Equipment
2021 TaylorMade SIM2 fairway woods and hybrids: Building on a winning platform
When it came to fairway woods in 2020, the TaylorMade SIM line was top of its class in ball speed, spin control, and distance. For 2021, TaylorMade engineers are upping their game and the SIM fairway wood platform with the launch of the TaylorMade SIM2, SIM2 Max, and SIM2 Max D (for draw) fairway woods. Each is designed to improve consistency, turf interaction, forgiveness, and reshape what is possible with each model in the line.
2021 TaylorMade SIM2 fairway woods
“In the world of golf club engineering, we fight for millimeters because those small changes can lead to big results. With the SIM2 Titanium fairway, we repositioned CG a mere 12.1mm from the ground. That delivers a CG projection that’s absolute center face along with increased MOI for more forgiveness compared to last year’s model. We’ve gone lower across the entire line of 2021 fairways, so golfers can go even higher.” – Tomo Bystedt, TaylorMade’s Senior Director of Product Creation
What’s new, and what you need to know
2021 TaylorMade SIM2 fairway wood models
- The SIM fairway woods reintroduced TaylorMade’s popular V Steel sole, and with the SIM2 Max and Max D models, TM has increased the heel and toe relief to improve turf interaction and versatility.
Lightweight carbon composite crown
- Improved construction and new head sizes. The SIM2 Titanium has a reconfigured heavy steel soleplate to go along with its 10cc smaller size to move the center of gravity farther back in the head to increase MOI. The Max and Max D models have also gotten larger to improve forgiveness.
What’s the same, and how has it gotten better
SIM2 Max fairway wood – Twist Face
Twist Face technology: Since it was brought from the driver to the M5 and M6 fairway woods, this redesigned bulge and roll profile helps keep shots missed around the face stay online while also normalizing spin. You could make the argument that having this technology in fairway woods is even more beneficial than a driver since many golfers miss lower on the face, which is where this technology shines.
Three models: The SIM2 fairway wood family features three distinct models to help golfers find the right performing club for them, and the designers have reconfigured the head shapes and sizes to create more separation between the model performance variables.
Improved V Steel sole
Improved V Steel: The TaylorMade V Steel sole is an iconic design, and for the new 2021 SIM Max and Max D models, the V Steel shape is now defined by a dual step to improve the club’s performance on shots hit off the deck.
The 2021 TaylorMade SIM2 fairway wood models
TaylorMade is doing everything it can to eliminate any confusion when it comes to differentiating the SIM2 fairway models, so let’s break down the players each one is intended for.
2021 TaylorMade SIM2 Titanium
2021 TaylorMade SIM2 Titanium
For anyone that either already plays or has tested the SIM Titanium, the consensus is it’s a powerhouse, but with one small caveat: it can be a little low launching off the deck. For higher spin players, this was fantastic, but for those who wanted the adjustability, it meant having to make some, well, adjustments.
SIM2 Titanium from address
The new SIM2 Titanium comes in at 170cc, 10cc smaller than the 2020 version. It has also been reshaped from address to offer a more “tour inspired” look, and to instill confidence for those shots off the fairway.
Improved 80-gram soleplate of 2021 SIM2
The impressive thing about this new fairway wood is even in a smaller size it offers a five-percent higher MOI thanks in part to the reconfigured 80-gram steel soleplate, ZaTech titanium face and body—along with the carbon crown.
SIM2 Titanium club face
- The SIM2 Titanium will be available right and left-handed in 15 and 19 degrees with a 13.5-degree “Rocket” head available in right hand only.
- The stock shafts are the Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Blue FW 65 and 75.
2021 TaylorMade SIM2 Max
SIM2 Max 3-wood sole
Unlike the SIM2 Titanium, the SIM2 Max fairway has gotten bigger and now comes in at 190cc head in the 3-wood (compared to 185 in the 2020 version) to increase forgiveness, and although the head has gotten larger, it is still easy to elevate from tighter lies with the help of the newly redesigned two-step V Steel sole.
