News
TaylorMade goes titanium, Twist Face for M5, M6 fairway woods
TaylorMade stayed faithful to a steel-headed fairway wood for a long time, but 2019 is different for a few reasons. For starters, with the M5 and M6 fairway woods TaylorMade brings Twist Face technology beyond the driver for the first time, and with its M5 offering, TM has gone with a titanium/carbon head alongside an interesting weighting system that isn’t exactly new science but seems to harmonize with all the rest of the tech the company offers.
“The M5 fairway wood is a new super adjustable fairway wood featuring ground-breaking new titanium-carbon construction with a massive 65-gram movable weight. This is the first ever fairway wood to use our revolutionary Twist Face technology for unparalleled accuracy and game-changing performance,” says Tomo Bystedt, Senior Director, Product Creation, Metalwoods.
While the effect is the same — counteracting the gear effect on high-toe and low-heel mis-hits — the Twist Face shape is slightly different in the woods, owing to the differing impact patterns between drivers and woods.
TaylorMade M5 fairway wood
The titanium-bodied club features a five-layer carbon composite crown, as well as a steel 65-gram movable weight for a tri-material body construction.
The weight system is redesigned from the M family’s predecessors, as the engineers were able to lower CG and increase adjustability, thanks to the increased discretionary weight.
The M5’s 12-position loft sleeve allows for plus/minus two degrees of adjustability.
In the past TaylorMade has always designed a fairway wood that jived well with its drivers, this is no exception in the case of the M5. It will be interesting to see how Twist Face technology in a fairway wood plays with its tour staff — traditionally forgiveness or speed across the face isn’t a necessity on tour for a fairway wood.
Director of Content Johnny Wunder on early testing of the M5 fairway wood
Look
“Compact head with a deepish face, the better player will like this shape overall.”
Feel
“The titanium/carbon head is a new feel for a TaylorMade fairway wood. At 65 grams the steel weight system provides a hammer head feel to this wood that I really like.”
Sound
“Very similar to all the Taylor fairways, crisp, thumpy and non tingy.”
Overall
“A winner as an offering is concerned however as with any fairway wood coming out, this is a hard category to really elevate the conversation. These clubs are so personal to each individual.”
M5 specifications, pricing & availability
Available for preorder on January 18 and at retail on February 1. MSRP of $399.99. The M5 fairway will be offered in Rocket 3/14 degree (RH only), 15 degree, and 18 degree lofts and come equipped with a Mitsubishi CK Tensei Orange 75 (X) and 65 (S, R) with numerous additional shaft options available at no additional cost.
The stock grip is the MCC Decade grip from Golf Pride.
Related: TaylorMade M5 fairway wood, M6 fairway wood photos
TaylorMade M6 fairway wood
The M2/M4 woods had a ton of success across the board for all levels of golfers due to its overall forgiveness and for the tour player the ability get the gains out of a slightly lower profile fairway without giving up the turf interaction and workability of the deeper smaller M1/M3.
The steel-constructed M6 fairway wood is equipped with a re-engineered Speed Pocket
to boost ball speed on shots struck low on the face. A TPU slot insert sits flush with the sole of the M6 for better turf interaction/less Speed Pocket drag.
This year also sees the addition of a “Rocket 3.” The 14-degree offering targeting those who seek reduced spin and higher ballspeed, according to the company. The center of gravity sits directly behind the club face in the M6, which improves energy transfer from its predecessor, the M4.
In an interesting change this year, relative to the M5, the M6 features a slightly taller face, and as a result, a larger impact area. Like the M5, however, the M6’s carbon composite crown increases discretionary mass, which is concentrated low in the head for a lower CG/higher launch.
The M6 is also available in a draw-biased M6 D-Type, which features the company’s divergent face masking and a modified internal weighting structure for an addition 15 yards of draw bias compared to the standard M6.
Johnny Wunder on early testing of the M6 Fairway Wood
Look
“The M6 is the best looking fairway wood in the M2/M4/M6 class. I like the deeper face and from a look standpoint find it very confidence inspiring.”
Feel
“This may sound weird but it feels forgiving LOL. It’s easy to get up in the air and has a good feel across the face. If there was any negatives, for better players it may be too forgiving.”
Sound
“Acoustics on the M6 is consistent with the previous versions in this category. If anything it might sound a bit less tingy then before but that’s nit picky to the older versions, they all sound great.”
Overall
“A solid choice across the board. Probably not for me personally but I can see this thing getting a lot of attention for very good reasons.”
