TaylorMade M3 440 Driver

The TaylorMade M3 440 driver is the more compact 440cc profile of the M3 driver.  Aside from the smaller head shape, the M3 440 driver has the same tech as the standard M3 driver.  This tech includes the new Y-Track weight track, Hammerhead Slot behind the new Twist Face.  The new technology makes the M3 drivers appealing due to its versatility and wide range of adjustability, but the smaller footprint of the M3 440 will likely make it more appealing to lower handicaps.

First Impressions

The TaylorMade M3 440 driver has a very similar profile at address to the 2017 M1 440 driver.  At address, the M3 440 has a nice compact 440cc footprint with a pear shape to it.  Of all the ’18 TaylorMade driver models, the M3 440 is definitely my favorite behind the ball.

If you’re a TaylorMade fan, you likely immediately caught the new color scheme of the M3 440 driver.  After two seasons of white/black carbon contrasts TaylorMade went with a silver in place of white.  The M3/M4 paint scheme has switched to a classy red, white, and blue which gives the club kind of a racing look.  I like the overall look of the ’18 models a lot, but jury’s still out on whether or not I prefer the white or the silver.  Both colors look pretty slick.

How Does it Feel?

Well-struck shots from the TaylorMade M3 440 driver feel very solid and provide a lot of feedback in your hands with tons of pop.  The new Hammerhead Slot is a big reason for this feel.  First, the Hammerhead Slot is designed to expand the sweet spot and make the M3 440 more forgiving across the face.  Additionally, the Hammerhead Slot reinforces the M3 440’s face so TaylorMade is able to push the limits of the entire face’s thickness.  The end result is a hotter and more forgiving face.  I don’t know if it’s just me with my swing, but I felt like the M3 440 had a little more “oomph” to it.  The reality is most likely that the 440 just fits me better and I’m much more consistent with it, but it felt very explosive to me.

With most clubs, a low heel shot or high toe shot feels pretty dead regardless of how they look.  With the TaylorMade M3 440, that feel is a lot different.  I’m not claiming everything is as wonderful as a shot off the sweet spot, but there is a noticeable improvement in the feel of these misses.

How Does it Sound?

Like I just broke a golf ball, that’s how it sounds.  In all seriousness, the TaylorMade M3 440 has the most powerful sound of all the drivers I’ve hit this season.  Honestly, I’m sure that exceptional sound is largely based on the optimal fit with my swing more than anything, but my results have been exceptional.  The M3 440 is a solid continuation of the precise “lightning crack” sound I experienced with the M1 440 last season.  The biggest difference is that the M3 440’s sound has a little more “body” to it.

Remember when I mentioned the improvement on feel for the missed heel and toe shots?  The M3 440’s sound follows suit.  Historically, a driver’s heel and toe shot have a sound that indicates missing the center.  With the M3 440 driver, that tone is still slightly different but much closer to normal than you would regularly expect on that miss.

On-Course Performance

Interestingly, I looked back at my data for the M1 440 driver and my data was almost identical to the M3 440.  In addition to being even more consistent with the M3 440, the new adjustability helped me dial in a stronger ball flight.  Ultimately, I had the hottest shot I may have ever hit with a driver and I was sold.  See that shot data below.

I’m hardly trying to brag (ok, I am a little bit), but that’s a pretty solid top-end shot for an amateur like myself.  Knowing this club has this shot in the tank, I feel pretty confident on the tee.  Even if it is just a mental thing, I’ll take whatever I can get.

Y-Track

As mentioned, the M3 driver’s Y-Track really gives you the ability to get the ball flight you’re looking for.  By moving the weights all the way forward, you can hit low ropes with next to no spin.  Should you want more spin and higher launch, you can move the weights toward the rear of the club.  For maximum launch, you would throw the weights all the way back into the Draw and Fade positions.  By selecting any combination in between, you can get the spin and launch you want while also assisting with your fade and draw bias.  Per my experience, this tech really works, but is best when explored with a fitter so as to make educated positioning decisions and realize the full potential.

Twist Face

Ah yes, TaylorMade‘s Twist Face!  A lot has been made of the Twist Face tech in the new TaylorMade M3 440 driver.  Reading around the internet, everyone seems to have both favorable and non-favorable opinions on if this works.  I’m happy to report I have an honest and unbiased opinion on it.  Below is TaylorMade’s explanation of the Twist Face design:

Twist Face presents a revolutionary new face curvature with a corrective face angle on off-center hits, engineered to reduce side spin and deliver straighter shots. By providing more loft in the high-toe and less loft in the low-heel, this groundbreaking technology produces more consistent side spin in the areas where golfers commonly mis-hit.

If you have a slice or hook swing path, unfortunately, the Twist Face isn’t going to save you from slicing three fairways over.  Trust me, I’ve seen it.  Where the Twist Face makes a difference is when you have a squared face at impact but miss the center of the face.  Those low heel or high toe shots traditionally die quick, painful deaths in all sorts of directions.  TaylorMade’s Twist Face now gives those shots better launch and they maintain their ball speed better.  This means the end result is a MUCH more serviceable shot than most other drivers.  Did the Twist Face revolutionize my game?  No, BUT it did make a very noticeable difference on mishit shots that made me a believer and kept me alive out there more than once.

Final Thoughts

2018 gamer.  I can sum up the TalyorMade M3 440 driver that easy.  Between the unrivaled consistency I had, and the improved feel, the M3 440 was worth the “upgrade” from my trustee M1 440.  Why do I call it an upgrade?  I love my M1 440 and it served me well, but [so far] I really think the Y-Track is a better weight system.  The Twist face is a nice addition, but I truly believe that Hammerhead Slot is the biggest win in the face and improves upon an already great feel from last season.  Overall, the numbers speak for themselves.  My results with the M3 440 stood above everything else and it has translated to the course for the 2018 season.  Now I just have to hope I can figure out what to do after my tee shot…

Stock TaylorMade M3 440 Driver Review Specs

Previous Next