2021 Sim2 Max from address
- The SIM2 Max will be available in right and left-handed in lofts of 15, 18, 21 degrees, plus a new-for-2021 16.5-degree 3LH aka a 4-wood with an additional 24-degree head available in right-hand only.
- The stock shafts are the Fujikura Ventus Blue FW 6 and 5.
- There will also be women’s stock offerings that include the Aldila NV Ladies shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip in the lofts of 16.5, 18, 21, and 24 degrees.
TaylorMade SIM2 Max D
2021 SIM2 Max D (draw)
The unofficial motto of the SIM2 Max D should be “go big or go home.” It offers the largest head size at 195cc (in the 3-wood) and also has the largest face area to help those golfers who miss a bit more than they would like to admit.
SIM2 Max D has the largest clubface in the line.
TaylorMade’s testing has shown there is a strong correlation between handicap and golfers who tend to fade the ball, which is why the draw-biased Max D is the most forgiving of the available models.
SIM2 Max D from address
- The SIM2 Max D will be available in right and left-handed in the lofts of 16 and 19 degree, with a 22-degree head available in right hand only.
- The stock shaft for the SIM2 Max D fairway is the same as the Max D driver: the Fujikura Air Speeder 45
- There will also be women’s stock offerings that include the Aldila NV Ladies shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip in the lofts 16, 19, and 22 degrees
TaylorMade 2021 SIM2 Rescue hybrids
2021 TaylorMade SIM2 Rescue
To say the SIM Max Rescue was a success would be underselling how well it did both on the PGA Tour and with regular golfers. We even did a story on it: The inside story of the surprise popularity of the TaylorMade SIM Max Rescue on tour.
To build on that success, TaylorMade has improved the original Max rescue and are also introducing an all-new model geared towards higher swing speed players looking for a hybrid that offers adjustability and workability with the 2021 (non-MAX) SIM Rescue, thanks to input from its tour staff, including Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson.
The 2021 TaylorMade SIM2 rescue models
2021 SIM2 Rescue sole
2021 TaylorMade SIM2 Rescue
2021 TaylorMade SIM2 sole and Speed Pocket
The SIM2 Rescue draws a lot of inspiration from previous TaylorMade and (some Adams) generation hybrids, including the popular ’09 Rescue TP—except with a whole lot more technology!
2009 TaylorMade TP Rescue club
The profile is compact with a higher squared-off toe to have a more “iron-like” appearance from address to help golfers find the perfect transition club from long irons to fairway woods.
SIM2 Rescue from address
The leading edge is cambered and blunted compared to the Max version for golfers who hit down on the ball and offers more familiar technology including the Speed Pocket, Twist Face, FCT adjustable hosel, and TPS weighting for swing weight adjustability through custom.
2021 SIM2 Rescue V Steel sole
- The SIM2 Rescue will be available right and left-handed in lofts of 19.5 and 22 degrees with a 17-degree head available in right hand only.
- The stock shaft is the Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Blue HY 70 and 80g
2021 TaylorMade SIM2 Max Rescue
2021 SIM2 Max rescue
The new SIM2 Max hybrid brings everything you loved from the previous version with a newly refined sole geometry to increase forgiveness and deliver more consistent results.
SIM2 Max Rescue from address
The SIM2 Max Rescue has a C300 maraging steel face and comes with the now-familiar Twist Face, which only became a feature in the Rescue line last year.
SIM2 Max Rescue – Twist Face
- The SIM2 Max will be available in right and left-handed in the loft 19, 22, and 25 degrees with 28 and 31-degree heads available in right hand only.
- The stock shafts are the Fujikura Ventus Blue (hybrid) in 5, 6, 7.
- There will also be stock women’s options with the SIM2 Max hybrids that include the Aldila NV Ladies shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip in the 22, 25, 28, and 31-degree lofts.
Pricing, and availability
The new SIM2 fairway woods and hybrids will be available at retail at the same time as the new drivers: February 19.
SIM2 Rescue head cover.
The SIM2 Titanium fairway will be priced at $399 while the SIM2 Max and SIM2 Max D models priced at $299.
The new SIM2 Rescue will be priced at $279. The SIM2 2 Max Rescue will be $249.
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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