TAYLORMADE M2 TOUR IRONS £699

Would TaylorMade’s latest M-family irons impress GM technical editor Joel Tadman?

TECHNOLOGY 1A 360˚ Undercut expands the unsupported face area for greater ball speeds across the hitting zone. It also lowers the centre of gravity (CG) by removing weight from the topline. A Speed Pocket in the long irons increases launch angle and preserves ball speed on shots struck from below the centre of the face. LOOKS

From all angles, the M2 Tour bears 2 many similarities to TaylorMade’s M2 iron. Both are dark in colour, both have a white bottom scoreline for alignment and both have a semishiny finish. But the M2 Tour has no fluted hosel, a slimmer topline and less offset to give a more traditional address look that will appeal to a wider spectrum of abilities. From the rear, the clubs look to be packed full of modern iron technology. SHELF APPEAL

Theoretically, the M2 Tour irons 3 have a very broad target market. They are large enough to provide forgiveness and inspire confidence behind the ball, but feature a more playable and versatile shape than the M2, which is engineered for out-andout distance. This means that golfers of high single figures and above could reap the performance benefits.

NEED TO KNOW

The TaylorMade M2 Tour irons have an RRP of £699 for a seven-club set with steel shafts HEAD DESIGN

The Speed Pocket stops when 4 you get to the 7-iron and it’s surprisingly easy to hit the longirons a consistently long way as a result. M2 Tour iron lofts may be two degrees higher than M2, but they are still low overall compared to the market (the 7-iron is 30.5˚). This helps to combine distance with a playable trajectory thanks to the extra launch that the low CG position generates. SHAFT

The stock shaft is the True Temper 5 XP95, which is generally quite a high-launching option that assists with stopping power into the greens. Faster swingers may need something heavier, but there are plenty of other custom shaft options available through a fitting session. FEEL AND SOUND

These irons feel fast off the face. A 6 stiff cavity-badge system behind the face manages sound and eliminates unwanted vibrations, and there’s no question that these irons are not as loud as M2 at impact. It’s a bit softer and more subtle, and many golfers will appreciate that. The feel was closer to a better-player’s club than a distance iron, with good distance control from different strike points on the face. FORGIVENESS

TaylorMade’s variable face 7 thickness – what the brand calls Inverted Cone Technology – works with the Speed Pocket to ensure your long-iron misses benefit from excellent forgiveness. For an iron that still largely prioritises distance, dispersion control front and back into the greens was noticeably tight. FLIGHT

The lofts are strong, but a 8 7-iron still launches like you would expect a 7-iron to launch, generating a towering ball flight. Many golfers will experience lower-thanaverage spin, perhaps as a combined result of the lofts and the low CG, but there’s still ample stopping power thanks to that towering trajectory. DISTANCE

Considering their mid-size heads, 9 these irons pack plenty of punch. Chances are you’ll hit the ball further than with your current set, so you might need to plug an extra gap at the wedge end of your bag. A 50˚ Approach wedge is available to slide in between your PW and your SW. VERDICT

M2 Tour irons are long, 10 forgiving and come in a shape and size to suit most golfers’ eyes. If you’re not overly fussed about a super-soft feel or workability, they should give you everything you’re looking for from a set of irons.

ÒTHESE IRONS CARRY AS FAR AS A DISTANCE IRON BUT IN A SMALLER, MORE PLAYABLE PACKAGEÓ Technical editor Joel Tadman