Equipment
GolfWRX Spotted: TaylorMade SIM2 drivers on conforming list
The highly anticipated and buzz-creating TaylorMade SIM2 drivers are now officially on the R&A’s conforming list. (Expected soon on the USGA Conforming Club List). The Monday, December 14 list includes the new SIM2, and SIM2 Max, but there is no sign of a SIM2 Max D (Draw) version like there was from the 2020 line.
It could be TaylorMade is dropping the draw-biased model from the 2021 line, but there could be another explanation—and we’ll get to that in a minute.
We’re not 100 percent sure what this means for the launch date, but with the PNC Championship (formerly PNC Father-Son) taking place this week December 18-20th—featuring TaylorMade staffer Tiger Woods along with his son Charlie—it would be no surprise to potentially see it in play during this “silly season” charitable event.
TaylorMade SIM2 driver
What we know
It appears the SIM2 will continue to be the flagship model geared towards faster players based on the previous model designations. The noticeable omission right off the bat is the removal of the sliding weight track in favor of a weight screw positioned behind a through slot Speed Pocket. Around the weight it says “High MOI – LOW Spin.” This is interesting because nowhere on the previous SIM did it say anything about MOI, and this most likely means that these new TaylorMade drivers add extra stability to increase MOI.
The Speed Pocket on the sole is not a new technology, but this new pocket looks to be one of the widest TaylorMade has ever put on a driver.
Without the sliding weight, the next noticeable thing about the driver and the other SIM2 driver on the list is the amount of carbon used on the sole of the club. This weight saving must be TaylorMade’s way of removing mass from the middle of the head to reposition around to increase stability, with the final piece of the puzzle being what looks to be a larger weight for the inertia generator at the rear of the head.
Other mainstay technologies assumed to again be built into the new head include the Twist Face and Speed Injected Face to keep the SIM2 right to the max for CT (Characteristic of Time). The only unknown aspect of the sole is a small port visible on the toe—this could be where another adjustable weight screw is being used to boost MOI or it could have something to do with the Speed Injection system.
TaylorMade SIM2 Max driver
What we know
The SIM2 Max looks very similar to the standard SIM2 except for the front weight being slightly more heel biased to make the head easier to draw.
It’s hard to tell from the black and white USGA image, but the shaping of the head also looks to fall in line with the previous Max, and it could have a slightly taller face height.
Where is the SIM2 Max-D (Draw)?
As mentioned off the top there is no sign of a SIM2 Max D driver on the list yet, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t one on the way. The USGA list is intended for competition and it is less likely there would be any players who currently have any plans to put it into play and thus TaylorMade has no desire to submit a draw driver.
Conclusion
With the huge success of the 2020 SIM driver line, TaylorMade is sticking with a proven formula of shape and design characteristics. If there is one thing engineers and designers know, it’s not to mess with a good thing and the 2020 drivers were very good.
To see what other golfers are saying check out the GolfWRX forums.
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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Brandon
Dec 14, 2020 at 7:38 pm
Just glad they got rid of the shiny part on the fin.
Carolyn
Dec 14, 2020 at 4:34 pm
If your going to improve the driver every year maybe it is time to start offering one or two year leases on there clubs? Buying one means you pay $500 and 18 months later one round or a hundred the club is worth $98 cash or maybe $130 max on trade in. Be nice if they just charged $250 for use of the club and let you trade in in and get the next years model for another $250 we would all be ahead with that…
Craig
Dec 14, 2020 at 11:30 pm
There are shops that will do this. This is an Australian one, but I am sure there are similar elsewhere https://www.golfbox.com.au/golf-blog/golfrent-get-your-golf-gear-now/
Paulo
Dec 14, 2020 at 4:02 pm
The blue colour scheme is truly horrid on the actual retail model
Gunter Eisenberg
Dec 14, 2020 at 12:52 pm
Same old…same old…
SnotsaJerk
Dec 14, 2020 at 11:07 am
Buy the newest, bestest, and longest from the company that Needs to continue pay for play through minimal progress releases. I suggest some of us go play as a walk on and feel that “moneys worth” feeling of being “that’s You next”, multiple yards behind a Srixon, Tour Edge, or Titleist.I Love my SIM Dr, 3wd and Hy, first ever matching woods for me. My heads and covers are already painted over “custom” so B&W won’t sell me. If You still need 5 more yards You better find Yoga or Martial Arts, which You can do with Your families for a better value!!!
JP
Dec 14, 2020 at 9:49 am
Why don’t they just make a TP version. That would make a lot of golfers go crazy over it. Literally, offer a little smaller head with a TX shaft and put the TP stamp on the toe. Instant sales
gwelfgulfer
Dec 14, 2020 at 10:34 am
Because it was only the shaft that really made the old TP lines a bit better, heads were the same. So no point in todays day and age when everyone has shafts to swap out.
Travis
Dec 14, 2020 at 9:23 am
They look good in black and white, but wait until the public sees what the actual color scheme is. It’s horrendous… although European golfers might be happy =P
Bill Bogle Jr.
Dec 14, 2020 at 9:11 am
The back of the club is aluminum with a weight that Taylormade can swap out, not the consumer. Special screw. It will be interesting to see how durable the carbon fiber on the sole is when it it this prevalent. TM had some cracking with the M3&M4. It looks like the sliding weight has become a thing of the past with both Callaway and Taylormade moving on. Only fixed position changeable weights remain with TSi and G425.
matt
Dec 14, 2020 at 9:09 am
forged aluminum is the only thing i can see that’s a bit different. besides going with a crap ton of carbon on the sole, but that’s been done. isn’t this supposed to be a massive release? I mean you hear that constantly but from guys like Ian Fraser on TXG it carries a little extra weight.