TaylorMade SIM2 Driver Review: Long and incredibly forgiving

New in 2021, the TaylorMade SIM2 driver range includes three models, the SIM2, SIM2 Max and SIM2 Max D, all offering something unique to help improve the tee shots of any golfer, no matter their level.

You might have already seen a few sneak previews of the drivers in the hands of PGA Tour stars Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, but with the official launch, we can tell you everything you need to know about the brand new drivers from TaylorMade.

All you need to know: Best Golf Drivers

WATCH OUR TAYLORMADE SIM2 DRIVER REVIEW:

TaylorMade SIM2 driver - Key Features

With the original SIM, the company focused on reshaping the driver to deliver speed and aerodynamics at the most critical stage of the swing – those milliseconds right before impact.

Embracing the evolution of design, now TaylorMade has reinvented the way drivers are constructed with an increased focus on enhanced forgiveness while maintaining speed and optimal launch conditions.

• Forged Ring construction: unites the critical components of the driver head into one singular force
• Carbon crown and sole: saves a considerable amount of weight that has been redeployed onto the Inertia Generator in the form of a heavy rear weight, optimising launch conditions and maximising MOI
• Milled back face cup: precisely tuned thickness promotes peak speed in off-centre areas of club face

TaylorMade SIM2 or SIM2 Max or SIM2 Max D? What's best for you?

SIM2: The SIM2 delivers high MOI properties with a heavy 16g steel weight positioned on the Inertia Generator. The TPS Front Weight is strategically located behind the face to encourage optimal launch with low spin and high forgiveness.

SIM2 Max: The SIM2 Max delivers high MOI properties with a heavy 24g tungsten weight positioned on the Inertia Generator. The TPS Front Weight is strategically located on the sole of the club to encourage the optimal mid-to-high launch with mid-to-low spin and max forgiveness.

SIM2 Max D: Traditional draw-bias drivers come with a trade-off, sacrificing forgiveness for a left-to-right ball flight. The SIM2 Max D features a repositioned Inertia Generator that’s closer to the heel, encouraging a heel CG that’s low and back for more forgiveness – designed to deliver a higher launch with the largest, most forgiving face in the SIM2 lineup. 

TaylorMade SIM2 driver - Looks and Feel

The SIM2 range is an evolutionary step from the previous TaylorMade SIM driver models that we became accustomed to last year, so in terms of the aesthetics, there are of course a lot of similarities.

The main noticeable difference is the new enhanced blue colour scheme and the additional carbon used to save weight. We think the upgrades are definitely an improvement on the previous SIM model and the colourways certainly make it look a lot more modern and if anything, slightly futuristic.

In terms of shape, it's almost identical to the SIM model, which we at GolfMagic are very happy about, as we love the aerodynamic and compact head that you get with this driver range.

Another change in the design of the new SIM model is the Speed Injected Twist Face, which is now in the toe of the club instead of face.

TaylorMade SIM2 driver - Performance and Forgiveness

Improving on the previous SIM model in terms of performance was always going to be a tough task, given the success of last year's model.

If you have the old SIM driver, the new model won't add 10 yards to your game off the tee and that's not something that the brand are shouting about, but in terms of forgiveness, the SIM2 range has a lot to offer.

After testing both the SIM2 and the SIM2 Max drivers, the forgiveness was absolutely incredible, with our tester Alex barely missing a fairway no matter where he was hitting the ball on the club face.

The new SIM2 driver is still one of the longest available on the market, but there are a few other drivers released this year that may give you a few extra yards and a little more ball speed, it all depends on your game.

Something that really stood out when comparing the original SIM and the new SIM2 driver is how versatile the new model is. Last year's SIM was TaylorMade's low spinning model that really only suited the better player, but this year's SIM2 could go in the bag of a vast range of golfers, whether their handicap is high or low, due to the combination of low spin and excellent forgiveness.

The SIM2 Max was a little more forgiving than the SIM2, but to be honest not by much, which just goes to show how good of a job the brand has done at making their fastest model so forgiving.

Should you buy the TaylorMade SIM2 driver?

Something we applaud TaylorMade for with the new SIM2 range is their honesty.

A complete rethink with the SIM2 wouldn't have made much sense, given that it's part of the original SIM family and the previous model was so successful.

TaylorMade isn't telling you that this is something brand new for 2021, it's simply an improvement on the previous model, which happened to be one of the most popular drivers ever.