Equipment
2021 TaylorMade SIM2 drivers: Better performance, piece by piece
TaylorMade is building upon the SIM driver platform with 2021 TaylorMade SIM2, SIM2 Max, and SIM2 D drivers.
With the launch of the SIM driver series in 2020, TaylorMade proved it could build drivers that offered low spin performance in three different configurations to enhance speed and fit golfers better to reduce dispersion. For 2021, engineers are taking the SIM driver platform further with the launch of the SIM2—including the SIM2 Max, and SIM2 Max D (draw)—by refining the package piece by piece to deliver better performance throughout the entire line.
2021 TaylorMade SIM2 drivers
What’s new, and what you need to know
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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. By painstakingly looking at every single component and manufacturing process, that’s exactly what TaylorMade has done.
The technology inside and out
What’s the same? What has gotten better?
Twist Face technology: Since its introduction in the M4 and M4 drivers, this redesigned bulge and roll profile helps keep shots missed around the face online and closer to the center while also normalizing spin to increase consistency.
Speed Injected face: Speed Injection was introduced with the M5 and M6 drivers. It allows TaylorMade to calibrate each clubface right to the legal limit of CT without going over. With the new SIM2 drivers, this manufacturing process and the system used to dial it is have been moved and improved to save weight and further fine-tune face performance.
Inertia Generator: The extremely low and rear placed mass helps position the CG low and away from the clubface to boost MOI. With the new SIM2 drivers and the weight savings accomplished around the head, this weight is now heavier to increase MOI and drive the center of gravity lower.
Three models: The SIM2 driver family features three distinct models to help golfers find the right performing driver for them.
Improvement piece by piece
As mentioned off the top, the engineers at TaylorMade looked at every part of the driver to improve performance and increase forgiveness, so let’s take a deep dive into each component and put it all together.
CNC Milled ICT (Inverted Cone Technology) and redesigned Speed Injected reservoir
TaylorMade is taking its face precision to the next level by CNC milling the ICT (TaylorMade’s patented variable thickness face technology) into the back of the face. Other OEMs have started to use milling around the face of the driver in a different variation, but this is a first for TaylorMade and allows engineers to also remove a reservoir from the injection process.
By eliminating one of the front reservoirs and only having one positioned behind the face, engineers have been able to remove the dual injection ports from the face and place a single port on the toe. Less is more when it comes to drivers, and less structure and mass in the front of the driver head frees up precious grams to be redistributed.
Carbon composite crown
To say that the carbon crown on the SIM2 is revolutionary would be a stretch, but it is still a key part of what allows the designers to save mass and position it lower in the head and around the perimeter. The carbon crown of the SIM2 is comprised of six layers and comes in at just over 10g grams, meaning it holds less than five percent of the clubhead’s total mass.
Carbon composite sole panel
TaylorMade has used carbon in driver soles before, but it has never used it to make up the entire sole. By eliminating the sliding track, and the reinforcing needed to house the weights, it can utilize carbon from behind the face all the way to the extreme rear of the head where it attaches to the forged titanium back ring. Compared to the crown, the sole is comprised of nine layers of carbon fiber and only weighs 12 grams.
Although not part of the carbon sole panel, the other very noticeable new component is what TaylorMade is calling the “TPS Weight” for swing weight customization. If there is one part of the custom build puzzle TaylorMade has struggled with in the past for consumers it has been the ability to dial in requested swing weights—either because of length or custom shaft and grip combinations. With the SIM2, the folks at TaylorMade are hitting home it’s focused effort to deliver better at every turn, and this small weight results in a big change to their build process.
Forged aluminum back ring chassis
This is a whole new territory and a very cool part of the SIM2 driver’s story. Using a forged, CNC milled aluminum ring around the rear of the head saves mass that would have otherwise been taken up by titanium.
The aluminum ring weighs almost exactly 20 grams. Titanium, compared to aluminum, is 1.67 times heavier (4.5g/cm3 vs 2.7g/cm3) so the ring saves 13 grams, which would have otherwise placed mass higher in the head. Those 13 grams are reposition in the heavier inertia generator and low in the driver to once again improve forgiveness.
When you put it all together, it is truly better piece by piece.
The 2021 TaylorMade SIM2 driver models
TaylorMade is doing everything it can to eliminate any confusion when it comes to differentiating the SIM2 models, so let’s break down the type of golfer each one is designed for.
2021 TaylorMade SIM2
The standard model is the lowest spinning of the three new drivers and has the most forward CG to offer on average 250 rpm less spin than the Max, while still maintaining stability. The stock rear weight is 16 grams and it has a larger face than its predecessor to increase confidence and make the club more forgiving overall.
- The SIM2 will be available right and left-handed in 9 and 10.5 degrees with an 8-degree head available in right hand only.
- The stock shafts are the Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Blue 60 and the ProjectX HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 70.
2021 TaylorMade SIM2 Max driver
The SIM2 Max features a massive 24 gram back weight to deepen the center of gravity and boost stability even more. When you factor in the average driver head weight is around 203 grams, this back weight makes up almost 12 percent of the total mass, which is what helps create so much stability.
The face has also been made larger in the SIM2 Max compared to the previous model to help inspire confidence while still offering a neutral ball flight and not sacrificing any of the aerodynamic properties.
- The SIM2 Max will be available in right and left-handed in 9 and 10.5 degrees with a 12-degree head available in right hand only.
- The stock shafts are the Fujikura Ventus Blue 5 and the Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Silver V5 60.
TaylorMade SIM2 Max D
With the SIM2 Max D, the entire goal is to help reduce a fade, and that is achieved by moving the rear inertia generator weight more towards the heel and also moving the TPS weight to the outer heel area.
The Max D has the largest face area of the three models, which also helps those golfers who struggle with constant face contact.
