Tag Archives: M3 Driver

Drivers, Golf & Technology, Interview, TaylorMade Golf

Interview – Brian Bazzel explains what is behind the Twist Face Technology of the M3 & M4 drivers

February 20, 2018 – Some weeks ago MyGolfWay.com had the chance to speak, in exclusivity for the Spanish market, with Brian Bazzel, Vice-President of Product Creation of TaylorMade Golf, about what is behind the new Twist Face Technology.

For over 18 years, Bazzel has played an integral role in developing breakthrough technologies for the company, including Moveable Weight, Speed Pockets, Multi-Material Designs, and now the Twist Face, brand’s latest game-changing innovation.

Making golf easier and more enjoyable for more players has been a constant for the company, which created the first metalwood in 1979. TaylorMade has done it yet again, pushing the boundaries of driving potential with the Twist Face technology with the new M3 and M4 drivers. This is a radical departure from traditional driver-face design, engineered to correct for typical miss-hit trends that involve all levels of golfers.

The beginning of a breakthrough named Twist Face technology started after studying some compelling data from the R+D Team. With the thousands of human swings captured, they were able to understand more exactly than in the past, what happens to the golf ball at impact. Then they discovered that the traditional “bulge-and-roll” driver face wasn’t performing with humans the same way it does in robot testing. There was an opportunity here to explore a solution that could correct for it.

Everyone miss-hits golf shots – average golfers frequently do, and also the best players in the world. And the trends for all are surprisingly similar, from low-heel to high-toe in 90% of strikes. Studying the face angle relative to the path of the club, the TaylorMade design team understood why the traditional bulge-and-roll wasn’t working. As a result, they reshaped the driver faces to account the swing tendencies, engineering the Twist Face, with more loft and a more open face in the high-toe area to increase spin and help minimize the toe-hook. Then, they reduced loft and slightly closed the face in the low-heel to help minimize the spinny heel-slice that so many golfers battle against.

Twist Face is designed to ensure that you hit it straighter. That, combined with the new Hammerhead slot, provides golfers with the best mix of accuracy, speed and forgiveness.

MYGOLFWAY: Would you consider the new M3 & M4 drivers an evolution of the M family of 2017, or a new product construction design?

BRIAN BAZZEL: I believe the M3 & M4 is a revolutionary change from the M1 & M2, and the main reason for that is the new Twist Face. The bulge and roll, the curvature of the face, hasn’t really changed for a hundred years. In the Twist Face we actually discover how to provide more accurate shots, straighter shots, for golfers of all levels, based on the data that we have now, based on how the golfers actually present the club at impact when they are miss-hitting it. So the new Twist Face is designed to bring balls back to centreline when they’ve been hit off centre.

MGW: Can you explain the origin of the idea of the Twist Face as a game-changer?

BB: The bulge, in 1988, was the first convex face. Now over the last ten to fifteen years we have been able to study golfers swings, and we’ve looked at more driver swings that really any other golf company in the history of golf. And now we can study that to a degree that we never could before, and what we have discovered is that shots that are hit from different zones, and most shots are hit from the low heel to high toe on the face, are not averaging out to being on the centreline, which the curvature of the face is supposed to be designed to do. And now with that insight, and knowing what golfers are doing to create their shots, we can figure out what the right curvature is, in order to help those shots when they are miss-hit. And this is what Twist Face is doing.

And so the discovery process which happened three or four years ago was obviously an exciting moment for us, and now its even more exciting as we’ve finally brought the product to life.

MGW: How do you think the Twist Face technology can help the amateur player to be straighter?

BB: We are going to reduce more side spin on shots for amateur golfers, and by doing this we are going to help them to go straighter. We can’t solve all the problems for golfers. I wish I could! They have straight-path and face-angle challenges, but what we can do is make them the best they can possibly be, and I think this is what Twist Face is doing.

So custom fitting still is hugely important, and the M3 driver allows you to do that more than any other driver, but the Twist Face is going to make it a lot straighter for them.

MGW: Twist Face, Hammerhead slot, Y-Track, Geocustic technologies… but personally, what you like most about the new drivers?

BB: Honestly, I am most proud of the Twist Face, because, again, when I saw the data four years ago it was one of those moments when you say… oh my Gosh! That is going to be game changing for every golfer, when can we get it done, how do we solve it, and its now finally come to life. If this Twist Face wasn’t on this product, what I see in the Y-Track and the connection with the Y-Track, which was also very difficult to do, is something that I am very excited for, for the fitters, but nothing really trumps the Twist Face.

