s going to be faster.

Sound and feel were massive plus points about the original M1 driver – a huge improvement on R15 and SLDR.

I didn’t notice any real difference in sound and feel compared to the 2016 M1 so that’s definitely a positive.

When I started my fitting session I was hitting a few quite high that were tailing off to the right.

But with a few tweaks my fitter soon had me hitting the ball lower with a bit less spin – resulting in more distance.

 

TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver review

I can get silly high spin when it comes to the driver. Sometimes up above 4,000 rpm.

These are due to technique issues but it’s always nice when a driver can help me bring my spin numbers down.

The TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver did just that.

Once I got dialled in my spin rates were barely going above 2,500 rpm which was music to my ears.

If I continue to work on my technique I believe this driver could be really good for me.

It was really pleasing to see the difference that adjusting the weights, and obviously finding the right shaft, had.

Despite my pretty ropey technique (driving the ball is not my strength) I was still getting the ball to the 250 yard number which I know is really good for me.

I currently play of 17 but with improvements off the tee I’m looking to get down to 12 next year.

Keeping my spin under control is a huge factor in that and I’m confident the M1 driver could help me do that.

I definitely had more success with this driver than the 2016 M1 and I hit better shots with this driver than the new 2017 M2 driver.

The looks, sound and feel are superb, it gives me confidence.

I’d recommend any player that suffers with high spin to give the TaylorMade 2017 M1 a try.

It is a bit on the expensive side but I can’t find fault with the performance at all.

For more information visit the TaylorMade website HERE

Details
SRP: £479
Stock shafts: Fujikura XLR8 Pro 56 (hi-launch), MRC Kuro Kage Silver Dual Core TiNi 60 (mid) and Project X HZRDUS Yellow 65 (low)
Available lofts: 460cc – 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° & 12° (Left hand in 9.5˚ & 10.5˚ only)
440cc – (Right hand only) 8.5°, 9.5° & 10.5°
In store: January 27, 2017

[skylab_video id=”51715″]TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver review[/skylab_video]

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