Skip to content
    • Tour Homepage
    • PGA Tour
    • LIV Golf
    • DP World Tour
    • LPGA
    • LET
    • The Masters
    • The Open
    • The Players
    • US Open
    • PGA Championship
    • Ryder Cup
    • Solheim Cup
    • WITB
    • Betting
    • News
    • Features
    • Equipment Homepage
    • Reviews
    • Drivers
    • Fairway Woods
    • Hybrids
    • Irons
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Golf Balls
    • DMDs
    • Apparel
    • Shoes
    • Trolleys
    • Features
    • News
  • Buying Advice
    • Rules
    • WHS
    • Features
    • News
    • Instruction Homepage
    • Driving Tips
    • Long Game
    • Iron Play
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Learn from the pros
    • Course Management
    • Fitness
    • Mental Game
    • Nutrition
  • Giveaways
    • Top 100 Rankings
    • Travel
    • Top 100s Tour
    • Society Guide
    • NCG Golf Podcast
    • NCG Top 100s Podcast
    • Your Golf Podcast by NCG
  • Digital Magazine
National Club GolferNational Club Golfer Logo
  • TourHas submenu items

    Tour Homepage

    • PGA Tour
    • LIV Golf
    • DP World Tour
    • LPGA
    • LET
    • The Masters
    • The Open
    • The Players
    • US Open
    • PGA Championship
    • Ryder Cup
    • Solheim Cup
    • WITB
    • Betting
    • News
    • Features
  • EquipmentHas submenu items

    Equipment Homepage

    • Reviews
    • Drivers
    • Fairway Woods
    • Hybrids
    • Irons
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Golf Balls
    • DMDs
    • Apparel
    • Shoes
    • Trolleys
    • Features
    • News
  • Buying Advice
  • ClubHas submenu items
    • Rules
    • WHS
    • Features
    • News
  • InstructionHas submenu items

    Instruction Homepage

    • Driving Tips
    • Long Game
    • Iron Play
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Learn from the pros
    • Course Management
    • Fitness
    • Mental Game
    • Nutrition
  • Giveaways
  • CoursesHas submenu items
    • Top 100 Rankings
    • Travel
    • Top 100s Tour
    • Society Guide
  • PodcastsHas submenu items
    • NCG Golf Podcast
    • NCG Top 100s Podcast
    • Your Golf Podcast by NCG
  • Digital Magazine

Sign up here for our newsletter and you'll never slice a drive again. Promise.

Newsletter sign up

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
National Club Golfer Logo

© 2026 National Club Golfer | 2 Arena Park, Tam Lane, LS17 9BF

🇬🇧UK🇺🇸International
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Editorial Policy
  • Meet the NCG Team
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
Country: us Page generated at: Friday, 24 April 2026 at 18:41:23 British Summer Time
reviews
Latest reviews
Equipment: TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver v TaylorMade 2016 M1 driver

published: Dec 22, 2016

|

updated: Oct 3, 2023

Equipment: TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver v TaylorMade 2016 M1 driver

James SavageLink

FacebookXInstagramYouTubePodcast0 comments

We sometimes use affiliate links to products and services on retailer sites for which we can receive compensation if you click on those links or make purchases through them.

TaylorMade have updated the M1 driver. How does it perform compared to the original model? We drafted in our anonymous big hitter to find out

Table of Contents

Jump to:

  • Taylormade 2017 m1 driver v taylormade 2016 m1 driver – the methodology
  • Taylormade 2017 m1 driver v taylormade 2016 m1 driver – the technology
  • Taylormade 2017 m1 driver v taylormade 2016 m1 driver – the results
  • Taylormade 2017 m1 driver v taylormade 2016 m1 driver – conclusion/ncg verdict

Our TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver v TaylorMade 2016 M1 driver took place at the Golf Shack at Moor Allerton in Leeds.

I had already tested and reviewed the new M1 driver at the TaylorMade launch event in Florida but we wanted to get some numbers from our anonymous big hitter.

He was back from his holidays and raring to go.

TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver v TaylorMade 2016 M1 driver – The methodology

We took a 9.5˚ head in each of the M1 models and used the same Project X Hzrdus 65 Yellow shaft in each.

Both driver heads had the weights in the neutral position.

Our anonymous big hitter hit a number of shots with each driver and the numbers were monitored by Trackman under the watchful eye of our resident pro James Whitaker.

The conditions on the day were very cold and foggy which potentially restricted the carry numbers.

TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver v TaylorMade 2016 M1 driver – The technology

TaylorMade have used more carbon composite in the new M1 driver which means the black area on the crown is slightly larger than the 2016 model.

TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver v TaylorMade 2016 M1 driver review

They have also angled the white edges to make it appear faster and more aerodynamic.

The head also appears larger at address.

There’s a new toe panel on the sole where TaylorMade have used even more carbon composite to free up weight to be used in the adjustable rails.

TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver v TaylorMade 2016 M1 driver

TaylorMade 2017 M1 v 2016 M1

TaylorMade say the front to back rail now has 64 percent more adjustability than the 2016 model – now the equivalent of about 1˚ of loft.

This is good news for people who want to add or remove loft without adjusting the face angle.

TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver v TaylorMade 2016 M1 driver – The results

Having tested the new M1 driver out for myself, I was very impressed with the way it kept my spin rates down.

This for me, made it better than the new M2 where I found the spin rates too high.

Almost straight away, our anonymous big hitter was having more success with the new M1 compared to the 2016 model.

Advertisement

TaylorMade 2017 M1 v 2016 M1

The spin rates were optimal and the smash factor was superb.

Everything about it was obviously suiting the eye and feel of our anonymous big hitter.

The improved spin rates meant there was a little bit more ball speed but I think, as much as anything else, he was just really enjoying hitting this product.

For fairness he went back to hitting the 2016 model but just couldn’t achieve the same success.

The beauty of the 2017 M1 driver lies in it’s improved adjustability but even just in the neutral settings, the performance seems to have improved.

TaylorMade 2017 M1 driver v TaylorMade 2016 M1 driver – Conclusion/NCG verdict

This was a completely fair test. All we can do is publish the Trackman numbers like we have here and comment on them.

We know there are variables beyond our control as this isn’t robot testing – it’s golfer testing.

I’m still not sure there’s enough evidence for golfers to ditch their 2016 M1 driver and purchase the 2017 model.

However, in our humble opinion, looking at these numbers, witnessing the performance we think tangible improvements have been made.

It looks and sounds a bit better and has more adjustability.

Does it cost too much money? Of course it does, we can’t justify anyone spending that amount on a driver but in fairness to TaylorMade, all brands have upped their prices.

If you have the money to spare and are looking to replace the R15 driver, for example, then you won’t be disappointed with the 2017 M1.

We think TaylorMade have done a great job.

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

Visit the TaylorMade website HERE

Advertisement

Comments (0)

Leave a Comment

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

What's Popular

Gary Player of South Africa on the driving range before the final round in the 42nd Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 1978 | Source: Getty Images

Masters Special: Which Major golf brand could be the next to fade into history?

By Paul Miller | Apr 13, 2026

Read full article Masters Special: Which Major golf brand could be the next to fade into history?
Golfers signing scorecards | Source: Getty Images Handicap allowances scorecard

Ireland, Scotland and Wales adopt WHS allowance changes – as England go it alone

By Steve Carroll | Apr 1, 2026

Read full article Ireland, Scotland and Wales adopt WHS allowance changes – as England go it alone
An image from LIV Golf Dallas | Source: LIV Golf

Big DP World Tour events still allow LIV Golfers to compete, but how?

By Matt Chivers | Mar 25, 2026

Read full article Big DP World Tour events still allow LIV Golfers to compete, but how?
Masters champion Rory McIlroy plays an approach stroke during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club | Source: Kohjiro Kinno

Masters Sunday tee times 2026

By Matt Chivers | Apr 11, 2026

Read full article Masters Sunday tee times 2026
Brian Gay retrieves his ball from a penalty area on the first hole during the third round of the Regions Tradition at Greystone Golf and Country Club on May 14, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Why are penalty areas marked red or yellow?

By Steve Carroll | Mar 25, 2026

Read full article Why are penalty areas marked red or yellow?
how do you qualify for the Masters

How to qualify for the Masters in 2026

By Matt Chivers | Aug 26, 2025

Read full article How to qualify for the Masters in 2026
(Back L-R) Bernd Wiesberger of Austria and team Europe, Matthew Fitzpatrick of England and team Europe, Tommy Fleetwood of England and team Europe, Paul Casey of England and team Europe, Viktor Hovland of Norway and team Europe, Tyrrell Hatton of England and team Europe, Shane Lowry of Ireland and team Europe, Ian Poulter of England and team Europe, (Front L-R) Jon Rahm of Spain and team Europe, Lee Westwood of England and team Europe, captain Padraig Harrington of Ireland and team Europe, Sergio Garcia of Spain and team Europe, and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and team Europe pose for a team photo prior to the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits | Getty Images

Why should we care if Jon Rahm misses the Ryder Cup?

By Matt Chivers | Mar 26, 2026

Read full article Why should we care if Jon Rahm misses the Ryder Cup?
highest paid caddies

Who are the highest-paid caddies in golf? The figures might shock you…

By Samuel Neale | Oct 21, 2025

Read full article Who are the highest-paid caddies in golf? The figures might shock you…
Bryson DeChambeau at LIV Golf Korea | Source: LIV Golf

Show me the money! How much has each LIV player made since signing up?

By Matt Chivers | Mar 26, 2026

Read full article Show me the money! How much has each LIV player made since signing up?

Who is Rory McIlroy’s wife? Meet Erica Stoll

By Matt Chivers | Jan 3, 2025

Read full article Who is Rory McIlroy’s wife? Meet Erica Stoll
Victoria Golf Resort & Spa, Managed by Accor, in Vilamoura, Giveaway | Source: NCG

Win a 2-night stay for two at the Victoria Golf Resort & Spa, Managed by Accor, in Vilamoura

By Paul Miller | Apr 17, 2026

Read full article Win a 2-night stay for two at the Victoria Golf Resort & Spa, Managed by Accor, in Vilamoura
golfers private jets

Which golfers own private jets and how much do they cost?

By Matt Coles | Oct 16, 2025

Read full article Which golfers own private jets and how much do they cost?

About the author

James Savage

Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.