M6 specifications, pricing & availability
Available for preorder on January 18 and at retail on February 1, 2019 at an MSRP of $299.99 USD, the M6 fairway woods will be offered in Rocket 3/14°,
15, 18, 21 and 24 degree lofts, equipped with Fujikura’s Atmos Orange FW shaft in S, R and A-flexes. The M6 D-Type will be offered in 16, 19, and 22 degree lofts and come equipped with the Project X EvenFlow Max Carry 50 shaft in 6.0 (S), 5.5 (R) and 5.0 (A).
The stock men’s grip is the Lamkin Dual Feel grip and the stock ladies grip is the Lamkin Comfort Plus Dual Feel grip.
M6 Rescue
TaylorMade has incorporated Twist Face technology into a hybrid for the first time. With more extreme curvature than the M6 driver, engineers opted for a two-tone crown to mask the potentially visually distracting shape.
With respect to a low CG steel body, thinner face, and lightweight crown, the M6 Rescue has much in common with the M6 fairway wood. Ditto, the Speed Pocket with a TPU slot insert.
This hybrid will satisfy the needs of the higher handicap player looking to hit something high that lands softly. It doesn’t appear at first glance that the better player will land on this club, but that’s not the agenda here.
Johnny Wunder on the M6 Rescue
“I was only able to hit a couple of shots with the hybrid, as a non hybrid player I can simply say its very easy to hit and will be a great option for the higher handicap to fill top of the bag gaps.”
Rescue specifications, pricing & availability
Available for preorder on January 18 and at retail on February 1, 2019 at an MSRP of $249 USD. The M6 Rescue will be offered in 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31 degree lofts and come equipped with a Fujikura Atmos Orange HY shaft in 7 (S), 6 (R) or 5 (A).
For women, the M6 Rescue will come in 22, 25, 28, 31 degree lofts (RH only) and come equipped with TaylorMade’s Tuned Performance 45g L-flex shaft.
The stock men’s grip is the Lamkin Dual Feel grip and the stock ladies grip is the Lamkin Comfort Plus Dual Feel grip.
Related: TaylorMade M5 fairway wood, M6 fairway wood photos
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Morning 9: Anthony Kim speaks | New TGL team | ANWA contenders
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Valero Texas Open
GolfWRX is on site this week at the Valero Texas Open.
The event has been around since 1922, making it one of the oldest on the PGA Tour calendar. Over the years, it’s been held at a variety of courses across the Lone Star State, but it’s found its home at TPC San Antonio in recent years. Some of the biggest names in golf have taken home the title here, including Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino, and Ben Crenshaw.
GolfWRX has its usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs and special pull-out albums. As always, we’ll continue to update the links below as more photos come in from TPC San Antonio.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Ben Taylor – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Paul Barjon – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Joe Sullivan – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Wilson Furr – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Ben Willman – SoTex PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Jimmy Stanger – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Rickie Fowler – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Harrison Endycott – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Vince Whaley – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Kevin Chappell – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Christian Bezuidenhout – WITB (mini) – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Scott Gutschewski – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
Pullout Albums
- Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Ben Taylor with new Titleist TRS 2 wood – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Swag cover – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Greyson Sigg’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Davis Riley’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Josh Teater’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Hzrdus T1100 is back – – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Mark Hubbard testing ported Titleist irons – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Tyson Alexander testing new Titleist TRS 2 wood – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Hideki Matsuyama’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Cobra putters – 2024 Valero Texas Open
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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News
Tour Rundown: Jaeger is meister | Korda wins again
We’re getting to that time of year that all fans of golf embrace. The Augusta National Women’s Amateur begins this week, followed by the Masters at the end of the fortnight. Tours offer a full set of events, although they will take a break the week of the first men’s major of the year. The world’s tours played events this week in Texas, Singapore, Arizona, Mexico, and California. Nearly all of these competitions came down to the final stroke, on the final hole. This combination of stout play and building drama is what we weather winter for. With that season in the rearview mirror, let’s embark on another spate of Tour Rundown recollections.
PGA Tour @ Houston Open: Jåger is meister of Houston
Stephan Jåger had performed feats of magic before against the fires of competitive golf. In 2016, on the Web.Com (now Korn Ferry) Tour, he posted a first-round 58 and stayed true to that arrow to win his first tour event. On his Wikipedia page, his surname is spelled both Jåger and Jaeger. To honor his ancestry, we’ll go with the former.
This week, the stakes were higher, as he chased a first victory on the PGA Tour. Marvelous opponents sprinted with him, including former Houston Open winner Tony Finau, and the world’s top-ranked player, Scottie Scheffler. Just as eager as Jåger, were Alejandro Tosti, Thomas Detry, and Taylor Moore. Each figured in the event’s conclusion.
