TaylorMade 2017 M1 Rescue Hybrid

While the hybrid in this review isn’t anything new, I certainly believe it’s something special.  Thus the reason it’s getting a special review over a season later.  The TalyorMade 2017 M1 Rescue is the first introduction to sliding weights in a TalyorMade hybrid.  Between the addition of this weight, a newly designed sole, and an already proven shape, the TaylorMade 2017 M1 Rescue hybrid is a versatile option from a variety of lies.  I, personally, have never had more confidence in a 3 hybrid since putting this club in my bag.

The Looks

If the TaylorMade 2017 M1 Rescue hybrid looks familiar from address, it’s because it is.  The overall size and shape is dead in line with previous generations of TaylorMade hybrids.  It’s a nice pear-ish shape with a moderate footprint and face depth.  I would say the ’17 M1 hybrid is about as close as you can get to a “mini wood” without actually entering that category.  Flip the club over and you see the familiar white, black, neon yellow color scheme from the ’17 lineup and that newly added sliding weight.

My only “criticism” of the ’17 M1 hybrid is that they didn’t do the white/black color scheme on the crown like they did with the M2 hybrid to emulate the woods.  I think this looks really sharp and would have been a great move.  Not a big deal, I can certainly live with it as is.

How Does it Feel?

Historically, I’ve found TaylorMade hybrids to feel a bit metallic and springy.  I would still put the 2017 M1 Rescue hybrid more in that category, but a lot less so than previous years.  The feel is a lot more solid and firm than previous TalyorMade Rescue clubs.  TaylorMade also made the 2017 M1 hybrid more responsive with its feedback.  I always felt that older TaylorMade hybrids tended to feel almost too forgiving and left me thinking I hit shots better than I did.  With the 2017 M1 hybrid, I know exactly how I’m hitting the ball on each shot.

The newly shaped sole also improved the 2017 M1 Rescue’s turf interaction a lot.  Not to say previous generations were clunky, but the 2017 M1 hybrid is about as silky of a hybrid as I’ve ever hit.  Gliding through the turf was smooth and virtually effortless.  Don’t get it twisted, I’m still plenty capable of digging a nice trench but that’s on me, not the club.  A good swing will slide through nice and slick without any twist.

How Does it Sound?

Like the feel, the TalyorMade 2017 M1 Rescue’s sound is more toned down and solid.  Again, earlier TaylorMade generations sounded more metallic and springy.  The 2017 M1 hybrid still has a little bit of that “ping” to it, but the sound is more muted and has a firmer presence to it.  No longer will people confuse one of these clubs for a fairway wood on the driving range.  The 2017 M1 hybrid is also very clean and strong through the turf.  A nice stroke will give you a nice clean “rip” through a shallow scrape of the turf.  A steeper swing with a deeper divot will give you more of a compact “pop” of the turf.

On-Course Performance

Obviously the big performance seller of the TaylorMade 2017 M1 Rescue hybrid is the new sliding weight.  This weight, like the M1 woods, is designed to adjust the CG to promote more of a draw or fade flight bias.  For so many players, this could be a gift from the gods with their hybrid.  Long known for heavy gear effect, hybrids are often difficult for players to hit straight or with the control they would prefer from a so-called “rescue” club.  I’ll raise my hand and admit to being one of those hybrid players.  Thankfully, I found the 2017 M1 Rescue hybrid.

With a slight slide of the weight toward to the fade side, my gear-effect hook turns into a perfect light five yard draw.  Most importantly, I can hit it high and I can hit it far.  Of course, you may not always want to hit that shot.  I’m still able to fade the ball right and I can adjust trajectory fairly easily.  Others will experience different results, but the sliding weight certainly worked for me and will help players fine tune their ball flight.

Final Thoughts

Since having the TalyorMade 2017 M1 Rescue hybrid in my bag, it has served as a true rescue club and has without question saved me a few strokes.  By adding a sliding weight to the sole and a few other tweaks, TaylorMade made the M1 a versatile hybrid that could fit a wide range of golfers.  Given what I’ve seen from this club so far, it’s going to be pretty tough to knock it out of my bag anytime soon.

Stock TaylorMade 2017 M1 Rescue Hybrid Specs

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