TaylorMade has unveiled the M1 driver, which features a multi-material construction that’s been 20 years in development.

TaylorMade says the combination of titanium and a seven-layer carbon composite creates the longest driver and most easy to fit product in company history. It also features a revolutionary ‘T Track’ weight system to change the ball flight.

TG was invited to an exclusive launch even in the USA to see the product, and hear from PGA Champion Jason Day, who’s already tested the product and says it’s increased his ball speed by 3mph, giving him an extra 10 yards.

TaylorMade CEO David Abeles said: “For 36 years, golf has mattered to us, and make no mistake, we have mattered to golf.

“Tonight is a very, very big night for our company, and a very big night for the industry.”

“At TaylorMade, we always pride ourselves on improving our metalwood performance and distance each year,” said Brian Bazzel, Senior Director of Product Creation.

“With the constant advances in titanium technology, we found ourselves at a crossroads, one where the R15 was almost unbeatable. We have an allegiance to performance and we were willing to use whatever material or construction necessary to deliver it. I believe the new M1 is a true reflection of our dedication to improving golfers through innovative designs.”

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The whole purpose of the M1 is to deliver more speed, high launch, low spin, and increased ball speeds on off-centre hits. To do that, TaylorMade has used a variety of technology.

FIRST HIT VIDEO WITH PIERS WARD

Multi-Material Construction

The use of a carbon composite crown design in the M1 results in a significant decrease in overall weight and allowed engineers to lower the centre of gravity (CG) and add a T-Track system that houses 25g of adjustable weight, so you can personalise their driver more than with any other TaylorMade driver.

THE TECH

TaylorMade has always resisted the use of carbon fibre, preferring to stick with titanium in its previous drivers. But Todd Beach, vice president of research and development for metalwoods at TaylorMade, said: “Over the last 20 years, we’ve been grinding that titanium thickness crown down. At the same time, we’ve always been looking at composites and each time we were able to beat the composite with a thinner titanium. But it wasn’t until now that we really needed it because there really was nowhere else to go on titanium.”

T-Track System

With the savings in weight from the seven-layer carbon crown, TaylorMade was able to introduce its revolutionary new T-Track system. The M1 features one 15g moveable weight in a front track (similar to the SLDR driver), sliding from heel to toe, so you can adjust the draw or fade bias by up to 25 yards. Similarly, the back track on the M1 gives you golfer 10g of moveable weight, sliding from front to back, creating up to 300rpm of backspin and 0.8 degree in launch angle adjustment. The entire T-Track system has been placed low on the sole so regardless of moveable weight positions, the club still maintains a low centre of gravity to deliver optimal trajectory.

Previous drivers have allowed golfers to move weight from left to right and others from front to back, but with M1, you have the ability to adjust their fade or draw, while simultaneously personalising spin and forgiveness settings with the back track. TaylorMade says: “Trajectory and launch conditions are ultimately improved so golfers can control their tee shots like never before with these precise, personalised specifications. With a plethora of possible fitting combinations, the M1 driver is TaylorMade’s most customisable driver to date.”

The M1 also has a very low CG (lower than R15), which is said to “project at the centre of the face and increase the energy transfer at impact.” Because the CG has been lowered to such an effective location, M1 provides golfers with the option to shift it back to increase MOI without compromising ideal launch conditions, which results in high launch, low spin, more ball speed more often.

Black and white look

Having had the M1 on the ground, the combination of the black face, white forward section and composite rear of the M1’s crown is not only visually attractive, but provides golfers with a confidence-inspiring alignment aid at address.

Customisation

A 12-position loft sleeve provides up to four degrees of loft adjustment, the T-Track can be set for more/less draw/fade and higher/lower trajectory, all combined with a choice of three Tour-proven, premium stock aftermarket shafts: a mid/high-flighted Fujikura Pro 60, mid-flight Kuro Kage Silver TiNi 60, and a lower-flighted Aldila Rogue 70 110 MSI. TaylorMade is also offering an additional 25 premium custom shaft options at no upcharge.

SEE WHAT RENOWNED COACH HANK HANEY HAD TO SAY

Availability and price

Available on 8th October at £429. M1 460 (8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° & 12° loft options, left hand models available in 9.5° and 10.5° lofts) and M1 430 (8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° loft options), are offered in one of three premium stock shafts mentioned above.

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