A lot of the time when my driver isn’t cooperating with me I’ll toss it in the bag and use my fairway wood off the tee. It’s a club everyone should have and in this post, I’m going to be reviewing the Taylormade M4 fairway wood and talking about whether or not it’s worth picking up.
Long story short, I found this club more forgiving than both the Taylormade M3 and M2 woods. I really liked the sound and feel at impact (felt really solid) and I found it much easier to align properly. I have a slower swing speed (which the M4 is designed for) and the M4 gave me more distance than the M1, M2, and M3. It wasn’t a lot longer or anything like that but I’ll take any yard I can get. Overall, I really liked the M4 since it fit my swing and that’s why I recommend it.
The only thing to know is that the M4 doesn’t have as many adjustments as other clubs. Some people do want this feature but I think it’s something a lot of mid to high handicap players don’t need. Also, the M3 would probably be better if you have a faster swing speed or are a better golfer. If that’s all the info you were looking for then great. If you want a more detailed review of the wood, be sure to watch the full video or blog post below.
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Taylormade M4 First Impressions
The first thing I noticed with this club was the slightly bigger head. That feature was made to increase forgiveness on off-center hits (which a lot of people struggle with). The previous M series clubs have been smaller and were definitely harder to hit, so the M4 could be a big improvement for the average weekend player.
They also improved the sound and feel at impact. They added something called GeoCoustic (no idea what it means) which made the sound a lot better. It’s not something that adds or subtracts from the performance, but I still like it. It’s something that can boost confidence, and that’s something that could benefit your game.
Just like the M4 hybrid and driver, the head is now silver and it’s a lot easier to align properly compared to the previous white head of the M1 and M2. It’s not really something that has a big impact, but I do prefer the silver color slightly. That’s cool and all, but how did it perform?
How Did The Wood Perform
Compared to the M3, this club produced a bit more spin for me and that gave me a bit more distance. It wasn’t a lot or anything like that but I’ll definitely take any sort of distance when I can get it. The M3 gave me less spin and is designed more for your low handicap golfer with faster swing speeds. I’m the opposite so that’s why I got better results with the M4.
The launch angle was pretty good as well and was actually very similar to the M3. It wasn’t the highest launching wood but I was happy with the results it gave. A lot of higher handicap players struggle to get their ball up in the air, so this could be something really helpful. Here’s a demo video:
The final thing I noticed was the forgiveness of the M4. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the previous M1/M2, and I quickly noticed that this one was a lot more consistent. It’s definitely not as good as the newer M6 series but it’s respectable (and way cheaper). Off-center hits still had some distance to them and they went quite a bit straighter which is going to help a lot. Overall, I really liked the M4 and that’s why I’d recommend it.
Who’s It Best For/Not For?
I’d say the M4 would be best for a mid to high handicap golfer with slower swing speeds. I don’t swing the club very hard and I definitely got better results (distance/consistency) with the M4. If you’ve used the M2 wood and liked it, I see no reason why you wouldn’t like the M4 even more.
If you’re a low to mid handicap golfer who has a faster swing speed, I’d consider the M3 instead. Even for me, the M3 was a nice club to hit and I like them a lot more than the previous Taylormade clubs. If you are someone who golfs a lot and want to best of the best, you’ll probably want to check out the newer M series woods.
Taylormade M4 Wood Specs
| M4 Wood Head | Loft | Lie | Volume | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 15 (degree) | 60 (degree) | 176 (cc) | 43.25 (inches) |
| 3 High Loft | 16.5 | 60 | 178 | 43.25 |
| 5 | 18 | 60.5 | 156 | 42.25 |
| 5 High Loft | 21 | 60.5 | 157 | 42.25 |
| 7 High Loft | 24 | 61 | 146 | 41.75 |
| M4 Shafts | Weight | Torque | Launch | Spin |
| X Stiff | 67 (g) | 4.4 | Mid | Mid |
| Stiff | 65 | 4.4 | Mid | Mid |
| Regular | 55 | 4.4 | Mid-High | Mid-High |
| Senior | 54 | 4.4 | Mid-High | Mid-High |
| M4 Grips | Color | Size | Weight | Feel |
| Dual Feel | Black/Grey | Standard | 47 g | Textured |
Pros
- It was more forgiving than the M1 and M2.
- The feel and sound at impact were a lot better.
- It was easier to align properly with the ball.
- It increased my distance compared to the M1, M2, and M3.
Cons
- It doesn’t have very many adjustments.
- Higher swing speeds would benefit more from the M3.
- There are better options on the market now (a lot more money).
The Breakdown
- Performance score: 9
- Price score: 7
- Feel score: 8
- Personal score: 8
My Final Thoughts
Overall, if you’re a mid to high handicapper with a slower swing speed I think you’d benefit a lot from this club. I haven’t always been the biggest fan of Taylormade, but I have to say, I really liked this club. It wasn’t my favorite or anything like that but I would definitely use it.
All you can really ask for with a fairway wood is to give you the distance and be consistent, and for me, the M4 was that. I felt really comfortable swinging it and the performance was there as well. That, along with the price, is why I’d recommend the M4 to the average player who doesn’t want to spend big money on the latest and greatest equipment.
Let me know your thoughts and any questions you have. Like this article? Feel free to give it a share!
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Last update on 2023-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API