Equipment
Spotted: TaylorMade’s 2017 M1 Fairway Woods and Hybrids
A slot and a sliding weight? That’s what we’re seeing in a photo of a new TaylorMade M1 fairway wood, which is making the rounds in our forum after being posted on Instagram by an account associated with custom club maker TourQualityGolf in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
The photo of the fairway wood, which presumably is part of TaylorMade’s 2017 line, has the same graphics and color scheme as the M1 460 driver that appeared yesterday on social media.
The photo of the new driver was revealing because it indicates that TaylorMade will use more carbon fiber in the design of its 2017 drivers. While the new M1 fairway wood does not appear to use carbon fiber in the same way, there are some noteworthy changes.
For one, the fairway wood’s sliding-weight track has been moved to the rear of the sole. In previous models, the M1 and the R15, a front weight track was used. According to TaylorMade, the front weight track created a low, forward center of gravity that encouraged the high-launching, low-spinning ball flight most golfers want from a fairway wood. With the weight track moved rearward, it’s clear that TaylorMade has found other means of moving the necessary amount of weight low and forward in the clubhead.
The rearward weight track also allowed TaylorMade to add a slot to the front of the club sole, a design strategy the company has been employing since its debut of the RBZ fairway woods in 2011. The slot is of the flat, handle bar-shaped variety used on TaylorMade’s M1 hybrids that were released in 2015. It is said to increase the flexibility of a club face, leading to increased ball speed, a higher launch angle and reduced spin, particularly on shots contacted low on the club face.
A photo of TaylorMade’s 2017 M1 hybrid posted in our forum by user Ricky Ross shows that the company’s new hybrids will likely take the same approach as the company’s new fairway woods. It also appears to employ a rear sliding weight track and a flat, handle bar-shaped slot on the front of the sole.
Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.
The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.
At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.
The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.
“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley
In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.
To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.
“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod
An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.
Pricing & Availability
The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.
In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:
“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.
My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
- MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
- dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”
Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.
From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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suhdude
Nov 14, 2016 at 2:12 pm
taylorlame. sorry bruh.
Rimjob
Nov 3, 2016 at 3:05 am
The slot of the Jetspeed with the added adjustability. Best of both worlds. These are gonna be heaters
Mats B
Nov 2, 2016 at 6:33 am
One of the first Equipment signs that Adidas and Nike are discussing an Equipment deal with Nike as a new owner of Taylor Made. Look at the yellow/green colour of the 1 in M1. Same och very simular to the one used by Nike. The fact that McIlroy and Koepka has made a move to Taylor Made Woods is just adding to the fact that soon Taylor Made will be under new wings…..
Rimjob
Nov 2, 2016 at 2:19 pm
Nah. But this comment is an indication that you’re an idiot
Yawn
Nov 2, 2016 at 9:54 pm
Cut n pasting your own dribble?
Good effort.
TomyD
Nov 3, 2016 at 2:41 am
It’s Lime not Volt… and why would they stop golf equipment to focus on clothes/shoes and buy a equipment brand few weeks later which is on sale for the same reason they cut their production… make no sense.
Mats B
Nov 3, 2016 at 6:32 pm
Tomy,
Who knows!? There’s more than one way to get to the Top! After 15 years of trying to be one of the big brands without being successful even though they had one of the greatest Sport stars in their team and then went on to sign McIlroy without any added success. I guess then it’s time for a change of direction. Even though Taylor Made has flooded the market with new equipment launches, using a 6 months lifetime cycle, they still remain in the very front edge of performance, especially on their woods, where they outperform most, if not all of the competition…..no further explanation needed….Adidas has had it for sale for quite some time now and I think it’s getting to a point where they have to let it go for a bargain, compared to what they expected. I think that Nike has made their fair share of calculations and this can be the right time to make a move and get straight to the Top, quicker and with a lot less effort than continuing to knock their own head’s into a concrete wall! I guess we’ll have to wait and see!? I may be wrong!? But I wouldn’t be surprised if Nike will be involved somehow in Taylor Made in the future. 🙂
FNM
Nov 2, 2016 at 2:43 am
I am going to murder that 3wood, I know I will
JThunder
Nov 2, 2016 at 12:36 am
Actually M1 was just over a year ago, and M2 was end of Jan 2016. That’s only “dialed back” for TM, still fast for anyone else.
Clay
Nov 1, 2016 at 10:45 pm
That hybrid looks awful. I was looking for words like Talor-Fit. It looks like a Chinese knock off of an actual hybrid.
M1 Smizzle
Nov 1, 2016 at 4:31 pm
They look sweet!
rechlo67
Nov 1, 2016 at 1:47 pm
If that 3 wood has a combination between the M2 (front slot) and M1 (track) that thing is going to be ridiculously hot.
G
Nov 2, 2016 at 12:17 pm
I agree it will be super hot
Dat
Nov 1, 2016 at 11:35 am
M1 Hybrids are gonna require a clean pick of the ball…if you have a less than ideal strike or lie the weight track will be a mud track.
Chris
Nov 1, 2016 at 11:20 am
Any idea if the weight on the sliding weights is heavier or lighter than the 2016 M1?
Greg
Nov 1, 2016 at 2:51 pm
Yes
mitch
Nov 1, 2016 at 9:55 am
why do they need new woods out already! they just keep flooding the market!
Sean
Nov 1, 2016 at 10:02 am
If they dont release until after the pga show the driver would have had a full two year cycle. Callaway and other companies have flooded more in that time period. Just saying
Alan
Nov 1, 2016 at 10:39 am
How can it be a full 2 year cycle when the original M1 was unveiled and launched in September 2015?
Shooters Tour
Nov 1, 2016 at 10:42 am
…word.
cgasucks
Nov 1, 2016 at 10:09 am
They’ve actually dialed back the release frequency. The last time they debuted new woods was a year ago and will continue to dial back its offerings, especially since it’s up for sale and don’t want to scare off any potential buyers that they’re back to their old ways (which got them in trouble in the first place).
rolltherock
Nov 1, 2016 at 10:36 am
Calm down Mitch
SteveID
Nov 1, 2016 at 12:04 pm
Mitch, does it affect you at all?
mitch
Nov 1, 2016 at 12:24 pm
I guess time just flies and it seems like it has not been as long that they have been out idk..