The driver storyline at TaylorMade has been one plot twist after another when it comes to technological breakthroughs. Just when we think the R&D types have exhausted every innovation possible, the plot thickens.
In 2004, they gave us the game-changing r7 Quad, followed by the striking R11 and the multi-adjustable SLDR. Two years ago they surprised us once more with the long and forgiving M1/M2.
Now, with the M3/M4, they’ve turned the driver, shall we say, on its head again. Say hello to Twist Face technology.
In a nutshell, Twist Face technology — based on data captured from more than 500,000 shots — reimagines the traditional bulge (curvature from heel to toe) and roll (curvature from crown to sole) on a driver’s face. Bulge compensates for ball spin on off-centre hits; roll affects the loft of a shot depending on where the ball strikes the face.
Taking into account golfers’ most common misses — high on the toe and low on the heel — TaylorMade’s engineers altered the curvature so that the loft is higher and the face open on the toe, and the loft lower and face more closed in the heel area.
Bottom line: a self-correcting face that delivers straighter and longer tee shots for players with those mishit tendencies.
While the face does the twist, other technological magic works in harmony to make the M3 a number one hit.
On the crown, the white front section is now silver, and the five-layer carbon composite panels are thinner and lighter. Underneath, the adjustability pioneers have designed a new Y-Track system, two connected tracks each with an 11-gram weight. Working together the tracks provide double the CG positions of the 2017 M1, and allow for the highest MOI in the company’s history.
The sole also features a Hammerhead Slot, which helps to maximize ball speed on low-face hits. Factor in the 12-position loft sleeve that can be adjusted plus or minus two degrees, and you have a multi-adjustable marvel that’s TaylorMade’s most accommodating driver yet.
The proof’s in the pudding says Justin O’Leary, head professional at Cedar Brae Golf Club in Toronto, Ont.
“I was using the M1, and I find I’m getting a few more yards out of the M3. The biggest difference is that my mishits don’t seem to be as dramatic as before. I think most people will see less dramatic results from toe and heel strikes.”
A TaylorMade staffer since 2007, O’Leary is impressed with TaylorMade’s latest innovation.
“To date, I feel that it’s the biggest improvement in technology. Without question, Twist Face minimizes your misses, which is beneficial for players of all skill levels.”
The M3 is also available in a smaller 440cc version. It features a deeper face and all the technology that fires the bigger model.
While it doesn’t have the adjustability of the M3, the M4, which basically updates last year’s M2, also has the Twist Face technology and Hammerhead Slot features, and has been given a facelift, so to speak, thanks to Geocoustic technology. The curved sole, which has inherently higher frequencies, allowed engineers to increase the size of the face, which is also thinner and lighter. Presto! More forgiveness and better sound and feel.
Complementing the M4 model is the higher-launching, draw-biased M4 D-Type. It’s designed for players who fight fade-to-slice trajectories. Besides having the Twist Face technology and Hammerhead Slot, it is has a slight offset and uses advanced visual cues to promote a square face at address and a more draw-biased face at impact.
Speaking of forgiveness, don’t think for one moment that it’s not something the pros look for.
“Even the pros want forgiveness,” says Brian Bazzel, TaylorMade’s vice president, product creation. “Even if it’s only a few more yards, they’ll take what they can get from their mishits.”
While more tour players have been gravitating towards the M3, Bazzel says it not unusual to see them change from one model to another. Dustin Johnson won in Hawaii with the M4; Tiger has been using the M3 460cc, and Bazzel says he loves it.
The response to the new M series has been such that Bazzel says they haven’t been able to make them fast enough. And obviously the Twist Face technology is reaching its audience.
Says Bazzel: “I get a kick out of it when I hear that people ask for the driver with the ‘Twist Face’ technology, and not for the M3 or M4. And I hear that a lot.”
With their Twist Face technology, TaylorMade has once again answered that annual question: How much further can these companies go with technology?
Oh, how about more adjustability, more forgiveness, less spin, longer drives, straighter drives . . . .
The M3 is available in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° & 12° lofts; LH in 9.5° and 10.5°. The M3 440 driver (RH only) comes in 9° & 10°. Once again, the company is offering more than two dozen additional premium custom shaft options at no upcharge.
The M4 driver is available in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° & 12° lofts; LH models in 9.5° and 10.5°. It’s available for women in 10.5° & 12°.
The M4 D-Type driver is available in 9.5°, 10.5° & 12° lofts; LH models in 9.5° and 10.5°. It’s available for women 10.5° & 12°.
