Equipment

2021 TaylorMade SIM2 drivers: Better performance, piece by piece

Published

3 years ago

Jan 19, 2021

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

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

More photos and discussion in the forums.

What’s the same? What has gotten better?

Speed Injected Twist Face of the TaylorMade SIM2

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.

2021 Speed Injection port

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.

New heavier Inertia Generator at the rear of the SIM2 head.

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.

More photos and discussion in the forums.

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

Speed Injected resin 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

Lightweight carbon 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

Carbon soleplate of the SIM2 driver

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

Forged aluminum back ring of the SIM2 driver

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.

More photos and discussion in the forums.

Milling on the inside of the SIM2 driver

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

2021 TaylorMade SIM2 driver

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.

TaylorMade SIM2 driver from address

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

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.

SIM2 Max driver from address

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.

SIM2 Max driver face

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

2021 SIM2 MaxD (draw) driver

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.

Heel bias TPS Weight on SIM2 Max

The Max D has the largest face area of the three models, which also helps those golfers who struggle with constant face contact.

More photos and discussion in the forums.

SIM2 Max D driver face

TaylorMade SIM2 Max D driver from address

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.

More photos and discussion in the forums.

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Whats in the Bag

Kevin Tway WITB 2024 (May)

Published

2 days ago

May 10, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Kevin Tway what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.

Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX

Check out more in-hand photos of Kevin Tway’s clubs here.

5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX

Irons: Wilson Staff Utility (2), Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT 100 TX (2), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-9)

Check out more in-hand photos of Kevin Tway’s clubs here.

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F @51, 56-14F), SM7 (60-10S)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48-56), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (60)

Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: Scotty Cameron Black Baby T

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus4

More photos of Kevin Tway’s WITB in the forums.

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Equipment

Did Rory McIlroy inspire Shane Lowry’s putter switch?

Published

2 days ago

May 10, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

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 timing of Lowry’s putter changeup was curious: Was he just using a Spider putter because he was paired with McIlroy, who’s been using a Spider Tour X head throughout 2024? Was Lowry just being festive because it’s the Zurich Classic, and he wanted to match his teammate? Did McIlroy let Lowry try his putter, and he liked it so much he actually switched into it?

Well, as it turns out, McIlroy’s only influence was inspiring Lowry to make more putts.

When asked if McIlroy had an influence on the putter switch, Lowry had this to say: “No, it’s actually a different putter than what he uses. Maybe there was more pressure there because I needed to hole some more putts if we wanted to win,” he said with a laugh.

To Lowry’s point, McIlroy plays the Tour X model, whereas Lowry switched into the Tour Z model, which has a sleeker shape in comparison, and the two sole weights of the club are more towards the face.

Lowry’s Spider Tour Z has a white True Path Alignment channel on the crown of his putter, which is reminiscent of Lowry’s former 2-ball designs, thus helping to provide a comfort factor despite the departure from his norm. Instead of a double-bend hosel, which Lowry used in his 2-ball putters, his new Spider Tour Z is designed with a short slant neck.

“I’ve been struggling on the greens, and I just needed something with a fresh look,” Lowry told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship. “It has a different neck on it, as well, so it moves a bit differently, but it’s similar. It has a white line on the back of it [like my 2-ball], and it’s a mallet style. So it’s not too drastic of a change.

“I just picked it up on the putting green and I liked the look of it, so I was like, ‘Let’s give it a go.’”

Read the rest of the piece over at PGATour.com.

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Equipment

Webb Simpson equipment Q&A: Titleist’s new 2-wood, 680 blade irons, and switching to a broomstick Jailbird

Published

2 days ago

May 10, 2024

Andrew Tursky

With seven career wins on the PGA Tour, including a U.S. Open victory, Webb Simpson is a certified veteran on the course. But he’s also a certified veteran in the equipment world, too. He’s a gearhead who truly knows his stuff, and he’s even worked closely with Titleist on making his own custom 682.WS irons.

On Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, I caught up with Simpson to hear about his experience with Titleist’s new prototype 2-wood, how Titleist’s 680 Forged irons from 2003 ended up back in his bag, and why he’s switching into an Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Cruiser broomstick putter this week for the first time.

Click here to read our full story about Simpson’s putter switch on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, or continue reading below for my full Q&A with Simpson at Quail Hollow Club on Wednesday.