MGW: Do you remember what happened when the drivers first came into the hands of Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Tiger…

BB: In fact we have five of the Top-12 players, and I had the chance to work with them, and they fell in love with the product immediately. When we showed Tiger the new product, and he doesn’t switch very often, he showed a good appreciation of we’ve done, and he’s put the product into play as well.

MGW: When Jon Rahm tested it for the first time, do you remember what he said?

BB: Yes, I did spend some time with him. We all agree that Jon is not only a great person to work with, but his reaction to the new product was amazing. He fell in love with the M4, and I’m quite happy if he chooses the M3 or the M4, whichever one works for him. That was the one he felt he could hit all of his shots with, because it felt more accurate to him.

You know he hits a lot of drivers, and he is an aggressive player, and for him it’s important to have a driver that is very accurate. It’s like saying ‘I’d rather to be closer to the hole in the trees than laying further back and behind the trees’. I think the Twist Face is going to help him to go further and straighter.

MGW: What do you think about a Spanish player such as Jon Rahm being involved in the company? Is he like the relay to Sergio Garcia?

BB: No, with Sergio was spectacular, I loved working with Sergio, and with Jon… I got to know him over the last year and a half, and he is an incredible person. Very genuine, a great storyteller, very articulate about what he sees in the product and how he plays golf. I enjoy every moment I am with him!

He is the second in the world, in just one year! The Majors are waiting for him.

With no doubt, like the Tour players, average golfers who play the M3 or M4 drivers will have a distinct advantage over any other driver thanks to the Twist Face technology.

Drivers, Fairway Woods, Hybrids / Rescues, TaylorMade Golf

TaylorMade Golf – Twist Face Technology changes drivers with the new M3 & M4 metalwoods

January 2, 2018 – TaylorMade Golf, makers of the winningest drivers on the PGA Tour in 2017 (*) with its M1 & M2 drivers, have shifted the paradigm of golf club engineering with the introduction of the M3 & M4 metalwoods, highlighted by the company’s breakthrough innovation – Twist Face technology.

“From the creation of the first metalwood in 1979, TaylorMade has established a legacy of breaking from tradition to reach new thresholds of performance. In 2018, we have once again uncovered a new frontier of driving potential with Twist Face Technology — a radical departure from traditional driver-face design, engineered to correct for inherent human swing tendencies in real-time, giving golfers a tangible competitive advantage,” says Brian Bazzel, Vice President of Product Creation of the company.

Twist Face: The next breakthrough in innovation from TaylorMade

Reimagining traditional driver face design, TaylorMade’s Twist Face technology is truly the first of its kind. Twist Face, featured in both the new M3 & M4 drivers, is TaylorMade’s solution to counteract golfers’ most common misses, more specifically, those resulting from the high toe and low heel impacts.

To counteract the high-toe miss (a hook), the driver face has been ‘twisted’ open (loft increased & face opened) on the high-toe to help straighten ball flight. Similarly, to counteract the low-heel miss (a slice) the driver face has been twisted closed to de-loft and close the face in the low heel area. Ultimately, TaylorMade’s Twist Face technology delivers a corrective face angle when hit off-center for longer, straighter shots.

The origin of a breakthrough

Studying data captured from more than half a million shots that simultaneously tracks head presentation (in-out path, angle of attack, loft, impact location), initial launch conditions and final landing location of the golf ball, TaylorMade engineers discovered there was a flaw in the traditional bulge and roll.

By studying the performance of thousands of shots in each quadrant across the face of all golfers’ levels, researchers determined these shots were not averaging to be on the centre line. In fact, high face shots and high toe shots have a left tendency of the target line and spin significantly less. Similarly, low face and low heel shots tend to land right of the target line with a significantly more spin.

TAYLORMADE M3 DRIVER

World-class design and elite performance is the genesis of every product TaylorMade engineers. In 2015, the company introduced multi-material construction with eye-catching carbon composite crowns that captured the attention of millions of golfers around the world, becoming the most winning driver on the PGA Tour and once again retaining the title of the best-selling driver in the industry. Two years later, the stakes have been raised, and engineers have responded to the challenge by creating the most advanced driver in company history — M3.

