The M4 irons were originally released in 2018, along with the M3. They actually decided to refresh and upgrade them again in 2021, which is the model I have.
The average player doesn’t need to spend a fortune on a new set of irons, especially this years model. I’ve been able to review multiple different irons, and they still hold up to this day.
In This Review
Product Details | Intro | Looks | Feel & Sound | Performance | Bottom Line | Alternatives
Taylormade M4 Irons Product Details
| Release Year | 2021 |
| MSRP | $599.99 |
| Golfer | Men, Women |
| Handicap | Mid, High |
| Shaft | KBS Max 85 Steel Fujikura Atmos Red |
| Shaft Flex | A, R, S |
| Design | Cavity Back |
| Grip | Taylormade Dual Feel |
| Clubs | 5-PW Optional: 4H, 5H, AW |
| Manufacturer | Taylormade |
The Intro
Taylormade have been one of the leading companies when it comes to clubs, especially drivers and woods. They had a lot of success when they released the M1/M2 line, so I was pretty curious to test their new model.
I will admit, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Taylormade clubs in the past. Both the performance and quality wasn’t up to par, in my opinion, so I didn’t really know what to expect with the M4 irons.
If you’re not familiar, the M4 line is their game-improvement model where the M3 line is their players model. Distance and forgiveness with the M4, workability and consistency with the M3.
One thing to note, If you’re considering these irons I’d recommend going with the 2021 version. I didn’t experience it myself, but the original release had issues with the face slot (the 2018 model says RIBCOR on it).
You can also read our:
The Looks
Since these are game-improvement irons, you’ll notice right away that the sole and top line are thicker than other irons. The opposite is usually true for blades and player irons.
Related: The Difference Between Blades & Cavity Backs
This is beneficial to the majority of average players because it helps with ground contact. Most people will hit a lot of heavy/fat shots (ground first). Having a thicker sole (bottom) will help the club glide through the ground.
That said, a thinner sole might perform better if you have a really shallow angle of attack. This would be you if you don’t take a divot.
As for the thicker top line, this helps distribute weight around the edge of the club. It should improve forgiveness and give you a higher ball flight.
There is also a decent amount of offset, but it’s not as much as certain GI irons. Having some offset will help you close the face at impact, which should help straighten out your shots.
Good for slicers, but too much can cause problems for hookers.
The Sound & Feel
The benefit to GI irons is that they’re more forgiving. The downside to GI irons (according to some) is that they sound dull and you can’t really feel mishits.
I can understand this when it comes to professionals, but I don’t see the big deal for recreational players. You can just look at where your ball ended up and tell if you hit it well or not.
Anyways, the M4 felt and sounded solid when struck well. It’s not as nice and when you pure a forged iron, maybe a bit of a hollow feeling, if I had to put words to it.
I don’t know how to describe it exactly, but I’m sure you know the feeling I’m talking about.
On off center hits, you definitely don’t get the same sensation, but it doesn’t feel terrible (like a blade would). The sound is a little bit duller, but again, nothing to complain about.
The Performance
Since these irons are designed for the average hacker, the main thing I’d want to look for is distance and forgiveness. Most people would drop a lot of strokes if they gained a little distance and hit one or two more greens and fairways in regulation.
On top of that, a bonus we could look for is how well the shorter irons bite the green. We can’t expect to hit the ball like Min (aka spin) Woo Lee with this type of iron, but it should be decent.
Long Game
With the longer irons, I wanted to see how far I could hit the ball and how straight the shot went. What I decided to do was take 10 shots off the tee. I recorded the distances as well as the number of fairways hit.
I used my 6 iron for all shots because it’s my longest iron. I also have two M4 hybrids (#4 and #5). If you’re curious, you can see the full review HERE.
Bad mishits weren’t recorded. Let’s take a look at the results off the tee:
| Shot # | Distance | Fairway Hit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 203 | Yes |
| 2 | 185 | Yes |
| 3 | 198 | No |
| 4 | 196 | Yes |
| 5 | 198 | Yes |
| 6 | 185 | No |
| 7 | 189 | Yes |
| 8 | 201 | Yes |
| 9 | 198 | No |
| 10 | 191 | Yes |
| Average | 194 Yards | 70% |
We were able to hit 70% of fairways, which I was pleased with. The average distance was 194 yards (used my Shot Scope V3), which I’m also pleased with. The only downside to this was the difference between my longest and shortest hit.
Related: How Far You Should Hit Each Club
Having a 18 yards gap between shots isn’t ideal, but it’s something you’ll experience with game-improvement irons. Part of the reasons was how well I hit it. Part of it was the type of iron (they’re less consistent than forged clubs).
Short Game
With my pitching wedge, I wanted to see how much spin I could get on the ball. I only recorded shots that landed on the green. The ground was a little soft, so it helped the ball stop a little quicker.
The distance between the landing spot and where the ball ended up is in the “distance” column below. A negative number means the ball rolled back towards me. Let’s have a look:
| Shot # | Distance |
|---|---|
| 1 | 6 |
| 2 | 9 |
| 3 | 5 |
| 4 | 2 |
| 5 | 4 |
| 6 | -2 |
| 7 | -1 |
| 8 | 6 |
| 9 | 3 |
| 10 | 2 |
| Average | 3.4 Yards |
Again, the ground was a little soft, so these numbers would be a bit higher on dry ground. Plus, the ball you use will also make a difference.
Also note, I’m a mid handicapper. Better players might have better spin rates while high handicappers might be higher.
Having two shots land on the green and spin back is what every weekend player is after. If I was to sum up how much spin the M4 PW produces, I’d say it’s middle of the pack compared to other irons (forged and cavity back).
I did hit a number of shots on a launch monitor and the average RPM with the PW was around 8000. Obviously, the ball you use and how you hit the ball will likely change this number.
The Bottom Line
When you factor in distance, forgiveness, and now, price, I think the M4 is a solid set of irons for someone who doesn’t want to spend a fortune. Even though it came out in 2021, it still holds up to some of the newer models.
I’m a mid handicapper (shoot in the 80s) and have them in my bag, along with the M4 hybrid (at the time of writing this). Even as a beginner or high handicapper, you could get these irons and still use them as you get better.
If you’re a low handicap player or have a very fast swing speed, there will probably be better options for you. Having an iron that’s a bit more versatile or lower launching will possibly perform better for you.
Before you buy, have a look to see if they’re available to UTry at Global Golf. You can try certain clubs before buying to see if they’re right for you (for a few bucks).
If you have any questions or want to share your experience with the M4, make sure to leave a comment below.
The Alternatives
If you’re looking for a new set of irons then you might want to read one of our “best of” articles. They’re always being updated with our favorite options, so if you’re curious, check out the links below:
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