“At its most elemental form, Speed Bridge is a mass efficient beam that spans across the cavity back of the iron, connecting the base of the iron where we have all that mass for the low CG (centre of gravity) to the upper portion of the face (the topline). It strategically connects the topline at its point of maximum deflection. Ultimately what it is going to do is increase stability to allow us to deliver more distance with better sound and feel in both M5 and M6.”

Bovee says it cannot be overstated how this design feature provides benefits, some we may think of, and others that you would not. One of those came in the sound of the iron impacting with the ball, something that can often be nearer the “tinny” realm in oversized irons.

“It’s pretty unique in that we don’t have to have a trade-off in performance from a distance or a forgiveness standpoint. We actually end up with a better sound, making it actually sound more like a players iron than we ever have in the game improvement sector.”

Part of the reason many of the irons in this category have an unpleasant sound is due to the high flexibility of the face needed to get extra ball rebound, or speed. Bovee asserts that the Speed Bridge allows flex while keeping vibrations lower, thus the better sound.

This extra support also allowed them to take their Speed Pocket slot in the bottom of the face and cut it all the way through for the first time to help with flex low in the face where it can assist a player with retaining ball speed with shots hit out of that area. It’s so flexible it was never able to be used in previous irons until the Speed Bridge design.

“That’s where Speed Bridge is something special,” Bovee mentions proudly.

So why would a player choose the M5 or M6 over the P line-up of irons? Bovee says it is all about a golfer seeking extreme levels of distance and forgiveness. If they want to max that out in a TaylorMade iron, the M family is where to look.

“The M5 has a more traditional look where there is a good chance that if the P790 fits the players eye then the M5 will fit their eye as well. It’s got a comparable blade length; it’s got similar offset and topline thickness but you are going to get more ball speed out of M5 with a little more forgiveness. We just placed a higher priority on speed and forgiveness with M5 over a more traditional look.”