In addition to Twist Face technology, the M3 driver features a new matte silver front section and a raised, aerodynamic five-layer carbon composite crown. Years of research and development have culminated in some of the thinnest, strongest and lightest composite panels in the industry. With both the 2018 M3 and M4 metalwoods, TaylorMade engineers were able to design thinner and lighter composite panels (the M3 & M4 drivers both feature a 5-layer carbon composite crown) than ever before.

Exclusive to the M3 in both the 460cc & 440cc models is a new intuitive Y-Track adjustability system that allows for CG adjustment of the head to obtain desired, optimal ball flight parameters. Dissimilar to the T-Track on both the ’16 & ’17 M1 drivers, the heel to toe track and front to back track on the M3 are connected, allowing all 22 grams (two 11g weights) of moveable mass to be utilized for both the benefit of heel to toe control as well as front to back CG adjustment. The Y-track gives the golfer more precise CG adjustability than ever before with more than 1,000 unique CG configurations — more than double the number of positions in the 2017 M1. Add in TaylorMade’s 12 position, 4-degree ultra-lightweight aluminum Loft Sleeve (back sleeve compatible) and the result is an unparalleled level of personalization.

The flat curvature of the front/back track provides the lowest CG possible regardless of the weight setting. In fact, when the weight is in the back position versus M1 2017, the 2018 M3 CG is 36% further back. This makes the moment of inertia (MOI) 10% larger without raising the CG projection on the face. Furthermore engineers were able to increase the total amount of front / back CG movement by 83%.

Hammerhead Slot

For the first time ever, TaylorMade has engineered a slot housed in the sole of its most adjustable driver. The new Hammerhead slot was engineered to work in combination with Twist Face and Inverted Cone technologies to deliver maximum ballspeed across a larger area of the face and thus, resulting in a larger sweet spot. The Hammerhead slot’s design is defined by three design elements; the central Speed Pocket, the face geometry and the stiffening ribs.

By dividing the Speed Pocket into zones, TaylorMade was able to increase its overall length from 82mm to 100mm — a 22% increase. Additionally, it allowed for the creation of a larger flexible centre zone, designed to increase ball speed on low face impacts and drop unwanted backspin. By using the new ribs, engineers were able to decrease the thickness and weight of the face allowing for a more flexible face designed to deliver higher ballspeeds across a larger area of the face. Engineers challenged themselves to evolve the construction and performance of the Speed Pocket; their answer was Hammerhead, a radical technology engineered to deliver longer drives.

TAYLORMADE M3 440 DRIVER

Following the success and demand for the 440cc version in 2017, the M3 will again be available in a 440cc model, which utilizes a slightly smaller head, deeper face and 22g of moveable weight, working in unison with all of the same technologies as its larger 460cc counterpart. Both the 460 and 440cc models come equipped with MCA’s popular Tensei CK Red (high launch), Blue (mid launch) or White (low launch) shafts in R, S & X flexes along with a Lamkin UTx cord grip. As the company has offered for the past few years, TaylorMade is also once again offering more than two dozen additional premium custom shaft options at no upcharge.

Available for pre-order on February 1 and at retail on February 16 at 579€, the M3 460 driver will be offered in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° & 12° loft options, while LH models will be offered in 9.5° and 10.5° lofts. The M3 440 driver (RH only) will be offered in 9° & 10° loft options.

TAYLORMADE M3 FAIRWAY WOODS

The ’17 M1 fairway broke innovation and performance barriers by being both adjustable and incredibly long, a goal the engineering team set in the conception stage and executed in its creation. The new M3 fairway takes a premium, adjustable fairway to the next level; constructed with a 450 stainless steel body, strong Ni-Co C300 face and new, thinner 5-layer carbon composite crown (same as the M3 & M4 drivers). An improved track system that houses more moveable weight (29 grams compared to 25 in the ’17 M1 fairway) allows for the adjustment for preferred shot shape; from fade to draw, more than ever before.

Similar to the M3 driver, the M3 fairway also utilizes an ultra-thin, ultra-light crown and sole panel. The combination of the composite panels saves up to 8g over a similarly shaped metal fairway. The discretionary weight is placed low and forward into the M3’s clubhead to create driver-like launch conditions (high launch & low spin).

The sliding weight track (SWT) on the M3 fairway, first introduced in a TaylorMade fairway with last year’s M1, incorporates a new, smaller Loft Sleeve screw, which allowed for the moveable weight track to move 3.5mm forward, which resulted in the CG moving almost a full millimetre forward too, an 8% change over the ’17 M1.