It’s easier to write that each of those six men posted rounds between 66 and 68 on Sunday, and that all finished within one shot of the rest, than it is to recall precisely how they did so. Finau dropped ten shots (62-72) from Friday to Saturday, or he would have added another Houston Open title to the shelf. Scheffler (the 15th), Tosti, (the 18th), and Detry (the 14th) all made a bogey over the concluding holes, or they would have joined Jåger in a playoff. As for Moore, he could have done little more than make one more birdie. His pitch to the last nearly went in, finishing inside two feet from the extension of glory.
Jåger did all his work on Sunday over the front nine. His four birdies and one bogey brought him to 12 under on the week. He proceeded to secure nine pars on the inward half, including a 20-feet save at the 13th. Only at the 17th did he putt for birdie from inside 15 feet, and that effort was too strong. Yet, he did all that he had to do, to conclude an event at the podium’s summit, and hoist a PGA Tour trophy for the first time.
CLUTCH!
Stephan Jaeger saves par to hold on to the solo lead @TCHouOpen. pic.twitter.com/FXKlaQTlXR
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 31, 2024
LPGA @ Ford Championship: Korda wins again, so watch out!
It appears that the mystery condition that derailed Nelly Korda in 2023, has run its course or been eliminated. Korda won for the second consecutive week on the LPGA circuit, and she did so in the manner that we’ve grown to know: efficiency. One week past nearly tossing a victory away, Korda was flawless on Sunday at Seville, in Gilber, Arizona. Her seven birdies and eleven pars led to a Sunday 65, and a two-shot margin of victory over England’s Hira Naveed.
Heretofore unknown at the top tier of women’s golf, Naveed posted 65-66 on the weekend to slide past a quintet of contenders, into second spot. Naveed signed for 16 birdies over the final two days, but a pair of bogeys separated her from a chance at Korda. Behind her, in third position, were Carlota Ciganda, Mi Hyang Lee, Frida Kinhult, Maja Stark, and a resurgent Lexi Thompson.
Nelly Korda began the week with birdies at four of her opening five holes. On days one and three, she posted but a single bogey over the play of the course. Friday was a bit topsy-turvey, with a trio of bogeys offset by a dramatic eagle at the fifth. When it looked as if things were slipping away, Korda closed with birdie on day two, to gain momentum at the halfway point. Her swing is efficient and consistent, and when her mental game and putting join the full move, little can stop her. The Ford Championship was her eleventh on tour, and her third of the young season.
.@NellyKorda is No. 1 for a reason ?
Nelly birdies for the solo lead with just two holes left to go ? pic.twitter.com/WimuZPK0Pf
— LPGA (@LPGA) March 31, 2024
DP World Tour @ Indian Open: Nakajima nearly romps to win
Keita Nakajima set a record of 87 consecutive weeks as the top-ranked amateur in men’s golf. He won four times on the Japan PGA tour and built a five-shot advantage over the first 54 holes of the Indian Open. When he turned in minus-three on Sunday, his advantage swelled to near-double digits. It was a coming-out party for a potential, future champion.
Things turned sour on the inward half. Don’t worry: we did not misleed with our sub-header; Nakajima won. After four solid pars to begin the trek home, the leader made a sloppy, double bogey at the 14th hole. The hole owned Nakajima all week-he played it in a combined plus-five shots to par.
The leader rebounded with birdie at the next but closed with three consecutive bogeys for an inward 40 and 73 on the day. No matter: Nakajima won by four shots over India’s Veer Ahlawat, Sweden’s Sebastian Söderberg, and the USA’s Johannes Veerman. Ahlawat managed 71 on Sunday, to move up four slots. Söderberg and Veerman posted 67 to each ascend 11 spaces.
Keita Nakajima makes yet another long putt for birdie and extends his lead to six ?#HIO24 pic.twitter.com/wG1JmL6Lls
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) March 31, 20 24
PGA Tour Americas @ TotalPlay: JJR wins at home
By all accounts, the merger of the PGA Tour LA and PGA Tour CA was a positive thing. Gone are the qualifying for two tours, and the uncertainty of a season-long circuit for golfers striving to reach the Korn Ferry tier. This week, the PGA Tour Americas moved to the Atlas Country Club in Guadalajara, Mexico. Those in attendance were treated to a wondrous performance by a son of the nation, José de Jesús Rodríguez. A man with a stress mark in each of his three names is specially-written, and specially gifted, after all.
