Here are the main pros and cons highlighted below of the TaylorMade M6 driver vs TaylorMade M5 drive.
- Pros
- Very easy to hit and is designed for max forgiveness
- Produces a high quality sound and feels great off the tee
- More cost effective compared to the Taylormade M5 driver for similar performance
- One of the best looking drivers on the market
- Great on speed and distance
- Cons
- Not as adjustable compared to the M5 driver
- Some feel gains are marginal compared to its previous M3 and M4 models
TaylorMade M6 Driver Review
Looking into buying TaylorMade’s M6 driver but not sure how it compares to the M5?
Then you’ve come to the right place.
In this TaylorMade M6 driver review, we’ll take a look at what is unique about the M6 driver, as well as highlight some key differences between this model and its predecessors.
By the end of this review, you should have a good idea of whether or this driver is the right club for you or if you might be better off with something else.
Let’s dive into it.
What Is The Difference Between The TaylorMade M5 and Taylormade M6 Driver?
Both the Taylormade M5 and M6 drivers have similar core performance technologies, which include speed injected twist face and a hammerhead 2.0 slot.
However, the M6 has optimized aerodynamics and forgiveness by getting rid of the “T-track” on the M5 and replacing it with what’s called their Inertia Generator. This added feature helps make the club more forgiving by storing more weight low and back compared to the M5, resulting in the M6 to produce shots that are higher in launch with lower spin.
As you might already know, a higher launch with a lower spin typically translates to straighter shots. This makes the club great for any player that’s looking for a bit of help with fixing their hooks and slices.
What Are The Features and How Do They Compare?
Speed injected twist face technology
The M6 and M5 feature Speed Injected Twist Face technology, which was also found on the M3 and M4 drivers but with further advances made.
Most drivers today are made with its COR (coefficient of restitution) set just below the legal speed limit of 0.83. This was a rule set by the governing bodies for golf that limits the amount of energy transfer from the clubhead to the ball on impact.
But unlike most other drivers on the market, the M6 and M5 are made using a different approach in order to achieve maximum ball and clubhead speeds.
Rather than making the M6 and M5 so that it falls just below the max COR limit, both drivers are actually first created so that it can meet and exceed the max COR value. That means it’s actually an illegal club when it first comes off the production line.
Its face then gets injected with a special resin (through the two red screws on the clubface), which is used for dialing it back to meet legal speed regulations.
The end result is a club that’s very efficient at delivering max speed on impact, which translates to more distance and longer drives off the tee.
Inertia Generator
The Inertia Generator is a component of the sole design that was added to enhance aerodynamics and help deliver more clubhead speed.
CG is lower and pulled further back on the M6 thanks to the 46g Inertia Generator. As a result of this weight redistribution, you get lower spin but also increased launch and forgiveness.
Compared to the M4 the M6 is made with 54% more carbon, which allowed TM to play around with its weight settings and enhance performance on the M6.
Hammerhead Slot 2.0
The Hammerhead Slot 2.0, also known as the Speed Pocket, is located just behind the face.
Taylormade has reengineered this slot in the M5 and M6 drivers to be more flexible compared to the M3 and M4 drivers.
According to TM, this change along with its Speed Injected Twice Face will help to preserve ball speed on off-centre hits, as well as enhance distance and forgiveness.
Overall Reviews At a Glance
In General
- Averages 4.7/5 star customer ratings online
- Near perfect scores from professionals, critics and website reviewers.
- Won gold medal on the 2019 Golf Digest Hot List
The Good
- Compared to previous offerings with similar forgiveness, many players have said that its helped them gain more distance off the tee (20-30 yard gains on average)
- Inertia generator interacts well with the turf and is easy to maintain cleanliness
- Generally more forgiving on mis-hits compared to the M5, which is better for beginners
- Players like the crisp quality sound this club produces on impact
The Bad
- No adjustable weights which means less flexibility
- Players with faster swing speeds might find that this produces too much spin
- Some players feel that they still are not getting enough distance with the M6
How Does It Perform?
Distance
This category rating will depend on what you’re upgrading from. Players upgrading from an older club that’s 5 to 10 years old will likely see significant improvements. I have seen several reviews from players that said they gained 20-30 yards off the tee when they upgraded to the Taylormade M6 driver from their older clubs.
However, if you are planning on upgrading from the Taylormade M3 or M4 drivers then the gains might not be as significant. You could potentially see improvements between 5-10 yards.
Also, your swing speed will play a factor here as well. Golfers with slower swings will likely get more out of the M6 driver compared to the M4 and M3. The M6 weighs less than the previous M4 and M3 models thanks to its carbon design. In general, players with slower swing speeds can gain a bit more distance by playing lighter clubs.
On the other hand, more experienced players with faster swing speeds might be able to get more distance out of the M5. Using the two movable weights on the T-Track, players can calibrate the clubhead to achieve optimal spin and launch conditions for maximum distances.
Forgiveness
The Taylormade M6 driver is designed for maximum forgiveness so this is perfect for golfers that have a tendency of mis-hitting the ball off-center.
It is naturally more forgiving compared to the M5, which is expected since TaylorMade’s M5 driver caters more to players looking for customization and performance over forgiveness
Overall, players seem quite happy with how the M6 performs. Many have commented that it has helped improve their results and noticed significant differences in carry and overall distance gained off the tee from being able to hit straighter shots
That said, remember that this isn’t a cure-all solution for a bad swing. Keep in mind that your swing path is just as important as what’s going on with your clubface upon impact. You’ll want to optimize both areas if you want to see significant improvements to your game (but a solid driver can help).
Playability/Trajectory
On average the M6 will produce a higher ball trajectory compared to the M5. The good thing is that there is an adjustable sleeve on the M6 for you to play with, which can be helpful for shaping shots.
That said, if you are looking for tour-level precision and the ability to manipulate shots then the M6 may not be the best option for you since it is tailored more towards your average players.
Overall Comparison:
TaylorMade M6 Compared to TaylorMade M5
- M5 is the more adjustable option, which some players may prefer
- M6 is more cost effective and delivers a similar performance
- M5 is more geared towards players that desire customization features for performance
TaylorMade M6 Compared to Taylormade M4
- M4 still includes Twist Face technology and Hammerhead slot
- M6 is lighter and produces less spin thanks to its new carbon composite design
- Both M5 and M6 both produce longer distances on average compared to the M4 (give or take 5-10 yards total distance from tests I’ve seen)
Taylormade M6 Compared to Taylormade M3
- M3 is more adjustable and uses a Y-Track design instead of the signature T-Track that’s on the M5.
- M3 is better for shot shaping as it allows for players to customize MOI (forgiveness) draw and fade settings which translates to higher spin and more control
- M3 also includes Twist Face Technology and Hammerhead slot
Verdict
Overall, the TaylorMade M6 driver is a solid well-rounded driver. If you are looking for a club that’s easy to hit and packs a punch then this might be perfect for you.
It is a definite improvement from its predecessors and it comes at a more cost-effective price point than its M5 alternative. Personally, I would recommend this for beginners and mid-high handicappers since shot shaping is likely not as important.
That said, if you do prefer the flexibility to tweak your driver then the M5 is a solid option as well. You really can’t go wrong with either one.
Lastly, if you’re a beginner player and want a faster way of getting a straight shot then I’d recommend also checking out our recommendations on the best golf ball for a slice. These golf balls are great for players that tend to hit the ball on the heel of their clubface, and can definitely help with producing a straighter shot.
