TaylorMade M5 Driver Review

TaylorMade M5 Driver Review

By Paul Liberatore

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TaylorMade continues to push the boundaries of metal performance. This year, it has given every golfer tour-inspired treatment. The new M5 driver is first built beyond the tolerances of legal competition but is then injected with speed reducing resin to make each club conform at the very limit allowed. By constructing a golf club that brings golfers to the boundaries of playability TaylorMade is making everyone faster while giving golfers more adjustability and the best performing driver ever.

Key Features

Players get specialized performance because every M5 driver head is individually speed tested to ensure maximum ball speeds across the entire face.

Twist Face has been retained to help golfers find more accuracy with heel and toe strikes.

The inverse T-track on the M5 driver gives players more adjustability and shot shaping control for an optimized spin and trajectory.

Design and Technology

The TaylorMade M5 is designed with Twist Face, Hammerhead 2.0, and a multi-material carbon head to bring golfers more speed. On Tour each driver is meticulously tested to ensure that each club is near the legal limit without be deemed nonconforming. TaylorMade has brought this hand-picked selection to the entire driver line by taking each club head past the legal tolerances and then dialing speed back with its injectable resin technology.

The M5 driver is the ultimate tool in dialing in player preferences and shot shapes. The inverse T-track is great for giving players of all abilities and swing speeds the perfect amount of backspin and sidespin for  longer, straighter drives . The adjustable loft sleeve helps players control launch and get their ideal  ball  flights. The contrasting crown of silver and carbon-black make the M5 driver easy to align behind the golf ball and fill the player with confidence.

My first impression of the M5 during my fitting experience was how great it felt and sounded. TaylorMade excels in making golf clubs that go a long way and are a pleasure to hit. I have always loved the advanced adjustability to dial in spin rates and my shape of shot preference. Another piece that goes unnoticed with the M5 is the ability to precisely dial in player swing weight as the sliding weights are freely interchangeable. Overall, I thought the M5 to be an outstanding driver and one of TaylorMade’s best ever.

During my fitting, I was hitting the M5 in a 10.5-degree head opened down to 9.25 degrees. Lofting the driver down helps me to eliminate my miss of overdraws and gives me a greater affinity for hitting the golf ball in the middle and upper part of the club face. I was fit into a familiar  shaft  with the M5, my gamer Tensei CK Pro Orange in 70TX. This is a shaft that I am very comfortable with and it makes a great companion for this  low spin , high launching driver.

TaylorMade M5 Driver


The TaylorMade M5 Driver is a game-changing club that’s designed to elevate the performance of golfers seeking to improve their game off the tee. This driver is packed with revolutionary technology and performance-enhancing features that work together to deliver remarkable distance, forgiveness, and adjustability.


One of the standout features of the M5 Driver is its Speed Injected technology. This technology ensures maximum ball speed across the entire face of the club, resulting in longer and more consistent drives. By injecting each clubhead with a precise amount of resin, TaylorMade is able to push the limits of ball speed and deliver incredible performance.

PROS

  • Speed injected face guarantees you will be getting industry leading ball speeds
  • The M5 provides the largest array of custom fitting options due to the inverted T-track.
  • The two-tone design of the carbon crown makes it easy to align and delivers great sound.

CONS

  • The price of the M5 is too expensive for many players before customization sets in.
  • The M5 driver is less forgiving than other models depending on the setting it is built in.
  • Players currently with the M3 or M4 may not see substantial improvements in ball speed.

Our Experience

The TaylorMade M5 driver is an impressive all-around performer that delivers increased ball speed, distance, and forgiveness compared to its predecessor, the M3 driver.


The key innovation in the M5 is the new Speed Injected Twist Face technology. This process ensures that every driver face is tuned to the legal limit for speed, resulting in a noticeable 2 mph increase in ball speed over the M3 driver. This translated to an extra 6 yards of carry distance on average.


The M5's ball flight is high launching and low spinning, allowing the ball to power through the wind for maximum distance. The combination of Twist Face and the upgraded Hammerhead 2.0 Speed Slot also provides excellent forgiveness, keeping mishits in play and still delivering impressive distance.


In terms of adjustability, the M5 offers a wide range of loft and lie angle options to fine-tune the launch and trajectory to your swing. The larger sweet spot and advanced technologies also make the M5 an incredibly forgiving driver, saving distance on off-center hits.


Overall, the TaylorMade M5 driver is an excellent all-around performer that provides a noticeable boost in ball speed, distance, and forgiveness compared to its predecessor. It is a true "all-rounder" that should appeal to a wide range of golfers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Type of Golfer Is the Taylormade M5 Driver Best Suited For?

I’d say the TaylorMade M5 driver is best for golfers looking for a combination of forgiveness, distance, and adjustability. The club face technology differences provide a sweet spot and optimal performance for a variety of swing types.

How Does the Innovative Club Face Technology of the M5 Driver Differ From Previous Models?

The innovative technology in the M5 driver’s club face sets it apart from previous models. It offers game-changing performance benefits, including a revolutionary twist face curvature and a more flexible Hammerhead slot. The Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 60 shaft also enhances performance.

What Specific Improvements Can Golfers Expect in Terms of Ball Speed and Distance With the M5 Driver?

I’ve seen noticeable improvements in ball speed and distance with the TaylorMade M5 driver. The speed-injected face and twist technology have really upped my game. The performance is top-notch, providing the distance and accuracy I need.

What Makes the Unique Shaft Material of the M5 Driver Stand Out Compared to Other Options?

The unique shaft material of the M5 driver stands out due to its Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 60 technology, offering exceptional performance. Compared to other options, the shaft’s innovative design enhances power transfer and stability for improved distance and accuracy.

Can You Provide a Summary of the Pros and Cons of Using the Taylormade M5 Driver?

I’ve been impressed by the TaylorMade M5 driver’s performance. Pros include the speed injection technology and adjustable weighting for optimal spin. Its cons are minor, like the missing headcover. Overall, the technology delivers impressive results.

Conclusion

The M5 driver is one of the fastest and most adjustable drivers ever created. Players of all abilities and swing types can get their ideal ball flight from the hundreds of configurations made possible by the loft sleeve and newly inverted T-track. Twist Face has been combined with speed injections to give every golfer Tour caliber tolerances and performance. Players looking to pick up distance from the tee or eliminate their misses should be testing the M5 from TaylorMade.

Paul Liberatore

Paul Liberatore

As the Founder of Golfers Authority Paul Liberatore Esq. has spent the last 7+ years writing about the best golf equipment or instruction from the top golf instructors in the world. He has been a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated Golf and GolfWRX. After graduating with honors from Purdue University, he realized that he had a passion for the golf business and the law. When he's not practicing law, or creating golf content on YouTube, he can be found on his syndicated Behind the Golf Brand podcast talking with the most prolific leaders in the golf industry.