2017 TaylorMade M1 fairway wood

Golf Monthly Verdict

The M1 fairway wood generates near driver-like distances on well struck shots and performs especially well from the deck. Golfers that use it will see a tangible benefit in the sliding weight system and hosel adjustability as well as a club to fall back on with confidence should their driving become erratic.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Exceptional distance is combined with great feel and the ability to control your ball flight

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Dirt gathers easily in the weight track, especially in wet conditions.

Why you can trust Golf Monthly Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Golf Monthly's 2017 TaylorMade M1 fairway wood review - technical editor Joel Tadman tests out the new TaylorMade M1 fairway wood

2017 TaylorMade M1 fairway wood review

The new 2017 TaylorMade M1 fairway wood benefits from the same technological upgrades as the M1 driver – most notably use of more carbon fibre on the crown, which is also lighter, helping TaylorMade make the driver more forgiving.

In the case of the new M1 fairway wood, it also allowed them to add in a Speed Pocket behind the face in addition to the sliding weight track, which has also been made longer to create greater draw and fade bias in the two extreme settings.

taylormade-m1-fairway-group

Down at address, the contrast between black and white helps the face angle appear more prominent while the added graphics and cosmetic details bolster the shelf appeal.

Make no mistake about it, the new M1 fairway wood feels incredible when you strike it out of the middle. Fast and powerful, it can send the ball out there some serious distances that aren’t far short of a slightly mishit drive.

We tested it both indoors on our GC2 launch monitor and out on the course and the Speed Pocket seems to really come into its own on shots from the turf. From positions where you’d expect more roll and less carry, the M1 fairway seems to launch the ball in the air with effortless ease.

2017-TaylorMade-M1-fairway-data

Our indoor launch monitor testing showed an average carry distance in excess of 250 yards, far greater than expected off the range mat, with high launch and low spin combining to create the head-turning yardage.

Off the tee, it would no doubt have spun less and carried even further and with the sliding weight on the sole counteracting your miss or promoting your preferred ball flight, it really is the total package.

The only negative would be the amount of dirt that gathers inside the channel and around the sliding weight especially – it can be a nuisance and time consuming to remove with a tee peg.

 

 

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