TaylorMade M3 vs TaylorMade M5
Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.
Specification comparison
| Club | M3 loft | M5 loft | M3 lie | M5 lie | M3 length | M5 length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 18 | — | 60.5 | — | 38.75 | — |
| 4 | 20.5 | 19.5 | 61 | 61 | 38.25 | 39.25 |
| 5 | 23 | 22.5 | 61.5 | 61.5 | 37.75 | 38.62 |
| 6 | 26.5 | 26 | 62 | 62 | 37.25 | 38 |
| 7 | 30.5 | 30 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 36.75 | 37.5 |
| 8 | 35 | 34.5 | 63 | 63 | 36.25 | 37 |
| 9 | 40 | 39.5 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 35.75 | 36.5 |
| PW | 45 | 45 | 64 | 64 | 35.5 | 36 |
| AW | 50 | 50 | 64 | 64 | 35.5 | 36 |
| SW | 55 | 55 | 64.5 | 64 | 35.25 | 35.75 |
Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.
Lofts compared
- M3
- M5
What the differences mean
At the 7-iron, the M3 is 30.5° and the M5 is 30°, a 0.5° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the M5 should carry about 2 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the M3. Across the 9 clubs both sets share, the M5 averages 0.4° stronger, with the largest gap at the 4-iron (20.5° vs 19.5°). Beyond loft, the M5 7-iron is 0.75 inches longer (36.75" vs 37.5").
The sets are built differently: the M3 runs 3-iron to SW (10 clubs), the M5 4-iron to SW (9 clubs).
The M3 is a players distance iron and the M5 a game improvement iron, so they sit one step apart on the forgiveness scale. The M5 is the more forgiving design, with a wider sole, more offset and more perimeter weighting for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The M3 trades some of that for a more compact head, thinner topline and more control over flight and shape, which suits roughly 5 to 15 handicaps who want extra distance from a compact head.
The M3 is listed as investment cast multi-material with RIBCOR and a Speed Pocket and the M5 as investment cast with Speed Bridge and Speed Pocket. The M3 adds tungsten weighting, which lowers the centre of gravity and raises stability on mis-hits, helping the long irons launch.
The M5 arrived 1 year after the M3, a typical one-generation refresh. Changes over that span are usually incremental: refined face thickness, revised weighting, updated looks and small loft tweaks rather than a new concept. Here the 7-iron loft moved from 30.5° to 30°.
Which should you choose?
The M5 is the stronger-lofted set — up to 1° stronger than the M3 on matching clubs. Expect longer carry per numbered iron but a flatter descent angle; gapping at the wedge end is where that shows up.
Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: TaylorMade M3 specs and TaylorMade M5 specs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TaylorMade M3 stronger lofted than the M5?
No. The M5 is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 30° against 30.5° for the TaylorMade M3, 0.5° stronger and worth about 2 yards of extra carry.
What is the loft difference between the TaylorMade M3 and M5?
At the 7-iron the difference is 0.5° (30.5° vs 30°). The largest gap on a shared club is 1° at the 4-iron, and 6 of the 9 shared clubs differ.
Which is better for higher handicap golfers, the TaylorMade M3 or the M5?
The M5. As a game improvement iron it is the more forgiving design, suited to roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. The TaylorMade M3 is a players distance iron, better suited to roughly 5 to 15 handicaps who want extra distance from a compact head.
Do the TaylorMade M3 and M5 have the same lie and length?
Not exactly. At the 7-iron the TaylorMade M3 is 62.5° lie and 36.75 inches, the M5 62.5° and 37.5 inches. Both can be bent or built to your own fit.
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