TaylorMade M3 Driver
How would we rate TaylorMade's new premium driver offering?
TaylorMade has impressed again by providing golfers with added speed and distance as well as more scope to adjust the settings in order to maximise performance over M1. We’re confident over a wide spectrum of shots you’ll see dispersion tighten slightly and visually, the M3 has a look and shelf appeal that more closely marries with the premium price tag.
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One of, if not the, best performing driver ever created. Overall distance has increased over M1, it feels fantastic and the forgiveness along with the variety of adjustability will help minimise the effect of miss hits.
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Very difficult to tell if any improvements in dispersion can be attributed to Twist Face
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TaylorMade M3 Driver Review
Any time TaylorMade launches a new premium driver it becomes one of, if not the most, significant product launch of the year and with the M3, there’s a lot to talk about. Watch our full review video here...
Visually, we feel the M3 is an improvement over M1. The new matte-silver colourway adds a more premium feel, helped with the cutting-edge look of the carbon composite crown and sole pieces. Underneath, the Y-Track adds even more personalisation – there isn’t a player that can’t max out on performance with this driver.
At address, we’d say the new Twist Face is just about visible but not to the point that it looks excessively curved or off-putting. The contrast between face and crown front section, like with previous generations, helps alignment.
RELATED: TaylorMade M4 Driver Review
We tested the M3 in a neutral setting to assess its performance against the M1 and the new M4 in a 10.5˚ loft across the board using our custom fitted Aldila Rogue shaft.
What is clear is that overall, the M3 delivers more speed than its predecessor. Any changes in spin or launch will likely be down to the adjustability settings you opt for, and on M3 there are more options to choose from.
Not only does this give you more chance of eking out a few more yards, it also allows you to manage your miss a little bit better, so generally speaking you should hit the M3 longer and straighter than M1 to varying degrees.
In the neutral setting, there wasn’t much between M3 and M4 but for those who’s miss is to the left, the M3 can be set to negate this while also keep spin down to maintain distance.
We also attempted to test the effectiveness of the new Twist Face using the GCQuad’s clubhead measuring capabilities and hitting high toe strikes on both the M1 and M3. In reality, however, it is nigh on impossible to not only hit the same the part of the face repeatedly but to deliver the club in exactly the same way to control all the other variables like clubhead speed, attack angle, face angle etc. So we can’t tell you for certain if Twist Face provides any more accuracy over drivers without it.
That said, we see no reason why over a long period of time you won’t see a tightening of your overall dispersion if TaylorMade has done their research correctly, which they have no doubt gone to great lengths to do.
At impact, M3 offers even more of a thud sensation coupled with a pleasing sound and explosive feel. We wouldn’t say it was any quieter, but it’s no less appealing on the senses for sure.
If you choose to buy the M3 driver, check out our helpful TaylorMade promo codes.
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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
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