At first glance, TaylorMade’s new M2 driver looks like a clone of its predecessor, the M1. The seven-layer carbon composite crown with its distinctive white and black colouring returns, but on and inside the sole there are differences, both subtle and significant, that place forgiveness at the core.

M2 Driver 3_4 HQ

A five-gram weight saving within the crown was moved to the sole, resulting in a centre of gravity that’s 26 percent further back than M1 when the adjustable weight was set in the rear position. This relocation helps achieve ball speed and maximum forgiveness, raising the moment of inertia on off-centre drives. Likewise, TaylorMade’s “Speed Pockets” return with the M2 to generate more face flex. And in this era of adjustability, the M2 steps back from the M1’s twin changeable slide weights and retains only the 12 different Loft Sleeve positions. The M2 is also $100 less expensive than the M1.

The M2 line – which includes the driver plus matching fairway woods, hybrids and irons – completes the ‘M’ family of clubs.

M2 Iron 3_4 HQ

Similar to the driver, the multi-material carbon crown on the M2 fairway has created five grams of discretionary weight savings, allowing for an extremely low centre of gravity. A new, fluted hosel design provides superior sound and feel without compromising distance. Further down the line, the low-profile shaping of the M2 Rescue more closely mirrors the aesthetic shaping of a fairway wood, leading to a more confidence-inspiring, easy-to-hit club.

The fluted hosel carries through to the M2 irons, where the discretionary mass from the hosel was moved lower and further back in the clubhead. The irons also feature an advanced topline construction – a 360-degree undercut that functions to increase the unsupported face area while saving weight to lower the centre of gravity, creating a canvas that lends itself to a unique combination of high ball speed, optimised launch angle and spin rate that TaylorMade says yields exceptional distance and high peak trajectory.

“In M2, we’ve achieved maximum distance and peak trajectory metrics to an extent that even shocked those of us who designed and engineered it,” said Tomo Bystedt, TaylorMade’s director of iron product creation.