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2021 TaylorMade SIM2 Launch Day Report: Everything you need to know about the new equipment from TaylorMade

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Today was the official launch day of the all-new 2021 TaylorMade SIM2 line of clubs, which includes drivers, fairways woods, hybrids, and irons. To summarize the newest release from the Carlsbad-based golf equipment company, for TaylorMade and the SIM2 line of clubs, it’s all about refining great products to increase speed and stability without sacrificing any of the distance golfers achieved from the original line.

If are looking for in-depth information, on the ins and outs of the new designs and the technology that makes them possible be sure to check out our full launch pieces below.

2021 TaylorMade SIM2 drivers: Better performance, piece by piece

TaylorMade SIM2 driver line

  1. Designers have taken every step to look at different materials and configurations to add forgiveness while maintaining the low spin characteristics of the original 2020 SIM design.
  2. No more sliding weight track. The sliding weight on the standard model has been removed to save mass and increase MOI (a measurement of forgiveness).
  3. Three different models to choose from with greater differentiation to help golfers get dialed in more effectively and find the design that is the best fit.
  4. More precision built into every part of the driver. The only way to make a golf club, especially a driver, better is to maximize the weight properties and geometry, and by painstakingly looking at every single component and manufacturing process, that’s exactly what TaylorMade has done.

2021 TaylorMade SIM2 fairway woods and hybrids: Building on a winning platform

Fairway woods

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Hybrids

To build on the success of the SIM Max rescue, 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 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! 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.
  • The new SIM2 Max hybrid brings everything golfer loved from the previous version and added a newly refined sole geometry to increase forgiveness and deliver more consistent results. 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.

2021 TaylorMade SIM2 Max and SIM2 Max OS irons

The new Cap Back is a full cavity encasing polymer cap that connects and supports the topline without touching the face. It helps produce a higher MOI since the polymer material is seven-times lighter than the steel counterpart per g/cm3 and frees up more mass to be moved low in the head to raise stability—especially for shots missed around the face, which for golfers that fit into this iron category and going to do.

Beneath the Cap Back and behind the face on the new SIM2 Max and SIM2 Max OS irons, you will find an improved Echo Damping System which features a more concentrated HYBRAR material. The damping system stretches across the entire face (from heel to toe) using multiple contact points and also utilizes a softer polymer blend to channel away more unwanted vibrations.

Perspectives from the GolfWRX forums

mycowdog: Hit the 9* sim2, about a dozen swings. Easy to hit, nice launch and spin for me. I haven’t played a TM driver. Many more to test, but I was impressed.

Stanks: Will it get the M6 outta the bag?! Looks promising!

J-Zone: Spent time with both heads today, I think people will be thoroughly impressed once they have them in hand. They look much better than the pictures, and is a very premium looking driver. Did not have time to compare to SIM1.0, but they feel a bit more firm (subjective) with a muted thwack vs a longer ringing or ting sensation.The Max will be the home run for TM people who have a very neutral delivery or want consistent spin, and the Standard is going to fit anyone who wants to cut spin but not in a super alarming way.Max launched super easy, but I can see guys needing to go up in loft if they were in standard 1.0 and went standard 2.0.

More from the GolfWRX forums

GolfWRX’s resident equipment tester, Brian Knudson of the Club Junkie podcast, had this to say

SIM2: TaylorMade kept the sound and feel great, muted and very responsive. Offers a really neutral ball flight and skilled players will love to be able to work the ball with ease and precision. Misses of the toe still keep a decent amount of trajectory, but still lose some distance. The most penetrating flight of the 3 SIM2 drivers.

SIM2 Max: Very stable head and little higher ball flight than the SIM2. Little more spin than SIM2, can see a little rise with shots into the wind. Shots hit off the low heal carry straighter and farther than last year’s SIM Max. Straighter misses for me on all shots that I was hitting.

SIM2 Ti fairway: The sound and feel are really good and love the smaller profile from address. Slightly more of a “crack” sound at impact. Could really feel the ball compress off the face and it seemed to really come off hot. Ball launches higher than last year, even on miss hits. Toe and heel mishits stay on line really well, would easily keep those shots in the fairway. Fairway just wants to get straight, little harder to work the ball and flight shots down. Pretty neutral ball flight with maybe just a touch of natural draw.

SIM 2 Max fairway: Good sound, little more metallic and higher pitched than its titanium sibling. Head is very stable and might have offered a little more forgiveness than the Ti. Higher ball flight and little more spin, but well struck shots carry a long well. Slices and hooks tend to have a little less curvature to those shots.

SIM2 Max Hybrid: High ball flight that carries a good distance. Easy to square up the club and find the center of the face repeatedly. Shots hit low on the face still get way up in the air and carry really well. Harder to hit fades since there is some draw built into the head, but overall the ball wants to go straight.

SIM2 Rescue: Sound and feel are very muted, heavy “crack” at impact. Penetrating ball flight that is flat, but you can still get the ball off the turf without too much effort. Pretty straight ball flight with more emphasis on the ball wanting to fall right. Easy to work the ball and flight it down as low as you would like. Shots even struck on the toe didn’t draw much and still stayed on a better line that I expected from a smaller club head.

Here’s what the biggest YouTube testers and reviews have to say on the new line

From the Twitterverse

 

Ryan Barath is a club-fitter & master club builder with more than 17 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. He is the former Build Shop Manager & Social Media Coordinator for Modern Golf. He now works independently from his home shop and is a member of advisory panels to a select number of golf equipment manufacturers. You can find Ryan on Twitter and Instagram where he's always willing to chat golf, and share his passion for club building, course architecture and wedge grinding.

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BK’s Breakdowns: Cameron Young’s winning WITB, 2025 Wyndham Championship

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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

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Whats in the Bag

Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)

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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

Check out more in-hand photos Malnati’s clubs here.

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GolfWRX Members Choice presented by 2nd Swing: Best driver of 2025

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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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