See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here

GolfWRX: It seems like you’ve been a little all over the place with your irons in the past six months or so, and now going back to the 680’s. Is that just a comfort thing? What’s been going on with the irons?

Webb Simpson: Titleist has been so great at working with me, and R&D, on trying to get an iron that kind of modernizes the 680. And so the 682.WS took the T100 grooves, but kinda took the look and the bulk and the build of the 680’s into one club. They’re beautiful, and awesome looking. I just never hit them that well for a consistent period of time. It was probably me, but then I went to T100’s and loved them. I loved the spin, the trajectory, the yardage, but again, I never went on good runs. Going through the ground, I couldn’t feel the club as well as with the blade. So last week, I’m like, ‘Alright. I’m gonna go back more for…comfort, and see if I can get on a nice little run of ball striking.’

So that’s why I went back.

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OK, that makes sense. I know you had done some 2-wood testing recently. Is that in the bag right now?

It’s like day-by-day. I used it at Hilton Head every day. Valero, I used it one round. And this week, me and my caddie will do the book every morning, and if it’s a day where we think we need it, we’ll just put it in and take the 3-wood out. I love it because it’s a super simple swap. Like, it doesn’t really change much.

Yeah, can you tell me about that club? I mean, we don’t really know anything about it yet. You know? I haven’t hit it or anything, obviously.

It has grooves like a 3-wood. Spin is perfect. And it’s honestly, like, everything is in the middle of a 3-wood and driver number. Trajectory, spin, carry, all of it. So, a Hilton Head golf course is almost too easy to talk about because, you know, there, so many holes are driver 3-wood.

Valero, our thinking was we had two par-5’s into the wind, and we knew that it would take two great shots to get there in two. So instead of hitting driver-driver, we just put it in. And I used it on those holes.

Hilton was a little easier because it was off-the-tee kind of questions. But Colonial will be a golf course where, you know, there’s a lot of driver or 3-woods. It’s kind of like a backup putter or driver for me now. I’ll bring it to every tournament.

So it’s, like, in your locker right now, probably?

Well, it would be. It’s in my house [because Webb lives near by Quail Hollow Club, and is a member at the course.] It’s in the garage.

Oh, yeah, that’s right. Do you know what holes you might use it out here if it goes in play?

Potentially 15, depending on the wind. Second shot on 10. Could be 14 off the tee. The chances here are pretty low (that he’ll use the 2-wood). But, like, Greensboro would be an awesome club all day. I’m trying to think of any other golf courses.

There’s plenty that it’ll be a nice weapon to have.

It’s interesting, the wave of 2-woods and mini drivers. Like, it’s just really taken off on Tour, and all the companies have seemed to embrace it.

Yeah. The thing I had to learn, it took me, like, at least a week to learn about it is you gotta tee it up lower than you think. I kept teeing it up too high. You need it low, like barely higher than a 3-wood. And that was where I got optimal spin and carry. If you tee it up too high, you just don’t get as much spin and lose distance, I don’t know if that’s just a mini driver thing.

And you obviously have a Jailbird putter this week. What spurred that on?

Inconsistent putting. I’m stubborn in a lot of ways when it comes to my equipment, but I have to be open minded – I just hadn’t putted consistently well in a while. And I’m like, ‘Man, I feel my ball-striking coming along. Like I feel better; for real, better.’

If I can just get something in my hands that I’m consistent with. Being on Tour, you see it every year, guys get on little runs. I can put together four to five tournaments where I’m all the sudden back in the majors, or in the FedExCup Playoffs. You can turn things around quick out here. I’m like, ‘Man, whatever’s going to get me there, great.’

My caddie, David Cook, caddied for Akshay at the Houston Open and he putted beautifully. Then, I watched Akshay on TV at Valero, and he putted beautifully. And, I’m like, ‘I’m just going to try it.’

I’ve never tried it for more than a putt or two, and I just ordered what Akshay uses. It was pretty awkward at first, but the more I used it, the more I’m like, ‘Man, it’s pretty easy.’ And a buddy of mine who’s a rep out here, John Tyler Griffin, he helped me with some setup stuff. And he said at Hilton Head, he wasn’t putting well, then tried it, and now he makes everything. He was very confident. So I’m like, ‘Alright, I’ll try it.’”

And you’re going with it this week?

Hundred percent.

Alright, I love it. Thank you, I always love talking gear with you. Play well this week.

Thanks, man.

See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here

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