- The SIM2 Max D will be available in right and left-handed in 9 and 10.5 degrees with a 12-degree head available in right hand only.
- The stock shaft for the SIM2 Max D is the Fujikura Air Speeder 45.
- There is also a women’s stock offering which includes the Aldila NV Ladies 45 shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip.
Pricing, and availability
The new SIM2 drivers will all be priced equally across the board at $529.00 and will be available at retail starting February 19.
…infomercial style “but wait, there’s more!”
MySIM2 customization
If there is one thing golfers love even more than new equipment, it’s new customized equipment. TaylorMade’s “My” program has been immensely successful (currently offered with select putter and wedge models). For 2021, TM decided to bring it to the driver space for the SIM2 and SIM2 Max models.
The online platform will allow golfers to fully build a driver to fit their own style preference and make a club that is uniquely their own. The personalization options include:
- Topline Paint Color: Chalk or matte black.
- Aluminum Ring Color: Red, Blue, Gold, Orange, Green, Silver, Black, and Light Blue.
- Crown Decals Color: Red, Blue, Gold, Orange, Green, Silver, Black, and Light Blue.
- Sole Decal Color: Red, Blue, Gold, Orange, Green, Silver, Black, and Light Blue.
- Face Pin Color: Red, Blue, Gold, Orange, Green, Silver, Black, and Light Blue.
Specs, pricing, and availability for MySIM2 program
MySIM2 drivers will be available for preorder starting January 19 at TaylorMadeGolf.com and at select retail locations starting February 19. The MyIM2 drivers will start at $629.99 and will be offered in 8, 9, and 10.5-degree lofts with a 12-degree loft option available in the SIM2 Max.
All MySIM2 drivers will have custom shaft and grip options.
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Equipment
Rickie Fowler’s new putter: Standard-length Odyssey Jailbird 380 in custom orange
Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
…The Jailbird craze hasn’t really slowed down in 2024, either. According to Odyssey rep Joe Toulon, there are about 18-20 Jailbird putter users on the PGA TOUR.
Most recently, Akshay Bhatia won the 2024 Valero Texas Open using a broomstick-style Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter and Webb Simpson is switching into a replica of that putter at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Now, Fowler, who essentially started the whole Jailbird craze, is making a significant change to his putter setup.
Fowler, who has had a couple weeks off since the 2024 RBC Heritage, started experimenting with a new, custom-orange Jailbird 380 head that’s equipped with a standard 35-inch putter build, rather than his previous 38-inch counter-balanced setup.
According to Fowler, while he still likes the look and forgiveness of his Jailbird putter head, he’s looking to re-incorporate more feel into his hands during the putting stroke.
He told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Championship that the 38-inch counterbalanced setup “served its purpose” by helping him to neutralize his hands during the stroke, but now it’s time to try the standard-length putter with a standard-size SuperStroke Pistol Tour grip to help with his feel and speed control.
Although Fowler was also spotted testing standard-length mallets from L.A.B. Golf and Axis1 on Tuesday, he confirmed that the custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 is the putter he’ll use this week at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Head over to PGATour.com for the full article.
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Whats in the Bag
Akshay Bhatia WITB 2024 (May)
- Akshay Bhatia what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. Bhatia is deciding between drivers. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Callaway Rogue ST Max LS (9 degrees @7.2, 2 grams lead tape heel, 4 grams toe)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X (44 7/8 inches, tipped 1 inch)
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (15 degrees @13.9)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X (43 inches, tipped 1.5)
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW Prototype (19 degrees @17.8)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 10 X
Irons: Callaway X Forged UT (21 degrees) Buy here, Callaway Apex TCB Raw (5-PW)
Shafts: KBS $-Taper 125 S+
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (50-10S @49, 54-10S, 60-08C @61)
Shafts: KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 135 X
Putter: Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Split
Grips: Iomic
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour
More photos of Akshay Bhatia’s WITB in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Emiliano Grillo WITB 2024 (May)
- Emiliano Grillo what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (9 degrees @10)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX 70 TX
5-wood: Cobra LTDx Prototype (18.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX 70 TX
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB (4-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Callaway MD3 Milled (46-08S), Callaway Jaws Raw (50-10S, 54-10S, 60-08T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Flatso 1.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Emiliano Grillo’s clubs here.
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TA
Mar 20, 2021 at 10:29 pm
Hi Ryan, love the breakdown on the SIM2. By chance did you measure the weight near the heal on the SIM2? The one they call the TPS weight? Thank you!
Pingback: Best driver 2021: By club fitters for you! – GolfWRX
jgpl001
Jan 20, 2021 at 4:04 am
I am NOT happy to see these.
With all things Covid, lockdowns, restrictions and course closure I have only hit my (now) old SIM driver 5-6 times since purchasing it in March 2020
Now its worthless, thanks, TM AGAIN
Gunter Eisenberg
Jan 19, 2021 at 2:39 pm
Same old…same old….nothing revolutionary to see here. Move along…
T
Jan 19, 2021 at 9:21 am
I like that you can customize the driver away from the horrid new paint scheme, but you can’t do the same for the fairway woods, so what’s the point? I can have an all blacked out driver, but if I want the 3W I’m stuck with the ugly colors. Big miss.
Moses
Jan 19, 2021 at 8:44 am
Driver looks like Optimus Prime. No thanks to all these $500 plus drivers that aren’t any better than last years model.
BJ
Jan 19, 2021 at 8:10 am
Review was good to listen to. Buy why does he say “composite” like that LOL. I have a buddy from South Carolina and when he says “Crayon”, he pronounces it “Crown”
Big GG
Jan 19, 2021 at 8:33 am
Look at the early reviews all over the net. The SIM 2 does not perform any better than last years SIM.