The TaylorMade M3 fairway wood is a fantastic option for any golfer looking to gain distance off the tee on tight driving holes or reach that pesky par-5 in two. While not a brand I usually play, I was incredibly impressed with the M3's performance when compared to a number of competitors.

TaylorMade M3 First Impressions

As the Chicagoland area is finally warming up (after experiencing the coldest April in 130 years), I re-evaluated the yardage gaps in my golf bag with my current setup. Noticing a considerable gap between my driver and utility driving iron -- and staring down a tee time the following day -- I realized I was in need of a new fairway wood.

Luckily, my friends at Budget Golf had all the tools I needed to make a decision on short notice. Their retail store near my hometown carries all the latest gear and club options, including that of the Big Boy Brands in golf.

I was immediately drawn to names like Srixon, Callaway, and Titleist, but then noticed the new TaylorMade M3 and M4 fairway woods. Never a fan of the white crown offerings in the past, I was very impressed with the light grey and black carbon colors that surround the clubhead. The club looks like a player's club, which accentuates the club's adjustable tech features.

The clubhead looks slim and shallow at address, which is a huge plus. I hate the look of "bulky" fairway woods when hitting off the turf, so the M3's profile was very attractive. The black clubface frames the golf ball wonderfully and assists with alignment. At first blush, the M3 was an eye-catcher. But how would it perform?

Like a kid in a candy store -- or a blogger in a golf shop -- I grabbed a few club options and headed to the testing area.

Performance and Feel

Mercy.

There's not a lot to say about the feel and performance of the TaylorMade M3 fairway wood other than "Wow."

The club exudes a solid, crisp feel at impact with a sound to match. The clubface feels thin thanks to a slightly higher-pitched impact sound than I normally prefer, but certainly not "tinny" or cheap. Instead, the sound is closer to a click that almost mimics that of an iron. Me likey.

Heading into the test I was hoping to find a club that hit the 240-yard mark consistently. The M3 produced an average of 247 yards off the turf in my first test session. While competing clubs also produced this distance on occasion, the disparity from one shot to the next was high. Not so with the M3.

Speaking of shot dispersion, the M3 produced an average of 3 yards offline during my session. Ball flight was automatic and predictable, which is exactly what you need with a club that's meant to be more accurate than a driver. Ball speed (137 mph) and backspin (2900 rpm) were also ideal for my game, punctuating the test and declaring the M3 the clear winner among the group.

Overall Impression

The TaylorMade M3 fairway wood is the real deal.

I'll admit that going into the test I had low expectations having never gamed a TaylorMade fairway in the past. The company's metalwoods have garnered a ton of attention in recent years, however, which obviously grabbed my attention. While I'm not a huge fan of adjustability in fairway woods -- sometimes more features equate to more confusion -- the tech and science inherent in the M3 is indisputable. It just works.

Readers of this blog know that I have my brand preferences when it comes to equipment. However, I'm also a golfer who appreciates data-driven performance, thus making the decision to keep the M3 in my bag an easy one.

Oh, and by the way: I purchased this club.

Have you tried the TaylorMade M3 fairway this year? What are your thoughts? Feel free to comment below!