The TaylorMade M2 Rescue hybrid is nominally part of the M2 family, but there are a number of differences to the driver and fairway.
Firstly the head is all steel rather than a mix of steel and a carbon composite crown, which is understandable given the head size. This has a knock on effect on the visuals, which instead of being hi-tech black and white are now just plain black all over, including the shaft.
Some may prefer this look, but like the M1 Rescue, it does not give the same alignment assistance or the same visual wow factor as the AeroBurner when you pick it up.
The head shape is deeper than the AeroBurner Rescue from above and with the darker finish it looks more like a shrunken fairway than a traditional hybrid.
The face is also taller, which will help with the forgiveness and maybe that is what gives the bulkier look. I do like the single set of white grooves in the centre of the face to help you line up with the ball.
These are more to the heel of the club as that is where the sweet spot is, so getting the right position at impact will make a real difference to performance.
The sole features an improved and larger Speed Pocket, again in black, to enable the face to flex more at impact.
So far, so sleek and black and a real difference to the brash style of the AeroBurner Rescue.
Take it to the range and the M2 Rescue gives the mid to high flight you would expect from a hybrid of this style, with pretty good distance and performance from all lies.
Unfortunately, the sound and feel were nothing to write home about, as whatever they have done internally to the head with the deeper face and bigger Speed Pocket is not enhancing things elsewhere. Speaking to the TaylorMade designers I found that whenever the slot is made bigger it increases performance, but does not always improve the sound.
As I explained in the M2 fairway review, the longer Thick Thin Fluted hosel exists to try and improve the sound, but it really has its work cut out in the M2 Rescue and this could be a deal breaker for some.
The stock Matrix Reax shaft is the same as the one I tried in the M2 Fairway and M2 Driver and for whatever reason I was not getting on with it, or the head, as the numbers compared to the AeroBurner were not as good.
However get custom fitted with one of the free alternative shafts at a TaylorMade fitting centre and you may get better results.
As I mentioned in my AeroBurner Rescue review, it may not be a looker or feel that great, but it went and was fun to hit. Over time the AeroBurner actually grew on me as I experienced the performance it delivered from all lies, so the M2 has its work cut out if it is going to replace the AeroBurner or the excellent TaylorMade R15 Rescue in your bag.
The M family is all about multi-material and carbon composite and the all steel M2 Rescue seems a bit lost in their company. The performance is acceptable, but the looks and sound are not quite up to the same high standards as the rest of the M clan, which is a shame as the dream team combination of the M1 driver with the M2 fairway is excellent.