An Honest TaylorMade M4 Driver Review [2022 Edition]

The first time I tested the M4 driver was in 2018, shortly after its release.

As TaylorMade has launched several drivers since, I thought it would be fun to hit the range again and see how it compares to a newer model. Therefore, I have written a TaylorMade M4 driver review here to determine if it is still a force to be reckoned with.

After introducing you to the features and performance of this driver, I will assess how it compares to the manufacturer’s latest releases. In addition, the analysis will help you decide if the TaylorMade M4 driver is suited to your swing.

For readers looking for a quick summary, here are the highlights/lowlights:

Quick Overview of The TaylorMade M4 Driver

Features

Twist Face Technology

The first stand-out feature of the M4 driver is its new twist face technology. Well, it was fresh back in 2018. The revolutionary new face curvature for that time produced a corrective face angle to combat off-center strikes.

Therefore, striking the ball in the high toe increases the loft of the face. Conversely, if the clubface catches the ball off the low heel, it reduces the apex of your shot. This is done to produce a consistent spin on all drives.

Furthermore, helping you get your ball airborne, the twist face technology resists side spin on heel and toe mishits. As a result, you produce straighter shots for an improved fairway in regulation record.

Excess side spin off the club face causes hooks and slices, which is the fastest way to ruin your hole before it begins.

Speed Pocket

When we miss the center of the driver’s face, we reduce the coefficient of restitution (COR), which slows down our ball speed. The loss of velocity leads to a weaker launch and a loss of distance.

Fortunately, TaylorMade’s engineers employed Speed Pocket technology to boost speed on all shots. Therefore, you enjoy consistent ball flight and distance on all connections.

Speed pocket technology is effective when you catch the ball low off the face. It springs into action and accelerates your ball speed to produce optimal yardage. Without this technology, your driver delivers inadequate spin and velocity for adequate yardage.

Hammerhead Slot

A hammerhead slot is inserted into the driver’s sole to support the outer portions of the slot. That reduces the mass, encouraging a more flexible face through impact. This benefits you on off-center hits, where you need all the ball speed necessary to produce sufficient distance off the tee.

In addition, the increased flexibility of the TaylorMade M4 driver expands the sweet spot for maximum forgiveness. As a result, the wider sweet spot delivers ample ball speed across the face for consistent distance off the tee.

Geocoustic Technology

Geocoustic tech employs sole shaping techniques to deliver superior sound and feel at impact. Therefore, you enjoy the rewarding acoustics of your clubface, striking the ball on every tee shot.

Furthermore, TaylorMade added a recessed sole contour construction to the head, freeing up weight in the clubhead. That enabled the engineers to craft a larger flexible clubface with an enhanced sweet spot. As a result, it delivers maximum forgiveness.

Adjustable Hosel

The M4 driver features an adjustable hosel, enabling golfers to alter their loft by 2 degrees of additional or less loft. Plus, adjustments impact the angle of the clubface.

For example, strengthening the loft by 2 degrees can open your clubface up to 4 degrees. That sets your driver up to deliver a fade bias. Conversely, lowering the loft by 2 degrees closes the club face by 4 degrees. This positions the driver for a draw bias.

In addition, altering the loft impacts the level of backspin RPM you produce at impact. Weakening the loft by 2 degrees can boost your backspin by 400 RPM. That setup prompts a high launch, ideal for slower swingers.

On the contrary, strengthening the loft helps you deliver a low spin off the driver’s face for maximum distance.

To alter the loft, you need a wrench to help you loosen the screws on the sole. Rotate anti-clockwise to slacken the screws, and remove them. Then, slip the head of the shaft. Turn the hosel to achieve your desired loft.

You can follow the video below by Golfbidder for a visual representation of the procedure:

Lofts

TaylorMade crafts the M4 driver in three key loft settings. The lowest lofted design is 9.5-degrees, followed by a 10.5-degree construction. Finally, golfers with a slow driver swing speed should appreciate the 12-degree driver.