Bringing the track forward led to a more streamlined overhang design which led to improving the sole to turf interaction for the M3 fairway. By designing an overhang that extends across the length of the track the playability of the sole was improved while allowing the weight track to be further forward.

The smaller screw head and port area to the Loft Sleeve also positively affects the Speed Pocket. By taking up less room on the sole, the Speed Pocket length from heel-to-toe on the M3 fairway is longer than the M1 2017 Speed Pocket. The through-slot is extremely efficient in terms of size and material usage, giving the ability to package it in front of the track. The through-slot promotes faster face-flex and ball speed on mishits low on the face and also reduces backspin leading to more overall distance.

Available on February 16, 2018 at 349€, the M3 fairways will be offered in 15° (3), 17° (3HL) and19° (5) loft options while LH models will be offered in 15° (3) and 19° (5) options, equipped with an MCA Tensei Blue shaft in A, R & S flexes (65g) and X flex (75g). All models come equipped with a Lamkin UTx cord grip.

TAYLORMADE M3 RESCUE

The new M3 Rescue incorporates a moderate sized, Tour-proven and preferred shape first introduced by the ’17 M1 Rescue but with more moveable weight — 30g compared to 27— and a successful sole design that will appeal to players of all ability levels. The crown showcases a whole new look with a premium two tone, matte silver front section and gloss black back body framing the ball beautifully. The sole is engineered with a performance-driven adjustable sliding weight system, allowing golfers the opportunity to not only experience the neutral/fade biases of its predecessor but having more moveable weight for an unparalleled level of personalization in a TaylorMade Rescue.

In addition to the new 30g sliding weight and advanced sole design, the head comes equipped with a 3-degree ultra-lightweight aluminium Loft Sleeve. Premium components again are offered as stock options, with a MCA Tensei Blue hybrid 80g shaft in R, S & X flexes as well as a 70g A flex along with a new Lamkin UTx cord grip.

Available on February 16, 2018 at 299€, the M3 Rescue will be offered in 17° (2), 19° (3), 21° (4) and 24° (5) options while LH models will be offered in 19° (3) and 21° (4) options.

TAYLORMADE M4 DRIVER

Complementing the M3 driver and its unrivaled personalization is the M4 driver, which differentiates its design by putting an emphasis on unparalleled forgiveness with straight distance. The M4 driver not only utilizes TaylorMade’s most groundbreaking ‘18 technologies (Twist Face & Hammerhead), it also incorporates Geocoustic engineering –combines geometry and acoustical engineering to unlock more forgiveness and best-in-class sound.

Geocoustic Technology

Geocoustic technology combines geometry and acoustical engineering to deliver more forgiveness and best-in-class sound. Driver heads with low back centers of gravity typically have low frequencies because they tend to have fairly flat soles. Geocoustic sole shapes allow for a low CG and larger head size, but with a more curved sole which has inherently higher frequencies, leading to better sound and feel. The Geocoustic sole design of the M4 driver freed up discretionary volume that allowed engineers to increase the overall face size and also improved sound and feel.

Hammerhead Slot

Similar to the M3, the M4’s Hammerhead slot features reinforced outer portions for a lighter, more flexible face, which results in a larger sweet spot. The centre portion of the slot increases ball speed low on the face and drops unwanted spin for straight distance. Additionally, the newly designed face saves 8g of discretionary weight. To increase the stability of the driver, the rearward mass pad has been increased from 22 to 41 grams – an 86% increase.

Also new to the M4 is a redesigned face that is both thinner and lighter. The maximum thickness has been reduced from 4.47mm to 3.6mm and the heel/toe perimeter thickness has been reduced from 2mm to 1.92mm. In addition, the mass of the face has been reduced from 45.5g in the ’17 M2 to 37.6g – 17.3%.

Available on February 16, 2018 at 449€, the M4 driver will be offered in a new 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° & 12° loft options, while LH models are available in 9.5° and 10.5°, each coming equipped with a Fujikura Atmos Red shaft in 6X, 5S, 5R, 5A along with a TM-Lamkin Dual Feel grip. For women, the M4 driver is available in 10.5° & 12° lofts, equipped with a TM-Tuned 45 (L) shaft.

