By: Dylan Thaemert
50 Words or Less
The TaylorMade SIM Max irons are the latest offering from a company known for innovating when it comes to game improvement technology.
Introduction
With SIM, TaylorMade departs from its M line and enters a new era of enhanced distance, sound, and feel. The SIM Max irons is the company’s newest iteration of its super game improvement irons. The driver has already made its mark on tour, but can the irons make a similar impact in the games of weekend golfers?
Looks
Visually, the SIM Max screams ‘tech.’ It has a thick top line, chunky profile, and plenty of offset. It also has pronounced pieces of game improvement technology like the Speed Bridge™ on the back of the club. TaylorMade states that this bar “strategically supports the topline of the iron,” and I could see how it might help reinforce chunked shots that end up coming off closer to the top of the face.
Sound & Feel
The sound of impact is a loud, solid, authoritative “boom.” Each strike sounded satisfying and confidence-inspiring.
Despite the fact that TaylorMade is marketing this club as having “forged-like feel” I found that feedback was not comparable to my forged gamers. While it’s easy to tell when you’ve struck the ground before the ball, differentiating heel and toe strike locations wasn’t as easy.
Performance
Numbers-wise, the TaylorMade SIM Max delivered on what it was designed to do. Compared to my gamers, it spun a bit more, carried about 5 yards longer, and peaked about 8 feet higher. Interestingly, the loft of the SIM Max 6 iron is 3 degrees stronger than my gamers.
Shots hit with the SIM Max flew consistently high and straight., In this respect, its strength could also be seen as a detractor. For players with a desire to be able to control their ball flight or work a draw or fade on command, I found it was not quite as versatile as my gamers.
Conclusion
While the SIM Max doesn’t necessarily check the boxes that make me want to put it in my bag, I think there is a large segment of the golfing population that would benefit by making the switch. It’s straight, forgiving, and impact provides a satisfying sensory experience.
TaylorMade SIM Max Irons Price & Specs
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12 Comments
Good looking irons Are they for senior mid handicap players?
Danny,
I’m sure they’ll work for a senior mid handicap player if properly fit.
Best,
Matt
It certainly won’t win any awards for best looking.
I hit the M5 irons last year and immediately put them in the bag. Love them! There really is something to the SpeedBridge. You say working the ball both ways would be hard with the new SIM irons. I felt the same way about the M6 irons—they’re great for the player wanting a straight ball flight. But it’s easy to shot shape with the M5 irons. That’s why I’m surprised TM didn’t release a smaller head model. Maybe it will come later. Question still remains after reading this article, how much improvement from the previous model?
Unfortunately, Dylan has not hit the M5 or M6 irons and thus can’t provide a comparison.
Best,
Matt
The looks on the head remind me of the lip on jonah hex movie, ugly
Did you think these were better feeling than the P790 or the Mizuno 919 Hot Metal? Currently play the 3 iron 790 off the tee and don’t care for the feel. Also wouldn’t mind adding some forgiveness.
Also, do you have a link to your “what’s in the bag?”
Thank you.
Ryan,
This review was written by Dylan who did not review either the P790 or Mizuno 919 Hot Metal for us, so unfortunately neither of us can offer a comparison.
You can find our staff’s WITBs here: https://pluggedingolf.com/about/
-Matt
How do these compare to the Callaway Steelheads?
Allen,
I would guess these will be somewhat longer and more forgiving, but I don’t have any head to head testing to say for sure.
-Matt
Love my Sim Max now for three years and my game has improved so much. Graphite shafts
Hybrid 4 and 5 rest irons love the launch and feel
Compared to my Ping i20 irons the sim max feels like I’m hitting rocks and they suck at holding the greens my pings hit and stuck within 3 to 5 feet once hit the green. I was able to go at the pin. I don’t dare do it now. Sim max has no stopping power they just roll off the green. Not pleased at all