Shafts

The only stock shaft available on the M4 is the Fujikura Atmos Red 5. Fujikura constructed this shaft in stiff, regular, and senior flex. Therefore, they are designed for golfers who produce fast, average, and slow club head speed.

Performance

Price

As an older model driver, the M4 is now at a convenient price point for mid and high-handicappers. It has come down by $200 to $300 in price, making it far more attractive to the average golfer than new premium drivers from TaylorMade.

Feel and Sound

Geocoustic technology delivers a solid deafening sound at impact. Exactly the noise you expect to hear from your driver when you crush it out of the sweet spot. In addition, it offers a relatively soft feel as it drowns out vibrations on off-center strikes.

Spin

On average, I generate 2100 RPM of backspin with my driver. When I tested the M4, I averaged 100 mph less than that, clocking in at 2000 RPM. I am satisfied with this level, and it is what I expect to receive from my big stick.

Forgiveness

The M4 delivers exceptional all-around forgiveness, from accelerating ball speed on off-center strikes to minimizing side spin. This support helps you achieve optimal distance and accuracy.

Distance

TaylorMade built the M4 to accelerate ball speed and reduce spin on your drives. My average driving distance is 270-yards, and the M4 produced 274-yards in testing. Therefore, it creates slightly more distance than my regular driver.

What I Like About The TaylorMade M4

Sound

Off the clubface, the TaylorMade M4 produces a solid, explosive sound to warn your partners that a bomb is flying down the fairway. Geocoustic technology helped the engineers execute advanced sole shaping techniques. This means that the clubhead is crafted for optimal sound and feel at impact.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is one of the crucial features of the TaylorMade M4 driver. The presence of a flexible clubface, enlarged sweet spot, and hammerhead slot ensures a forgiving driver.

Its flexible face springs into the ball at impact and accelerates velocity. This prompts a high launching, long flying ball, resulting in exceptional distance. Even when you strike the ball low off the face.

Furthermore, its face curvature construction beats off unwanted spin prompted by off-center strikes. This reduces the risk of you hooking or slicing your drive into trouble.

Low Spin

Low spin off the tee enables you to produce piercing ball flight and prompt optimal forward roll upon landing. When I create excess spin, I balloon my drives and lose distance. The ball shoots into the air and descends rapidly before coming to an abrupt halt.

The beauty of the M4 is that it contains an adjustable hosel. Therefore, you can continuously strengthen the loft of your driver to reduce backspin RPM.

Adjustable Hosel

By adding an adjustable hosel, TaylorMade allows you to tinker with the loft, angle, and your clubface lie. If you are generating excess backspin RPM you can strengthen your driver’s loft to reduce spin. Conversely, you can weaken the loft to encourage additional backspin RPM.

Moreover, the hosel alters the angle of the face. You can set your club up to induce a draw or a fade. Strengthen your loft on the adjustable hosel, and keep your clubface open and ready to prompt a fade shape.

Contrarily, weakening the loft closes the club face by up to 4 degrees, encouraging the club to promote a draw.

This feature is suited to mid and high handicappers still identifying the perfect composition for their swings.

What I Dislike About The TaylorMade M4

Shaft Options

There is little not to like about the TaylorMade M4 driver. It is forgiving, feels superb, and delivers optimal distance on all strikes. However, they are skint on stock shaft options. There is only one brand of stock shaft available.

I would like them to offer more stock shafts that cater to every swing speed and tempo.

Overall Rating and Thoughts

The TaylorMade M4 is an exceptional driver. Although it is a few years older than newer models from the equipment giant, it remains relevant. Like new TaylorMade drivers, the M4 is highly forgiving, reduces spin, and generates rapid ball speed.

Overall, it gives the average golfer everything we need off the tee; and it is at a fraction of its release price. If you are after a highly forgiving, long, and adjustable driver, you should consider the TaylorMade M4 driver.

Overall Rating: 95/100

Related Reading: Since they are a highly reputable manufacturer, TaylorMade’s golf clubs are not found in the bargain bin. However, if the price is everything to you, there are more affordable options. Find your ideal big stick among our 10 best drivers under $200.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.