Equipment
2020 TaylorMade SIM Max and SIM Max OS irons
TaylorMade Golf has launched its new 2020 TaylorMade SIM Max and 2020 TaylorMade SIM Max OS irons featuring Speed Bridge technology and an all-new Echo Damping System to bring forged-like feel to the distance iron category.
All-new Echo Damping System
Beneath the hood on the new Sim Max and Sim Max OS irons, you will find the all-new Echo Damping System. The new for 2020 damping system stretches across the entire face (from heel to toe) using multiple contact points in a design to maximize vibration damping.
Vibration Damping channels drive the new design from TaylorMade, which wrap around the entire structure for optimal compression in a bid to allow the damper to efficiently compress at impact – allowing the material a place to disperse without inhibiting movement in the face
The Echo Damping system also works in conjunction with Speed Bridge technology found in the SIM Max and SIM Max OS irons. According to the company, in testing, the combination helped to produce impact frequencies in line with those of forged-construction irons.
What is Speed Bridge technology?
Speed Bridge technology featured in the company’s M5 and M6 irons, and for their 2020 SIM Max and SIM Max OS irons, TaylorMade has built upon the technology and combined it with a Thru-Slot Speed Pocket to maximize both distance and performance.
The technology works by incorporating a high strength, mass-efficient structural beam spanning across the cavity back of the club to connect the top line with the back bar of the iron in a design to increase distance and forgiveness. The increased rigidity in the top line and upper perimeter of the face is designed to improve both sound and feel.
In the new TaylorMade SIM Max and SIM Max OS irons, a Thru-Slot Speed Pocket has been engineered which stretches from heel to toe and completely disconnects the leading edge from the sole of the club – creating a smooth, free-floating face. Working in conjunction, the technologies allow the face to hinge upon the top line in a design to offer enhanced flexibility, more ball speed and greater forgiveness on shots struck below center.
How is it different than its predecessors?
In the new models, TaylorMade engineers were able to re-work the face in an effort to optimize the relationship between the stiffness in the Speed Bridge and the flexibility in the face. Through the new face re-design, the SIM Max and SIM Max OS now feature a thinner and faster face with a larger sweet spot than the company’s previous models.
Inverted Cone Technology
TaylorMade’s Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) is strategically positioned into each SIM Max and SIM Max OS iron in a bid to increase the sweet spot and minimize mis-hits.
As shots hit on the toe of longer irons typically result in a miss to the right, TaylorMade engineers have positioned the ICT towards the toe in both SIM Max and SIM Max OS irons. Through this move, the brand has created a draw bias in the longer irons to minimize the common miss to the right, with the ICT on the 4-iron positioned most to the right.
The 2020 SIM Max iron features an ultra-thin 1.5 mm face designed to increase flexibility across the entire face, while a lightweight fluted hosel with a 360 undercut shifts mass from high in the club to the bottom of the sole for an extremely low CG.
Featuring all the same technologies as the SIM Max, TaylorMade’s SIM Max OS irons contain a taller face to increase stability. At the same time, a wider sole is designed to provide more forgiving turf interaction.
The chamfered sole design allowed engineers to drive the CG low on the SIM Max OS irons in a bid to increase ball speed and promote easier launch, while stronger lofts aim to protect the trajectory and produce a penetrating ball flight for unmatched distance.
Both the SIM Max and SIM Max OS are offered in 4-PW/AW (8 pc.set with SW and LW also available) and come equipped with KBS Max 85 steel shafts (S, R) or Fujikura’s Ventus Blue graphite shafts (7S, 6R & 5A). For women, the SIM Max irons will come equipped with the Aldila NV Ladies shaft.
2020 TaylorMade SIM Max irons: Pricing/Availability
Pricing: $899 steel/$999 graphite
Availability: Preorder – January 10. Retail – February 7.
2020 TaylorMade SIM Max OS irons: Pricing/Availability
Pricing: $899 steel/$999 graphite
Availability: Preorder – January 10. Retail – February 7.
- LIKE41
- LEGIT5
- WOW0
- LOL6
- IDHT0
- FLOP10
- OB5
- SHANK69
Equipment
Rory McIlroy spotted testing a new TaylorMade “PROTO” 4-iron at the 2024 Valero Texas Open
Now just what do we have here?
On Wednesday at the 2024 Valero Texas Open, GolfWRX.com spotted Rory McIlroy testing a new, mysterious TaylorMade “PROTO” 4-iron.
