TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Irons Review (Updated 2025)

They have become synonymous in golf with high-quality, high-performing equipment products. So, when they showed off the Sim 2 Max irons, golf fans scrambled to get their hands on the new tech and feel the innovations for themselves.

But this is priced at the premium end of the scale, begging an important question: “Are these premium features worth the money?”

When it comes to the new TaylorMade Sim 2 Max irons, UTHAVE is really strong and not sweet: forgiveness and performance, good looks and good feel, penetration and explosion. However, relative to their predecessor, the original Sim Max irons, the performance gap isn’t as wide as expected, somewhat complicating the upgrade case.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive but easy-to-read review of the TaylorMade Sim 2 Max irons, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s review their notable features, discuss some good and not-so-good things about them, and determine if these irons are in your golf bag and possibly on our list of best golf irons!

What Makes the SIM2 Max Irons Different?

The SIM2 Max irons continue the innovative design established by their predecessor, the SIM Max, but the revolutionary Cap Back Technology is what sets them apart.

Cap Back Technology

Wondering how Cap Back Technology works? Let me break it down for you:

The Cap Back is a multi-material construction that spans the entire cavity,  easily identifiable as the bronze-toned section on the keeper’s back. Made from lightweight polymer, this feature strengthens stability and rigidity in the upper part of the clubface near the top line.

Combined with the Speed Pocket—a design element that makes the lower part of the club face more flexible—it imposes more flex, ball speeds, and distance across the face. This combination also enhances sound and feel at impact.

The Cap Back Technology, in particular, creates what TaylorMade calls an “intelligent sweet spot” and massively increases forgiveness in key areas of the clubface where mishits frequently occur — the high toe and the low heel.

SIM2 Max Irons: Key Specs, Prices, and Features

Echo Damping System

The SIM2 Max irons feature an advanced Echo Damping System that replicates the feel of a forged iron, thanks to their complete hollow-body construction.

In the SIM2 line, the cavity is filled with a soft polymer blend—with a higher concentration of HYBRAR material—and a fully encased insert behind the face from heel to toe. Many of these contact points absorb and disperse harsh vibrations, so you feel softer without losing face flex.

Passively Controlled Inverted Cone Technology (PICT)

The Inverted Cone Technology comes with an ultra-thin face in a variable thickness that increases the area of the COR zone to maximize ball speeds across an expansive area of the clubface.

With the SIM2 Max irons, the ICT is explicitly positioned to maximize forgiveness and offset the right miss, which is typically the flaw for many right-handed golfers.

Thru-Slot Speed Pocket

The Thru-Slot Speed Pocket—a slot that runs along the bottom of the sole—will increase face flexibility and ball speed and provide forgiveness on low-face hits, a standard miss zone.

Additional Design Elements

And SIM2 Max irons also feature:

• 360° Undercut Cavity: Helps to lower the centre of gravity (CG) for a higher launch.
• Ultra-Thin Outside Face: Delivers a more flexible face to transfer more energy.
• Fluted Hosel: Aids in repositioning weight lower in the clubhead to enhance launch conditions.

Stock Options & Customization

Stock sets of the SIM2 Max irons are generally 4-PW or 5-PW, AW. Single irons from 4-LW are likewise available.

The same groundbreaking technology used in the SIM2 Max irons is also found in the SIM2 Max Women’s irons. The only difference is that these feature lighter stock shafts and grip options to help women play their best.

Stock shaft options:

• Steel: KBS MAX MT 85
• Graphite: Fujikura Ventus Blue
• Stock grip: Lamkin Crossline 360

For example, golfers interested in custom configurations — loft, lie angle and shaft upgrades — can custom-order all clubs through the TaylorMade store.

Specifications

Here’s an in-depth look at the specifications of the SIM2 Max irons. Click through or zoom in for a closer look at the loft profiles — virtually unchanged compared to the previous M4 series.

Combining cutting-edge tech with user-friendly design features, the SIM2 Max irons achieve an ideal balance of forgiveness, speed and feel for golfers.

How do the SIM2 Max irons perform?

It was a real treat to test out the TaylorMade SIM2 Max irons on one of those rare warm March afternoons we get sometimes in Illinois. Only the perfect weather could outdo how easily these irons made shots fly down the range. Shot after shot, I observed a consistent mid-level trajectory combined with what appeared to be mid-to-low spin and reasonable distance. Although the SIM2 Max wants to hit a straight ball and make it easy to launch, it never seemed to deter me from hitting my shots and shaping or flighting the ball down.

When I got these irons on the launch monitor, the numbers confirmed what I saw on the range. The launch angle was a couple of degrees flatter than my typical gamer irons, while spin rates were a few hundred RPM lower. Crucially, the spin wasn’t low enough for me to struggle to hold a green — a well-struck shot still hit and stopped right where I wanted it to go. However, adequately fitting is still key to matching the correct shaft to the SIM2 Max head so your numbers work for your swing.