Rodríguez was marvelous over the first three rounds. Scores of 68-65-67 brought him to the pole position, heading into the event’s final lap. Sunday saw an early bogey (3) and a late one (17), and a lot of grit and determination in between. Jesús Montenegro of Argentina closed within one of the leader, but 13-deep was the farthest he could advance. Derek Hitchner and Joey Vzich of the USA matched 71s on Sunday to finish at 12-under par, in a third-place tie. The title, after a 72nd-hole par, belonged to José de Jesús Rodríguez, aka El Camarón Rojo, and all of Mexico celebrated with an olé!
This close to an eagle ?@elcamaronrdgz taps in for birdie on the par 5, 15th to take a one shot lead with 3 holes to play. pic.twitter.com/izO5EyO9sE
— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) March 31, 2024
PGA Tour Champions @ Galleri Classic: Goosen gets gift and glory
It’s easy to recall Retief Goosen’s twin U.S. Open titles, in 2001 and 2004. He displayed an icy disposition under pressure as those around him wilted. It’s difficult to forget his collapse at Pinehurst in 2005, as he was on the cusp of a third U.S. Open title, and a place among the game’s greats. Although three more tour titles would come his way, he was never again the same player in major events.
The senior circuit, aka PGA Tour Champions, is a second chance at many things, for many players. For Goosen, it represents an opportunity to rebuild competitive scenarios, and rekindle the fires that burn within the competitive soul. For much of the Galleri Classic this week, Goosen and others watched as Steven Alker and Ricardo González dueled in the desert. In the end, neither player stood ahead of the field.
Both Alker and González posted late bogeys. González made three of them, from holes 14 to 17, while Alker finished bogey-bogey. Each golfer concluded his week at twelve shots under par, one agonizing shot behind Goosen. How did the two-time, U.S. Open champion reach the magic number? He avoided old man bogey. Three birdies and 15 pars on day three were enough to place the South African champion in contention, and he simply held firm, as those around him fell. The win was Goosen’s third on the senior circuit, and his first since 2022.
The Goose is loose.
Retief Goosen trails by one with three to play @GalleriClassic. pic.twitter.com/MlJsFEFNUK
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) March 31, 2024
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Walter
Jan 4, 2019 at 11:45 am
WOW! what a concept, titanium faces for fairway woods, ha ha. Ahh my old Tour Edge Exotics XCG6 3WD had a Ti face from many many years ago. I guess TM just discovered Ti could be used in fairway woods, ha ha.
Benny
Jan 4, 2019 at 8:00 am
You guys have to go and watch Youtube. Forget the guy but he tests each line of drivers from previous 5/6 years. Same shaft in all I believe so there could be some hidden yards. But new vrs old is a matter of a yard or two.
Grande
Jan 3, 2019 at 1:59 pm
God these are ugly looking drivers.
orv
Jan 3, 2019 at 6:23 pm
Hey… these blingy style drivers with lots of doo-daad features is what gearhead geeks go bananas for… and TM marketing department know that too. They play with the driver head just like they do with themselves.
CaoNiMa
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:03 am
That’s because these are fairways metals. lol
Daniel Hill
Jan 3, 2019 at 1:37 pm
Justin Rose lost two tourneys and the Tour Championship because his TM was 50-60 yards left/right. Tiger lost Bay Hill, PGA, and several others because of his snappy and crappy TM gear. No thanks, if it’s long and crooked like SLDR, count me out.
Tom
Jan 3, 2019 at 12:31 pm
Hahahahahahahaha…..What a joke twist face is, didn’t you see Tiger and other TM players missing fairways by 30-40 yards last year using it?
This company is on the skids for sure…desperate even.
Pin high
Jan 3, 2019 at 12:50 pm
Just curious.. what driver do u use?
Kirkland ball
Jan 6, 2019 at 12:07 pm
We know driver you use
orv
Jan 3, 2019 at 11:08 am
This is too much! I’m gonna scrap my current clubs for the new TM drivers and fairways. The technology is awesome.
bonifacj
Jan 3, 2019 at 10:49 am
M5 looks like it’s a hydrogen infused Powerbilt.
orv
Jan 3, 2019 at 6:25 pm
Not ‘hydrogen’…. ‘nitrogen’… KAPOOOOOW… ppffttt
Benny
Jan 4, 2019 at 7:56 am
LOL
David
Jan 3, 2019 at 9:19 am
I’m a Taylormade guy, but at $400 for a fairway and $550 for a driver, this whole line is a hard pass. Waiting to see what the $300 wedges look like.
Roy
Jan 3, 2019 at 3:07 pm
No Fear – they will be on the preowned sight by late summer – can always pick up a good deal there…..