TAYLORMADE M4 D-Type DRIVER

In addition to the standard M4 model, TaylorMade is also offering a higher-launching, more draw-biased model, the M4 D-Type (also 460cc). The M4 D-Type (D signifying draw) combines multiple draw-biased design technologies to help players who consistently fight fade-to-slice trajectories find more fairways. In addition to the multi-material construction, Twist Face technology and Hammerhead Speed Pocket, the D- Type is more heel-weighted (41g), has slight offset and uses advanced visual cues to promote a square face at address and a more draw-biased face at impact.

Available on February 16, 2018 at 449€, the M4 D-Type driver will be offered in 9.5°, 10.5° & 12° loft options, while LH models will be offered in 9.5° and 10.5° lofts and equipped with Matrix’ Platinum White Tie shaft 55 S,R and 45 A,L, which complements the driver’s draw-biased performance. For women, the M4 D-Type driver is available in 10.5° & 12° lofts, equipped with a Matrix White Tie MSF5 45 g (L) shaft.

TAYLORMADE M4 FAIRWAY WOODS

In the M4 fairway, TaylorMade’s ultimate distance fairway has been made even more forgiving, taking everything learned from the use of multi-material composition, Speed Pocket, Geocoustic Technology and ICT integration to deliver a remarkably high- performing complement to the M4 driver that delivers maximum distance and forgiveness by way of a larger sweet spot and more optimal launch conditions. A new split-weight mass pad separates the weight at the outward extremities of the head to preserve ballspeed on shots hit off-centre.

The M4 fairway utilizes a thinner and stronger Ni-Co C300 face along with TaylorMade’s proprietary Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) to increase the higher-COR area of the clubface, thus minimizing ballspeed losses on off-center impacts delivering more distance more often.

In addition to the M4 fairway, TaylorMade is also introducing the M4 Tour fairway, which features a smaller head size (156cc versus 175cc) with a slightly deeper face, designed for better players who prefer a more compact look, lower launch and more workability.

Available on February 16, 2018 at 279€, the M4 fairway will be offered in 15° (3), 16.5° (3HL) & 18° (5), 21° (5HL) and 24° (7HL) loft options, while LH models will be offered in 15° (3), 16.5° (3HL) & 18°(5) lofts, equipped with Fujikura’s Atmos Red 75g 6S, 6R, 5A shaft and a Lamkin Dual Feel grip.

The M4 Tour fairway, at 349€, will be available in 15°(3) & new 18° (5) lofts (RH only) and comes equipped with MCA’s Tensei Blue (65g S and 75g X) flexes and Lamkin UTx grip. For women, the M4 fairway is available in 3HL, 5HL & 7HL lofts, equipped with a TM-Tuned 45 (L) shaft and a Winn Dual Feel grip.

TAYLORMADE M4 RESCUE

Completing the M4 metalwood lineup in 2018 is the M4 Rescue. Power and control are the essential ingredients golfers need when playing a hybrid. M4 offers the best of all worlds with key performance technologies working in sync to produce exceptional ball speed and a larger sweet spot for enhanced overall playability.

The low-profile body of the M4 Rescue has a tiered two-tone crown with the same matte silver front and gloss black rear section that showcases the distinctive, widely recognized aesthetics TaylorMade’s M series of product has become known for.

The M4 Rescue features a cut-through Speed Pocket to increase launch and maximize ballspeed on shots hit below center face. Similar to the M4 fairway, a new split-weight mass pad separates the weight at the outward extremities of the head to increase the club’s forgiveness by preserving ballspeed on shots hit off-center. In addition to the added forgiveness, a Geocoustic sole design and a short, fluted hosel work in tandem to optimize sound and feel at impact. The M4 Rescue is designed to help average golfers replace a long iron with higher, longer and more draw-biased performance.

Available on February 16 at 229€, the M4 Rescue will be offered in 19° (3), 22° (4), 25° (5) and 28° (6) lofts while LH models will be offered in 19° (3), 22° (4) and 25° (5) lofts and equipped with Fujikura’s Atmos Red shaft 7S, 6R, 5A and a Lamkin Dual Feel grip. For women, the M4 Rescue is available in 22° (4), 25° (5) & 28° (6) lofts, equipped with a TM-Tuned IR 45 (L) shaft and a Winn Dual Feel grip.

(*) Winningest drivers claim based on combined 2017 wins on the PGA TOUR, as reported by the Darrell Survey Co.

More information at www.taylormadegolf.eu.