More than a month too late for the U.S. Open, 3 weeks too late for the 4th of July, but just in time for the Olympics, the Ryder Cup, the DNC, the impending (and imposing) election, and whatever other flag-waving occasion that happens to pop up, TaylorMade has just announced perhaps the least specific limited edition golf product in recent memory.
And they say timing is everything.
Because America (in a most general sort of way), behold the M1 Special Edition Driver in all of its red, white, and blue, star-spangled glory.
It can be yours for the low price of just $799.99.
This driver screams America! as much as any made in China and likely assembled in Mexico product possibly can. But if you don’t find yourself chanting USA, USA, USA yet, no worries, there’s more manufactured patriotism where that came from.
Seriously. TaylorMade just used the world componentry, and I don’t think it was smiling, like I am right now, when it did.
Now in fairness, I’ve been nothing if not consistent in my praise of limited edition product. I love the uniqueness (or at least implied uniqueness), and I can certainly appreciate the need for a golf company to keep its product lines looking fresh in what is damn close to a commodities market. Those feelings certainly apply here.
It should also go without saying that given its 1st place finish in our Most Wanted Driver test (which we’d playfully describe as #DoM1nant), we’re also big fans of the M1’s performance.
And let’s be honest people, given all the moaning and groaning some of you do about TaylorMade releasing new drivers every 6 weeks (a total fallacy, but it persists nonetheless), isn’t a Special Edition driver, no matter the cost, preferable to an actual new model?
When you consider alternatives to this release, the Un-Official Driver of America is among the least egregious of possibilities.
So yeah, I like the driver just fine, even if the price tag is absurd.
The Wrong Product at the Wrong Time
The reality is that, as we’ve discussed, the equipment market is performing below expectations this summer. A lack of discounted product availability, along with what sure looks like consumer fatigue, has the golf companies feeling a bit of a pinch. Cobra and Callaway have responded by dropping prices on some lines. TaylorMade appears to be taking a different approach.
While this release certainly borders on pandering, I’d also be remiss not to point out that TaylorMade was at its best when it did things differently than its competitors.
That said, the Special Edition Driver, cool as the color scheme may be, looks more like a gratuitous money grab than it does any sort of innovative path forward.
Have Your Say
What do you think of TaylorMade’s $800 driver M1? Will be you be ordering yours today?
For more information, or to pre-order your TaylorMade Special Edition Driver RIGHT NOW, visit TaylorMadeGolf.com.
leftgolfer
7 years ago
I’v personally never owned a Taylormade product. I was convinced years ago their products were inferior when I looked at the innards of Taylormade versus a Ping product. This being said the only products I will own are anything but Taylormade. I might order a $40 driver from China but it won’t be a Taylormade. If I see some PSI irons for $20 on ebay, I won’t buy them because they are Taylormade. I am really surprised they won the most recent test for My Golf Spy and I’m not sure some money didn’t change hands somewhere, tell me Tony how much did TM pay MGS to set up that M1 scam. It’s a POS, I’ve demoed one and everyone is different. Quality ain’t job one there.