TaylorMade’s technology continues to advance each year, which means there are plenty of new and used golf irons at the ready with viable upgrades for your bag. Just because the SIM and SIM2 irons are previous models doesn’t mean they don’t have tons of innovation that can add to your game. After all, “SIM” does stand for “Shape in Motion,” meaning you’ll be getting some exciting technology in either iron set.
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The TaylorMade SIM2 irons are the predecessors to the Stealth irons, making these TaylorMade irons still quite a catch. If you’re looking to enhance your iron game without paying top dollar, looking at used golf irons is a great option.
GlobalGolf’s staff of PGA Professionals will compare and contrast the SIM vs. SIM2 irons so you can evaluate your best options, even on a budget.
TaylorMade SIM vs. SIM2 Iron Sets Overview
First, let’s take a look at availability and handicap ranges for these TaylorMade golf irons. This golf club comparison can help you quickly find the right models to review
TaylorMade SIM2 Iron Sets
Released in 2021, the TaylorMade SIM2 iron sets also included two models:
- TaylorMade SIM2 Max irons
- TaylorMade SIM2 Max OS irons
TaylorMade SIM Iron Sets
Released in 2020, the TaylorMade SIM iron sets include two models:
- TaylorMade SIM Max irons
- TaylorMade SIM Max OS irons
TaylorMade Iron Handicap Ranges
The TaylorMade SIM Max and SIM2 Max irons fall in the mid handicap range, around 10-25. The TaylorMade SIM Max OS and SIM2 Max OS irons fall a little higher in the mid to high handicap range, around 15-30.
TaylorMade SIM2 Irons for Accuracy and Distance
With this information in mind, let’s take a deeper look at each SIM2 iron set. Below are some of the main technological advances that help these irons stand apart from the SIM models.
- Cap Back®: Improves sound and feel through a more stable construction
- New ECHO® Damping System: Further improves feel and decreases vibrations at impact
- Clubface with Progressive ICT (Inverted Cone Technology): A larger sweet spot across a hotter clubface for more forgiveness and consistency
- Thru-Slot Speed Pocket™: More clubface flex for higher ball speeds and more forgiveness
- Low CG (center of gravity): Leads to a higher launch and more piercing ball flight
TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons
The TaylorMade SIM2 Max irons were – and still are – a hot commodity. These game improvement irons are forgiving without sacrificing distance. Add in the pure feel and sound, and you have yourselves a winner here, especially if you’re in that mid-handicap range.
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TaylorMade SIM2 Max OS Irons
The SIM2 Max OS irons pack the same great technology as the SIM2 Max with two key differences. First, the TaylorMade SIM2 Max OS irons have a bigger clubhead and clubface, allowing for easier contact. Second, the SIM2 Max OS iron set is geared toward maximum distance through lower lofts, which is a great benefit for those with higher handicaps.
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TaylorMade SIM Irons for Forgiveness and Distance
While released a season earlier, the forgiveness you see in the SIM2 irons are built off the TaylorMade SIM irons’ foundation. While some of that base technology did carry over to the SIM2 line, the SIM irons do have some different features:
- Speed Bridge™: The previous way to improve sound and feel through stability before the Cap Back™ came long in 2022
- Speed Pocket™: The previous iteration of the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket™ technology that increases ball speed and clubface flexibility
- Ultra-thin Clubface: Straighten out your ball flight with a thinner face with a more effective sweet spot
- Progressive ICT: Again the earlier iteration of the SIM2 version, this design allows for a draw bias
- Clubhead Design: Built for forgiveness thanks to a larger clubface that leads to more stability
TaylorMade SIM Max Irons
The basis of the first TaylorMade SIM Max irons was creating a forgiving iron set that has a forged feel. While game-improvement irons, they are designed to play like a distance iron without the lack of feel or low handicap.
TaylorMade SIM Max OS Irons
Similar to the SIM2 models above, the TaylorMade SIM Max OS irons have a larger clubface, leading to more forgiveness through a larger sweet spot. These irons also provide the strongest lofts out of any TaylorMade iron set released in 2020.
Choosing Between TaylorMade SIM2 vs. SIM Irons
Which iron set is right for you? It’s important to look at your handicap and your budget. The SIM and SIM2 Max irons are for mid handicaps who are looking for better feel and overall performance; the latter irons will likely cost more due to their more recent release.
The TaylorMade SIM and SIM2 Max OS irons, however, are geared more toward mid to high handicaps who are looking for a higher launch to gain distance and more forgiveness. Similarly, the SIM2 Max OS irons are likely to have a higher price tag based on release date.
If you’re still not sure which direction to go, check out GlobalGolf’s TaylorMade iron selector tool, USelect®, and see which new and used TaylorMade iron sets fit your game and budget best. If TaylorMade Golf’s latest irons catch your eye, try them before you buy with UTry® and give yourself 14 days on the golf course, at the driving range or even at a lesson figuring out which iron set to buy with confidence.
To save more money, don’t forget you can trade in your current set of irons with UTrade-In® and get the best market value for your golf clubs through GlobalGolf. You can use that credit towards your next purchase and take some heft off that price tag. No matter if you shop TaylorMade preowned or new, you can trust GlobalGolf to vet, clean and categorize every iron set correctly.
Enjoy the process of picking out your next set of TaylorMade irons, and always feel free to reach out to our staff of PGA Professionals with any questions along the way.
Check out our guide to TaylorMade SIM2 vs. SIM drivers as well.