TaylorMade SIM2 Irons Review

Joel Tadman tests the SIM2 Max and SIM2 Max OS irons to see how the performance has improved over SIM

TaylorMade SIM2 Irons review
(Image credit: Future)
Golf Monthly Verdict

If you’ve got one of the two SIM iron sets, there doesn’t appear to be much of a need to change into SIM2. But if your irons are a few years old and you’re looking for something new that combines distance and forgiveness, and that feel good too, the SIM2 irons are certainly worth considering.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Fast and forgiving from a wide area

  • +

    Lively, explosive feel

  • +

    Two of the longest irons within its competitive set

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Minimal gains over SIM

  • -

    Not much difference in performance between the two models

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TaylorMade SIM2 Irons Review

Take a look at the video review below...

We saw a fairly big design shift in the TaylorMade SIM2 drivers and this is also the case with the two SIM2 Max irons. 

The Speed Bridge on the SIM irons has been replaced by a polymer cap that supports the entire topline, which TaylorMade says allows it to be faster and more stable on a wider area. The diagonal bar that the Speed Bridge created remains to a degree, but only cosmetically forming part of the cap’s shape. From the back, both irons look like a hollow cavity back from the future, with subtle details like carbon fibre panels poking through.

At address, little has changed versus what we saw in SIM. The SIM2 Max is the smaller of the two models but still has generous sole width, offset and a thick topline that ensure it looks easy to hit while the SIM2 Max OS appears larger and has noticeably more offset to create more slice correction.

TaylorMade SIM2 irons at address

The SIM2 Max (left) and SIM2 Max OS irons at address

The SIM2 Max has the same 7-iron loft at the outgoing SIM Max at 28.5° while the SIM2 Max OS has got half a degree stronger, now 26.5° in the 7-iron. Our testing on the Foresight Sports GCQuad launch monitor suggested that along with the looks, the performance hasn’t changed a great deal either.

TaylorMade SIM2 irons data

The SIM2 Max was admittedly just under 2mph quicker in ball speed than SIM Max with a slightly lower launch and similar spin at just over 5100 mark. This resulted in carries that were two yards longer on average. We found the SIM2 Max OS to be around 400 rpm lower spinning than SIM Max OS with all the other key parameters basically exactly the same. The 0.5 deg stronger loft resulted in one extra yard of carry on average.

Joel Tadman testing the TaylorMade SIM2 irons

The feel has definitely improved a touch too. The SIM irons felt great, but SIM2 arguably has a more powerful sensation at impact married with a slightly more low-pitched sound.

Direction also seemed easy to control with both the SIM2 irons but especially the SIM2 Max OS. The large hitting area really boosts confidence and stability on offer is noticeable - when you strike the heel or toe the face holds firm and the ball holds its line through the air. Only the poorest of strikes will result in a missed green. In truth, however, these irons feel like a small evolution of SIM and much like with the drivers, SIM set a very high bar that was always going to be difficult to beat.

If you want more iron advice, be sure to check out our guides on the best distance irons, best game improvement irons, and most forgiving irons.

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Joel Tadman
Technical Editor

Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 12 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all product content here at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader find exactly what they are looking for. So whether it's the latest driver, irons, putter or laser rangefinder, Joel has his finger on the pulse keeping up to date with the latest releases in golf. He is also responsible for all content on irons and golf tech, including distance measuring devices and launch monitors.


One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 3.2.


Joel's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9° 

Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15° 

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18° 

Irons: Ping i230 4-UW

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8, 54°. Titleist Vokey SM9 60° lob wedge, K Grind

Putter: Evnroll ER2V 

Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x