TaylorMade M5 Driver

Our verdict on the new TaylorMade M5 driver and how it compares to the M3

TaylorMade M5 Driver Review
Golf Monthly Verdict

The M5 delivers on its promise of more ball speed over M3. We experienced consistently longer carries on average, admittedly helped by faster swing speeds. The adjustability with added forgiveness is an appealing prospect for all player types while many will agree the looks at address have also improved, both in terms of alignment assistance and general visual appeal.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Improved address looks, impressive ball speeds and distance combined with intuitive adjustability and added forgiveness in multiple settings.

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Gains over M3 are marginal. If you’re planning on keeping the weights in a neutral position, the M6 may well perform just as well for £50 less.

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TaylorMade M5 Driver Review - Our verdict on the new TaylorMade M5 driver and how it compares to the M3

TaylorMade M5 Driver Review

TaylorMade is making some big claims about the performance of the M5 driver with it’s Speed Injected Twist Face and most expansive adjustability ever. You can read more about the technology here.

As expected, the M5 looks like a driver sent back from the future. The clever and colourful use of carbon fibre, weight tracks and speed slots aplenty, it certainly appears cutting edge. Arguably even more futuristic is the Since the TaylorMade Stealth drivers, have been launched in 2022 and have already made a significant impression on golf's equipment landscape.

TaylorMade-M3-v-M5-outdoor-web

Down at address, you instantly notice the matte finish of the carbon fibre and it makes you wonder why it wasn’t done sooner. It looks fantastic – premium with a performance benefit of reducing sun glare. The light grey front section has been narrowed but made longer, making it more effective at highlighting the face angle to improve alignment.

taylormade-M5-address-outdoor-web

The Twist Face continues to be barely visible from this view, or any view for that matter, and the Injection ports are also difficult to spot, which is also encouraging. It all combines to create one of the best looking drivers to look down on.

We tested the M5 in approx. 9.1° (two clicks down from the 10.5° head) up against the M3 in 9.5° and our trusty Aldila Rogue x-stiff 70 shaft. This is admittedly not a stock option, but it was fitted to us previously and we were sent a stock Project X HZRDUS Smoke in 6.0, which was a little soft for our swing.

M5-web-outdoor

We left the weights as they were, one in the front and the other towards the back but in a neutral shot shape bias. The testing was done indoors on the Foresight Sports GCQuad launch monitor using a reputable premium golf ball.

What was clear from our testing was that the M3 was no dud – well-struck shots more than held their own versus M5. But the M5 driver did give us more ball speed, both as an average and a maximum, resulting in 7 yards longer carries on average. Our longest shot with M3 carried 294, with M5 we sent one out there at 301 carry.

tappers m3 data

Admittedly, our clubhead speed with the M5 was on average 1.5mph quicker than with M3, but the M5 seemed to be more forgiving too. We hit a couple of shots slightly out of the toe with M3 that lost considerably more carry distance than similar strikes with the M5.

tappers m5 data

Both drivers launched similarly but the M5 did give us slightly lower spin on average. It’s encouraging that the track now extends further back, giving golfers additional options for added forgiveness and control – you could put each of the weights in the extreme heel and toe back positions, for example, to really maximize stability.

Ultimately, we hit the M5 further than the M3 seemingly without any drop off in accuracy. We found the M5 just as easy to control, and this was without moving the weights into the draw or fade settings, which should raise MOI because they are positioned deeper in the head.

To top it all off, the M5 feels great. Solid and stable, it offers up a short, powerful ‘thud’ sound at impact that lets you know when you’ve nailed one.

If you are interested in buying a TaylorMade driver, check out our handpicked TaylorMade coupon codes.

Neil Tappin
Editor

In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf. 

Throughout his time with the brand he has also covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points. 

Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons: PING Blueprint S (4&5), PING Blueprint T (6-PW) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X