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TaylorMade M1 Driver 2016 vs TaylorMade M1 Driver 2017

 

If you are eyeballing the TaylorMade M1 Driver 2016 vs TaylorMade M1 Driver 2017, you may be wondering which one to get.

Act fast, because these clubs will become harder and harder to find as time goes on.

What Is the TaylorMade M1 Driver and How Does It Work?

The TaylorMade M1 golf club is an adjustable driver made by the TaylorMade Golf Company, Inc. It’s most stand out feature is the T-Track System, which allows you to shift small weights on the club’s head, to adjust how the ball will fly. For example, it can make the ball go higher or lower depending on what your needs are.

There have been four basic models of the M1 driver by TaylorMade:

• M1 Driver (SKU # DW-WZ577)
• M1 440 Driver (SKU # DW-WZ594)
• M1 Driver (SKU # DW-WZ396)
• M1 430 Driver (SKU # DW-WZ440)

These M1 drivers are still offered on the TaylorMade website in addition to these clubs:

• M2 Driver
• M2 D-Type Driver
• M2 Ladies Driver
• M2 Driver
• M3 Driver
• M3 440 Driver
• M4 Driver
• M4 D-Type Driver
• M4 Ladies Driver
• M4 Ladies D-Type Driver
• Kalea Ladies Driver

The M1 model of the driver by TaylorMade has been replaced by the newer M3 model. This newer model has a “Y-Track,” which allows for adjustability like the T-Track, but this system is connected and supposedly seamless.

Downsides of Purchasing a TaylorMade M1 Driver

The main problem with getting a new TaylorMade M1 driver is that the line is a discontinued line, which has been replaced by the M3. It appears that TaylorMade is selling off its old M1 inventory on its website now. But what this means for you is that the options are not as plentiful as they used to be.

That means you may not be able to find a left-handed club or a senior flex shaft for your M1 on the TaylorMade website. You may not get the degree of loft you wanted.

If you are a female golfer, you are totally out of luck, unless you can handle men’s drivers. The M1 series, as well as the M3 series, are men’s clubs with no ladies’ equivalent. Taller women are certainly at a great advantage because they have more of a selection due to their ability to use both men’s and women’s golf clubs.

Additionally, some people criticize TaylorMade for releasing so many new club variants so quickly. Is the quality really there? Well, judging by most reviews, it is. But if you see a model you really want, you might want to get it, as it may be replaced by something new and “better” next year.

What Makes the TaylorMade M1 Driver Unique

The TaylorMade M1 driver was very unique and innovative when it first came out. The system they made for the M1 was a “revolutionary” T-Track System, which enables the golfer to adjust the weight on the head of the driver.

1. The 2016 TaylorMade M1 Driver (460cc and 430cc)

This ground-breaking driver came out in two variants: The basic 460cc head model and the 430cc. (The default M1 model is the 460cc. The 430cc is called the M1 430.)

Three aftermarket swing shafts were initially available, though you will not have all options available for checkout at the TaylorMade website now. These swing shafts were:

• High Launch (Fujikura Pro 60)
• Mid Launch (Mitsubishi KuraKage Tini Silver 60)
• Low Launch (Aldila Rogue Silver 70)

The T-Track system on the 2016 TaylorMade M1 driver was an amazing step forward in golf club technology. Two tracks were built into the head to allow for the shifting of 25 grams of adjustable weight.

The front track provided weight adjustments from zero to 15 grams to support different draw, neutral, and fade settings on the club.

The back track had zero to 10 grams that could be moved to enable settings for high, medium, and low launch and spin.

Other features include:

• Carbon composite driver head
• Aluminum loft sleeve
• Ultra-thin Wall Ti Casting
• Titanium Face

2. The 2017 TaylorMade M1 Driver (460cc and 440cc)

So, what was different between the 2016 and new 2017 models of the M1 club? TaylorMade designed two major upgrades to this innovative driver style:

First, the newer M1 was constructed with 43% more carbon, making it a lighter club. It has a six-layer carbon crown and a new carbon toe panel.

Second, the T-Track System was redesigned and improved to make it more “moveable.” The back track was made longer to accommodate 64% more front-to-back CG movement than the first version of the club.

If you move the back track forward, you should see the ball go lower and longer. If you move the weight farther back, you will see the ball go higher, and it will be more forgiving.

The premium stock shafts offered with the 2017 M1 model are:

• Fujikura Pro XLR8 56 (high launch)
• Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Silver Dual-Core TiNi 60 (mid launch)
• Project X HZRDUS Yellow 65 (low launch)

Additionally, more than 30 “no-upcharge” shafts were designed to work with this club.

Pricing

Here is a look at the pricing for the TaylorMade M1 drivers, at least as of this writing:

1. 2017 M1 Driver (SKU # DW-WZ577): $349.99 (MSRP: $499.99)

The good news is, as of this writing, you still have a lot of available options for the 2017 M1 driver, including right and left-hand versions, three kinds of premium shafts, and senior, regular, and stiff flex. Two lofts are left, 9.5 degrees and 10.5 degrees, but that depends on the type of flex you want. As you start narrowing down the options, the options become more limited, of course. A senior flex club is only available for right-handers with a 10.5-degree loft and a Fujikura Pro XLR8 56 (high launch) shaft.

