Tomo Bystedt, Senior Director of Iron Creation at TaylorMade explains to us the inspiration behind RIBCOR technology.

When the clubhead of an iron strikes a ball, only a certain percentage of the energy is imparted back into the ball, as reflected by the measured COR of that head. Any flexing of the head that is not directly located at the impact point on the face is lost energy. By strategically stiffening the structure of the iron head, RIBCOR technology greatly reduces energy loss, especially on mishits.

Read more -> TaylorMade M3 & M4 irons deliver 'straight distance'

RIBCOR technology works in conjunction with Face Slots to stiffen the area outside the scorelines while retaining flexibility and COR in the area inside the Face Slots.

When these proprietary TaylorMade technologies are implemented simultaneously, the performance benefits are amplified. The outer structure of the iron remains stiff, while the face remains free to flex during impact, enhancing energy transfer that leads to increased ball speed.

By efficiently focusing impact energy directly back to the ball, off-centre hits see higher ball speeds, more carry distance and improved dispersion. RIBCOR technology also allows for placement of additional mass in the heel and toe areas of the head, resulting in significantly higher moment of inertia (MOI) than the corresponding 2017 irons. This combination of benefits provides irons with RIBCOR technology a substantial increase in overall forgiveness.

Read more -> TaylorMade M3 & M4 irons review 

RIBCOR also works in tandem with the multi-material damping badges featured in both the M3 and M4 irons to help reduce undesirable vibrations during impact for greatly improved sounds and feel.

Available: February 16
Price: M4 Steel £749, M4 Graphite £849, M3 Steel £849, M3 Graphite £1,049
More info:taylormadegolf.co.uk
Twitter:@TaylorMadeTour