TaylorMade M5 iron Review
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At a glance
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What we say...
TaylorMade’s M5 irons are aimed at low-to-mid handicappers who want forgiveness in a smaller package.
Featuring multi-material construction, new SPEED BRIDGE technology and the most flexible thru-slot Speed Pocket in their irons to date, TaylorMade’s M5 irons have been engineered to increase distance and enhance sound and feel.
Optimised for playability and forgiveness, the 2019 M5 Irons offer players a combination of distance, accuracy and feel in a refined and aesthetically pleasing shape designed for players preferring a more traditional look.
➤ TaylorMade M6 Irons
➤ The key differences between TaylorMade’s M5 and M6 irons
➤ TaylorMade launch M5 and M6 Drivers, Fairways and M6 Rescue
TaylorMade M5 Iron: TG Verdict
M5 has the toughest gig of any iron in the TaylorMade line-up. Golfers who’ll consider the M5 are highly likely to explore the P790 (which are brilliant irons) and competitor irons, too. Think of the M5 as being the iron for golfers who insist on compact head pro les, but also want a degree of forgiveness, and you won’t go far wrong. It’s not forged, so costs are slightly lower than the P series irons, too.
WATCH: TaylorMade M5 vs M6 irons
TaylorMade’s M5 irons features new SPEED BRIDGE technology, which is a beam that connects the sole of the iron to the top line of the iron and has two functional benefits: One is to create great sound and feel and the other is to create more speed in the head.
With this technology, TaylorMade are tackling the two things which are difficult to get in today’s game improvement irons: distance, and great sound and feel. In a nutshell, SPEED BRIDGE stabilises the M5 Iron head and allows TaylorMade to create an ultra thin face and their most agressive speed pocket to date – that allows the face to flex and rebound even more.
TESTED: TaylorMade P790 (2019) irons vs P760 vs M5 vs P760 (2017)
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The new Speed Pocket design (4-7 irons) uses a flexible thru-slot that result in enhanced ball speeds for more forgiveness across the face, especially on shots struck low on the face. Additionally, tungsten weighting has been added (4-7 irons) to lower the CG, increase launch and deliver additional forgiveness.
Elsewhere, a cavity back design with deep undercut (4-PW) results in added feel and enhanced shot-making ability, while the HYBRAR compression damper effectively filters unwanted face vibrations for more solid feel on all shots. The M5’s sole design now includes a leading-edge chamfer for a cleaner entry into the turf for crisp ball striking with preferred turf interaction.
Watch: How it works – Speed Bridge in M5 & M6 irons
In addition to SPEED BRIDGE and the redesigned Speed Pocket, the M5 irons utilise a variety of proven TaylorMade technologies, including an off-centre Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) face design to optimise ball speed across the face, 360° Undercuts with stiffening top-line ribs to promote face flexibility and ball speed while maintaining sound and feel and Fluted Hosel 2.0 to promote lower and deeper CG for improved launch characteristics.
Taken together, these technologies work to deliver distance, peak height and forgiveness to provide favourable launch conditions to a wide range of players.
TaylorMade M5 Irons: Key Features
SPEED BRIDGE
Completely new for 2019, M5 & M6 irons with SPEED BRIDGE incorporate a high strength, mass-efficient structural beam spanning across the cavity back of the iron to connect the topline with the back bar of the iron.
Through extensive use of computational modelling and optimisation, the SPEED BRIDGE uses minimal mass to stabilise the iron by supporting the topline and upper face area at the exact location that vibrates at impact. The increased rigidity in the topline and upper perimeter of the face delivers improved sound and feel with increased ball speed from a more flexible Speed PocketTM.
The SPEED BRIDGE is the key to unlocking the ability to design M5 and M6 irons with a thru-slot Speed Pocket, their most flexible Speed Pocket to date.
Redesigned Speed Pocket
TaylorMade’s M5 irons Speed Pocket technology significantly enhances face flexibility and generates optimal spin at impact, maximising ball speed and carry distance; most specifically low on the clubface — where ball speed protection matters most. Thanks to the new SPEED BRIDGE construction, it’s the first time TaylorMade have been able to design a thru-slot Speed Pocket into their game improvement irons.
The SPEED BRIDGE and Speed Pocket work together to systematically improve how the iron face performs during impact by shifting the point of maximum deflection lower on the face. This shift in deflection activates the Speed Pocket more efficiently delivering extreme flexibility over a large area of the face generating faster ball speeds than 2018 M3 and M4 irons.
Why we use a Foresight GC Quad launch monitor
HYBRAR Compression Damper
In both the M5 & M6 irons, TaylorMade engineers have implemented a new HYBRAR damping system and multi-material badges to control and minimise vibration for a soft and solid feel. Due to the stiffer top-line, the maximum point of deflection of the iron face at impact is lower than previous designs.
The lower deflection point is aligned with the HYBRAR damper allowing it to activate more quickly at impact and dampen unwanted vibrations more efficiently. The ABS/aluminium structure combined with viscoelastic adhesive serves to further improve sound and feel at impact.
PLUS
➤ Fluted Hosel 2.0 to promote lower and deeper CG for improved launch characteristics.
➤ 360° Undercuts with stiffening top-line ribs to promote face flexibility and ball speed while maintaining sound and feel
➤ Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) face design to optimise ball speed across the face
➤ Tungsten Weight to bring up the inertia and give more forgiveness in the smaller headed M5 compared to the M6 iron
➤Key Difference to M3: Lofts are 0.5° stronger than the M3, and TaylorMade say there’s a gain of 1.5mph of ball speed (over the M3,) it’s significant in an iron of this size. Crucially though shots peak out at the same height as M3. TaylorMade reckon you’ll also see gains of 1.5mph over the hollow body P790 iron too.
