TaylorMade M1 Irons Review

How would the TaylorMade M1 irons perform for our technical editor?

taylormade-m1-iron-hero
Golf Monthly Verdict

The appeal of this iron knows no bounds – providing it suits the eye a single figure golfer right up to a high handicapper could benefit from the all-round performance package the M1 irons provide. For really good players, the profile might be too large and the lofts hit the ball too far, but for everyone else these irons are certainly worth considering should you be looking to upgrade in 2017.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Surprisingly good distance consistency and accuracy as well as forgiveness on off-centre hits.

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    The squared top edge makes it looks larger than it is address.

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TaylorMade M1 Irons Review - we test out the latest iron from TaylorMade said to offer forgiveness and distance in a compact package

TaylorMade M1 Irons Review

Technology Weight has been removed high in the clubface to allow 15g of tungsten to be added in the toe section of the 3-7 irons, creating a more centred CG that aids both feel and forgiveness. Face Slots increase flexibility of the clubface in the heel and toe to preserve ball speed and accuracy, assisted by a Speed Pocket on the sole that has a thinner front wall to improve performance on shots hit a little thin.

TaylorMade M1 iron

The M1 irons use a fin badge that works in conjunction with Face Slots to dampen unwanted low-frequency, long duration sounds, aided by a thin yet stiff head geometry with strategically placed reinforcements in the topline.

Aimed at The TaylorMade M1 is similar to last year’s M2 Tour iron in that is designed to offer similar distance and forgiveness levels to the M2 iron but in a more compact profile and with a softer feel.

How we tested them We hit the 7-iron on the range using our GC2 launch monitor, taking note of the distance and accuracy on what we considered centre-face hits as well as those from the heel and toe to see how effective the slots were. You can see how the address profile strikes a nice balance of inspiring confidence without being too chunky.

taylormade-m1-iron-insets

Looks At address the M1 iron boasts a mid-to-thin top line with the square edges perhaps making it look thicker than it actually is. There’s a small amount of offset to help slicers and the brushed finish is a little lighter in colour than the M2 iron.

Feel/sound While the M2 offers a louder, clicky sound the M1 iron is much more subdued. At impact there’s more of a dull thud and while it’s certainly softer than M2 and most other out-and-out distance irons, it’s not quite in the ball park of better player forged clubs.

TaylorMade M1 iron data

Ball flight The lofts are fairly strong here (7-iron is 30.5°) but what was refreshing to experience was a mid-to-high towering ball flight thanks to the low CG. The low spin provides the distance assisted by the healthy launch angle, which should also provide the stopping power upon landing on the green.

Forgiveness The combination of Face Slots and Speed Pocket mean that every potential mishit is catered for. Whether you strike the ball from the heel, toe or low on the face, you won’t experience a significant drop off in ball speed, which meant the distance consistency was excellent for an iron of this size and the accuracy was very good too.

 

 

Joel Tadman
Technical Editor

Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 12 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all product content here at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader find exactly what they are looking for. So whether it's the latest driver, irons, putter or laser rangefinder, Joel has his finger on the pulse keeping up to date with the latest releases in golf. He is also responsible for all content on irons and golf tech, including distance measuring devices and launch monitors.


One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 3.2.


Joel's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9° 

Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15° 

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18° 

Irons: Ping i230 4-UW

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8, 54°. Titleist Vokey SM9 60° lob wedge, K Grind

Putter: Evnroll ER2V 

Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x