2. 2017 M1 440 Driver (SKU # DW-WZ594): $349.99 (MSRP: $499.99)

The 440 driver is currently only available for right-handed golfers on the TaylorMade website. Only the regular and the stiff flex are still being sold. The loft degrees are 8.5 degrees, 9.5 degrees, and 10.5 degrees. All three shafts are offered, depending on the flex.

3. 2016 M1 Driver (SKU # DW-WZ396): $299.99 (MSRP: $499.99)

You can still get the original TaylorMade M1 driver in both right and left-handed versions. The lofts available include 9.5 degrees, 10.5 degrees, and 12 degrees. Senior, regular, and flex are offered, depending on the shafts. These two shafts are still available: Fujikura Pro XLR8 56 (high launch) and Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Silver Dual-Core TiNi 60 (mid launch).

4. 2016 M1 430 Driver (SKU # DW-WZ440): $299.99 (MSRP: $499.99)

This driver by TaylorMade is significantly reduced from its original MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) of $499.99. It is currently only available as a right-hand club, with a stiff flex. You have an option for a 9.5 degree or 10.5-degree loft. The shaft comes in two versions: Aldila Rogue Silver 70 and MRC Kuro Kage 60 Silver.

Public Perception (Other TaylorMade M1 Driver Reviews)

Generally, the reviews for the different versions of the TaylorMade M1 driver are very positive.

Here is a great review of the original M1 from a teenager:

“When I got the driver, I thought to myself, “That just looks fast”. It looks so clean, yet like a beast. The carbon fiber was a great touch to the club. My first hit went a long way, close to 290-300. That is super long for me, since I am 5’8″ 15 year old and weigh only 130. I normally hit it 270, so that was pretty good to see that kind of result on the first hit. It kept getting better and better with each hit. The driver is set up as fade-biased and I hit a big draw, so it negates most of that draw into a soft draw or straight ball flight. Overall, great driver!”

How It Compares

If money is not an object, you may want to skip the 2016 and 2017 versions of the M1 driver and go straight for the 2018 M3 golf club. The new Y-Track is a sleeker design that may be worth the extra money on the newer club.

On the other hand, the originals were still great golf clubs. If you have a choice between the 2016 and 2017 TaylorMade M1 models, go for the 2017. The addition of more carbon, resulting in a lighter club, makes it the better choice between the two of them.

What We Think

TaylorMade continues to outdo itself with its new models of golf clubs. It can be tempting to get them all.

TaylorMade does offer an upgrade program on its website where you can trade your old golf clubs in for a newer version. The question is, is the newer version that much better? Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t. Check the club out at your local golf shop first before throwing the old one away.

Coupons and Deals

The good news about TaylorMade M1 clubs of any year is that they will be cheaper than the newest TaylorMade drivers. (Right now, as of this writing, these would be the M3 and M4 TaylorMade drivers.) Thus, you will get an automatic discount when purchasing a 2016 or 2017 M1 golf club driver. The newer TaylorMade M3 and M4 models are currently priced at $429.99 to $499.99.

The still brand new, older model TaylorMade M1 golf clubs on the TaylorMade website are often $100 cheaper and typically range from $249.99 to $299.99. Some of the options may be fewer, however.

The official TaylorMade Certified Pre-Owned Golf Clubs website has M1 golf drivers by TaylorMade that are used or “pre-owned” golf clubs. These previously owned drivers are reviewed and inspected, then certified by TaylorMade. Ideally, the official certification should provide some guarantee, or at least a small level of confidence, that your “used” club is in decent shape and in good working order. This website currently (as of this writing) offers 2017 M1 440 drivers starting from $249.99 and 2017 M1 460 golf drivers starting from $299.99.

You can find unofficial “pre-owned” or used golf club websites selling TaylorMade M1 golf clubs. One such website is 2nd Swing. This online ecommerce website sells “pre-swung golf clubs,” also known as used or “pre-owned” golf clubs. Currently, their selection of used M1 drivers by TaylorMade include the 2017 M1 driver from $249.99 to $397.99 and the 2017 TaylorMade M1 440 Driver from $259.99 to $298.99. The 2016 version of the M1 driver is on sale for $139.99 to $194.99 and the TaylorMade M1 430 driver goes for $131.99 to $269.99.

Amazon’s prices are not super amazing deals or all that lower from the prices on the TaylorMade website. They can run from anywhere from $249 to $585, depending on the add-ons and options you choose at checkout.

eBay may be another place online to find TaylorMade M1 golf clubs at a significant discount. eBay can be hit or miss, however. Are you getting the real thing or a knockoff? Who do you deal with if there is a problem?

Another place to look for TaylorMade M1 golf clubs, used or new, is your local golf shops. Because the M1 and M2 lines of drivers by TaylorMade are now being replaced by M3 and M4 drivers, they may be becoming a little harder to find but may be cheaper. You might also check Clearance sections, even in big box stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods.

If you see an M1 driver that you like and is the right fit for you, you might want to grab it while you can. Who knows how much longer TaylorMade will be selling either the 2016 or 2017 versions of the M1 driver.