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This is a full review of the 430cc model of the TaylorMade M1 driver.
Compared with its 460cc brother, the 430cc M1 offers more workability and a little less forgiveness in a smaller and more compact profile.
How else does the 430cc M1 differ from the 460cc M1, and is it worth considering adding it to your bag?
Read on to find out what you need to know to make an informed purchase.
Note: Unless otherwise stated, stock shafts and stock grips are used when evaluating this club. In most cases, the golf clubs reviewed on Golfstead are acquired temporarily for testing purposes and are not purchased. The review that follows is based on the personal experience and research of the author. Because everyone’s swing and body are different, results with a particular club may differ from person to person.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 4.9/5 (Excellent)
Pros
- more skilled golfers who hit the sweet spot consistently will likely see fantastic results
- impact sound and feel are solid and satisfying
- workable
- heavily adjustable for great flexibility
Cons
- not very forgiving on mis-hits
- pricey
- left handed variant not available on the rack
Recommended For
Although any golfer can play the 430 M1, it’s most recommended for seasoned golfers, professionals, low handicaps and players who consistently hit the driver solid.
High handicaps who are up for the challenge of using a smaller head can also do great with it.
Best Places To Buy Online
Now that this model is a few years old, there are two places where you can get it at a great discount.
The first is eBay, which is a fantastic source for new and used drivers.
The second is Global Golf, which offers many attractive policies and deals that make the buying process smooth. However, they can go out of stock at any time.
Want a high-resolution look at the 430 M1? Click on the composite image at the top of the page and navigate the photos on the left-hand side of the screen.
What are the reviews like?
The 430 M1 has been received extremely well overall (perhaps even a bit better than than the 460 M1), with average customer ratings of 5/5 (100% recommended) on the TaylorMade website, 4.7/5 on Global Golf, and 5/5 on Golfsmith (now Golf Galaxy).
What People Like
Similar to the 460 M1, customers love:
- the quality modern look
- solidness
- light weight
- amount of adjustability provided
Many people prefer the slightly smaller head as well as the sound, feel and added workability of the 430 M1 over the 460 M1.
What People Don’t Like
- there isn’t as much room for error at impact
- it’s not quite as forgiving as its 460cc counterpart
- on an absolute scale, there are plenty of more forgiving drivers to choose from
- once expensive
- left-handed variants are not available
What are the features?
Aside from the shape and appearance of the clubhead (which is discussed in more detail below), the features/technologies of the 430 M1 are virtually identical to those of the 460 M1.
For an all-encompassing writeup of these features, including stock shafts and grips offered, I would direct you to the features section of my 460 M1 review here.
The specs of the 430 M1 are tabled below:
| Head | Loft | Lie | Length | Volume | Swing Weight | RH/LH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 430 Driver | 8.5° | 58°-62° | 45.5" | 430cc | D4 | RH |
| M1 430 Driver | 9.5° | 58°-62° | 45.5" | 430cc | D4 | RH |
| M1 430 Driver | 10.5° | 58°-62° | 45.5" | 430cc | D4 | RH |
How does the driver perform?
Distance
Golfers who optimize their ball flight with a proper shaft and a proper weight position/loft/lie configuration should see excellent distance results on solid strikes.
Although the 430 M1 is not inherently “longer” than the 460, some find that the slightly different look and feel throughout the swing allows them to hit the ball farther. One reason for this might be a reduced drag and higher clubhead speed during the swing as a result of the smaller head profile.
Actual results will, of course, depend on the individual, but many players have reported large distance gains of 20 yards and upwards over their previous driver.
Forgiveness
The 430 M1, naturally, is slightly less forgiving than the 460 due to the smaller head and hence smaller sweet spot.
Another consequence of the smaller head is a slightly lower moment of inertia (MOI) which results in more distance and directional losses on mis-hits.
For this reason, the 430 M1 is not recommended for beginners who are looking to play decent golf right off the bat.
Playability/Trajectory
One benefit of a more compact clubhead is increased workability, and the 430 M1 is indeed quite workable.
Skilled players will be able to manufacture various shot shapes with relative ease, and combined with M1’s extensive adjustability, this makes for a very versatile and playable driver.
Typical trajectories with the 430 M1 tend to be mid-high and low-spinning, which is desirable if you’re looking to maximize distance.
What about look, sound & feel?
The Look
The 430 M1, like the 460 M1, features a split-colour (black and white) crown with an unobtrusive TaylorMade logo serving as an alignment aid. The overall design/layout of the sole and hosel is effectively identical to that on the 460 M1.
The differences lie in the shape (the 430 M1 is slightly less elongated from front to back and slightly shorter from heel to toe) and of course some of the labeling.
Two of the stripes on the sole of the 430 M1 are colored red instead of the white found on the 460 M1. The adjustable loft sleeve is easily accessible on the hosel.
Despite the slightly smaller profile, it’s still a confidence-inspiring look that I think most people will really like.
The Sound & Feel
Different people tend to have differing results with it comes to sound and feel of the M1.
During my hitting session, I found the 430 M1 to feel and sound a little more solid at impact than the 460 M1, which I suppose is not surprising given the smaller head.
Also, the feel during the swing felt a little less restricted than the 460 M1, probably due to reduced drag.
Where should you buy this driver online?
Click the button and the links on this article to be taken to the best buying destinations.
Conclusion
The 430cc model of the M1 is a very viable alternative to the 460cc model, suggested for seasoned golfers with a low handicap who can hit their driver consistently solid.
Those who can handle the reduced forgiveness that comes with a smaller head will greatly appreciate the feel, looks and workability that it provides.
Even higher-handicap golfers who are up for the challenge of dialing in their consistency should look at the 430 M1.
Have any thoughts or opinions about the TaylorMade M1 430cc driver? Drop them in the comments below!
Thanks Paul…the driver is already on its way. Can’t wait to put it in my bag. Have to wait approx 2 weeks.
Glad I could help out. Let me know what your results are like.