Clearly, the 4-iron is a prototype, but since it doesn’t say “Rors Proto” or “RM” on it, then maybe it’s a prototype for an upcoming iron release from TaylorMade. Or, maybe it’s an upgrade for a previous or existing iron model from the company.
For reference, the photo below shows what McIlroy’s previous P760 4-iron looks like…
If the new prototype was an upgrade on the former P760 design, that would certainly be a large design departure, aesthetically speaking. It’s not impossible, but the new proto definitely looks significantly different.
McIlroy’s new proto – aesthetically, at least – looks more similar to TaylorMade’s P7MC irons, a model that Collin Morikawa uses for his 5 and 6-irons, as pictured below.
The new proto is also reminiscent of TaylorMade’s old P750 and P770 irons:
So what could McIlroy’s new TaylorMade “Proto” be? Is it a one-off prototype for McIlroy? Is it a re-design of an older model? Is it a harbinger of a bigger release in the future?
What is it?!
Unfortunately, TaylorMade hasn’t yet commented publicly on the prototype iron, so for now, we wait. And enjoy the photos of McIlroy testing it on Wednesday in San Antonio.
Here’s what it looks like from address…
And here’s what McIlroy’s numbers looked like while testing it on the range…
Uhh, yeah. Those are pretty good 4-iron numbers.
Will McIlroy make the switch into the new prototype 4-iron this week? That remains to be seen, but it should be noted that it was the only 4-iron in his bag on Wednesday.
*We’ll update this post as further information becomes available
See what GolfWRX members are saying about the TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron here, plus more photos!
- LIKE2
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Raul Pereda WITB 2024 (April)
- Raul Pereda what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, B2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 5 X
3-wood: Titleist TSR3 (15 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 7 X
7-wood: Ping G430 Max (21 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 50-08F, 54-08M, 60-08M)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey 2-Ball Ten Tour Lined
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy
Grips: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x+
Check out more in-hand photos of Raul Pereda’s clubs here.
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Rickie Fowler WITB 2024 (April)
- Rickie Fowler what’s in the bag accurate as of the Valero Texas Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Cobra Darkspeed X (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Project X Denali Black 70 TX
3-wood: Cobra Aerojet LS (14.5 degrees @13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Green 75 TX
5-wood: Cobra LTDx LS (17.5 degrees @18.5)
Shaft: UST Mamiya LIN-Q White M40X 8F5
Irons: Cobra King Tour (4-PW)
Shafts: KBS Tour C-Taper 125 S+
Wedges: Cobra Snakebite (54, 56, 58 degrees)
Shafts: KBS Tour 610
Putter: Odyssey Versa Jailbird
Grip: SuperStroke Tour 3.0 17-inch
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Tack
Ball: TaylorMade TP5
Check out more in-hand photos of Rickie Fowler’s clubs here.
- LIKE1
- LEGIT0
- WOW1
- LOL1
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
-
19th Hole1 week ago
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
-
19th Hole2 days ago
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Charlie Woods finds it tough going on American Junior Golf Association debut
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Scottie Scheffler had an interesting response when asked how he ‘quiets the noise’ following Players victory
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Jon Rahm dealt fresh blow to hopes of qualifying for 2025 Ryder Cup
-
19th Hole1 day ago
Addiction, spinal fusion, and scam artists – Everything Anthony Kim revealed in candid interview with David Feherty
Pingback: 13 Best Super Game Improvement Irons: Enhancing Forgiveness and Distance
solly5
Jan 10, 2020 at 11:29 am
Tired of clubs that look like invading Martian spaceships. Most of us can use game improvement features, but it would be nice if they look like “golf clubs.”
Broomsticker
Jan 10, 2020 at 10:23 am
28.5* 7 iron… are you joking?
Shattebery
Jan 10, 2020 at 7:45 pm
I remember that used to be called a 5 iron. Ridiculous!!!
Adam
Jan 10, 2020 at 9:28 am
Ugliest iron ever? Has my vote
Pelling
Jan 10, 2020 at 10:57 am
Cleveland Vas 792 ish!
Craig
Jan 10, 2020 at 7:15 am
Oh my god.
j
Jan 10, 2020 at 8:06 am
LOL Speed Bridge???…..Stronger loft to “protect” trajectory. Do the marketing people snicker and high five when they think up these shenanigans? Im sure its a fine iron, but with the release schedule these people keep marketing them has to be a nightmare.
allan crowder
Jan 10, 2020 at 11:30 am
Cluckers, and ugly cluckers at that.