Where these irons excel is in forgiveness. The SIM2 Max takes the cake when preserving ball speed on off-centre hits, even if it’s not as chunky as some of its counterparts. (It keeps launch angles and spin rates consistent, which means more predictable distances and better iron play.) If speed, launch and spin remain constant, so does your game.

What Do They Look, Sound & Feel Like?

The Look

The original SIM Max irons had a look that wasn’t afraid to be loud, including the signature Speed Bridge on the back—a dope feature that added a little pizazz but also tended to catch dirt and grass.

That’s a visual concept I can appreciate, and it’s a percentage swing in the right direction. I’m just as impressed, maybe even more, with the SIM2 Max irons. They look sleek and modern. Subtle brass accents in the Cap Back contrast sharply against the sleek silver chrome finish.

The flip side: I have a love-hate relationship with the high-gloss chrome sole. It’s beautiful off the shelf, but using it just a few times shows the requisite scratches and scuffs.

At address, it’s obvious these are game improvement irons. The nigh-on same effect is achieved by having a thick top line and a generous offset for that assurance of feel. The face does feel a bit short — I would have preferred a little more length — but that’s a minor quibble.

These irons are high on my list overall in terms of aesthetics. As long as you keep them clean and properly maintained, you can be sure that heads will turn when they roll up on the course.

The Sound & Feel

These days, predicting the sound and feel of a game improvement iron at impact can be tricky. There’s just something familiar but different about the feel of TaylorMade irons.

I hit the SIM2 Max irons, and in case you were unaware which manufacturer you were ball-striking, anyone who knows TaylorMade’s unique feel wouldn’t miss the company’s imprint on the clubs.

They are a bit smoother than forged players’ irons and more contact-y than GI cavity backs. It does an excellent job of replicating the feel of a forged club with the Echo Damping System, but it isn’t precisely the buttery feel you’d get from an actual muscle back or forged iron.

It makes a satisfying crack when you strike the ball — sharp and controlled — with mis-hits resulting in a somewhat muted sound. The sweet spot is firm yet explosive and promotes confidence.

That’s very intriguing—there’s a little “click” at impact. This may sound not good, but it’s subtle and only a minor part of the experience. That’s an impressively refined sound and feel for a cast cavity back iron.

TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Irons Review : Pros & Cons

✅ Pros:

• Huge forgiveness on off-centre strikes.
• Good carry with plenty of launch.
• ECHO Damping System for a soft feel
• Thick topline for confidence-inspiring design.

❌ Cons:

• If the loft is substantial, it may decrease green stopping power.
• It’s not great for shot shape (workability is fixed).
• Biggerclubhead may unsettle traditionalists.

Who is the TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons for?

TaylorMade SIM2 Max irons are a brilliant option for mid to high-handicappers hoping to refine their game. If you’re looking for forgiving clubs that deliver extraordinary ball speed while not dramatically compromising distance, these should be on your consideration list.

If I had to pick only one standout feature, it’s how much more forgiving they are on off-centre hits than the previous generation. The sound feedback is particularly significant as nicely — not only does it feel solid at impact, but the sound gives you a subtle hint if you nailed a centralized hit, forcing you feedback on each swing.

With that said, if you’re already gaming the original SIM Max irons and seeing good results, you might not need to upgrade. And although the SIM2 Max does have a handful of tuned-up features, the performance delta isn’t so great as to justify rolling out for a new set right now.

But suppose you’re a beginner looking for your first set of irons or an experienced golfer contemplating changing out a trusty set you’ve used for five or more years. In that case, the TaylorMade SIM2 Max irons will bear consideration—especially if you’re serious about advancing your game.

Final Thoughts

So, let’s return to the significant questions I laid out at the beginning of this TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Irons review. Forgiveness is where the SIM2 Max irons excel — the club more than does its job, taking care of off-centre strikes for you and making it feel effortless to hit solid shots.

These irons are an improvement from top to bottom compared to the original SIM Max irons. They’re longer, more forgiving, and deliver a more refined feel—although, to be fair, they still don’t feel as buttery-like as a traditional set of forged irons.

 I’ve discovered that the SIM2 Max irons suit mid-to-high handicappers well. However, the strong lofts mean you’ll need to generate good swing speed to get those high, soft-landing shots onto the greens.

I have seen great success with the TaylorMade SIM2 Max irons. If this were on your list for a set of game-improvement irons, I’d let this be on your shortlist.

But now, I’d like to hear from you! After reading the TaylorMade SIM 2 Max irons review, Have you tested SIM2 Max yet? How did they perform for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s start that conversation!